Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08G—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED OTHERWISE THAN BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING UNSATURATED CARBON-TO-CARBON BONDS
  • C08G75/00—Macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions forming a linkage containing sulfur with or without nitrogen, oxygen, or carbon in the main chain of the macromolecule
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08G—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED OTHERWISE THAN BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING UNSATURATED CARBON-TO-CARBON BONDS
  • C08G18/00—Polymeric products of isocyanates or isothiocyanates
  • C08G18/06—Polymeric products of isocyanates or isothiocyanates with compounds having active hydrogen
  • C08G18/70—Polymeric products of isocyanates or isothiocyanates with compounds having active hydrogen characterised by the isocyanates or isothiocyanates used
  • C08G18/72—Polyisocyanates or polyisothiocyanates
  • C08G18/74—Polyisocyanates or polyisothiocyanates cyclic
  • C08G18/75—Polyisocyanates or polyisothiocyanates cyclic cycloaliphatic
  • C08G18/758—Polyisocyanates or polyisothiocyanates cyclic cycloaliphatic containing two or more cycloaliphatic rings
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08G—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED OTHERWISE THAN BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING UNSATURATED CARBON-TO-CARBON BONDS
  • C08G18/00—Polymeric products of isocyanates or isothiocyanates
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08G—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED OTHERWISE THAN BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING UNSATURATED CARBON-TO-CARBON BONDS
  • C08G18/00—Polymeric products of isocyanates or isothiocyanates
  • C08G18/06—Polymeric products of isocyanates or isothiocyanates with compounds having active hydrogen
  • C08G18/08—Processes
  • C08G18/10—Prepolymer processes involving reaction of isocyanates or isothiocyanates with compounds having active hydrogen in a first reaction step
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08G—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED OTHERWISE THAN BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING UNSATURATED CARBON-TO-CARBON BONDS
  • C08G18/00—Polymeric products of isocyanates or isothiocyanates
  • C08G18/06—Polymeric products of isocyanates or isothiocyanates with compounds having active hydrogen
  • C08G18/08—Processes
  • C08G18/16—Catalysts
  • C08G18/18—Catalysts containing secondary or tertiary amines or salts thereof
  • C08G18/1816—Catalysts containing secondary or tertiary amines or salts thereof having carbocyclic groups
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B1/00—Optical elements characterised by the material of which they are made; Optical coatings for optical elements

Definitions

• the present invention relates to sulfur-containing polyurethanes and methods for their preparation.
• a number of organic polymeric materials such as' plastics, have been developed as alternatives and replacements for glass in applications such as optical lenses, fiber optics, windows and automotive, nautical and aviation transparencies. These polymeric materials can provide advantages relative to glass, including, shatter resistance, lighter weight for a given application, ease of molding and ease of dying.
• the refractive indices of many polymeric materials are generally lower than that of glass. In ophthalmic applications, the use of a polymeric material having a lower refractive index will require a thicker lens relative to a material having a higher refractive index. A thicker lens is not desirable.
• the present invention provides polythiol oligomer formed by the reaction of at least two or more different dienes and at least one or more dithiol wherein stoichiometric ratio of the sum of the number of equivalents of all polythiols to the sum of the number of equivalents of all dienes used to form, said polythiol oligomer is greater than 1.0 : 1.0.
• said two or more different dienes can comprise
• said cyclic diene of (a) can be selected from non-aromatic monocyclic dienes , non-aromatic polycyclic dienes, aromatic ring-containing dienes, and mixtures thereof.
• said non-aromatic cyclic diene of ⁇ b) can be selected from non-aromatic monocyclic dienes, non-aromatic polycyclic dienes, and mixtures thereof.
• said stoichiometric ratio can be from greater than 1.0 : 1.0 to 3.0 : 1.0, or from 1.01 : 1.0 to 3.0 : 1.0, or from 1.01 : 1.0 to 2.0 : 1.0, or from 1.05 : 1.0 to 2.0 : I-O, or from 1.1 : 1.0 to 1.5 : 1.0, or from 1.25 : 1.0 to 1.5 : 1.0.
• polythiol oligomer of the present invention can include polythiol oligomer formed by the reaction of two or more different dienes, one or more dithiol, and optionally trifunctional or higher-functional polythiol, wherein stoichiometric ratio of the sum of the number of equivalents of all polythiols to the sum of the number of equivalents of all dienes used to form said polythiol oligomer is greater than 1.0 : 1.0.
• sulfur-containing polyurethane of the present invention can comprise the reaction product of polyisocyanate, polyisothiocyanate, or mixture thereof; polythiol oligomer,- and active hydrogen-containing material.
• said polythiol oligomer can included polythiol oligomer formed by the reaction of at least two or more different dienes and at least one or more dithiol, wherein stoichiometric ratio of the sum of the number of equivalents of all polythiols to the sum of the number of equivalents of all dienes used to form said polythiol oligomer is greater than 1.0 : 1.0.
• said active hydrogen-containing material can include at least one material selected from trifunctional or higher-functional polyol, trifunctional or higher- functional polythiol, trifunctional or higher-functional material containing both hydroxyl and SH groups, or mixtures thereof.
• said active hydrogen-containing material can further comprise at least one material selected from diol, dithiol, difunctional material including both hydroxyl and SH groups, or mixtures thereof.
• said dithiol can include dithiol oligomer.
• said stoichiometric ratio can be from 1.1 : 1.0 to 1.5 : 1.0.
• polythiol oligomer used to prepare said sulfur-containing polyurethane can include polythiol oligomer formed by the reaction of at least two or more different dienes, at least one or more dithiol, and optionally trifunctional or higher-functional polythiol; wherein the stoichiometric ratio of the sum of the number of equivalents of all polythiols to the sum of the number of equivalents of all dienes used to form said polythiol oligomer is greater than 1.0 : 1.0.
• dienes used in this reaction can include the following non-limiting embodiments:
• said cyclic diene of (a) can include non-aromatic monocyclic dienes, non-aromatic polycyclic dienes or combinations or mixtures thereof, or aromatic ring-containing dienes, or mixtures thereof.
• said non-aromatic cyclic diene of (b) can include non-aromatic monocyclic dienes, non-aromatic polycyclic diene, or combinations or mixtures thereof
• the terms “isocyanate” and “isothiocyanate” refer to materials that are unblocked and capable of forming a covalent bond with a reactive group such as a thiol or hydroxyl functional group.
• the polyisocyanate of the present invention can contain at least two functional groups chosen from isocyanate (NCO)
• the polyisothiocyanate can contain at least two functional groups chosen from isothiocyanate (NCS)
• the polyisothiocyanate of the present invention can contain at least two functional groups chosen from isothiocyanate, and combinations of isocyanate and isothiocyanate functional groups.
• the sulfur- containing polyurethane of the invention when polymerized can produce a polymerizate having a refractive index of at least 1.55, of at least 1.56, of at least 1.57, or at least 1.58, or at least 1.59, or at least 1.60, or at least 1.61, or at least 1.62, or at least 1.65.
• the sulfur-containing polyurethane of the invention when polymerized can produce a polymerizate having an Abbe number of at least 30, or at least 32, or at least 34, or at least 35, or at least 36, or at least 38, or at least 39, or at least 40, or at least 44.
• the refractive index and Abbe number can be determined by methods known in the art such as American Standard Test Method (ASTM) Number D 542-00. Further, the refractive index and Abbe number can be determined using various known instruments. In a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the refractive index and Abbe number can be measured in accordance with ASTM D 542-00 with the following exceptions: (i) test one to two samples/specimens instead of the minimum of three specimens specified in Section 7.3; and (ii) test the samples unconditioned instead of conditioning the samples/specimens prior to testing as specified in Section 8.1.
• an Atago, model DR-M2 Multi- Wavelength Digital Abbe Refractometer can be used to measure the refractive index and Abbe number of the samples/specimens.
• sulfur-containing polyurethane of the present invention can be prepared by
• polystyrene resin (a) reacting polyisocyanate and/or polyisothiocyanate; polythiol oligomer formed by the reaction of at least two or more different dienes and at least one or more dithiol , wherein stoichiometric ratio of the sum of the number of equivalents of all polythiols to the sum of the number of equivalents of all die ⁇ es used to form said polythiol oligomer is greater than 1.0 : 1.0; and active hydrogen-containing material including at least one material selected from trifunctional or higher-functional polyol, trifunctional or higher-functional polythiol, trifunctional or higher-functional material containing both hydroxyl and SH groups, or mixtures thereof; to form sulfur-containing polyurethane prepolymer; and
• said active hydrogen-containing material of (a) used to form said sulfur- containing polyurethane prepolymer can further comprise at least one material selected from diol, dithiol, difunctional material including both hydroxyl and SH groups , or mixtures thereof .
• said dithiol of (a) can include dithiol oligomer.
• said polythiol of (b) can include dithiol oligomer.
• sulfur- containing polyurethane of the present invention can be prepared by
• (a) can further comprise active hydrogen-containing material including at least one material selected from polyol, polythiol, polyfunctional material containing both hydroxyl and SH groups, or mixtures thereof.
• said polythiol can include dithiol oligomer.
• said active hydrogen-containing material of (b) can further comprise at least one material selected from diol, dithiol, difunctional material including both hydroxyl and SH groups, or mixtures thereof.
• said dithiol can include dithiol oligomer.
• the amount of polyisocyanate and the amount of active hydrogen-containing material used to prepare isocyanate terminated sulfur-containing polyurethane prepolymer can be selected such that the equivalent ratio of
• CSH + OH can be greater than 1.0:1.0, or at least 2.0:1.0, or at least 2.5:1, or less than 4.5:1.0, or less than 5.5:1.0.
