EP3898765A1

EP3898765A1 - Method for producing a polyester-polyetherpolyol block copolymer

Info

Publication number: EP3898765A1
Application number: EP19817744.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Markus MEURESCH; Christoph Gürtler; Aurel Wolf; Martin MACHAT
Original assignee: Covestro Intellectual Property GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Covestro Intellectual Property GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2018-12-21
Filing date: 2019-12-16
Publication date: 2021-10-27
Also published as: US20220056207A1; WO2020127016A1; EP3670571A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a polyester-polyetherpolyol block copolymer by reacting a H-functional starter substance with lactone in the presence of a catalyst to form a polyester and subsequently the reaction of the polyester from step i) with alkylene oxides in the presence of a catalyst (B), wherein the lactone is a four-membered lactone. The invention also relates to the polyester-polyetherpolyol block copolymer that can be obtained from the present method.

Description

Process for the production of a Polvester-Polvetherpolvol block copolymer

The invention relates to a process for the production of a polyester-polyether polyol block copolymer by reacting an H-functional starter substance with lactone in the presence of a catalyst to give a polyester, followed by reacting the polyester from step i) with alkylene oxides in the presence of a catalyst (B) , the lactone being a 4-membered lactone. Another subject is the polyester-polyether polyol block copolymer obtainable by the present process.

WO 2011/000560 A1 discloses a process for the preparation of polyetherester polyols having primary hydroxyl end groups, comprising the steps of reacting a starter compound having active hydrogen atoms with an epoxide with double metal cyanide catalysis, reacting the product obtained with a cyclic carboxylic acid anhydride and reacting the product obtained Product with ethylene oxide in the presence of a catalyst which comprises at least one nitrogen atom per molecule, with the exception of non-cyclic, identically substituted tertiary amines. The resulting polyetherester polyols of this multi-stage process have a primary hydroxyl group content of a maximum of 76%.

WO2008 / 104723 A1 discloses a process for producing a polylactone or polylactam, in which the lactone or lactam is reacted with an H-functional starter substance in the presence of a non-chlorinated aromatic solvent and a sulfonic acid on a microliter scale. Here, low molecular weight monofunctional or polyfunctional alcohols or thiols are used as the H-functional starter substance, with (monofunctional) n-pentanol, with e-caprolactone or d-valerolactone in the presence of high amounts of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid of 2.5 mol% or more being disclosed in the exemplary embodiments is.

In Couffin et al. Poly. Chem 2014, 5, 161 discloses a selective O-acyl opening of β-butyrolactone on H-functional starter substances such as n-pentanol, 1,4-butanediol and polyethylene glycol in deuterated benzene and in the presence of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid in batch mode. Here, the reactions are carried out on a microliter scale and high amounts of the acid catalyst of 2.5 mol% or more, based on the amount of lactone used, are used.

GB 1201909 also describes a process for the production of polyester by reacting a lactone with an H-functional starter compound in the presence of an organic carbon or sulfonic acid whose PKs value at 25 ° C. is less than 2.0. Here, all reaction components such as short-chain alcohols and epsilon-caprolactone or mixtures were made Isomeric methyl-epsilon-caprolactone in large amounts of trichloro- or trifluoroacetic acid catalyst and reacted in the batch process for at least 20 hours, resulting in solids or liquid products with a broad molar mass distribution.

US5032671 discloses a process for the preparation of polymeric lactones by reacting an H-functional starter substance and lactones in the presence of a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst. In the exemplary embodiments, the reaction of polyether polyols with e-caprolactone, d-valerolactone or β-propiolactone to give polyether-polyester polyol block copolymers is disclosed, these reactions being carried out in the presence of high amounts of 980 ppm to 1000 ppm of the cobalt-containing DMC catalyst and in Is carried out in the presence of organic solvents, the resulting products having a broad molecular weight distribution from 1.32 to 1.72. For the conversion of the polyether polyol based on a trifunctional triol starter with β-propiolactone to the polyester-polyether polyol block copolymer, only the formation of the resulting product with a molecular weight of 10,000 g / mol is postulated. This process also requires a work-up step in which the products are filtered through diatomaceous earth and the solvent is subsequently removed.

Starting from the prior art, it was an object of the present invention to improve and simplify the production process of polyesters with regard to the formation of a defined, reproducible reaction product with the incorporation of all reaction components, the resulting polyester products, in addition to hydroxyl end groups, having improved thermal stability so that they are direct can be used in the reaction with isocyanates in the exothermic polyurethane reaction.

It has surprisingly been found that the object according to the invention is achieved by a process for producing a polyester-polyether polyol block copolymer, comprising the following steps:

i) reacting an H-functional starter substance with lactone to give a polyester ii) reacting the polyester from step i) with alkylene oxides in the presence of a catalyst (B).

Here, under the polyester-polyether-polyol block copolymer according to the invention, is a block copolymer consisting of an inner block (A), preferably polyester block (A), which is formed in the first process step and an outer block (B ) preferably polyether polyol block (B). In the case of an inner polyester block (A) with two terminal carboxy groups, the reaction of both takes place in step ii) Carboxy groups with alkylene oxides to form two outer terminal polyether polyol blocks (B), so that a (B) - (A) - (B) structure is formed.

In the case of a polyester block (A) with two terminal hydroxyl groups, the reaction of both hydroxyl groups with alkylene oxides takes place in step ii) to form two outer terminal polyether polyol blocks (B), so that one (B) - (A) - (B) Structure is formed.

The inner block (A) can also have a block copolymer structure per se, for example polyesters, polycarbonates, polyether carbonates, polyether ester carbonate polyols and polyethers (block A ') terminated by reaction of hydroxyl and or carboxy groups with lactones (polyester A “) to form an (A “) - (A ') - (A“) structure.

H-functional starter substance

In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the H-functional starter substance comprises an H-functional starter compound with one or more free carboxy group (s) and / or functional starter compound with one or more free hydroxyl group (s), preferably an H-functional starter compound with one or more free carboxy group (s).

In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, an H-functional compound is used, the H-functional compound having one or more hydroxyl group (s), preferably 1 to 8 and particularly preferably 2 to 6.

H-functional compound with a hydroxyl group can be CI to C20 alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, tert-butanol, 3-buten-1-ol, 3-butyn l-ol, 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol, 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol, propargyl alcohol, 2-methyl-2-propanol, l-tert-butoxy-2-propanol, 1- Pentanol, 2-pentanol, 3-pentanol, 1-hexanol, 2-hexanol, 3-hexanol, 1-heptanol, 2-heptanol, 3-heptanol, 1-octanol, 2-octanol, 3-octanol, 4-octanol, Phenol, 2-hydroxybiphenyl, 3-hydroxybiphenyl, 4-hydroxybiphenyl, dodecanol, tetradecanol, hexadecanol and octadecanol can be used.

Suitable H-functional compounds with several hydroxyl groups are polyvalent CI to C20 alcohols such as, for example, dihydric alcohols (such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,4-butenediol, 1,1 4-butynediol, neopentylglycol, 1,5-pentanediol, methylpentanediols (such as 3-methyl-1,5-pentanediol), 1,6-hexanediol; 1,8-octanediol, 1,10-decanediol, 1,12-dodecanediol , Bis (hydroxymethyl) cyclohexanes (such as 1,4-bis (hydroxymethyl) cyclohexane), Triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, polyethylene glycols, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, polypropylene glycols, dibutylene glycol and polybutylene glycols); trihydric alcohols (such as, for example, trimethylolpropane, glycerin, trishydroxyethyl isocyanurate, castor oil); tetravalent alcohols (such as pentaerythritol); Polyalcohols (such as, for example, sorbitol, hexitol, sucrose, starch, starch hydrolysates, cellulose, cellulose hydrolysates, hydroxy-functionalized fats and oils, in particular castor oil), as well as all modification products of these aforementioned alcohols with different amounts of e-caprolactone.

