WO2004009687A1

WO2004009687A1 - Catalyst combinations for increasing trimer content in foam

Info

Publication number: WO2004009687A1
Application number: PCT/US2002/022807
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert A. Grigsby, Jr.; Robert L. Zimmerman; Ernest L. Rister, Jr.; Pierre Gilbert Henri Jean Chaffanjon
Original assignee: Huntsman Petrochemical Corporation
Priority date: 2002-07-18
Filing date: 2002-07-18
Publication date: 2004-01-29
Also published as: AU2002346113A1; CA2493404A1; EP1551909A1; CN1639240A; EP1551909A4

Abstract

Provided herein are compositions which are useful as catalysts in the production of polyisocyanurate foams. The compositions of the invention comprise N, N, N'-trimethylaminoethyl-ethanolamine in combination with one other catalysts useful in promoting trimerization of isocyanates. By promoting trimerization, isocyanate content of the foam is decreased which leads to a foam having better burn properties over prior art isocyanurate foams. Decreasing the isocyanate content of a foam should also lead to quicker de-mold of a molded foam because of reduced stickiness.

Description

Catalyst Combinations for Increasing Trimer Content in Foam

Technical Field

This invention relates to catalyst combinations useful in the manufacture of

polyurethane-based foam products. More particularly it relates to catalyst

combinations which promote trimerization of isocyanates during the production of a

polyisocyanurate foam final product.

Background Information

The chemical compound: N,N,N'-trimethylaminoethyl-ethanolamine (CAS#

2212-32-0) is frequently used as a catalyst in the manufacture of polyurethane based

foam products, to promote the reaction between an isocyanate group in one or more

isocyanates present and a hydroxy group in one or more polyols present in the

precursors from which the polyurethane is formed. N,N,N'-trimethyl- aminoethyl-

ethanolamine is available from Huntsman Petrochemical Corporation of Austin, Texas

under the tradename of JEFFCAT® Z- 110, and has the structure:

(CH3)2NCH2CH2N(CH3)CH₂CH₂OH.

We know that this catalyst will cause a small proportion of the isocyanate

groups present in the polyurethane precursor materials to react with other isocyanate

groups present and form a trimer, for example the trimer of MDI. However, the

amount of trimerization which occurs is not of a sufficient degree of magnitude to

effect significant changes in the reaction profile or the physical properties of

polyurethane foam products produced using this catalyst. Often, this material is used as a "blowing catalyst" in a foam, and as such is employed primarily to enhance the

reaction between the isocyanate and water to produce gaseous CO₂ in situ, which

functions as a blowing agent. It has been shown to have little activity towards

promotion of isocyanurate formation (see J. Cell Plastic Vol. 37, page 75).

It is believed that the generation of a large number of isocyanurate (isocyanate

trimer) groups in a foam should improve the burn properties of an isocyanurate foam.

It is also believed that decreasing the isocyanate content of a foam should also lead to

quicker de-mold of a molded foam and improved physical properties, because of

reduced stickiness. However, no mention in the prior art has been made for

promoting the formation of increased trimer formation using a mixed catalyst system

as we disclose herein, particularly a mixed catalyst system in which, oddly enough,

one of the components does not itself promote trimer formation to a large extent.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a catalyst combination useful in the formation

of polyisocyanurate foam from an isocyanate and a polyol. The catalyst combination

comprises: an amine component that comprises N,N,N'-trimethylaminoethyl-

ethanolamine; and a trimer catalyst component. The invention also provides a process

for producing an isocyanurate foam product comprising the steps of: a) providing an

isocyanate and a polyol; b) providing a blowing agent; c) providing a catalyst that

comprises: i) an amine component comprising N,N,N'-trimethylaminoethyl-

ethanolamine, and ii) a trimer catalyst component; and d) contacting the isocyanate and

the polyol in the presence of the catalyst and the blowing agent.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the annexed drawings:

FIG. 1 is a graphical representation of the trimer content in a plurality of foam-

yielding formulations that contain varied catalyst combinations;