• the amount of polyisothiocyanate or mixture of polyisocyanate and polyisothiocyanate and the amount of active hydrogen-containing material used to prepare isothiocyanate or isocyanate/isothiocyanate terminated sulfur-containing polyurethane prepolymer can be selected such that the equivalent ratio of (NCO + NCS) : (SH + OH) can be greater than 1.0:1.0, or at least 2.0:1.0, or at least 2.5:1, or less than 4.5:1.0, or less than 5.5:1.0.
• the amount of isocyanate terminated sulfur-containing polyurethane prepolymer and the amount of active hydrogen containing materials reacted with said prepolymer to form sulfur-containing polyurethane can be selected such that the equivalent ratio of (OH + SH) : (NCO) is from 1.1 : 1.0 to 0.85 : 1.0, or from 1.1 : 1.0 to 0.90 : 1.0, or from 1.0 : 1.0 to 0.85 : 1.0, or from 1.0 : 1.0 to 0.90 : 1.0.
• the amount of isothiocyanate or isocyanate/isothiocyanate terminated sulfur-containing polyurethane prepolymer and the amount of active hydrogen containing materials reacted with said prepolymer to form sulfur-containing polyurethane can be selected such that the equivalent ratio of (OH + SH) : (NCS + NCO) is from 1.1 : 1.0 to 0.85 : 1.0, or from 1.1 : 1.0 to 0.90 : 1.0, or from 1.0 : 1.0 to 0.85 : 1.0, or from 1.0 : 1.0 to 0.90 : 1.0.
• Polyisocyanates and polyisothiocyanates useful in the preparation of the sulfur-containing polyurethane of the present invention are numerous and widely varied.
• Suitable polyisocyanates for use in the present invention can include but are not limited to polymeric and C 2 -C 20 linear, branched, cycloaliphatic and aromatic polyisocyanates .
• Suitable polyisothiocyanates for use in the present invention can include but are not limited to polymeric and C 2 -C 20 linear, branched, cyclic and aromatic polyisothiocyanates.
• Non-limiting examples can include polyisocyanates and polyisothiocyanates having backbone linkages chosen from urethane linkages (-NH-C (O) -O-) , thiourethane linkages (-NH-C (O) -S-) , thiocarbamate linkages ( -NH-C (S) -O-) , dithiourethane linkages (-NH- C(S)-S-) and combinations thereof.
• backbone linkages chosen from urethane linkages (-NH-C (O) -O-) , thiourethane linkages (-NH-C (O) -S-) , thiocarbamate linkages ( -NH-C (S) -O-) , dithiourethane linkages (-NH- C(S)-S-) and combinations thereof.
• the molecular weight of the polyisocyanate and polyisothiocyanate can vary widely.
• the number average molecular weight (Mn) of each can be at least 100 grams/mole, or at least 150 grams/mole, or less than 15,000 grams/mole, or less than 5000 grams/mole.
• the number average molecular weight can be determined using known methods.
• the number average molecular weight values recited herein and the claims were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) using polystyrene standards .
• Non-limiting examples of suitable polyisocyanates and polyisothiocyanates can include but are not limited to those described in WO 2004/060951 Al at paragraphs [0014] to [0035] , incorporated by reference herein.
• the polyisocyanate can include meta-tetramethylxylylene diisocyanate (1, 3-bis (1-isocyanato-l-methylethyl -benzene) ; 3-isocyanato-methyl-
• sulfur-containing polyurethane can be prepared by reacting polyisocyanate and/or polyisothiocyanate and polythiol oligomer to form sulfur-containing polyurethane prepolymer,- and reacting said sulfur-containing polyurethane prepolymer with active hydrogen- containing material to form said sulfur-containing polyurethane.
• polythiol oligomer for use in the present invention can be formed by the reaction of at least two or more different dienes and at least one or more dithiol wherein stoichiometric ratio of the sum of the number of equivalents of all polythiols to the sum of the number of equivalents of all dienes used to form said polythiol oligomer is greater than 1.0 : 1.0.
• the term "different dienes” can refer to dienes that can be different from one another in any one of a variety of ways.
• the "different diense can be different from one another in one of the following three ways: (a) non-cyclic vs. cyclic,- (b) aromatic vs. non-aromatic ring-containing; or (b) non-aromatic monocyclic vs. non-aromatic polycyclic.
• said at least two or more different dienes can comprise:
• non-cyclic diene at least one non-cyclic diene and at least one cyclic diene, wherein non- limiting examples of said cyclic diene can include non-aromatic ring-containing dienes including but not limited to non-aromatic monocyclic dienes, non-aromatic polycyclic dienes or combinations thereof, or aromatic ring-containing dienes, or mixtures thereof; or
• non-limiting examples of said non-aromatic cyclic diene can include non-aromatic moncyclic diene, non-aromatic polycyclic, or mixtures thereof; or
• the two or more different dienes can each be independently chosen from non-cyclic dienes, including straight chain and/or branched aliphatic non-cyclic dienes, non-aromatic ring-containing dienes, including non-aromatic ring-containing dienes wherein the double bonds can be contained within the ring or not contained within the ring or any combination thereof, and wherein said non-aromatic ring-containing dienes can contain non- aromatic monocyclic groups or non-aromatic polycyclic groups or combinations thereof; aromatic ring-containing dienes; or heterocyclic ring-containing dienes; or dienes containing any combination of such non-cyclic and/or cyclic groups, and wherein said two or more different dienes can optionally contain thioether, disulfide, polysulfide, sulfone, ester, thioester, carbonate, thiocarbonate, urethane, or thiourethane linkages, or halogen substituents , or combinations thereof; with the pro
• number of equivalents refers to the number of moles of a particular diene or polythiol, multiplied by the average number of thiol groups or double bond groups per molecule of said diene or polythiol, respectively.
• stoichiometric ratio of the sum of the number of equivalants of all polythiols to the sum of the number of equivalents of all dienes used to prepare polythiol oligomer of the present invention can be from greater than 1.0 : 1.0 to 3.0 : 1.0, or from 1.01 : 1.0 to 3.0 : 1.0, or from 1.01 : 1.0 to 2.0 : 1.0, or from 1.05 : 1.0 to 2.0 : 1.0, or from 1.1 : 1.0 to 1.5 : 1.0, or from 1.25 : 1.0 to 1.5 : 1.0.
• the stoichiometric ratio of the sum of the number of equivalents of all polythiols to the sum of the number of equivalents of all dienes used to form said polythiol oligomer can be (n+1) : (n) wherein n can represent an integer from 2 to 30
• reaction mixture that consists of the group of at least two or more different dienes and the group of at least one or more dithiol and the corresponding number of equivalents of each diene and dithiol that is used to prepare the polythiol oligomer can be depicted as shown in Scheme I below:
• D 1 through D x represent two or more different dienes, x is an integer greater than or equal to 2, that represents the total number of different dienes that are present; di through d x represent the number of equivalents of each corresponding diene; Ti through T y represent one or more dithiol; and ti through t y represent the number of equivalents of each corresponding dithiol; and y is an integer greater than or equal to 1 that represents the total number of dithiols present .
• a group of at least two or more different dienes and the corresponding number of equivalents of each diene can be described by the term diDj .
• diDj such as diDi through d x D x , as shown in Scheme I above
• Di represents the i th diene and di represents the number of equivalents of D 1
• i being can be an integer ranging from 1 to x
• x is an integer, greater than or equal to 2
• the group of at least one or more dithiol and the corresponding number of equivalents of each dithiol can be described by the term tjTj (such as ⁇ T 1 through t y T y , as shown in Scheme I above) , wherein T j represents the j th dithiol and t j represents the number of equivalents of the corresponding dithiol Tj, j being an integer ranging from 1 to y, wherein y is an integer that defines the total number of dithiols present, and y has a value greater than or equal to 1.
• the sum of the number of equivalents of all dithiols present can be represented by the term t, defined according to Expression (II) , y
• the ratio of the sum of the number of equivalents of all dithiols present to the sum of the number of equivalents of all dienes present can be characterized by the term t : d, wherein t and d are as defined above.
• the ratio t : d can have values greater than 1:1.
• the ratio t : d can have values within the range of from greater than 1.0 : 1.0 to 3.0 : 1.0, or from 1.01:1.0 to 3.0 : 1.0, or from 1.01 : 1.0 to 2.0 : 1.0, or from 1.05 : 1.0 to 2.0 : 1.0, or from 1.1 : 1.0 to 1.5 : 1.0, or from 1.25 : 1.0 to 1.5 : 1.0.
• diene x has a molecular weight (MW) of 100
• diene 2 has a molecular weight of 150
• dithiol has a molecular weight of 200
• diene 2 , and dithiol are present in the following molar amounts: 2 moles of dienej., 4 moles of diene a , and 8 moles of dithiol; then the number average molecular weight (M n ) of the resulting polythiol oligomer is calculated as follows:
• M n ⁇ (moles dienel x MW diene i) + (moles diene2 x MW diene2 ) + (moles dith ioi x MW dithiol ) ⁇ / m;
• m is the number of moles of the material that is present in the smallest molar amount.
• the polythiol oligomer can be as depicted in Formula (AA' ) in Scheme II below, produced from the reaction of Dienex and Diene 2 with a dithiol; wherein R 2 , R 4 , R 6 , and R 7 can be independently chosen from H, methyl, or ethyl, and R 1 and R 3 can be independently chosen from straight chain and/or branched aliphatic non-cyclic moieties, non-aromatic ring-containing moieties, including non-aromatic monocyclic moieties or non-aromatic polycyclic moieties or combinations thereof; aromatic ring- containing moieties; or heterocyclic ring-containing moieties,- or moieties containing any combination of such non-cyclic and/or cyclic groups; with the proviso that Dienej.