The H-functional starter substances with several hydroxyl groups can also be selected from the class of polyether polyols, in particular those with a molecular weight Mn in the range from 100 to 4000 g / mol. Preference is given to polyether polyols which are composed of repeating ethylene oxide and propylene oxide units, preferably in a proportion of 35 to 100% propylene oxide units, particularly preferably in a proportion of 50 to 100% propylene oxide units. These can be statistical copolymers, gradient copolymers, alternating or block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. Suitable polyether polyols composed of repeating propylene oxide and / or ethylene oxide units are, for example, the Desmophen®, Acclaim®, Arcol®, Baycoll®, Bayfill®, Bayflex®, Baygal®, PET® and polyether polyols from Covestro AG (such as Desmophen® 3600Z, Desmophen® 1900U, Acclaim® Polyol 2200, Acclaim® Polyol 40001, Arcol® Polyol 1004, Arcol® Polyol 1010, Arcol® Polyol 1030, Arcol® Polyol 1070, Baycoll® BD 1110, Bayfill® VPPU 0789, Baygal® K55, PET® 1004, Polyether® S180). Other suitable homo-polyethylene oxides are, for example, the Pluriol® E brands from BASF SE, suitable homo-polypropylene oxides are, for example, the Pluriol® P brands from BASF SE, suitable mixed copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide are, for example, the Pluronic® PE or Pluriol® RPE Brands of BASF SE.

The H-functional starter substances with several hydroxyl groups can also be selected from the substance class of the polyester polyols, in particular those with a molecular weight Mn in the range from 200 to 4500 g / mol. At least difunctional polyesters can be used as polyester polyols. Polyester polyols preferably consist of alternating acid and alcohol units. Examples of acid components which can be used are succinic acid, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, adipic acid, phthalic anhydride, phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, tetrahydrophthalic acid, tetrahydrophthalic anhydride, hexahydrophthalic anhydride or mixtures or the anhydrides and / or the acids mentioned and. Examples of alcohol components are ethanediol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, neopentyl glycol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,4-bis (hydroxymethyl) cyclohexane, Diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, trimethylolpropane, glycerol, pentaerythritol or mixtures of the alcohols mentioned are used. Are divalent or as alcohol component When polyvalent polyether polyols are used, polyester ether polyols are obtained which can also serve as starter substances for the production of the polyether carbonate polyols. Polyether polyols with Mn = 150 to 2000 g / mol are preferably used to prepare the polyester ether polyols.

Furthermore, polycarbonate diols can be used as H-functional starter substances with several hydroxyl groups, in particular those with a molecular weight Mn in the range from 150 to 4500 g / mol, preferably 500 to 2500 g / mol, which can be obtained, for example, by reacting phosgene, dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate or Diphenyl carbonate and difunctional alcohols or polyester polyols or polyether polyols can be produced. Examples of polycarbonates can be found e.g. in EP-A 1359177. For example, the Desmophen® C types from Covestro AG can be used as polycarbonate diols, e.g. Desmophen® C 1100 or Desmophen® C 2200.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polyether carbonate polyols and / or polyether ester carbonate polyols can be used as H-functional starter substances with several hydroxyl groups. In particular, polyether ester carbonate polyols can be used. These polyetherester carbonate polyols used as H-functional starter substances can be prepared beforehand in a separate reaction step.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, an H-functional compound is used, the H-functional compound having one or more carboxy group (s), preferably 1 to 8 and particularly preferably 2 to 6.

In one embodiment of the process according to the invention, the H-functional compound having one or more carboxy group (s) has no free primary and / or secondary hydroxyl groups.

In a preferred embodiment of the process according to the invention, the H-functional starter substance with one or more free carboxy group (s) is one or more compound (s) and is selected from the group consisting of monovalent carboxylic acids, polyvalent carboxylic acids, carboxy group (s) terminated polyesters, Carboxy group (s) terminated polycarbonates, carboxy group (s) terminated polyether carbonates, carboxy group (s) terminated polyether ester carbonate polyols and carboxy group (s) terminated polyethers.

Suitable monovalent carboxylic acids are monovalent CI to C20 carboxylic acids such as, for example, methanoic acid, ethanoic acid, propanoic acid, butanoic acid, pentanoic acid, hexanoic acid, heptanoic acid, octanoic acid, decanoic acid, dodecanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid, lactic acid, fluoroacetic acid, chloroacetic acid, bromoacetic acid, bromoacetic acid, bromoacetic acid, bromoacetic acid, bromoacetic acid and bromoacetic acid, bromoacetic acid, bromoacetic acid, bromoacetic acid, bromoacetic acid, bromoacetic acid and bromoacetic acid , Trifluoroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, oleic acid, salicylic acid, benzoic acid, acrylic acid and methacrylic acid.

Suitable polyvalent carboxylic acids are polyvalent C 1 to C 20 carboxylic acids such as, for example, oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, citric acid, trimesic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, 1,10-decanedicarboxylic acid, 1,12-dodecanoic acid , Phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, pyromellitic acid and trimellitic acid.

The H-functional starter substances can also be selected from the substance class of the carboxy group (s) terminated polyester, in particular those with a molecular weight Mn in the range from 50 to 4500 g / mol. At least difunctional polyesters can be used as the polyester. Polyesters preferably consist of alternating acid and alcohol units. As acid components e.g. Succinic acid, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, adipic acid, phthalic anhydride, phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, tetrahydrophthalic acid, tetrahydrophthalic anhydride, hexahydrophthalic anhydride or mixtures of the acids and / or anhydrides mentioned. As alcohol components e.g. Ethanediol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, neopentyl glycol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,4-bis (hydroxymethyl) cyclohexane, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, Trimethylolpropane, glycerol, pentaerythritol or mixtures of the alcohols mentioned are used. The resulting polyesters have terminal carboxy groups.

Carboxy group (s) terminated polycarbonates are preferably obtained, for example, by reacting polycarbonate polyols, preferably polycarbonate diols with a stoichiometric addition or stoichiometric excess, preferably a stoichiometric excess of polyvalent carboxylic acids and / or cyclic anhydrides.

The polycarbonate diols in particular have a molecular weight Mn in the range from 1000 to 4500 g / mol, preferably 1500 to 2500 g / mol, the polycarbonate diols being prepared, for example, by reacting phosgene, dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate or diphenyl carbonate and difunctional alcohols or polyester polyols or polyether polyols. Examples of polycarbonates can be found, for example, in EP-A 1359177. For example, the Desmophen® C types from Covestro AG can be used as polycarbonate diols, such as Desmophen® C 1100 or Desmophen® C 2200. Cyclic anhydrides are, for example, succinic anhydride, methyl succinic anhydride, maleic anhydride, Phthalic anhydride, tetrahydrophthalic anhydride and hexahydro-phthalic anhydride. Carboxy group (s) terminated polyether carbonates and / or polyether ester carbonates are preferably obtained, for example, by reacting polyether carbonate polyols and / or polyether ester carbonate polyols with a stoichiometric addition or stoichiometric excess, preferably a stoichiometric excess of polyvalent carboxylic acids and / or cyclic anhydrides. The polyether carbonate polyols (e.g. cardyon® polyols from Covestro), polycarbonate polyols (e.g. Converge® polyols from Novomer / Saudi Aramco, NEOSPOL polyols from Repsol etc.) and / or polyether ester carbonate polyols are used. In particular, polyether carbonate polyols, polycarbonate polyols and / or polyether ester carbonate polyols can be obtained by reacting alkylene oxides, preferably ethylene oxide, propylene oxide or mixtures thereof, optionally further co-monomers with CO 2 in the presence of a further H-functional starter compound and using catalysts. These catalysts include double metal cyanide catalysts (DMC catalysts) and / or metal complex catalysts, for example based on the metals zinc and / or cobalt, such as zinc glutarate catalysts (described, for example, in MH Chisholm et al., Macromolecules 2002, 35, 6494) , so-called zinc diiminate catalysts (described for example in SD Allen, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2002, 124, 14284) and so-called cobalt salen catalysts (described for example in US Pat. No. 7,304,172 B2, US 2012/0165549 Al) and / or manganese-salen complexes. An overview of the known catalysts for the copolymerization of alkylene oxides and CO 2 is given, for example, by Chemical Communications 47 (2011) 141-163. The use of different catalyst systems, reaction conditions and / or reaction sequences results in the formation of statistical, alternating, block-like or gradient-like polyether carbonate polyols, polycarbonate polyols and / or polyether ester carbonate polyols. These polyether carbonate polyols, polycarbonate polyols and / or polyether ester carbonate polyols used as H-functional starter compounds can be prepared beforehand in a separate reaction step. Cyclic anhydrides are, for example, succinic anhydride, methyl succinic anhydride, maleic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, tetrahydrophthalic anhydride and hexahydrophthalic anhydride.