FIG. 2 is a graphical representation of the increase in trimer content during the course

of the foam-forming reaction in a plurality of foam-yielding formulations that contain

varied catalyst combinations, at three different index levels;

FIG. 3 is a graphical representation of the decrease in isocyanate content during the

course of the foam-forming reaction in a plurality of foam-yielding formulations that

contain varied catalyst combinations, at three different index levels;

FIG. 4A is a graphical representation of the increase in trimer content during the

contain varied catalyst combinations, at an index level of 200;

FIG. 4B is a graphical representation of the increase in trimer content during the

contain varied catalyst combinations, at an index level of 300; FIG. 4C is a graphical representation of the increase in trimer content during the

contain varied catalyst combinations, at an index level of 500;

FIG. 5A is a graphical representation of the decrease in isocyanate content during the

contain varied catalyst combinations, at an index level of 200;

FIG. 5B is a graphical representation of the decrease in isocyanate content during the

contain varied catalyst combinations, at an index level of 300; and

FIG. 5C is a graphical representation of the decrease in isocyanate content during the

contain varied catalyst combinations, at an index level of 500.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention describes the benefits discovered by our combination of

JEFFCAT® Z-l 10 (N,N,N'-trimethylaminoethyl -ethanolamine) with a trimer catalyst,

such as potassium octoate. Such a combination is seen to significantly increase the

conversion of isocyanate groups into isocyanurate groups (in a reacting isocyanate-

derived foam) over other known catalysts similarly employed. When this is caused to

occur according to the invention, overall efficiency in utilization of the isocyanate is

increased.

We know that higher amounts of isocyanurate (or trimer) groups in the

finished foam generally lead to decreased "burning" of the foam when it is subjected

to an open flame, which is often viewed as improved burn resistance of the foam.

Higher conversion rates of the isocyanate also lead to improved K-factor drift in rigid

polyisocyanurate insulation foam. This is believed to be due to the formation of

reduced amounts of carbon dioxide in the foam resulting from a lessened amount of

unreacted isocyanate in the foam.

We have found that JEFFCAT® Z-l 10 is unique in exhibiting the unexpected

behavior of rapidly catalyzing the trimerization of an isocyanate to its corresponding

isocyanurate (generation of more trimer groups in a foam), if the temperature of the

foam is raised or permitted to rise above a certain temperature. We have also found

that the combination of potassium salts with JEFFCAT® Z-l 10 produces an increased

number of isocyanurate (trimer) groups along with an attendant decrease in isocyanate content of a fresh polyurethane foam produced using such a catalyst combination, as

compared with prior art catalysts. Thus, a synergistic effect has been observed in the

performance of a catalyst combination including JEFFCAT® Z-l 10 and other trimer

catalysts, the use of which combination as catalyst in the system further promotes

isocyanurate formation and decreased isocyanate content.

The present invention employs JEFFCAT® Z-l 10 with at least one

trimerization-promoting catalyst. JEFFCAT® Z-l 10 can be used in combination with

other amine and or tin catalysts, or any combinations of the foregoing. Further,

known blowing agents can also be present in the formulation, as the use of such

blowing agents is known to those skilled in the art, such as: non-CFC-containing

blowing agents, water, HCFC's and CFC-containing blowing agents, with the

pentanes (including: n-pentane, cyclopentane, neopentane, isopentane, and mixtures

thereof) being especially-preferred as blowing agent.

In the first set of experiments, a reacting foam (an admixture comprising both

the "A" and "B" components of the formulation) was poured onto a heated probe that

was set up on a ReactIR® 1000 instrument, available from Mettler-Toledo

Corporation of Columbus, Ohio. In this way, it was possible to collect real-time FTIR

data on the reacting foam. The heated probe was started at room temperature, and

ramped up at a constant rate to 180° C during a time interval of 900 seconds. All the

foam formulations were made and poured in identical fashion, except for the catalyst

components used in the foam formulations, whose compositions were varied. The

base polyol, B-component, was made by combining: 100 parts by weight ("pbw") STEPHANOL® PS-2352 with 20 pbw EXXSOL® 1600, 2.5 pbw B-8477, and 0.5

pbw water. B-8477 is a modified siloxane material sold by Goldschmidt AG of

Germany. The catalyst was added to the base polyol and mixed until homogeneous.