• R 5 can be chosen from divalent groups containing straight chain and/or branched non-cyclic aliphatic groups, cycloaliphatic groups, aryl groups, aryl-alkyl groups, heterocyclic groups, or combinations or mixtures thereof; and wherein R 1 , R 3 , and R 5 can optionally contain ether, thioether, disulfide, polysulfide, sulfone, ester, thioester, carbonate, thiocarbonate, urethane, or thiourethane linkages, or halogen substituents, or combinations thereof; and n is an integer ranging from 1 to 20.
• the polythiol oligomer can be as depicted in Formula (AA' ' ) in Scheme III below, produced from the reaction of Diene x and 5-vinyl-2-norbornene (VNB) with a dithiol; wherein R 2 and R 4 can be independently chosen from H, methyl, or ethyl, and R x can be chosen from straight chain and/or branched aliphatic non-cyclic moieties, non-aromatic monocyclic ring-containing moieties; aromatic ring-containing moieties; or heterocyclic ring-containing moieties; or include moieties containing any combination of such non-cyclic and/or cyclic groups; with the proviso that Diene n is different from VNB, and contains double bonds capable of reacting with SH groups of dithiol, and forming covalent C-S bonds; and wherein R 3 can be chosen from divalent groups containing straight chain and/or branched non
• n is an integer ranging from 1 to 20.
• the polythiol oligomer can be as depicted in Formula (AA' ' ' ) in Scheme IV below, produced from the reaction of Diene L and 4-vinyl-l-cyclohexene (VCH) with a dithiol; wherein R 2 and R 4 can be independently chosen from H, methyl, or ethyl, and Ri can be chosen from straight chain and/or branched aliphatic non-cyclic moieties, non-aromatic polycyclic ring-containing moieties; aromatic ring-containing moieties; or heterocyclic ring-containing moieties; or moieties containing any combination of such non-cyclic and/or cyclic groups; with the proviso that Dienei is different from VCH, and contains double bonds capable of reacting with SH group of dithiol, and forming covalent C-S bonds,- and wherein R 3 can be chosen from divalent groups containing straight chain and/or branched non
• the polythiol for use in the present invention can comprise polythiol oligomer formed by the reaction of at least two or more different dienes with at least one or more dithiol, and, optionally, one or more trifunctional or higher functional polythiol; wherein the stoichiometric ratio of the sum of the number of equivalents of all polythiols to the sum of the number of equivalents of all dienes used to prepare said polythiol oligomer is greater than 1.0 : 1.0.
• said two or more different dienes can each be independently chosen from non-cyclic dienes, including straight chain and/or branched aliphatic non-cyclic dienes; non-aromatic ring-containing dienes, including non-aromatic ring-containing dienes wherein the double bonds can be contained within the ring or not contained within the ring or any combination thereof, and wherein said non-aromatic ring-containing dienes can contain non-aromatic monocyclic groups or non-aromatic polycyclic groups or combinations thereof; aromatic ring-containing dienes; heterocyclic ring-containing dienes; or dienes containing any combination of such non-cyclic and/or cyclic groups, and wherein said two or more different dienes can optionally contain thioether, disulfide, polysulfide, sulfone, ester, thioester, carbonate, thiocarbonate, urethane, or thiourethane linkages, or halogen substituents,
• the said one or more dithiol can each be independently chosen from dithiols containing straight chain and/or branched non-cyclic aliphatic groups, cycloaliphatic groups, aryl groups, aryl-alkyl groups, heterocyclic groups, or combinations or mixtures thereof, and wherein said one or more dithiol can each optionally contain thioether, disulfide, polysulfide, sulfone, ester, thioester, carbonate, thiocarbonate, urethane, or thiourethane linkages, or halogen substituents, or combinations thereof.
• the said trifunctional or higher functional polythiol can be chosen from polythiols containing non-cyclic aliphatic groups, cycloaliphatic groups, aryl groups, aryl-alkyl groups, heterocyclic groups, or combinations or mixtures thereof, and wherein said trifunctional or higher functional polythiol can each optionally contain thioether, disulfide, polysulfide, sulfone, ester, thioester, carbonate, thiocarbonate, urethane, or thiourethane linkages, or halogen substituents, or combinations thereof.
• Suitable dithiols for use in preparing the polythiol oligomer can be selected from a wide variety known in the art . Non- limiting examples can include those disclosed herein. Further non-limiting examples of suitable dithiols for use in preparing the polythiol oligomer can include but are not limited to 1, 2-ethanedithiol, 1, 2-propanedithiol, 1, 3-propanedithiol, 1,3- butanedithiol, 1, 4-butanedithiol, 2, 3-butanedithiol, 1,3- pentanedithiol , 1, 5-pentanedithiol, 1, 6-hexanedithiol, 1,3- dimercapto-3 -methylbutane , dipentenedimercaptan, ethylcyclohexyldithiol (ECHDT) , 2-mercaptoethylsulfide (DMDS) , methyl-substituted 2-
• the dithiol can be 2 , 5-dimercaptomethyl-l, 4-dithiane, ethylene glycol di (2-mercaptoacetate) , ethylene glycol di (3-mercaptopropionate) , poly (ethylene glycol) di (2-mercaptoacetate) , poly (ethylene glycol) di (3-mercaptopropionate) , dipentene dimercaptan (DPDM), and mixtures thereof .
• Suitable trifunctional and higher-functional polythiols for use in preparing the polythiol oligomer can be selected from a wide variety known in the art. Non-limiting examples can include those disclosed herein.
• suitable trifunctional and higher-functional polythiols for use in preparing the polythiol oligomer can include but are not limited to pentaerythritol tetrakis (2-mercaptoacetate) , pentaerythritol tetrakis (3-mercaptopropionate) , trimethylolpropane tris(2- ' mercaptoacetate) , trimethylolpropane tris(3- mercaptopropionate) , thioglycerol bis (2-mercaptoacetate) , trifunctional polythiols with structures depicted in formulas
• Suitable dienes for use in preparing the polythiol oligomer can vary widely and can be selected from those known in the art.
• suitable dienes can include but are not limited to acyclic non-conjugated dienes, acyclic polyvinyl ethers, allyl- and vinyl-acrylates, allyl- and vinyl -methacrylates, diacrylate and dimethacrylate esters of linear diols and dithiols, diacrylate and dimethacrylate esters of poly (alkyleneglycol) diols, monocyclic aliphatic dienes, polycyclic aliphatic dienes, aromatic ring-containing dienes, diallyl and divinyl esters of aromatic ring dicarboxylic acids, and mixtures thereof.
• Non-limiting examples of acyclic non-conjugated dienes can include those represented by the following general formula:
• R can represent C 2 to C 30 linear branched divalent saturated alkylene radical, or C 2 to C 30 divalent organic radical containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of sulfur, oxygen and silicon in addition to carbon and hydrogen atoms.
• the acyclic non- conjugated dienes can be selected from 1, 5-hexadiene, 1,6- heptadiene, 1, 7-octadiene and mixtures thereof.
• suitable acyclic polyvinyl ethers can include but are not limited to those represented by structural formula (V ) :
• R 2 can be C 2 to C 6 n-alkylene, C 2 to C 6 branched alkylene group, or --[(CH 2 --) p --O--] q --(--CH 2 --) r --, m can be a rational number from 0 to 10 , p can be an integer from 2 to 6 , q can be an integer from 1 to 5 and r can be an integer from 2 to 10.
• m can be two (2) .
• Non-limiting examples of suitable polyvinyl ether monomers for use can include divinyl ether monomers, such as but not limited to ethylene glycol divinyl ether, diethylene glycol divinyl ether, triethyleneglycol divinyl ether, and mixtures thereof.
• Non-limiting examples of suitable allyl- and vinyl - acrylates and methacrylates can include but are not limited to those represented by the following formulas :
• the acrylate and methacrylate monomers can include monomers such as but not limited to allyl methacrylate, allyl acrylate and mixtures thereof.
• Non-limiting examples of diacrylate and dimethacrylate esters of linear diols can include but are not limited to those represented by the following structural formula:
• R can represent Ci to C 30 divalent saturated alkylene radical; branched divalent saturated alkylene radical; or C 2 to C 3 divalent organic radical containing at least one element selected from sulfur, oxygen and silicon in addition to carbon and hydrogen atoms,- and R 2 can represent hydrogen or methyl.
• the diacrylate and dimethacrylate esters of linear diols can include ethanediol dimethacrylate, 1 , 3-propanediol diacrylate, 1, 3 -propanediol dimethacrylate, 1, 2-propanediol diacrylate, 1, 2 -propanediol dimethacrylate, 1, 4-butanediol diacrylate, 1, 4-butanediol dimethacrylate, 1, 3-butanediol diacrylate, 1, 3-butanediol dimethacrylate, 1, 2-butanediol diacrylate, 1, 2-butanediol dimethacrylate, and mixtures thereof.
• Non-limiting examples of diacrylate and dimethacrylate esters of poly (alkyleneglycol) diols can include but are not limited to those represented by the following structural formula:
• R 2 can represent hydrogen or methyl and p can represent an integer from 1 to 5.
• the diacrylate and dimethacrylate esters of poly (alkyleneglycol) diols can include ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, ethylene glycol diacrylate, diethylene glycol dimethacrylate, diethylene glycol diacrylate, and mixtures thereof .
