초록 ▼

A method for removing double metal cyanide complex catalyst from polyether polyols is disclosed which uses alkali metal compounds and phosphorous compounds to precipitate the residual catalyst, which may then be removed by filtration. In one embodiment, a propylene oxide polyol is treated with sodiu

A method for removing double metal cyanide complex catalyst from polyether polyols is disclosed which uses alkali metal compounds and phosphorous compounds to precipitate the residual catalyst, which may then be removed by filtration. In one embodiment, a propylene oxide polyol is treated with sodium metal dispsersion, capped with ethylene oxide, treated with magnesium silicate, and then filtered to remove at least a portion of the catalyst. Substantially complete catalyst removal is then achieved by treating the polyol with hypophosphorous or phosphorous acid to precipitate the remaining solubilized double metal cyanide complex catalyst residue, neutralizing the excess acid with magnesium silicate, and filtering.

대표청구항 ▼

A process for purifying a polyol containing a double metal cyanide complex catalyst which comprises the steps of: (a) treating the polyol with at least one alkali metal compound selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, alkali metal hydroxides, alkali metal hydrides, and alkali metal alko

A process for purifying a polyol containing a double metal cyanide complex catalyst which comprises the steps of: (a) treating the polyol with at least one alkali metal compound selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, alkali metal hydroxides, alkali metal hydrides, and alkali metal alkoxides in an amount sufficient to convert the double metal cyanide complex catalyst into an insoluble portion and a soluble portion and to convert at least a portion of the polyol hydroxyl groups to alkoxide groups, (b) filtering the treated polyol to remove the insoluble portion, (c) further treating the filtered polyol with a sufficient amount of at least one phosphorous compound to convert the soluble portion of the double metal cyanide complex catalyst produced in step (a) to a second insoluble portion, said phosphorous compound selected from the group consisting of pyrophosphorous acid, hypophosphorous acid, phosphorous acid, and compounds having the formula [Figure] wherein R is linear or branched alkyl, phenyl, or substituted phenyl, X is Cl or Br, x is 0, 1, 2, or 3, y is 0, 1, or 2, z is 0, 1, 2, or 3, and the sum of x+y+z is 3, with the proviso that the filtered polyol additionally be treated with water when the phosphorous compound is pyrophosphorous acid or when x is 1, 2, or 3, or z is 1, 2, or 3, (d) filtering the phosphorous compound-treated polyol to remove the second insoluble portion of the double metal cyanide complex catalyst produced in step (c), and (e) recovering the resulting purified polyol