Then, the B-component containing the catalyst was admixed with the isocyanate,

RUBINATE® M.

Table I 0 Online FTIR data was collected on the mixtures prepared as set forth in examples 1-11

of Table I above, in which all parts are parts by weight. A graph showing the trimer

peak, appearing around 1409 cm^"1, as a function of time is shown in Figure 1. As can be

seen, the only tertiary amine product exhibiting a significant effect on trimer formation

was JEFFCAT® Z-l 10. Trimer formation occurred with JEFFCAT® Z-l 10 once the

5 foam reached a certain temperature, about 54 degrees C. Only potassium acetate or

potassium octoate showed similar trimer formation, but at a much earlier time in the

reaction, and when the temperature is lower, which probably indicates a different

catalytic mechanism than that caused by the Z-l 10. A second experiment was set up such that the index of the foam was varied and

a combination of potassium octoate, a trimerization-promoting catalyst, and in a first

instance JEFFCAT® PMDETA (pentamethyldiethylenetriamine) and in a second

instance JEFFCAT® Z-l 10 were used as the amine catalyst. The index of an

isocyanate-derived foam is expressed as the ratio of the number of isocyanate groups to

hydroxy groups in the polyol used. An index of 2.0 (sometimes expressed as "200"),

commonly referred to those skilled in the art, means that there are two -NCO groups for

each -OH group. We used JEFFCAT® Z-l 10 here to see if additional improvements in

isocyanate conversion and trimer formation would occur. The amount of catalyst used

was such that the cream time was 15 seconds.

A master polyol blend was made using the following amounts of the specified

materials:

STEPHANOL® PS 2352 100.0 pbw GENETRON® 141B 27.2 pbw TEGOSTAD® B-84PI 2.0 pbw Water 0.5 pbw

The two catalyst combinations which were tested were prepared using the

following amounts of the specified materials:

Catalyst A Catalyst B

Potassium octoate 89.7 pbw Potassium octoate 89.7 pbw

JEFFCAT® PMDETA 10.3 pbw JEFFCAT® ZF-110 10.3 pbw The amount of each catalyst combination above needed to get a 15 second cream

time is shown in Table II below:

Table II

"Cream Time" is the amount of time elapsed between initial mixing of the

10 isocyanate and polyol portions and when the foam can be visually observed to begin to

react, as evident from the presence of gas bubbles. "String Gel Time" is the amount of

time elapsed between initial mixing of the isocyanate and polyol portions and when a

string of material can be pulled out of the reacting foam. "Tack-free Time" is the

amount of time elapsed between initial mixing of the isocyanate and polyol portions and

15 when nothing will stick to the surface of the reacting foam. "Rise Time" is the amount

of time elapsed between initial mixing of the isocyanate and polyol portions and when

the foam ceases to expand further. Once the conditions necessary to produce a cream time of fifteen seconds were

determined for each combination, a live reacting foam representing each formulation

was poured into a cup and the exotherm from the center of the cup was measured and

recorded into the FTIR equipment. An individual exotherm profile was collected for

each formulation and was subsequently used to program the heated probe on the FTIR

instrument. Before a run was made on the FTIR heated probe, an 8-oz paper cup with a

one-inch hole in the bottom of the cup, was placed on top of the heated probe. The

paper cup was slid 1 inch below the top of the probe. The heated probe was then

programmed with the temperature profile that had been collected earlier with the

particular formulation. The B-component, with added catalyst, was premixed for 5

seconds using a 3500-rpm mixer. The RUBIN ATE® M isocyanate was then added to

the cup. Simultaneously, upon commencement of mixing, the FTIR instrument began

collecting data. The foam was mixed for seven seconds, and then poured on top of the

heated probe such that the liquid covered the probe's top surface. FTIR data was then

collected for 1000 seconds, during which time, incidentally, 552 spectra were collected

while the heated probe followed the heat profile programmed into it.