• suitable dienes can include monocyclic aliphatic dienes such as but not limited to those represented by the following structural formulas:
• X and Y each independently can represent Cj._ 10 divalent saturated alkylene radical; or Ci -5 divalent saturated alkylene radical, containing at least one element selected from the group of sulfur, oxygen and silicon in addition to the carbon and hydrogen atoms; and Ri can represent H, or C 1 -Ci 0 alkyl; and
• R 1 can be as defined above and R 2 can represent C 2 -C 10 alkenyl .
• the monocyclic aliphatic dienes can include 1,4-cyclohexadiene, 4-vinyl-l- cyclohexene, dipentene and terpinene .
• Non-limiting examples of polycyclic aliphatic dienes can include but are not limited to 5-vinyl-2-norbornene; 2,5- norbornadiene; dicyclopentadiene and mixtures thereof.
• Non-limiting examples of aromatic ring-containing dienes can include but are not limited to those represented by the following structural formula:
• R 4 can represent hydrogen or methyl .
• the aromatic ring- containing dienes can include monomers such as 1, 3-diispropenyl benzene, divinyl benzene and mixtures thereof.
• Non-limiting examples of diallyl esters of aromatic ring dicarboxylic acids can include but are not limited to those represented by the following structural formula:
• the diallyl esters of aromatic ring dicarboxylic acids can include o-diallyl phthalate, m-diallyl phthalate, p-diallyl phthalate and mixtures thereof .
• reaction of at least one polythiol with two or more different dienes can be carried out in the presence of radical initiator. Suitable free radical initiators for use in the present invention can vary widely and can include those known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
• Non-limiting examples of radical initiators can include but are not limited to azo or peroxide type free-radical initiators such as azobisalkalenenitriles .
• the free radical initiator can be azobisalkalenenitrile which is commercially available from DuPont under the trade name VAZOTM.
• VAZO-52, VAZO-64, VAZO-67, VAZO-88 and mixtures thereof can be used as free radical initiators .
• selection of the free- radical initiator can depend on reaction temperature. In a non- limiting embodiment, the reaction temperature can vary from room temperature to 100 0 C.
• Vazo 52 can be used at a temperature of from 50-60 0 C, or Vazo 64 or Vazo 67 can be used at a temperature of 60 0 C to 75 0 C, or Vazo 88 can be used at a temperature of 75-100 0 C.
• reaction of at least one polythiol and two or more different dienes can be carried out under a variety of reaction . conditions. In alternate non-limiting embodiments, such conditions can depend on the degree of reactivity of the dienes and the desired structure of the resulting polythiol oligomer.
• said at least two or more different dienes and said polythiol can be reacted together by forming a mixture of said materials and free radical initiator, and allowing said dienes and polythiol to react.
• reaction of said mixture of materials can be carried out with heating of mixture.
• polythiol and free radical initiator can be combined together, and resulting mixture can be added in relatively small amounts over a period of time to a mixture of two or more dienes.
• two or more different dienes can be reacted with polythiol in a stepwise manner under free radical initiation.
• a mixture of polythiol, one diene, and optionally free radical initiator can be prepared; the polythiol and diene and optionally free radical initiator can be allowed to react until double bonds are essentially consumed; and then a second diene can be added to the resulting mixture, followed by addition of free radical initiator to the mixture.
• the resulting mixture then is allowed to react until the double bonds are essentially consumed and a pre- calculated theoretical SH equivalent weight is obtained (e.g., calculated based upon stoichiometry and measured by titration) .
• the reaction time for completion can vary from one hour to five days depending on the reactivity of the dienes used, and reaction temperature can vary widely, depending upn the reactivity of the dienes used and the type and amount of radical initiator that is used.
• polythiol oligomer can comprise random-type or block-type structure (i.e., random-type or block-type sequencing of repeat units of said polythiol oligomer) .
• polythiol oligomer with random-type structure i.e., random sequencing of repeat units
• polythiol oligomer with random-type structure can be prepared by reacting together at least two or more different dienes, polythiol, and free radical initiator.
• a mixture of said dienes, said polythiol, and free radical initiator can be prepared and allowed to react.
• a mixture of said polythiol and said free radical initiator can be prepared and added over a period of time to a mixture of said dienes .
• polythiol oligomer with block-type structure i.e., block-type or blocky sequencing of repeat units
• polythiol oligomer with block-type structure can be prepared by reacting at least two or more different dienes, polythiol, and free radical initiator in a stepwise manner.
• a mixture of polythiol, one diene, and optionally free radical initiator can be prepared; the polythiol and diene and optionally free radical initiator can be allowed to react until double bonds are essentially consumed; and then a second diene and free radical initiator can be added to the resulting mixture; the resulting mixture then is allowed to react until the double bonds are essentially consumed and a pre-calculated theoretical SH equivalent weight is obtained.
• the reaction of polythiol with at least two or more different dienes can be carried out in the presence of a catalyst .
• Suitable catalysts for use in the reaction can vary widely and can be selected from those known in the art .
• the amount of catalyst used in the reaction of the present invention can vary widely and can depend on the catalyst selected. In a non- limiting embodiment, the amount of catalyst can be present in an amount of from 0.01% by weight to 5% by weight of the reaction mixture .
• the acrylic and/or methacrylic monomers can be reacted with polythiol in the presence of a base catalyst.
• Suitable base catalysts for use in this reaction vary widely and can be selected from those known in the art. Non-limiting examples can include but are not limited to tertiary amine bases such as 1, 8-diazabicyclo [5.4.0] undec-7-ene (DBtJ) and N,N-dimethylbenzylamine.
• the amount of base catalyst used can vary widely. In a non-limiting embodiment, the base catalyst can be present in an amount of from 0.01 to 5.0% by weight of the reaction mixture.
• base catalyst in the reaction of the acrylic and/or methacrylic monomers with polythiol can substantially minimize or essentially preclude double bond polymerization.
• acrylic and/or methacrylic double bonds can be first reacted with polythiol under basic catalysis conditions and then, electron-rich reactive double bond dienes can be added to the intermediate product and reacted under radical initiation conditions.
• electron-rich reactive double bond dienes can include materials such as but not limited to vinyl ethers, aliphatic dienes and cycloaliphatic dienes .
• polythiol oligomer formed by reacting acrylic and/or methacrylic dienes and polythiol in the presence of base catalyst, followed by reaction with said electron- rich dienes can have block-type copolymer structure (i.e., block- type sequencing of repeat units of said polythiol oligomer) .
• double bonds of non- (meth) acrylic dienes can first be reacted with dithiol under free-radical initiation conditions
• dienes having acrylic and/or methacrylic double bonds can be added to the intermediate product and reacted under base catalysis conditions .
• polythiol oligomer formed by first reacting non (meth) acrylic dienes and polythiol under free radical initiation conditions, followed by reacting acrylic and/or methacrylic dienes under base catalysis conditions can have block- type copolymer structure (i.e., block-type sequencing of repeat units of said polythiol oligomer) .
• the mixture of polythiol, dienes and radical intiator is heated, the double bonds are at least partially consumed by reaction with the SH groups of the polythiol.
• the mixture can be heated for a sufficient period of time such that the double bonds are essentially consumed and a pre-calculated theoretical value for SH content is reached.
• the mixture can be heated for a time period of from 1 hour to 5 days .
• the mixture can be heated at a temperature of from 40 0 C to 100 0 C.
• the number average molecular weight (M n ) of the resulting polythiol oligomer can vary widely.
• the number average molecular weight (M n ) of polythiol oligomer can be predicted based on the stoichiometry of the reaction.
• the M n . of polythiol oligomer can vary from 400 to 10,000 g/mole, or from 1000 to 3000 g/mole.
• the viscosity of the resulting polythiol oligomer can vary widely.
• the viscosity can be from 40 cP to 4000 cP at 73°C, or from 40 cP to 2000 cP at 73°C, or from 150 cP to 1500 cP at 73°C .
• vinyleyelohexene (VCH) and 1 , 5 -hexadiene (1,5-HD) can. be combined together, and 2- mercaptoethylsulfide (DMDS) and a radical initiator (such as Vazo 52) can be mixed together, and this mixture can be added dropwise to the mixture of dienes at a rate such that a temperature of 60 0 C is not exceeded. After the addition is completed, the mixture can be heated to maintain a temperature of 60 0 C until the double bonds are essentially consumed and the pre-calculated theoretical value for SH content is reached.
• DMDS 2- mercaptoethylsulfide
• Vazo 52 radical initiator
• polythiol oligomer can be prepared from the following combinations of dienes and polythiol :
• VNB 5-vinyl-2-norbornene
• DEGDVE diethylene glycol divinyl ether
• DMDS diethylene glycol divinyl ether
• VNB butanediol divinylether (BDDVE) , DMDS;
• the polythiol for use in the present invention can include polythiol oligomer formed by the reaction of at least two or more different dienes and at least one or more dithiol and, optionally, one or more trifunctional or higher functional polythiol, wherein said dienes can be selected such that at least one diene has refractive index of at least 1.52 and at least one other diene has Abbe number of at least 40, wherein said dienes contain double bonds capable of reacting with SH groups of polythiol, and forming covalent C-S bonds ; and wherein the stoichiometric ratio of the sum of the number of equivalents of all polythiols present to the sum of the number of equivalents of
• the diene with refractive index of at least 1.52 can be selected from dienes containing at least one aromatic ring, and/or dienes containing at least one sulfur- containing substituent, with the proviso that said diene has refractive index of at least 1.52,- and the diene with Abbe number of at least 40 can be selected from cyclic or non-cyclic dienes not containing an aromatic ring, with the proviso that said diene has Abbe number of at least 40.