Carboxy group (s) terminated polyethers are preferably obtained, for example, by reacting polyether polyols with stoichiometric addition or a stoichiometric excess, preferably a stoichiometric excess of polyvalent carboxylic acids and / or cyclic anhydrides. The polyether polyols which are composed of repeating ethylene oxide and propylene oxide units, preferably with a proportion of 50 to 100% propylene oxide units, particularly preferably with a proportion of 80 to 100% propylene oxide units. These can be statistical copolymers, gradient copolymers, alternating or block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. Suitable polyether polyols composed of repeating propylene oxide and / or ethylene oxide units are, for example, the Desmophen®, Acclaim®, Arcol®, Baycoll®, Bayfill®, Bayflex® Baygal®, PET® and polyether polyols from Covestro AG (such as Desmophen® 3600Z, Desmophen® 1900U, Acclaim® Polyol 2200, Acclaim® Polyol 40001, Arcol® Polyol 1004, Arcol® Polyol 1010, Arcol® Polyol 1030, Arcol® Polyol 1070, Baycoll® BD 1110, Bayfill® VPPU 0789, Baygal® K55, PET® 1004, Polyether® S180). Other suitable homo-polyethylene oxides are, for example, the Pluriol® E brands from BASF SE, suitable homo-polypropylene oxides are, for example, the Pluriol® P brands from BASF SE, suitable mixed copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide are, for example, the Pluronic® PE or Pluriol® RPE Brands of BASF SE. Cyclic anhydrides include maleic anhydride, succinic anhydride, methyl succinic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, tetrahydrophthalic anhydride and hexahydrophthalic anhydride.

In one embodiment of the process according to the invention, the H-functional starter substance with one or more free carboxy group (s) is one or more compounds and is selected from the group consisting of methanoic acid, ethanoic acid, propanoic acid, butanoic acid, pentanoic acid, hexanoic acid, heptanoic acid, octanoic acid, decanoic acid, dodecanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid, lactic acid, fluoroacetic acid, chloroacetic acid, bromoacetic acid, iodoacetic acid, difluoroacetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, oleic acid, salicylic acid, benzoic acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, Azelaic acid, sebacic acid, citric acid, trimesic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, 1,10-decanedicarboxylic acid, 1,12-dodecanedicarboxylic acid, phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, pyromellitic acid and trimellitic acid, acrylic acid and methacrylic acid.

According to the generally accepted understanding in organic chemistry, lactones are to be understood as heterocyclic compounds, lactones by intramolecular esterification, i.e. the reaction of a hydroxy functionality with a carboxy functionality of a hydroxycarboxylic acid. It is therefore cyclic esters with a ring oxygen.

In one embodiment of the process according to the invention, the 4-membered ring lactone is one or more compounds which are selected from the group consisting of propiolactone, β-butyrolactone, diketene, preferably propiolactone and β-butyrolactone.

In one embodiment of the process according to the invention, step i) is carried out in the presence of the catalyst (A). In a preferred embodiment of the process according to the invention, the catalyst (A) used in step i) is an amine (A), a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst (A) or a Bronsted acid catalyst (A), preferably a double metal cyanide (DMC). Catalyst (A).

In one embodiment of the process according to the invention, the catalyst (A) is an amine (A), the tertiary amine (A) being at least one compound selected from at least one group consisting of:

(A) amines of the general formula (2): where:

R2 and R3 are independently hydrogen, alkyl or aryl; or

R2 and R3 together with the N atom carrying them form an aliphatic, unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle;

n is an integer from 1 to 10;

R4 is hydrogen, alkyl or aryl; or

R4 stands for - (CH2) x-N (R41) (R42), where:

R41 and R42 are independently hydrogen, alkyl or aryl; or

R41 and R42 together with the N atom carrying them form an aliphatic, unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle;

x is an integer from 1 to 10;

(B) Amines of the general formula (3): where:

R5 is hydrogen, alkyl or aryl;

R6 and R7 are independently hydrogen, alkyl or aryl;

m and o are independently an integer from 1 to 10;

and or:

(C) Diazabicyclo [2.2.2] octane, diazabicyclo [5.4.0] undec-7-ene, dialkylbenzylamine, dimethylpiperazine, 2,2'-dimorpholinyl diethyl ether and / or pyridine. In one embodiment of the process according to the invention, the catalyst (A) is a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst (A).

The DMC catalysts which can preferably be used in the process according to the invention contain double metal cyanide compounds which are the reaction products of water-soluble metal salts and water-soluble metal cyanide salts.

Double metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts for use in the homopolymerization of alkylene oxides are known in principle from the prior art (see, for example, US Pat. Nos. 3,440,109, 3,829,505, 3,941,849 and 5) 158 922). DMC catalysts, e.g. in US-A 5 470 813, EP-A 700 949, EP-A 743 093, EP-A 761 708, WO 97/40086, WO 98/16310 and WO 00/47649 have a very high activity and enable the production of polyoxyalkylene polyols at very low catalyst concentrations. A typical example is the highly active DMC catalysts described in EP-A 700 949, which, in addition to a double metal cyanide compound (eg zinc hexacyanocobaltate (III)) and an organic complex ligand (eg ferf-butanol), also a polyether with a number average molecular weight greater than 500 contain g / mol.

The DMC catalysts which can be used according to the invention are preferably obtained by (1.) in the first step an aqueous solution of a metal salt with the aqueous solution of a metal cyanide salt in the presence of one or more organic complex ligands, e.g. an ether or alcohol,

(2.) wherein in the second step the solid is separated from the suspension obtained from (1.) by known techniques (such as centrifugation or filtration),

(3.) wherein, in a third step, the isolated solid is washed with an aqueous solution of an organic complex ligand (e.g. by resuspending and then isolating again by filtration or centrifugation),

(4.) then the solid obtained, optionally after pulverization, is dried at temperatures of generally 20-120 ° C. and at pressures of generally 0.1 mbar to normal pressure (1013 mbar),

and wherein in the first step or immediately after the precipitation of the double metal cyanide compound (second step) one or more organic complex ligands, preferably in excess (based on the double metal cyanide compound) and optionally further complex-forming components are added.

The double metal cyanide compounds contained in the DMC catalysts which can be used according to the invention are the reaction products of water-soluble metal salts and water-soluble metal cyanide salts.

For example, an aqueous zinc chloride solution (preferably in excess based on the metal cyanide salt) and potassium hexacyanocobaltate are mixed and then dimethoxyethane (Glyme) or r-butanol (preferably in excess, based on zinc hexacyanocobaltate) added to the suspension formed.