The FTIR spectra so obtained were collected and analyzed. The top of the peaks

were converted into data that was exported to an EXCEL® spreadsheet and graphed.

The resulting peak profiles are shown in Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 shows the effect of

catalyst and index of the foam on the amount of trimer found in the foam. Using

JEFFCAT® Z-l 10 in combination with potassium octoate, higher trimer levels are seen

in the foam at all indexes tested. Figure 3 shows the disappearance of the isocyanate as a function of catalysts and index. Here again, the catalyst system containing

JEFFCAT® Z-l 10 makes more effective utilization of the isocyanate in the foam than

the system not containing JEFFCAT® Z-l 10. These graphical results show that

JEFFCAT® Z-l 10 significantly increases the trimer content of a foam, and increases the

overall conversion of isocyanate groups in a foam.

In a third set of experiments, the hydrocarbon blowing agent known as

EXXOL®1600, available from Exxon Chemical Corp., and which contains a mixture of

cyclopentane and isopentane, was used to make the polyisocyanurate ("PIR") foam. The

formulations and rise profiles for the foams are shown in the table below, in which as in

10 all tables herein, all parts are expressed in parts by weight:

Table III

The foams of Table III were poured onto the FTIR probe in the manner described

earlier. The results for the trimer absorption peak grows in the way pictorially described in figures 4A, 4B, and 4C. The results for the isocyanate absorbances are shown in

figures 5A, 5B, and 5C.

The (A) component, or isocyanate component, useful in a formulation in which a

catalyst combination according to the invention may be employed can consist of any

number of suitable aromatic or aliphatic-based isocyanates, prepolymers, or quasi-

prepolymers. These are standard isocyanate compositions known to those skilled in

the art. Preferred examples include MDI-based quasi-prepolymers such as those

available commercially as RUBINATE® M, RUBINATE ® 1850 RUBINATE®

9480, RUBINATE® 9484, and RUBINATE® 9495 from Huntsman International,

LLC. Aromatic polyisocyanates such as toluene diisocyanate, diphenylmethane-4,4'-

diisocyanate, and positional isomers of the foregoing, polymerized isocyanates, such

as polymeric MDI and the like; aliphatic polyisocyanates such as

hexamethylenediisocyanate and the like; alicyclic polyisocyanates such a

isophoronediisocyanate and the like; pre-polymers with end isocyanate groups such as

toluenediisocyanate pre-polymer and diphenylmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate pre-polymer

which are obtained by the reaction of the above-mentioned substances with a polyol;

denatured isocyanate such as carbodiimide denatured substances; and further mixed

polyisocyanates thereof. The isocyanates employed in component (A) may include

aliphatic isocyanates of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,748,192. These include

aliphatic diisocyanates and, more particularly, are the trimerized or the biuretic form

of an aliphatic diisocyanate, such as hexamethylene diisocyanate, or the bifunctional

monomer of the tetraalkyl xylene diisocyanate, such as the tetramethyl xylene diisocyanate. Cyclohexane diisocyanate is also to be considered a useful aliphatic

isocyanate. Other useful aliphatic polyisocyanates are described in U.S. Pat. No.

4,705,814. They include aliphatic diisocyanates, for example, alkylene diisocyanates

with 4 to 12 carbon atoms in the alkylene radical, such as 1,12-dodecane diisocyanate

and 1,4-tetramethylene diisocyanate. Also useful are cycloaliphatic diisocyanates,

such as 1,3 and 1 ,4-cyclohexane diisocyanate as well as any mixture of these isomers,

1 -isocyanato-3 ,3 ,5-trimethyl-5-isocyanatomethylcyclohexane (isophorone

diisocyanate); 4,4'- dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate, 2,2'- dicyclohexylmethane

diisocyanate and 2,4'- dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate as well as the corresponding

isomer mixtures, and the like.