• the diene with refractive index of at least 1.52 can be selected from diallylphthalate and 1, 3-diisopropenyl benzene; and the diene with Abbe number of at least 40 can be selected from 5- vinyl-2-norbornene, 4-vinyl-l-cyclohexene, limonene, diethylene glycol divinyl ether, and allyl methacrylate .
• the nature of the SH group of polythiols is such that oxidative coupling can occur readily, leading to formation of disulfide linkages.
• Various oxidizing agents can lead to such oxidative coupling.
• the oxygen in the air can in some cases lead to such oxidative coupling during storage of the polythiol.
• a possible mechanism for the coupling of thiol groups involves the formation of thiyl radicals, followed by coupling of said thiyl radicals, to form disulfide linkage.
• formation of disulfide linkage can occur under conditions that can lead to the formation of thiyl radical, including but not limited to reaction conditions involving free radical initiation.
• the polythiol oligomer for use in the present invention can contain disulfide linkages present in the dithiols and/or polythiols used to prepare said polythiol oligomer.
• the polythiol oligomer for use in the present invention can contain disulfide linkage formed during the synthesis of said polythiol oligomer.
• the polythiol oligomer for use in the present invention can contain disulfide linkages formed during storage of said polythiol oligomer.
• the reaction mixture containing polyisocyanate and polythiol oligomer can include at least one additional active hydrogen-containing material.
• Active hydrogen-containing materials are varied and known in the art.
• Non- limiting examples can include hydroxyl-containing materials such as but not limited to polyols,- sulfur-containing materials such as but not limited to hydroxyl functional polysulfides, and SH-containing materials such as but not limited to polythiols; and materials having both hydroxyl and thiol functional groups.
• Suitable hydroxyl-containing materials for use in the present invention can include a wide variety of materials known in the art.
• Non-limiting examples can include but are not limited to polyether polyols, polyester polyols, polycaprolactone polyols, polycarbonate polyols, polyurethane polyols, poly vinyl alcohols, polymers containing hydroxy functional acrylates, polymers containing hydroxy functional methacrylates, polymers containing allyl alcohols and mixtures thereof .
• Polyether polyols and methods for their preparation are known to one skilled in the art. Many polyether polyols of various types and molecular weight are commercially available from various manufacturers. Non-limiting examples of polyether polyols can include but are not limited to those described in WO 2004/060951 Al at paragraphs [0038] to [0040] , incorporated by reference herein. [0089] A variety of polyester polyols and polycaprolactone polyols suitable for use in the present invention are known in the art. Suitable polyester polyols and polycaprolactone polyols can include but are not limited to those described in WO 2004/060951 at paragraphs [0041] and [0042] , respectively, incorporated by- reference herein.
• Polycarbonate polyols for use in the present invention are varied and known to one skilled in the art. Suitable polycarbonate polyols can include but are not limited to those described in WO 2004/060951 at paragraph [0043] .
• active hydrogen-containing materials can include low molecular weight di-functional and higher functional polyols and mixtures thereof .
• these low molecular weight materials can have a number average molecular weight of less than 500 grams/mole.
• the amount of low molecular weight material chosen can be such to avoid a high degree of cross-linking in the polyurethane .
• the di-functional polyols typically contain from 2 to 16, or from 2 to 6, or from 2 to 10, carbon atoms.
• Non- limiting examples of such difunctional polyols can include but are not limited to ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, 1,2-, 1,3- and 1, 4-butanediol, 2, 2, 4-trimethyl- 1,3 -pentanediol, 2-methyl-l,3-pentanediol, 1,3- 2,4- and 1,5- pentanediol, 2,5- and 1, 6-hexanediol, 2, 4-heptanediol, 2-ethyl-l,3- hexanediol, 2 , 2-dimethyl-l, 3 -propanediol , 1, 8-octanediol, 1,9- nonanediol, 1, 10-decanediol, 1, 4-cyclohexanediol, 1,4- cyclo
• Non-limiting examples of trifunctional or tetrafunctional polyols can include glycerin, tetramethylolmethane, pentaerythritol, trimethylolethane, trimethylolpropane, alkoxylated polyols such as but not limited to ethoxylated trimethylolpropane, propoxylated trimethylolpropane, ethoxylated trimethylolethane,- and mixtures thereof .
• the active hydrogen- containing material can comprise block polymers including blocks of ethylene oxide-propylene oxide and/or ethylene oxide- butylene oxide.
• the active hydrogen- containing material can comprise a block copolymer of the following chemical formula: • HO- (CHR 1 CHR 2 -O) a - (CHR 3 CHR 4 -O) b - (CHR 5 CHR 6 -O) C -H
• R 1 through R 6 can each independently represent hydrogen or methyl; a, b, and c can each be independently an integer from 0 to 300. wherein a, b and c are chosen such that the number average molecular weight of the polyol does not exceed 32,000 grams/mole, as determined by GPC. In a further non-limiting embodiment, a, b, and c can be chosen such that the number average molecular weight of the polyol does not exceed 10,000 grams/mole, as determined by GPC. In a non-limiting embodiment, a, b, and c can each be independently an integer from 1 to 300.
• R 1 , R 2 , R s , and R 6 are hydrogen, and R 3 and R 4 are each independently chosen from hydrogen and methyl, with the proviso that R 3 and R 4 are different from one another.
• R 3 and R 4 are hydrogen, and Ri and R 2 are each independently chosen from hydrogen and methyl, with the proviso that R 1 and R 2 are different from one another, and R 5 and R 6 are each independently chosen from hydrogen and methyl, with the proviso that R 5 and R 6 are different from one another.
• Pluronic R, Pluronic L62D, Tetronic R or Tetronic which are commercially available from BASF, can be used as active hydrogen-containing material in the present invention.
• the active hydrogen-containing material for use in the present invention can be chosen from polyether polyols, polyester polyols and polycaprolactone polyols having a number average molecular weight of at least 200 grams/mole, or at least 350 grams/mole, or at least 700 grams/mole, or at least 900 grams/mole; or less than or equal to 3,000 grams/mole, or less than or equal to 5,000 grams/mole, or less than or equal to 10,000 grams/mole, or no less than or equal to 15,000 grams/mole.
• Non-limiting examples of suitable polyols for use in the present invention can include straight or branched chain alkane polyols, such as but not limited to those described in WO 2004/060951 at paragraph [0050] at page 17, line 11 to page 18, line 6, incorporated by reference herein, and mixtures thereof.
• the polyol can be a polyurethane prepolymer having two or more hydroxy functional groups .
• Such polyurethane prepolymers can be prepared from any of the polyols and polyisocyanates previously described herein.
• the OH:NCO equivalent ratio can be chosen such that essentially no free NCO groups are produced in preparing the polyurethane prepolymer.
• the equivalent ratio of OH to NCO (i.e., isocyanate) present in the polyurethane prepolymer can be an amount of from 2.0 to less than 5.5 OH/1.0 NCO.
• the polyurethane prepolymer can have a number average molecular weight (Mn) of less than 50,000 grams/mole, or less than 20,000 grams/mole, or less than 10,000 grams/mole, or less than 5,000 grams/mole, or greater than 1,000 grams/mole or greater than 2,000 grams/mole.
• Mn number average molecular weight
• the active hydrogen- containing material for use in the present invention can include sulfur-containing materials such as SH-containing materials, such as but not limited to polythiols having at least two thiol groups.
• suitable polythiols can include but are not limited to aliphatic polythiols, cycloaliphatic polythiols, aromatic polythiols, heterocyclic polythiols, polymeric polythiols, oligo ⁇ neric polythiols and mixtures thereof.
• the sulfur-containing active hydrogen-containing material can have linkages including but not limited to ether linkages (-0-) , sulfide linkages (- ⁇ -), polysulfide linkages (-S x -, wherein x is at least 2, or from 2 to 4) and combinations of such linkages.
• thiol refers to an -SH group which is capable of forming a thiourethane linkage, (i.e., -NH-C(O)-S-) with an isocyanate group or a dithioruethane linkage (i.e., -NH-C(S)-S-) with an isothiocyanate group .
• Non-limiting examples of suitable polythiols can include but are not limited to 2, 5-dimercaptomethyl-i,4-dithiane, dimercaptoethylsulfide, pentaerythritol tetrakis(3- mercaptopropionate) , pentaerythritol tetrakis (2-mercaptoacetate) , trimethyl ⁇ lpropane tris (3 -mercaptopropionate) , triraethylolpropane tris (2-tnercaptoacetate) , 4-mercaptomethyl-3 , 6-dithia-l, 8- octaneditttiol, 4-tert-butyl-l, 2-benzenedithiol, 4,4'- thiodibenzenethiol , ethanedithiol, benzenedithiol, ethylene glycol di (2-mercaptoacetate) , ethylene glycol di (3-mercap
• the polythiol can be chosen from materials described in WO 2004/060951 Al at paragraphs [0056] to [0060] , incorporated by reference herein.
• the polythiol can be chosen from those previously disclosed, such as but not limited to 2, 5-dimercaptomethyl-l, 4- dithiane.
• the sulfur can be in the form of crystalline, colloidal, powder or sublimed sulfur, and can have a purity of at least 95 percent or at least 98 percent.
• the polythiol oligomer can have disulfide linkages and can include materials such as those described in WO 2004/060951 Al at paragraph [0061] , incorporated by reference herein.
• the nature of the SH group of polythiols is such that oxidative coupling can occur readily, leading to formation of disulfide linkages.
• Various oxidizing agents can lead to such oxidative coupling.