Metal salts suitable for the preparation of the double metal cyanide compounds preferably have a composition of the general formula (I)

M (X) n (I),

in which

M is selected from the metal cations Zn ²⁺ , Fe ²⁺ , Ni ²⁺ , Mn ²⁺ , Co ²⁺ , Sr ²⁺ , Sn ²⁺ , Pb ²⁺ and, Cu ²⁺ , M Zn ²⁺ is preferred, Fe ²⁺ , Co ²⁺ or Ni ²⁺ ,

X are one or more (ie different) anions, preferably an anion selected from the group consisting of the halides (ie fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide), hydroxide, sulfate, carbonate, cyanate, thiocyanate, isocyanate, isothiocyanate, carboxylate, oxalate and nitrate ;

n is 1 if X = sulfate, carbonate or oxalate and

n is 2 if X = halide, hydroxide, carboxylate, cyanate, thiocyanate, isocyanate, isothiocyanate or nitrate,

or suitable metal salts preferably have a composition according to the general formula (P),

Mr (X) 3 (II),

in which

M is selected from the metal cations Fe ³⁺ , Al ³⁺ , Co ³⁺ and Cr ³⁺ ,

X comprises one or more (i.e. different) anions, preferably an anion selected from the group of the halides (i.e. fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide), hydroxide, sulfate, carbonate, cyanate, thiocyanate isocyanate, isothiocyanate, carboxylate, oxalate and nitrate;

r is 2 if X = sulfate, carbonate or oxalate and

r is 1 if X = halide, hydroxide, carboxylate, cyanate, thiocyanate, isocyanate, isothiocyanate or nitrate,

or suitable metal salts preferably have a composition according to the general formula

(III) on

M (X) s (III),

in which

M is selected from the metal cations Mo ⁴⁺ , V ⁴⁺ and W ⁴⁺ ,

X comprises one or more (ie different) anions, preferably an anion selected from the group consisting of the halides (ie fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide), hydroxide, sulfate, carbonate, cyanate, thiocyanate, isocyanate, isothiocyanate, carboxylate, oxalate and nitrate ;

s is 2 if X = sulfate, carbonate or oxalate and

s is 4 if X = halide, hydroxide, carboxylate, cyanate, thiocyanate, isocyanate, isothiocyanate or nitrate,

(IV) on M (X) t (IV),

in which

M is selected from the metal cations Mo ⁶⁺ and W ⁶⁺ ,

X comprises one or more (i.e. different) anions, preferably anions selected from the group of halides (i.e. fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide), hydroxide, sulfate, carbonate, cyanate, thiocyanate, isocyanate, isothiocyanate, carboxylate, oxalate and nitrate;

t is 3 if X = sulfate, carbonate or oxalate and

t is 6 when X = halide, hydroxide, carboxylate, cyanate, thiocyanate, isocyanate, isothiocyanate or nitrate.

Examples of suitable metal salts are zinc chloride, zinc bromide, zinc iodide, zinc acetate, zinc acetylacetonate, zinc benzoate, zinc nitrate, iron (II) sulfate, iron (II) bromide, iron (II) chloride, iron (III) chloride, cobalt (II) chloride, Cobalt (II) thiocyanate, nickel (II) chloride and nickel (II) nitrate. Mixtures of different metal salts can also be used.

Metal cyanide salts suitable for the preparation of the double metal cyanide compounds preferably have a composition according to the general formula (V)

(Y) a M '(CN) b (A) c (V),

in which

M 'is selected from one or more metal cations from the group consisting of Fe (II), Fe (III), Co (II), Co (III), Cr (II), Cr (III), Mn (II), Mn ( III), Ir (III), Ni (II), Rh (III), Ru (II), V (IV) and V (V), M 'is preferably one or more metal cations from the group consisting of Co (II), Co (III), Fe (II), Fe (III), Cr (III), Ir (III) and Ni (II),

Y is selected from one or more metal cations from the group consisting of alkali metal (ie Li ⁺ , Na ⁺ , K ⁺ , Rb ⁺ ) and alkaline earth metal (ie Be ²⁺ , Mg ²⁺ , Ca ²⁺ , Sr ²⁺ , Ba ²⁺ ),

A is selected from one or more anions from the group consisting of halides (i.e. fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide), hydroxide, sulfate, carbonate, cyanate, thiocyanate, isocyanate, isothiocyanate, carboxylate, azide, oxalate or nitrate and

a, b and c are integer numbers, the values for a, b and c being chosen so that the electroneutrality of the metal cyanide salt is given; a is preferably 1, 2, 3 or 4; b is preferably 4, 5 or 6; c preferably has the value 0.

Examples of suitable metal cyanide salts are sodium hexacyanocobaltate (III), potassium hexacyano cobaltate (III), potassium hexacyanoferrate (II), potassium hexacyanoferrate (III), calcium hexacyano cobaltate (III) and lithium hexacyanocobaltate (III).

Preferred double metal cyanide compounds which are contained in the DMC catalysts which can be used according to the invention are compounds having compositions of the general formula (VI)

Mx [M’x, (CN) y] z (VI),

wherein M as in formulas (I) to (IV) and

M 'as defined in formula (V), and x, x ', y and z are integers and selected so that the electron neutrality of the double metal cyanide compound is given.

Preferably

x = 3, x ’= 1, y = 6 and z = 2,

M = Zn (II), Fe (II), Co (II) or Ni (II) and

M ’= Co (III), Fe (III), Cr (III) or Ir (III).

Examples of suitable double metal cyanide compounds (VI) are zinc hexacyanocobaltate (III), zinc hexacyanoiridate (III), zinc hexacyanoferrate (III) and cobalt (II) hexacyanocobaltate (III). Further examples of suitable double metal cyanide compounds are e.g. US 5 158 922 (column 8, lines 29-66). Zinc hexacyanocobaltate (III) can be used particularly preferably. The organic complex ligands which can be added in the preparation of the DMC catalysts are described, for example, in US Pat. No. 5,158,922 (see in particular column 6, lines 9 to 65), US Pat. No. 3,404,109, US Pat. No. 3,829,505, US Pat. No. 3,941,849, EP-A 700 949, EP-A 761 708, JP 4 145 123, US 5 470 813, EP-A 743 093 and WO-A 97/40086). For example, water-soluble organic compounds with heteroatoms, such as oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus or sulfur, which can form complexes with the double metal cyanide compound, are used as organic complex ligands. Preferred organic complex ligands are alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, ethers, esters, amides, ureas, nitriles, sulfides and mixtures thereof. Particularly preferred organic complex ligands are aliphatic ethers (such as dimethoxyethane), water-soluble aliphatic alcohols (such as ethanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, isobutanol, sec-butanol, tert-butanol, 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol and 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol), compounds which contain both aliphatic or cycloaliphatic ether groups and aliphatic hydroxyl groups (such as, for example, ethylene glycol mono-tert-butyl ether, diethylene glycol mono-tert-butyl ether, tripropylene glycol mono-methyl ether and 3-methyl-3-oxetane-methanol). Most preferred organic complex ligands are selected from one or more compounds from the group consisting of dimethoxyethane, tert-butanol, 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol, 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol, ethylene glycol mono- tert-butyl ether and 3-methyl-3-oxetane-methanol.