Other amine catalyst components useful as components in producing a foam

according to the invention include, without limitation: JEFFCAT® TAP, JEFFCAT®

ZF-22, JEFFCAT® DD, tetramethylbutanediammine, dimorpholinodiethylether,

JEFFCAT®MEM, JEFFCAT®MEM DM-70, JEFFCAT®MEM

bis(dimethylaminoethoxy)ethane, JEFFCAT® NMM, JEFFCAT® NEM,

JEFFCAT® PM, JEFFCAT® M-75, JEFFCAT® MM-20, JEFFCAT® MM-27,

JEFFCAT® DM-22, Pentamethydiethylenetriamine, Tetramethylethylenediammine,

Tertamethylaminopropylamide, 3-dimethylamino-N,N-dimethylpropylamide, TMR®,

TMR®2, TMR®3, TMR®4 or any material that is known to those skilled in the art as

being capable of functioning as a blowing or gelling catalyst in a polyurethane system.

All of the foregoing JEFFCAT® trademark materials are available from Huntsman

Petrochemical Corporation, 7114 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas. TMR® is a registered trademark of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., of Allentown,

Pennsylvania.

Polyols useful in providing a foam according to the present invention include

aromatic polyesterpolyols, amino polyols, mannich polyols, sucrose-derived polyols,

sorbitol-derived polyols, polyetherpolyol, polymer polyols, and polyesterpolyols

having 2 or more reactive hydroxyl groups. Polyetherpolyols include, for example,

polyhydric alcohols such as glycols, glycerin, pentaerythritol, and sucrose; aliphatic

amine compounds such as ammonia, and ethyleneamine; aromatic amine compounds

such as toluene diamine, and diphenylmethane-4,4'-diamine; and/or a polyetherpolyol

obtained by adding ethylene oxide or propylene oxide to a mixture of above-

mentioned compounds. Polymer polyol is exemplified by a reaction product of said

polyetherpolyol with ethylenic unsaturated monomer, such as butadiene, acrylonitrile,

and styrene, the reaction being conducted in the presence of a radical polymerization

catalyst. Polyesterpolyols include those which are produced from a dibasic acid and a

polyhydric alcohol such as, for example, polyethyleneadipate and

polyethyleneterephthalates which may include those products reclaimed from waste

materials. Combinations of any of the foregoing are also useful as polyols.

Blowing agents useful in accordance with the present invention are

exemplified by low boiling point hydrocarbons such as pentane, halogenated

hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, acetone, and/or water. Known halogenated methanes

and halogenated ethanes may be used as halogenated hydrocarbons. Among them,

preferably are chlorofluorocarbon compounds such as trichloromonofluoromethane (R-l l), dichlorotrifluoroethane (R-123), dichloromonofluoroethane (R-141b), R-

134A, R-141B, R-245fa, and the like. The amount of the foaming agent to be used is

not particularly limited, but the amount of chlorofluorocarbon to be used is usually

not larger than 35 parts by weight, preferably 0 to 30 parts by weight, based on 100

parts of polyol, and the amount of water to be used is not less than 2.0 parts,

preferably 3.0 to 20.0 parts. The stabilizer is selected, for example, from non-ionic

surfactants such as organopolysiloxanepolyoxyalkylene copolymers, silicone-glycol

copolymers, and the like, or a mixture thereof. The amount of the stabilizer is not

particularly specified, but is usually present at about 0 to 2.5 parts by weight based on

100 parts by weight of polyol.

According to the present invention, other auxiliary agents may be added if

desired or necessary. They include flame retardants, coloring agents, fillers,

oxidation-inhibitors, ultraviolet ray screening agents, and the like known to those

skilled in the art.

The polyurethane foam prepared by use of the amine catalyst of the present

invention may be flexible foam, HR foam, semi-rigid foam, rigid foam, microcellular

foam, elastomer, and the like which are prepared by the conventional known one-shot

method, the pre-polymer method, and the like. Among these known processes,

particularly preferable is the process for producing polyurethane foam by using a

foaming agent which is processed in a combined form such as foil, coating, or border

material, or by molding integratedly, with other materials. Said other materials

referred to above include resins such as polyvinylchloride resin, ABS resin, polycarbonate resin, and the like, metals, glasses, and the like. Examples of

applications of a foam product made according to the invention include interior

articles of automobiles such as instrument panels, seats, head rests, arm rests, and

door panels, as well as packaging materials, products of continuous lamination

processes, metal panel coatings, and the like.