• the oxygen in the air can in some cases lead to such oxidative coupling during storage of the polythiol.
• a possible mechanism for the coupling of thiol groups involves the formation of thiyl radicals, followed by coupling of said thiyl radicals, to form disulfide linkage.
• formation of disulfide linkage can occur under conditions that can lead to the formation of thiyl radical, including but not limited to reaction conditions involving free radical initiation.
• the polythiol for use in the present invention can include species containing disulfide linkage formed during storage.
• the polythiol for use in the present invention can include species containing disulfide linkage formed during synthesis of said polythiol .
• the polythiol for use in the present invention can include those described in WO 2004/060951 Al at paragraphs [0062] to [0093] at page 30, line 31, incorporated by reference herein.
• polythiol for use in the present invention can include polythiol oligomer formed by the reaction of di thiol with diene , via the thiol -ene type reaction of the SH groups of said dithiol with double bond groups of said diene .
• polythiol for use in the present invention can include at least one oligomeric polythiol as follows :
• R 1 can be selected from C 2 to C 6 n-alkylene; C 3 to C 6 alkylene unsubstituted or substituted wherein substituents can be hydroxyl, methyl, ethyl, methoxy or ethoxy,- or C 5 to C 8 cycloalkylene; R 2 can be selected from C 2 to C 6 n-alkylene, C 2 to C e branched alkylene, C s to C 3 cycloalkylene, C 6 to C 10 alkylcycloalkylene or --[(CH 2 --) P --O- -] q --(--CH 2 ⁇ -) r —; Hi can be a rational number from 0 to 10, n can be an integer from 1 to 20, p can be an integer from 2 to 6, q can be an integer from 1 to 5, and r can be an integer from 2 to 10.
• polythiol of formula (IVf) Various methods of preparing the polythiol of formula (IVf) are described in detail in United States Patent 6,509,418Bl, column 4, line 52 through column 8, line 25, which disclosure is herein incorporated by reference.
• this polythiol can be prepared by combining reactants comprising one or more polyvinyl ether monomer, and one or more polythiol.
• Useful polyvinyl ether monomers can include but are not limited to divinyl ethers represented by structural formula (V ) :
• R 2 can be selected from C 2 to C 6 n-alkylene, C 2 to C 6 branched alkylene, C 6 to C 8 cycloalkylene, C 6 to Ci 0 alkylcycloalkylene or --
• [(CH 2 ⁇ -)p --O--]q --(--CH 2 -- ⁇ r -- / TO is a rational number ranging from 0 to 10
• p is an integer from 2 to 6
• q is an integer from 1 to 5
• r is an integer from 2 to 10.
• m can be two (2) .
• Non-limiting examples of suitable polyvinyl ether monomers for use can include divinyl ether monomers, such as but not limited to ethylene glycol divinyl ether, diethylene glycol divinyl ether, butane diol divinyl ether and mixtures thereof.
• the polyvinyl ether monomer can constitute from 10 to less than 50 mole percent of the reactants used to prepare the polythiol, or from 30 to less than 50 mole percent.
• the divinyl ether of formula (V ) can be reacted with polythiol such as but not limited to dithiol represented by the formula (VI' ) :
• R 1 can be selected from C 2 to C e n-alkylene group; C 3 to C 6 branched alkylene group, having one or more pendant groups which can include but are not limited to hydroxyl, alkyl such as methyl or ethyl; alkoxy, or C 6 to C 8 cycloalkylene.
• suitable polythiols for reaction with Formula (V ) can include those polythiols represented by Formula 2_ herein.
• Non-limiting examples of suitable polythiols for reaction with Formula (V ) can include but are not limited to dithiols such as 1, 2-ethanedithiol, 1, 2-propanedithiol, 1, 3-propanedithiol, 1,3- butanedithiol, 1, 4-butanedithiol, 2, 3-butanedithiol, 1,3- pentanedithiol, 1, 5-pentanedithiol, 1, 6-hexanedithiol , 1,3- dimercapto-3-methylbutane, dipentenedimercaptan, ethylcyclohexyldithiol (ECHDT) , ditnercaptodiethylsulfide (DMDS) , methyl-substituted dimercaptodietbylsulfide, dimethyl-substituted dimercaptodiethylsulfide, dimercaptodioxaoctane
• the polythiol for reaction with Formula (V ) can have a number average molecular weight ranging from 90 to 1000 grams/mole, or from 90 to 500 grams/mole.
• the stoichiometric ratio of polythiol to divinyl ether can be less than one equivalent of polyvinyl ether to one equivalent of polythiol .
• the polythiol and divinyl ether mixture can further include one or more free radical initiators.
• suitable free radical initiators can include azo compounds, such as azobis-nitrile compounds such as but not limited to azo (bis) isobutyronitrile
• AIBN organic peroxides such as but not limited to benzoyl peroxide and t-butyl peroxide; inorganic peroxides and similar free- radical generators.
• reaction to produce the material represented by Formula (IVf) can include irradiation with ultraviolet light either with or without a photoinitiator .
• the polythiol for use in the present invention can include material represented by the following structural formula and prepared by the following reaction:
• n can be an integer from 1 to 20.
• the polythiol can have number average molecular weight of from 100 to 3000 grams/mole.
• the polythiol can be prepared by ultraviolet (UV) initiated free radical polymerization in the presence of suitable photoinitiator. Suitable photoinitiators in usual amounts as known to one skilled in the art can be used for this process.
• UV ultraviolet
• Suitable photoinitiators in usual amounts as known to one skilled in the art can be used for this process.
• 1- hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone Irgacure 184
• the polythiol represented by formula (IVg) can be prepared by reacting "n" moles of allyl sulfide and "n+1" moles of dimercaptodiethylsulfide as shown above.
• the polythiol for use in the present invention can include a material represented by the following structural formula and prepared by the following reaction:
• n can be an integer from 1 to 20.
• polythiols can be prepared by reaction of thiol such as dithiol, and aliphatic, ring-containing non-conjugated diene in the presence of radical initiator.
• Non- limiting examples of suitable thiols can include but are not limited to lower alkylene thiols such as ethanedithiol, vinylcyclohexyldithiol, dicyclopentadienedithiol, dipentene dimercaptan, and hexanedithiol; polyol esters of thioglycolic acid and thiopropionic acid; and mixtures thereof and mixtures thereof.
• Non-limiting examples of suitable cyclodienes can include but are not limited to vinylcyclohexene, dipentene, dicyclopentadiene, cyclododecadiene, cyclooctadiene, 2-cyclopenten- 1-yl-ether, 5-vinyl-2-norbornene and norbomadiene .
• Non-limiting examples of suitable radical initiators for the reaction can include azo or peroxide free radical initiators such as azobisalkylenenitrile which is commercially available from DuPont under the trade name VAZOTM.
• xv n+l" moles of ditnercaptoethylsulfide can be reacted with "n" moles of 4-vinyl-1- cyclohexene, as shown above, in the presence of VAZO-52 radical initiator.
• the polythiol for use in the present invention can include a material represented by the following structural formula and reaction scheme:
• R 1 and R 3 can each be independently selected from C 1 to C 6 n- alkylene, C 2 to C 6 branched alkylene, C 6 to C 8 cycloalkylene, C 6 to C 10 alkylcycloalkylene, C 6 to C 8 aryl, C 6 to C 10 alkyl-aryl, C 1 -C 10 alkyl containing ether linkages or thioether linkages or ester linkages or thioester linkages or combinations thereof, --[(CH 2 --) P --X--] q -- ⁇ - -CH 2 --) r --, wherein X can be O or S, p can be an integer from 2 to 6, q can be an integer from 1 to B, r can be an integer from 0 to 10; R 2 can be selected from hydrogen or methyl; and n can be an integer from 1 to 20.
• the polythiol of formula (IVj) can be prepared by reacting di (meth) acrylate monomer and one or more polythiols.
• suitable di (meth) acrylate monomers can vary widely and can include those known in the art, such as but not limited to ethylene glycol di (meth (acrylate, 1,3- butylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, 1, 4-butanediol di (meth) acrylate, 2 , 3 -dimethylpropane 1 , 3 -di (meth) acrylate, 1,6-hexanediol di (meth) acrylate , propylene glcol di (meth) acrylate, dipropylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, tripropylene glycol di (meth) acrylate , tetrapropylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, ethoxylated hexanediol di
• Non-limiting examples of suitable polythiols for use as reactants in preparing polythiol of Formula (IVj) can vary widely and can include those known in the art, such as but not limited to 1,2-ethanedithiol , 1, 2-propanedithiol, 1 , 3 -propanedithiol , 1,3- butanedithiol, 1, 4-butanedithiol, 2, 3-butanedithiol, 1,3- pentanedithiol, 1, 5-pentanedithiol, 1, 6-hexanedithiol, 1,3- dimercapto-3 -methylbutane, dipenteneditnercaptan, ethylcyclohexyldithiol (ECHDT) , dimercaptodiethylsulfide (DMDS) , methyl-substituted dimercaptodiethylsulfide, dimethyl-substituted dimercaptodiethyls
• the polythiol used to prepare the polythiol of formula (IVj) can be dimercaptodiethylsulfide (DMDS) .
• DMDS dimercaptodiethylsulfide
• the reaction to produce the polythiol of formula (IVj) can be carried out in the presence of base catalyst.
• Suitable base catalysts for use in this reaction can vary widely and can be selected from those known in the art .
• Non- limiting examples can include but are not limited to tertiary amine bases such as 1, 8-diazabicyclo [5.4.0] undec-7-ene (DBU) and N,N- dimethylbenzylamine .
• the amount of base catalyst used can vary widely.