One or more complex-forming component (s) from the compound classes of polyethers, polyesters, polycarbonates, polyalkylene glycol sorbitan esters, polyalkylene glycol glycidyl ethers, polyacrylamide, poly (acrylamide-co-acrylic acid), polyacrylic acid, poly (acrylic acid) are optionally used in the production of the DMC catalysts which can be used according to the invention. co-maleic acid), polyacrylonitrile, polyalkyl acrylates, polyalkyl methacrylates, polyvinyl methyl ether, polyvinyl ethyl ether, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, poly-N-vinyl pyrrolidone, poly (N-vinyl pyrrolidone-co-acrylic acid), polyvinyl methyl ketone, poly (4-vinylphenol), poly (acrylic acid -co-styrene), oxazoline polymers, polyalkyleneimines, maleic and maleic anhydride copolymers, hydroxyethyl cellulose and polyacetals, or the glycidyl ethers, glycosides, carboxylic acid esters of polyhydric alcohols, bile acids or their salts, esters or amides, cyclodextrins, Phosphorus compounds, a, b-unsaturated carboxylic acid esters or ionic surface or surface-active compounds are used.

The aqueous solutions of the metal salt (e.g. zinc chloride) are preferably used in a stoichiometric excess (at least 50 mol%), based on the metal cyanide salt, in the preparation of the DMC catalysts which can be used according to the invention. This corresponds to at least a molar ratio of metal salt to metal cyanide salt of 2.25 to 1.00. The metal cyanide salt (e.g. potassium hexacyanocobaltate) is reacted in the presence of the organic complex ligand (e.g. tert-butanol) to form a suspension which contains the double metal cyanide compound (e.g. zinc hexacyanocobaltate), water, excess metal salt, and the organic complex ligand.

The organic complex ligand can be present in the aqueous solution of the metal salt and / or the metal cyanide salt, or it is added directly to the suspension obtained after precipitation of the double metal cyanide compound. It has proven advantageous to mix the aqueous solutions of the metal salt and the metal cyanide salt, and the organic complex ligand with vigorous stirring. Optionally, the suspension formed in the first step is then treated with a further complex-forming component. The complex-forming component is preferably used in a mixture with water and organic complex ligands. A preferred method for carrying out the first step (i.e. the preparation of the suspension) is carried out using a mixing nozzle, particularly preferably using a jet disperser, as described for example in WO-A 01/39883.

In the second step, the solid (i.e. the catalyst precursor) can be isolated from the suspension by known techniques such as centrifugation or filtration.

In a preferred embodiment, the isolated solid is then washed in a third process step with an aqueous solution of the organic complex ligand (e.g. by resuspending and then isolating again by filtration or centrifugation). In this way, for example, water-soluble by-products, such as potassium chloride, can be removed from the catalyst which can be used according to the invention. The amount of the organic complex ligand in the aqueous washing solution is preferably between 40 and 80% by weight, based on the total solution.

Optionally, a further complex-forming component, preferably in the range between 0.5 and 5% by weight, based on the total solution, is added to the aqueous washing solution in the third step.

It is also advantageous to wash the isolated solid more than once. In a first washing step, washing is preferably carried out with an aqueous solution of the organic complex ligand (for example by resuspending and then isolating again by filtration or centrifugation), in order in this way to remove, for example, water-soluble by-products, such as potassium chloride, from the catalyst which can be used according to the invention. Especially the amount of the organic complex ligand in the aqueous washing solution is preferably between 40 and 80% by weight, based on the total solution of the first washing step. In the further washing steps, either the first washing step is repeated one or more times, preferably once to three times, or preferably a non-aqueous solution, such as, for example, a mixture or solution of organic complex ligands and further complex-forming component (preferably in the range between 0.5 and 5% by weight, based on the total amount of the washing solution of the step, is used as the washing solution and the reading material is thus washed once or more times, preferably once to three times.

The isolated and optionally washed solvent can then be dried, if appropriate after pulverization, at temperatures of 20-100 ° C. and at pressures from 0.1 mbar to normal pressure (1013 mbar).

A preferred method for isolating the DMC catalysts which can be used according to the invention from the suspension by liltration, lilter cake washing and drying is described in WO-A 01/80994.

In a preferred embodiment of the process according to the invention, the double metal cyanide catalyst (A) comprises an organic complex ligand, the organic complex ligand being one or more compound (s) and being selected from the group consisting of tert-butanol 2-methyl-3-buten-2 -ol, 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol, ethylene glycol mono-tert-butyl ether and 3-methyl-3-oxetane-methanol

In one embodiment of the process according to the invention, the double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst is used in an amount of 20 ppm to 5000 ppm, preferably 50 ppm to 4000 ppm, based on the polyester formed.

Bronsted acid catalyst (A)

In a further embodiment of the process according to the invention, the catalyst (A) is a Bronsted acid (Bronsted acidic catalyst (A)).

According to the common technical definition, Brönsted acids are substances that can transfer protons to a second reaction partner, the so-called Brönsted base, typically in an aqueous medium at 25 ° C. For the purposes of the present invention, the term of the Bronsted acid catalyst denotes a non-polymeric compound, the term of the Bronsted acid catalyst having a calculated molar mass of <1200 g / mol, preferably of <1000 g / mol and particularly preferably of <850 g / mol.

In one embodiment of the process according to the invention, the Bronsted acid catalyst (A) has a pKa value of less than or equal to 1, preferably less than or equal to 0. In one embodiment of the process according to the invention, the Bronsted acid catalyst is one or more compounds and is selected from the group consisting of aliphatic fluorinated sulfonic acids, aromatic fluorinated sulfonic acids, trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, perchloric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydroiodic acid, fluorosulfonic acid, bis (trifluoromethane) sulfonimide, Hexafluoroantimonic acid,

Pentacyanocyclopentadiene, picric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, trifluoroacetic acid, methanesulfonic acid, paratoluenesulfonic acid, aromatic sulfonic acids and aliphatic sulfonic acids, preferably from trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, perchloric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydrogen iodide, trisulfonic acid, fluorosulfonic acid, fluorosulfonic acid Nitric acid, trifluoro-acetic acid, methanesulfonic acid, paratoluenesulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid and paratoluenesulfonic acid, particularly preferably from trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, perchloric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydroiodic acid, bis (trifluoromethane) sulfonimide, pentacyanocyclophenic acid and dienesulfonic acid and dienesulfonic acid and dienesulfonic acid,

In one embodiment of the process according to the invention, the Bronsted acid catalyst is obtained in an amount of from 0.001 mol% to 0.5 mol%, preferably from 0.003 to 0.4 mol% and particularly preferably from 0.005 to 0.3 mol% used on the amount of lactone.

In one embodiment of the process according to the invention in step ii), the catalyst (B) is a tertiary amine (B), a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst (B) or a Bronsted acid catalyst (B), preferably a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst (B).

In one embodiment of the process according to the invention in step ii), the catalyst (B) is a tertiary amine (B), the tertiary amine (B) having the definition according to the invention identical to the tertiary amine (A) from step i).

In an alternative embodiment of the process according to the invention, the catalyst (B) is a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst (B), the double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst (B) having the definition according to the invention identical to the double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst (A ) having.

In one embodiment of the process according to the invention, the double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst (B) comprises an organic complex ligand, the organic complex ligand being one or more compound (s) and being selected from the group consisting of tert-butanol 2-methyl-3- buten-2-ol, 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol, ethylene glycol mono-tert-butyl ether and 3-methyl-3-oxetane-methanol. In a further alternative embodiment of the process according to the invention, the catalyst (B) is a Bronsted acid catalyst (B), the Bronsted acid catalyst (B) having the definition according to the invention identical to the Bronsted acid catalyst (A).

In one embodiment of the process according to the invention, the catalyst (A), preferably the double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst (A), is identical to the catalyst (B), preferably the double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst (B), and is added in step i). This is advantageous since no additional catalyst, preferably double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst, has to be added during the process or a catalyst used in step i) has to be neutralized, inhibited and / or separated. The catalyst can also, but not preferably, be the amine or the Bronsted acid catalyst.

In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, a solvent can be used in step i) and / or step ii) according to the method according to the invention.