The amount of the amine catalyst used in a composition from which a foam

may be produced in accordance with the present invention is in the range of from 0.02

to 10 parts, more preferably 0.1 to 5 parts, by weight based on 100 parts of the polyol.

These weight values include both the JEFFCAT® Z-l 10 catalyst and any other amine

catalyst used the reactive catalyst. In addition, other known tertiary amine catalysts,

organic carboxylic acid salts thereof, and organo tin compounds which are usually

used as co-catalysts may be employed as auxiliary catalysts.

The amount of trimer catalyst present in a composition from which a foam

may be produced in accordance with the instant invention is in the range of from 0.02

As used in this specification and the appended claims "trimer catalyst" means any

catalyst which promotes the conversion of isocyanate functionality into a trimer

structure, as such trimer structure is known to those skilled in the art as isocyanurates.

Trimer catalysts include alkali salts of an carboxylic acids, such as sodium,

potassium, lithium or cesium. During formation of the isocyanate trimer, three -NCO

groups react with one another to form an isocyanurate structure. Typical trimer

catalysts include potassium octoate and potassium acetate. In addition, certain amines may also function as trimer catalysts, some of which include: JEFFCAT® TR-52

available from Huntsman Petrochemical Corporation of Austin Texas, and TMR®,

TMR2®, TMR3, which are available from Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

The temperature range over which a foam product according to the invention

may be produced is any temperature in the range from about 25°C to about 200°C. The

pressure range over which a foam product according to the invention may be produced

is any pressure in the range from about 1 pound per square inch ("psi") to about 3000

psi.

In the process for producing foam products using JEFFCAT® Z-l 10 in

combination with a trimer catalyst according to the present invention, polyols,

polyisocyanates, and foaming agents, stabilizers, and if necessary, other auxiliary

agents which are hitherto known, including without limitation, flame retardants, may

be employed.

Although this invention has been shown and described with respect to certain

preferred embodiments, it is obvious that equivalent alterations and modifications will

occur to others skilled in the art upon reading and understanding of this specification

and the appended claims. The present invention includes all such modifications and

alterations, and is limited only by the scope of the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1) A catalyst useful in the formation of polyisocyanurate foam from an isocyanate and a

polyol comprising:

a) an amine component comprising N,N,N'-trimethylaminoethyl-ethanolamine; and

b) a trimer catalyst component.

2) A catalyst according to claim 1 wherein said trimer catalyst comprises an alkali

metal salt of a carboxylic acid.

3) A catalyst according to claim 2 wherein said salt is selected from the group

consisting of: octoate salts and acetate salts of an element selected from the group

consisting of: lithium, sodium, potassium, and cesium.

4) A catalyst according to claim 1 further comprising an additional amine component.

5) A catalyst according to claim 4 wherein said additional amine component is

selected from the group consisting of: pentamethyldiethylenetriamine;

dimethylcyclohexylamine; 2,2'-oxybis (N,N-dimethylethanamine); aminophenol;

dimethylethanolamine; dimethylpiperazine; N-ethylmorpholine; N-methylmorpholine;

1 ,3,5-triazine-l ,3,5 (2H, 4H, 6H)-tripropanamine, N, N, N',N', N", N"-hexamethyl;

1 ,3-propanediamine,N'-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl)-N,N-dimethyl; 2-propanol, 1 -

(bis(3-dimethylamino)propyl) amino); 2-((2-(2-(dimethylamino)ethoxy)ethyl)mathyl-

amino)-ethanol; dimethylaminoethoxyethanol; 1,3-propanediamine, N-[3-

(dimethylamino)propyl]-N,N',N'-trimethyl; 1,3-propanediamine, N, N-bis[3-

(dimethylamino)propyl]-N',N'-dimethyl; morpholine, 4,4'-(oxydi-2, 1 -ethanediyl)bis-

dimorpholino ethane; and triethylenediamine.