• base catalyst can be present in an amount of from 0.001 to 5.0% by weight of the reaction mixture .
• the mixture can be reacted for a period of time such that the double bonds are substantially consumed and a pre-calculated theoretical value for SH content is achieved.
• the mixture can be reacted for a time period of from 1 hour to 5 days.
• the mixture can be reacted at a temperature of from 20 0 C to 100 0 C.
• the mixture can be reacted until a theoretical value for SH content of from 0.5% to 20% is achieved.
• the number average molecular weight (M n ) of the resulting polythiol can vary widely.
• the number average molecular weight (M n ) of polythiol can be determined by the stoichiometry of the reaction.
• the M n of polythiol can be at least 400 g/mole, or less than or equal to 5000 g/mole, or from 1000 to 3000 g/mole.
• the polythiol for use in the present invention can include a material represented by the following structural formula and reaction scheme:
• R 1 and R 3 each can be independently selected from C 1 to C 6 n- alkylene, C 2 to C 6 branched alkylene, C 6 to C 8 cycloalkylene, C s to C 10 alkylcycloalkylene, C 6 to C 8 aryl, C 6 to C 10 alkyl-aryl, C 1 -C 10 alkyl containing ether linkages or thioether linkages or ester linkages or thioester linkages or combinations thereof, --[(CH 2 --) p --X--] g --(- -CH 2 --) r --, wherein X can be 0 or S, p can be an integer from 2 to 6, q can be an integer from 1 to 5, r can be an integer from 0 to 10; R 2 can be selected from hydrogen or methyl, and n can be an integer from 1 to 20.
• the polythiol of formula (IVk) can be prepared by reacting polythio(meth) acrylate monomer, and one or more polythiols .
• suitable polythio (meth) acrylate monomers can vary widely and can include those known in the art such as but not limited to di (meth) acrylate of 1, 2-ethanedithiol including oligomers thereof, di (meth) acrylate of dimercaptodiethyl sulfide (i.e., 2,2' -thioethanedithiol di (meth) acrylate) including oligomers thereof, di (meth) acrylate of 3, 6-dioxa-l, 8-octanedithiol including oligomers thereof, di (meth) acrylate of 2 -mercaptoethyl ether including oligomers thereof, di (meth) acrylate of 4,4'- thiodibenzenethiol
• the polythio (meth) acrylate monomer can be prepared from polythiol using methods known to those skilled in the art, including but not limited to those methods disclosed in US 4,810,812, US 6,342,571,- and WO 03/011925.
• Non-limiting examples of suitable polythiol for use as reactant(s) in preparing polythiols can include a wide variety of polythiols known in the art, such as but not limited to 1, 2-ethanedithiol, 1, 2-propanedithiol, 1,3- propanedithiol, 1,3 -butanedithiol, 1, 4-butanedithiol, 2,3- butanedithiol, 1, 3 -pentanedithiol , 1, 5-pentanedithiol, 1,6- hexanedithiol , 1, 3-dimercapto-3-methylbutane, dipentenedimercaptan, ethylcyclohexyldithiol (ECHDT) , dimercaptodiethylsulfide, methyl- substituted dimercaptodiethylsulfide, dimethyl-substituted dimercaptodiethylsulfide, dimercaptod
• the polythio (meth) acrylate used to prepare the polythiol of formula (IV k) can be di (meth) acrylate of dimercaptodiethylsulfide, i.e., 2,2'- thiodiethanethiol dimethacrylate .
• the polythiol used to prepare the polythiol of formula (IV k) can be di (meth) acrylate of dimercaptodiethylsulfide, i.e., 2,2'- thiodiethanethiol dimethacrylate .
• the polythiol used to prepare the polythiol of formula (IV k) can be di (meth) acrylate of dimercaptodiethylsulfide, i.e., 2,2'- thiodiethanethiol dimethacrylate .
• the polythiol used to prepare the polythiol of formula (IV k) can be di (meth) acrylate of dim
• IV k can be dimercaptodiethylsulfide (DMDS) .
• this reaction can be carried out in the presence of base catalyst.
• suitable base catalysts for use can vary widely and can be selected from those known in the art.
• Non-limiting examples can include but are not limited to tertiary amine bases such as 1,8- diazabicyclo [5.4.0] undec-7-ene (DBU) and N,N-dimethylbenzylamine.
• the amount of base catalyst used can vary widely.
• the base catalyst can be present in an amount of from 0.001 to 5.0% by weight of the reaction mixture.
• the mixture can be reacted for a time period of from 1 hour to 5 days.
• the mixture can be reacted at a temperature of from 20 0 C to 100 0 C.
• the mixture can be heated until a precalculated theoretical value for SH content of from 0.5% to 20% is achieved.
• the number average molecular weight (M n ) of the resulting polythiol can vary widely.
• the number average molecular weight (M n ) of polythiol can be determined by the stoichiometry of the reaction.
• the M n of polythiol can be at least 400 g/mole, or less than or equal to 5000g/ ⁇ nole, or from 1000 to 3000g/mole.
• the polythiol for use in the present invention can include a material represented by the following structural formula and reaction:
• R 1 can be selected from hydrogen or methyl
• R 2 can be selected from C 1 to C 6 n-alkylene, C 2 to C 6 branched alkylene, C 6 to C 8 cycloalkylene, C 6 to C 10 alkylcycloalkylene, C 5 to C 8 aryl, C 6 to Ci 0 alkyl-aryl, C 1 -C 10 alkyl containing ether linkages or thioether linkages or ester linkages or thioester linkages or combinations thereof, or --[(CH 2 --) p --X--] g --(--CH 2 --) r --/ wherein X can be selected from O or S, p can be an integer from 2 to 6, q can be an integer from 1 to 5, r can be an integer from 0 to 10; and n can be an integer from 1 to 20.
• the polythiol of formula (IVl) can be prepared by reacting allyl (meth) acrylate, and one or more polythiols .
• Non-limiting examples of suitable polythiols for use as reactant(s) in preparing polythiol of formula (IVl) can include a wide variety of known polythiols such as but not limited to 1,2- ethanedithiol, 1, 2-pro ⁇ anedithiol, 1 , 3-propanedithiol, 1,3- butanedithiol, 1,4-butanedithiol, 2 , 3-butanedithiol, 1,3- pentanedithiol, 1, 5-pentanedithiol, 1, 6-hexanedithiol, 1,3- dimercapto-3-methylbutane, dipenteneditnercaptan.
• 1,2- ethanedithiol 1, 2-pro ⁇ anedithiol, 1 , 3-propanedithiol, 1,3- butanedithiol, 1,4-butanedithiol, 2 , 3-butanedithiol, 1,3- pentanedithi
• ethylcyclohexyldithiol (ECHDT) , dimercaptodiethylsulfide, methyl- substituted dimercaptodiethylsulfide, dimethyl-substituted dimercaptodiethylsulfide, dimercaptodioxaoctane, 3 , 6-dioxa, 1,8- octanedithiol, 2 -mercaptoethyl ether, 1, 5-dimercapto-3-oxapentane, 2, 5 ⁇ dimercaptomethyl-l,4-dithiane, ethylene glycol di(2- mercaptoacetate) , ethylene glycol di (3-mercaptopropionate) , and mixtures thereof .
• EHDT ethylcyclohexyldithiol
• the polythiol used to prepare the polythiol of formula (IV 1) can be dimercaptodiethylsulfide (DMDS) .
• DMDS dimercaptodiethylsulfide
• the (meth) acrylic double bonds of allyl (meth) acrylate can be first reacted with polythiol in the presence of base catalyst .
• suitable base catalysts can vary widely and can be selected from those known in the art.
• Non-limiting examples can include but are not limited to tertiary amine bases such as 1, 8-diazabi ⁇ yclo [5.4.0] undec-7-ene
• base catalyst can be present in an amount of from 0.001 to 5.0% by weight of the reaction mixture.
• the mixture can be reacted for a time period of from 1 hour to 5 days.
• the mixture can be reacted at a temperature of from 20 0 C to 100 0 C.
• Non-limiting examples of suitable radical initiators can include but are not limited to azo or peroxide type free-radical initiators such as azobisalkylenenitriles .
• the free-radical initiator can be azobisalkylenenitrile which is commercially available from DuPont under the trade name VAZOTM.
• VAZO-52, VAZO-64, VAZO-67, or VAZO-88 can be used as radical initiators.
• the mixture can be heated for a period of time such that the double bonds are substantially consumed and a desired pre-calculated theoretical value for SH content is achieved.
• the mixture can be heated for a time period of from 1 hour to 5 days .
• the mixture can be heated at a temperature of from 40°C to 100°C.
• the mixture can be heated until a theoretical value for SH content of from 0.5% to 20% is achieved.
• the number average molecular weight (M n ) of the resulting polythiol can vary widely.
• the number average molecular weight (M n ) of polythiol can be determined by the stoichiometry of the reaction.
• the M n of polythiol can be at least 400 g/mole, or less than or equal to 5000g/mole, or from 1000 to 3000g/mole.
• trifunctional polythiol for use in the present invention can include a material represented by the following structural formula and reaction scheme:
• n can be an integer from 1 to 20.
• the polythiol of formula (IV ' m) can be prepared by reacting "n" moles of 1,2,4- trivinylcyclohexane (TVCH) with "3n” moles of dimercaptodiethylsulfide (DMDS) , and heating the mixture in the presence of a suitable free radical initiator, such as but not limited to VAZO 64.
• a suitable free radical initiator such as but not limited to VAZO 64.
• trifunctional polythiol for use in the present invention can include a material represented by the following structural formula and reaction scheme:
• n can be an integer from 1 to 20.