According to the current technical definition, a solvent is to be understood as meaning one or more compounds which dissolve the lactone, the polyester or the H-functional starter compound and / or the catalyst without, however, themselves with the lactone, the bi-functional starter compound and / or the catalyst to react.

Suitable solvents are aprotic solvents such as toluene, benzene, tetrahydrofuran, dimethyl ether and diethyl ether.

In an alternative embodiment, the process according to the invention is carried out without the addition of a solvent, so that it does not have to be removed in an additional process step after the polyester has been prepared.

In the process according to the invention, the polyester from step i) is reacted in step ii) with alkylene oxides in the presence of a catalyst (B).

Alkylene oxides having 2-4 carbon atoms can be used as alkylene oxides in the process according to the invention. The alkylene oxides having 2 to 45 carbon atoms are, for example, one or more compounds selected from the group comprising ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, 1-butene oxide, 2,3-butene oxide, 2-methyl-1,2-propene oxide (isobutene oxide), 1 Pentene oxide, 2,3-pentene oxide, 2-methyl-l, 2-butene oxide, 3-methyl-l, 2-butene oxide, alkylene oxides of C6-C22 a-olefins, such as 1-hexene oxide, 2, 3 -hexene oxide, 3 , 4-hexene oxide, 2-methyl-1,2-pentene oxide, 4-methyl-1,2-pentene oxide, 2-ethyl-1,2-butene oxide, 1-heptene oxide, 1- Octenoxide, 1-nonoxide, 1-decene oxide, 1-undecene oxide, 1-dodecene oxide, 4-methyl-1,2-pentene oxide, cyclopentene oxide, cyclohexene oxide, cycloheptene oxide, cyclooctene oxide, styrene oxide, methylstyrene oxide, pinene oxide, mono- or poly-epoxidized fats as mono -, Di- and triglycerides, epoxidized fatty acids, Cl-C24 esters of epoxidized fatty acids, epichlorohydrin, glycidol, and derivatives of glycidol such as glycidyl ethers of C1-C22 alkanols, glycidyl esters of C1-C22 alkane carboxylic acids. Examples of derivatives of glycidol are phenyl glycidyl ether, cresyl glycidyl ether, methyl glycidyl ether, ethyl glycidyl ether and 2-ethylhexyl glycidyl ether. Preferably used as alkylene oxides are ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide, in particular propylene oxide. If ethylene oxide and propylene oxide are used in a mixture, the molar ratio EO / PO is 1:99 to 99: 1, preferably 5:95 to 50:50. If ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide are used in a mixture with other unsaturated alkylene oxides, their proportion is 1 to 40 mol%, preferably 2 to 20 mol%.

In an alternative embodiment of the process according to the invention, the polyester from step i) is reacted in step ii) with alkylene oxides and a co-monomer in the presence of the catalyst (B), the co-monomer being, for example, carbon dioxide and the catalyst (B) the Double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst (B) to form a polyester-polyether carbonate-polyol block copolymer.

In one embodiment of the process according to the invention, the reaction of the bi-functional starter substance with the lactone is carried out in the presence of the catalyst (A), preferably the Bronsted acid catalyst (A) in step i) at temperatures from 20 to 150 ° C., preferably from 20 to 100 ° C. Below 20 ° C there is no or only insignificant conversion to the product according to the invention and above 150 ° C the decomposition of the polyester formed and / or unwanted side or subsequent reactions take place.

In an alternative embodiment of the process according to the invention, the reaction of the H-functional starter substance with the lactone in the presence of the double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst (A) in step i) at temperatures from 70 to 150 ° C., preferably from 90 to 130 ° C. . Below 70 ° C there is no or only insignificant conversion to the product according to the invention and above 150 ° C the decomposition of the polyester formed and / or unwanted parallel or subsequent reactions take place.

In one embodiment, the method according to the invention comprises the following steps for step i): i-1) introducing the H-functional starter substance and optionally the catalyst to form a mixture i)

i-2) adding the lactone to the mixture i). In one embodiment of the process according to the invention, the lactone is added continuously or stepwise to the H-functional starter substance in step i-2) and converted to the polyester (semi-batch mode).

In the process according to the invention, continuous addition of the lactone is understood to mean a volume flow of the lactone of> 0 mL / min, the volume flow being constant or varying during this step (continuous lactone addition).

In an alternative embodiment of the process according to the invention, the lactone is added stepwise to mixture i) in step i-2) and then converted to the polyester (stepwise addition of lactone).

In the process according to the invention, a gradual addition of the lactone is understood to mean at least the addition of the total amount of lactone in two or more discrete portions of the lactone, the volume flow of the lactone between the or more discrete portions being 0 ml / min and the volume flow of the lactone during of a discrete portion can be constant or varies but is> 0 mL / min.

In an alternative embodiment, step i) of the method according to the invention comprises the following steps:

(i-a) Presentation of the H-functional starter substance, the lactone and optionally the catalyst to form a mixture (a)

(i-b) converting mixture (a) to polyester

which corresponds to a batch process.

In a further alternative embodiment, step i) of the method according to the invention comprises the following steps:

i-1) Presentation of the catalyst

i-2) Addition of the lactone and the H-functional starter substance to the catalyst.

In this case, the lactone and the H-functional starter substance can be premixed or the lactone and the H-functional starter substance can be added to the reactor by separate feeds. This corresponds to a CAOS (Continuous Addition of Starter) driving style.

In a further, alternative embodiment, in step i) the H-functional starter substance, the lactone and the catalyst are continuously mixed and reacted with one another while the polyester product is continuously removed, the reaction being carried out, for example, in a tubular reactor or a continuous stirred tank reactor (English stirred tank reactor) is carried out which corresponds to a fully continuous production process for step i) of the process according to the invention of the polyester.

In one embodiment, the method according to the invention comprises the following steps for step ii):

ii-1) Submitting the polyester from step i) optionally containing the catalyst (A) and / or (B) ii-2) adding the alkylene oxide and optionally a co-monomer.

In a preferred embodiment of the process according to the invention, the alkylene oxide is added to the polyester continuously or stepwise in step ii-2) and converted to the polyester-polyether-polyol block copolymer (semi-batch mode).

In the process according to the invention, a continuous addition of the alkylene oxide in step ii-2) is understood to mean a volume flow of the alkylene oxide of> 0 ml / min, the volume flow being able to be constant or varying during this step (continuous addition of alkylene).

In an alternative embodiment of the process according to the invention, the alkylene oxide is added stepwise to mixture i) in step ii-2) and then converted to the polyester-polyetherpolyol block copolymer (stepwise addition of alkylene oxide).

In the process according to the invention, a gradual addition of the alkylene oxide is understood to mean at least the addition of the total amount of alkylene oxide in two or more discrete portions of the alkylene oxide, the volume flow of the alkylene oxide between the or more discrete portions being 0 ml / min and the volume flow of the alkylene oxide during of a discrete portion can be constant or varies but is> 0 mL / min.

In an alternative embodiment, step ii) of the method according to the invention comprises the following steps:

(ii-a) presenting the polyester from step i) and the alkylene oxide optionally containing the catalyst (A) and / or (B) to form a mixture (ii-a)

(ii-b) converting the mixture (ii-a) to the polyester-polyether-polyol block copolymer, which corresponds to a batch-wise procedure of step ii).

In a further alternative embodiment, step ii) of the method according to the invention comprises the following steps:

ii- 1) Optional introduction of the catalyst (B) in a reactor ii-2) Adding the polyester from step i) optionally containing the catalyst (A) into the reactor optionally containing catalyst (B) to the catalyst.

Here, the alkylene oxide and the polyester can be premixed or the alkylene oxide and the polyester are added to the reactor by separate feeds. This corresponds to a CAOS (Continuous Addition of Starter) procedure of step ii).