6) A catalyst according to claim 1 , further comprising an organotin compound.

7) A process for producing an isocyanurate foam product comprising the steps of:

a) providing an isocyanate and a polyol;

b) providing a catalyst comprising:

i) an amine component comprising N,N,N'-trimethylaminoethyl-

ethanolamine; and

ii) a trimer catalyst component;

c) contacting said isocyanate and said polyol in the presence of said catalyst. 8) A process according to claim 7 wherein said isocyanate is selected from the group

consisting of: aromatic di-isocyanates, polymeric isocyanates, aliphatic di-isocyanates, and aliphatic tri-isocyanates.

9) A process according to claim 7 wherein said polyol is selected from the group

consisting of: aromatic polyesterpolyols, amino polyols, mannich polyols, sucrose-

derived polyols, sorbitol-derived polyols, and combinations thereof.

10) A process according to claim 7 wherein said trimer catalyst is selected from the

group consisting of: potassium octoate; potassium acetate; JEFFCAT® TR-52; 2-

hydroxypropyl trimethylammonium 2-ethylhexanoate; and 2-hydroxypropyl

trimethylammonium formate.

11) A process according to claim 7 wherein said catalyst further comprises: iii) a second

amine component selected from the group consisting of: pentamethyldiethylenetriamine;

dimethylethanolamine; 2, 2'-oxybis (N,N-dimethylethanamine); triethylenediamine;

1 ,3,5-triazine-l, 3,5 (2H, 4H, 6H)-tripropanamine, N, N, N',N, N", N"-hexamethyl;

1 ,3-propanediamine, N, N-bis[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-N',N'-dimethyl;

aminophenol; and 1,3-propanediamine, N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-N,N',N'- trimethyl. 12) A process for producing an isocyanurate foam product comprising the steps of:

a) providing an isocyanate and a polyol;

b) providing a blowing agent;

c) providing a catalyst comprising:

i) an amine component comprising N,N,N'-trimethylaminoethyl-

ethanolamine; and

ii) a trimer catalyst component;

d) contacting said isocyanate and said polyol in the presence of said catalyst and

said blowing agent.

13) A process according to claim 12 wherein said isocyanate is selected from the group

consisting of: aromatic di-isocyanates, polymeric isocyanates, aliphatic di-isocyanates,

and aliphatic tri-isocyanates.

14) A process according to claim 12 wherein said polyol is selected from the group

derived polyols, sorbitol-derived polyols, and combinations thereof.

15) A process according to claim 12 wherein said trimer catalyst is selected from the

group consisting of: 2-hydroxypropyl trimethylammonium 2-ethylhexanoate; and 2-

hydroxypropyl trimethylammonium formate. 16) A process according to claim 12 wherein said blowing agent is selected from the

group consisting of: water, carbon dioxide, pentane, isopentane, cyclopentane, butane,

R-141b®, and R-245FA®.

17) A process according to claim 12 wherein said catalyst further comprises: iii) a

second amine component selected from the group consisting of:

pentamethyldiethylenetriamine; dimethylethanolamine; 2, 2'-oxybis (N,N-

dimethylethanamine); triethylenediamine; l,3,5-triazine-l,3,5 (2H, 4H, 6H)-

tripropanamine, N, N, N',N', N", N"-hexamethyl; 1,3-propanediamine, N, N-bis[3-

(dimethylamino)propyl]-N',N'-dimethyl; aminophenol; and 1,3-propanediamine, N-[3-

(dimethylamino)propyl]-N,N',N'-trimethyl.

18) A polyisocyanurate foam comprising N,N,N'-trimethylaminoethyl-ethanolamine.

19) A polyisocyanurate foam comprising N,N,N'-trimethylaminoethyl-ethanolamine

and a trimer catalyst.

20) A foam according to claim 18 wherein said trimer catalyst is selected from the

group consisting of: potassium octoate, and potassium acetate.