In a further, alternative embodiment, in step ii) the polyester optionally comprising the catalyst (A), the alkylene oxide and the optionally the catalyst (B) is continuously mixed and reacted with one another, while the polyester-polyether polyol block copolymer product is continuously removed , the reaction being carried out, for example, in a tubular reactor or in a continuous stirred tank reactor, which corresponds to a fully continuous production process for step ii) of the process according to the invention for the polyester.

In one embodiment of the process according to the invention, step ii) is carried out in an inert gas atmosphere, such as, for example, or nitrogen, argon) or in a carbon dioxide atmosphere, polyester-polyether carbonate-polyol block copolymers being formed in the carbon dioxide atmosphere by incorporating the CO 2.

In one embodiment of the process according to the invention, steps i) and ii) are carried out in the same reactor or in different reactors, preferably in the same reactor.

All types of reactors known to those skilled in the art with suitable mixing elements are suitable for carrying them out.

Another object of the present invention are polyesters obtainable by the process according to the invention.

Another object of the present invention are polyester-polyether polyol block copolymers obtainable by the process according to the invention.

In one embodiment, the polyester-polyether polyol block copolymer according to the invention has a number average molecular weight from 70 g / mol to 15,000 g / mol, preferably from 100 g / mol to 10,000 g / mol and particularly preferably from 100 g / mol to 5,000 g / mol, where the number average molecular weight is determined by means of the gel permeation chromatography (GPC) disclosed in the experimental part. Another object of the present invention are polyurethane polymers obtainable from the reaction of a polyisocyanate with a polyester-polyether polyol block copolymer obtainable by the process according to the invention and a process for the production of polyurethane polymers.

The polyisocyanate can be an aliphatic or aromatic polyisocyanate. Examples are 1,4-butylene diisocyanate, 1,5-pentane diisocyanate, 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) or their dimers, trimers, pentamers, heptamers or nonamers or mixtures thereof, isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), 2,2,4- and / or 2,4,4-trimethylhexamethylene diisocyanate, the isomeric bis (4,4'-isocyanatocyclohexyl) methanes or their mixtures of any isomer content, 1,4-cyclohexylene diisocyanate, 1,4-phenylene diisocyanate, 2,4- and / or 2,6 Tolylene diisocyanate (TDI), 1,5-naphthylene diisocyanate, 2,2'- and / or 2,4'- and / or 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and / or higher homologues (polymeric MDI), 1,3 - and / or l, 4-bis (2-isocyanato-prop-2-yl) benzene (TMXDI), l, 3-bis (isocyanatomethyl) benzene (XDI), as well as alkyl 2,6-diisocyanatohexanoates ( Lysine diisocyanates) with CI to C6 alkyl groups.

In addition to the polyisocyanates mentioned above, modified diisocyanates with uretdione, isocyanurate, urethane, carbodiimide, uretonimine, allophanate, biuret, amide, iminooxadiazinedione and / or oxadiazinetrione structure as well as unmodified polyisocyanate with more than 2 NCO- Groups per molecule such as 4-isocyanatomethyl-1, 8-octane diisocyanate (nonane triisocyanate) or triphenylmethane-4,4 ', 4 "triisocyanate can also be used.

In a first embodiment, the invention relates to a method for producing a polyester-polyether-polyol block copolymer, comprising the following steps:

i) reacting an H-functional starter substance with lactone to form a polyester

ii) reacting the polyester from step i) with alkylene oxides in the presence of a catalyst (B); the lactone being a 4-membered lactone.

In a second embodiment, the invention relates to a process according to the first embodiment, step i) being carried out in the presence of the catalyst (A).

In a third embodiment, the invention relates to a process according to the second embodiment, the catalyst (A) being an amine (A), a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst (A) or a Bronsted acid catalyst (A), preferably a double metal cyanide (DMC) ) Catalyst (A). In a fourth embodiment, the invention relates to a method of the third embodiment, wherein the catalyst (A) is a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst (A) and the double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst (A) comprises an organic complex ligand, the organic complex ligand is one or more compound (s) and is selected from the group consisting of tert-butanol, 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol, 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol, ethylene glycol mono-tert-butyl ether and 3-methyl-3-oxetane-methanol.

In a fifth embodiment, the invention relates to a method according to one of the first to fourth embodiments, the H-functional starter substance being an H-functional starter compound with one or more free carboxy group (s) and / or functional starter compound with one or more free hydroxyl group (s ) preferably comprises a bi-functional starter compound with one or more free carboxy group (s).

In a sixth embodiment, the invention relates to a method according to the fifth embodiment, wherein the H-functional starter substance is an H-functional starter compound with one or more free carboxy group (s) and the H-functional starter compound with one or more free carboxy group (s) is one or more compound (s) and is selected from the group consisting of the H-functional starter substance with one or more free carboxy group (s) one or more compound (s) and is selected from the group consisting of monovalent carboxylic acids, polyvalent carboxylic acids , Carboxy group (s) terminated polyesters, carboxy group (s) terminated polycarbonates, carboxy group (s) terminated polyether carbonates, carboxy group (s) terminated polyetherester carbonate polyols and carboxy group (s) terminated polyethers.

In a seventh embodiment, the invention relates to a method according to the sixth embodiment, wherein the H-functional starter compound with one or more free carboxy group (s) is one or more compound (s) and is selected from the group consisting of methanoic acid, ethanoic acid, propanoic acid, butanoic acid, pentanoic acid, hexanoic acid, heptanoic acid, octanoic acid, decanoic acid, dodecanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid, lactic acid, fluoroacetic acid, chloroacetic acid, bromoacetic acid, iodoacetic acid, difluoroacetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, oleic acid, salicylic acid, benzoic acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, Succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, citric acid, trimesic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, 1,10-decanedicarboxylic acid, 1,12-dodecanedicarboxylic acid, phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid and trimellitic acid, pyromitic acidic acid, pyromitic acid acid .. In an eighth embodiment, the invention relates to a process according to one of the first to seventh embodiments, the 4-membered lactone being one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of propiolactone, β-butyrolactone, β-isovalerolactone, β-caprolactone, β- Isocaprolactone, ß-methyl-ß-valerolactone, diketene preferred propiolactone and ß-butyrolactone.

In a ninth embodiment, the invention relates to a process according to one of the first to eighth embodiments, the catalyst (B) preferably a tertiary amine (B), a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst (B) or a Bronsted acid catalyst (B) is a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst (B).

In a tenth embodiment, the invention relates to a method according to one of the first to ninth embodiments, the alkylene oxide being ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide.

In an eleventh embodiment, the invention relates to a method according to a third to seventh embodiment, wherein the double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst (A) is identical to the double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst (B) and is added in step i).

In a twelfth embodiment, the invention relates to a method according to one of the first to eleventh embodiments, the method being carried out without the addition of a solvent.

In a thirteenth embodiment, the invention relates to a polyester obtainable by a process according to one of the first to ninth embodiments.

In a fourteenth embodiment, the invention relates to a polyester-polyether polyol block copolymer obtainable by a process according to one of the first to twelfth embodiments.

In a fifteenth embodiment, the invention relates to a polyurethane polymer obtainable from the reaction of a polyisocyanate with a polyester-polyether polyol block copolymer according to the fourteenth embodiment. Examples

The present invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures and examples, but without being restricted thereto. Starting materials used cyclic lactones ß-propiolactone (purity 98.5%, Ferak Berlin GmbH)

Epoxies propylene oxide (99.5%, Sigma Aldrich)

H-functional starter substance

PPG-1000 (propylene oxide-based polyether with average molecular weight of 1000 g / mol) adipic acid (Sigma-Aldrich, BioXtra, 99.5% (HPFQ)

Catalysts

In all examples, a DMC catalyst was used, which was prepared according to Example 6 in WO 01/80994 A1.

Solvent

THF (Fisher Scientific GPC Grade) Description of the methods:

'H NMR

The conversion of the monomer was determined by means of H-NMR (Bruker, DPX 400, 400 MHz; pulse program zg30, waiting time DI: 10s, 64 scans). The samples were each dissolved in deuterated chloroform. The relevant resonances in 'H-NMR (based on TMS = 0 ppm) and the assignment of the area integrals (A) result as follows:

• poly (hydroxypropionate) (= polypropiolactone) with resonance at 4.38 (2H) and 2.66 (2H)

Β-propiolactone with resonance at 4.28 (2H) and 3.54 (2H)

• Poly (propylene oxide) resonating at 3.60-3.20 (3H) and 1.12 (3H)

• Propylene oxide with resonance at 2.98 (1H), 2.75 (1H), 2.43 (1H) and 1.32 (3H)

The conversion of the respective monomer is determined as the integral of a suitable polymer signal divided by the sum of a suitable polymer signal and monomer signal. All signals are referenced to 1H.

Thermo gravimetric analysis

The analysis of the samples was carried out in accordance with DIN EN ISO / IEC 17025 using a device of the type Mettler-Toledo GmbH TGA / SDTA851e. The measurement was carried out between 30 ° C and 600 ° C with a heating rate of 10 ° C / min in air (50.0 mL / min).

Example 1: Production of a Polvester-Polvetherpolvol block copolymer (with a PET-PES-PET block copolymer structure) by block copolymerization of propiolactone and propylene oxide by means of DMC catalysis

THF (50.0 g), DMC catalyst (3000 ppm based on the total mass of starter and β-lactone) and adipic acid (1.46 g, 10.0 mmol, 1.00 eq.) Are placed in a 300 ml steel reactor . The reactor is flushed with N2. At 130 ° C., β-propiolactone (18.5 g, 257 mmol, 25.7 eq.) Is then continuously fed into the reactor over 120 min. The mixture is stirred at 130 ° C for 120 min. Propylene oxide (10.0 g, 172 mmol, 17.2 eq.) Is then continuously fed into the reactor over 60 min. The mixture is stirred at 130 ° C for 180 min. The conversions are determined by means of 'H NMR analysis of the reaction solution. Volatile components are then removed in vacuo. The copolymer is examined for its thermal stability by means of TGA analysis. Example 2: Preparation of a Polvester-Polvetherpolvol block copolymer (with a PET-PES-PET block copolymer structure) by block copolymerization of propiolactone and propylene oxide by means of DMC catalysis

THF (50.0 g), DMC catalyst (3000 ppm based on the total mass of starter and β-lactone) and adipic acid (2.92 g, 20.0 mmol, 1.00 eq.) Are placed in a 300 ml steel reactor . The reactor is flushed with N. At 130 ° C., β-propiolactone (17.1 g, 237 mmol, 11.9 eq.) Is then fed continuously into the reactor over 120 min. The mixture is stirred at 130 ° C for 120 min. Propylene oxide (40.0 g, 689 mmol, 34.5 eq.) Is then continuously fed into the reactor over 90 min. The mixture is stirred at 130 ° C for 180 min. The sales are determined by means of H NMR analysis of the reaction solution. Volatile components are then removed in vacuo. The copolymer is examined for its thermal stability by means of TGA analysis.

Example 3 (comparison): Preparation of a Polvester-Polvetherpolvol block copolymer (with a PES-PET-PES blockconol polymer structure) by polymerizing propiolactone onto a polymeric propylene oxide-based polyether using DMC catalysis

THF (50.0 g), DMC catalyst (3000 ppm based on the total mass of starter and β-lactone) and PPG-1000 (10.0 g, 10.0 mmol, 1.00 eq. ) submitted. The reactor is flushed with N. At 130 ° C., β-propiolactone (20.0 g, 276 mmol, 27.6 eq.) Is then continuously fed into the reactor over 120 min. The mixture is stirred at 130 ° C for 120 min. The sales are determined by means of H NMR analysis of the reaction solution. Volatile components are then removed in vacuo. The copolymer is examined for its thermal stability by means of TGA analysis.

Table 1: Polyetherester block copolymers from β-lactones and propylene oxide by means of DMC catalysis

^ PES: polyester block (bPL-based), PET: polyether block (PO-based)

Table 2: Decomposition temperatures T _{d of} the polyetherester block copolymers from β-lactones and propylene oxide by means of DMC catalysis

^ PES: polyester block (bPL-based), PET: polyether block (PO-based); ^[b] Temperature determined by TGA with 1% or 5% mass loss

Claims

1. A process for producing a polyester-polyether polyol block copolymer, comprising the following steps: i) reacting an H-functional starter substance with lactone to give a polyester ii) reacting the polyester from step i) with alkylene oxides in the presence of a catalyst (B); the lactone being a 4-membered lactone.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein step i) is carried out in the presence of the catalyst (A).

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the catalyst (A) is an amine (A), a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst (A) or a Bronsted acid catalyst (A) is preferably a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst (A) .

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the catalyst (A) is a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst (A) and the double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst (A) comprises an organic complex ligand, the organic complex ligand comprising one or more compounds ) and is selected from the group consisting of tert-butanol, 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol, 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol, ethylene glycol mono-tert-butyl ether and 3-methyl-3 -oxetane-methanol.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the H-functional starter substance is an H-functional starter compound with one or more free carboxy group (s) and / or functional starter compound with one or more free hydroxyl group (s) preferably an H-functional Starter compound with one or more free carboxy group (s) comprises.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the H-functional starter substance is an H-functional starter compound with one or more free carboxy group (s) and the H-functional starter compound with one or more free carboxy group (s) is one or more compound (s) is and is selected from the group consisting of the H-functional starter substance with one or more free carboxy group (s) one or more compound (s) and is selected from the group consisting of monovalent carboxylic acids, polyvalent carboxylic acids, carboxy group (s) terminated Polyester, carboxy group (s) terminated polycarbonates, carboxy group (s) terminated Polyether carbonates, carboxy group (s) terminated polyether ester carbonate polyols and carboxy group (s) terminated polyethers.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the H-functional starter compound with one or more free carboxy group (s) is one or more compound (s) and is selected from the group consisting of methanoic acid, ethanoic acid, propanoic acid, butanoic acid, pentanoic acid, hexanoic acid , Heptanoic acid, octanoic acid, decanoic acid,

Dodecanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid, lactic acid,

Fluoroacetic acid, chloroacetic acid, bromoacetic acid, iodoacetic acid, difluoroacetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, oleic acid, salicylic acid,

Benzoic acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, citric acid, trimesic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, 1,10-decanedicarboxylic acid, 1,12-dodecanedioic acid, phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, pyromellitic acid and trimellitic acid, Acrylic acid and methacrylic acid.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the 4-member facton one or more compounds are selected from the group consisting of propiolactone, β-butyrolactone, β-isovalerolactone, β-caprolactone, β-isocaprolactone, β-methyl ß-valerolactone, diketene preferred propiolactone and ß-butyrolactone.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the catalyst (B) is a tertiary amine (B), a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst (B) or a Bronsted acid catalyst (B) preferably a double metal cyanide (DMC) - Is catalyst (B).

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the alkylene oxide is ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide.

11. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 10, wherein the double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst (A) is identical to the double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst (B) and is added in step i).

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the method is carried out without the addition of a solvent.

13. Polyester obtainable by a process according to one of claims 1 to 9.

14. Polyester-polyether polyol block copolymer obtainable by a process according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

15. polyurethane polymer obtainable from the reaction of a polyisocyanate with a polyester-polyether polyol block copolymer according to claim 14.