• the polythiol of formula (IV ' p) can be prepared by reacting vv n" moles of triallyl isocyanurate (TAIC) with "3n” moles of dimercaptodiethylsulfide (DMDS) , and heating the mixture in the presence of a suitable free radical initiator, such as but not limited to VAZO 52.
• TAIC triallyl isocyanurate
• DMDS dimercaptodiethylsulfide
• trifunctional polythiol for use in the present invention can include a material represented by the following structural formula and reaction scheme: Radical Initiator
• n can be an integer from 1 to 20.
• the polythiol of formula (iv'q) can be prepared by reacting "n" moles of triallyl cyanurate (TAC) with "3n” moles of dimercaptodiethylsulfide (DMDS) , and heating the mixture in the presence of a suitable free radical initiator, such as but not limited to VAZO 52.
• TAC triallyl cyanurate
• DMDS dimercaptodiethylsulfide
• the polythiol for use in the present invention can include a material represented by the following structural formula:
• n can be an integer from 1 to 20.
• DMDO 1,8- dimercapto-3 , 6-dioxaooctane
• Non-limiting examples of suitable difunctional or trifunctional active hydrogen-containing materials having both hydroxyl and thiol groups can include but are not limited to 2- mercaptoethanol, 3 -mercapto-1, 2-propanediol, glycerin bis (2- mercaptoacetate) , glycerin bis (3-merca ⁇ topropionate) , l-hydroxy-4- mercaptocyclohexane, , 1, 3-dimercapto-2-pro ⁇ anol , 2, 3-dimercapto-l- propanol , 1, 2-dimercapto-l, 3-butanediol, trimethylolpropane bis(2- mercaptoacetate) , trimethylolpropane bis (3-mercaptopropionate) , pentaerythritol mono (2-mercaptoacetate) , pentaerythritol bis (2- mercaptoacetate) , pentaerythritol
• the active hydrogen-containing material can have a number average molecular weight of at least 200 grams/mole, or at least 400 grams/mole, or at least 700 grams/mole, or at least 900 grams/mole; or less than or equal to 15,000 grams/mole, or less than or equal to 10,000 grams/mole, or less than or equal to 5,000 grams/mole, or less than or equal to,- 2,500 grams/mole.
• the sulfur-containing polyurethane of the present invention can be prepared using a variety of techniques known in the art.
• polyisocyanate, polyisothiocyanate or mixtures thereof; polythiol oligomer; optionally active hydrogen-containing material; and optionally urethanation catalyst can be reacted to form sulfur- containing polyurethane prepolymer.
• said active hydrogen-containing material can include at least one material selected from polyol, polythiol, polyfunctional material containing both hydroxyl and SH groups, or mixtures thereof.
• said polythiol can include dithiol oligomer.
• said active hydrogen-containing material can include at least one material selected from trifunctional or higher-functional polyol, trifunctional or higher-functional polythiol, trifunctional or higher-functional material containing both hydroxyl and SH groups, or mixtures thereof.
• suitable urethanation catalysts can include those disclosed hereing.
• said sulfur-containing polyurethane prepolymer can be chain extended (i.e., reacted) with active hydrogen- containing material including at least one material selected from polyol, polythiol, polythiol oligomer, polyfunctional material containing both hydroxyl and SH groups, or mixtures thereof, which have been previously disclosed herein, and optionally in the presence of urethanation catalyst; to form sulfur-containing polyurethane polymer.
• active hydrogen-containing material including at least one material selected from polyol, polythiol, polythiol oligomer, polyfunctional material containing both hydroxyl and SH groups, or mixtures thereof, which have been previously disclosed herein, and optionally in the presence of urethanation catalyst; to form sulfur-containing polyurethane polymer.
• said polythiol can include dithiol oligomer.
• said active hydrogen-containing material reacted with sulfur- containing polyurethane prepolymer to form sulfur-containing polyurethane can include at least one material selected from trifunctional or higher-functional polyol, trifunctional or higher- functional polythiol, trifunctional or higher-functional material containing both hydroxyl and SH groups , or mixtures thereof .
• said sulfur-containing polyurethane prepolymer can contain disulfide linkages by virtue of disulfide linkages contained in polythiol and/or polythiol oligomer used to prepare the polyurethane prepolymer.
• polyisocyanate, polyisothiocyanate, or mixtures thereof, polythiol oligomer, active hydrogen-containing material, and optionally urethanation catalyst can be reacted together in a "one pot" process.
• said active hydrogen-containing material can include at least one material chosen from trifunctional or higher- functional polyol, trifunctional or higher-functional polythiol, , trifunctional or higher-functional material containing both hydroxyl and SH groups, or mixtures thereof.
• said active hydrogen-containing material can further comprise at least one material selected from diol, dithiol, difunctional material containing both hydroxyl and SH groups, or mixtures thereof.
• said dithiol can include dithiol oligomer.
• the sulfur-containing polyurethane of the present invention can be prepared by combining polyisocyanate and/or polyisothiocyanate, polythiol oligomer, optionally active hydrogen-containing material, and optionally urethanation catalyst, to form sulfur-containing polyurethane prepolymer, and then adding active hydrogen-containing material and optionally urethanation catalyst to the sulfur-containing polyurethane prepolymer, and polymerizing the resulting mixture.
• said prepolymer and said active hydrogen-containing material can be degassed under vacuum prior to mixing them and then carrying out the polymerization.
• Said active hydrogen-containing material can be mixed with the prepolymer using a variety of methods and equipment, such as but not limited to an impeller or extruder.
• the sulfur- containing polyurethane can be prepared by a one-pot process
• the polyisocyanate and/or polyisothiocyanate, polythiol oligomer, active hydrogen-containing material, and optionally catalyst can be separately degassed and then combined and mixed, and the resulting mixture can then be polymerized.
• said polyisocyanate and/or polyisothiocyanate can be mixed and then degassed; and said polythiol oligomer, active hydrogen-containing material, and optionally catalyst, can be mixed and then degassed, the said mixtures can then be mixed together and polymerized.
• the mixture of polyurethane-forming materials including sulfur-containing polyurethane prepolymer, active hydrogen- containing materials and optionally urethanation catalyst; or the mixture of polyisocyanate and/or polyisothiocyanate, polythiol oligomer, and active hydrogen-containing materials and optionally urethanation catalyst , which can be optionally degassed, can be introduced into a mold and the mold can be heated (i.e., using a thermal cure cycle) using a variety of conventional techniques known in the art .
• the thermal cure cycle can vary depending on the reactivity and molar ratio of the reactants, and the presence of catalyst (s).
• the thermal cure cycle can include heating the mixture of said polyurethane-forming materials from room temperature to a temperature of 200 0 C over a period of from 0.5 hours to 120 hours; or from 80 to 150 0 C for a period of from 5 hours to 72 hours.
• a urethanation catalyst can be used in the present invention to enhance the reaction of the polyurethane-forming materials.
• Suitable urethanation catalysts can vary and can include those known in the art; for example, suitable urethanation catalysts can include those catalysts that are useful for the formation of urethane by reaction of the NCO and OH- containing materials and/or the reaction of the NCO and SH- containing materials.
• suitable catalysts can be chosen from the group of Lewis bases, Lewis acids and insertion catalysts as described in Ullmann' s Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 5 th Edition, 1992, Volume A21, pp. 673 to 674.
• Non-limiting examples can include but are not limited to tin compounds, tertiary amine catalysts, or mixtures thereof.
• tin compounds suitable for use as urethanation catalyst can include stannous salt of an organic acid, such as but not limited to stannous octoate, dibutyl tin dilaurate, dibutyl tin diacetate, dibutyl tin mercaptide, dibutyl tin dimaleate, dimethyl tin diacetate, dimethyl tin dilaurate, and mixtures thereof.
• Non- limiting examples of tertiary amines suitable for use as urethanation catalyst can include triethylamine, triisopropylamine, dimethyl cyclohexylamine, N,N-dimethylbenzyla ⁇ nine, 1,4- diazabicyclo [2.2.2] octane, and mixtures thereof; and tertiary amines disclosed in United States Patent 5,693,738 at column 10, lines 6- 38, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• Alternate non-limiting examples of suitable urethanation catalyst can include tertiary ammonium salts, phosphines, zinc octoate, ferric acetylacetonate, or suitable bismuth compounds.
• additives can be incorporated into the sulfur-containing polyurethane of the present invention.
• Such additives can include but are not limited to light stabilizers, heat stabilizers, antioxidants, ultraviolet light absorbers, mold release agents, static (non-photochromic) dyes, pigments and flexibilizing additives, such as but not limited to alkoxylated phenol benzoates and poly (alkylene glycol) dibenzoates .
• Non-limiting examples of anti-yellowing additives can include 3-methyl-2-butenol, organo pyrocarbonates, triphenyl phosphite (CAS registry no. 101-02-0) , and hindered phenol antioxidants .
• Such additives can be present in an amount such that the additive constitutes less than 10 percent by weight, or less than 5 percent by weight, or less than 3 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the prepolymer.
• the aforementioned optional additives can be mixed with the polyisocyanate and/or polyisothiocyanate .
• the optional additives can be mixed with active hydrogen-containing material.
• the resulting sulfur- containing polyurethane of the present invention when at least partially cured can be solid and essentially transparent such that it is suitable for optical or ophthalmic applications.
• the sulfur-containing polyurethane can have a refractive index of at least 1.55, or at least 1.56, or at least 1.57, or at least 1.58, or at least 1.59, or .at least 1.60, or at least 1.62, or at least 1.65.
• the sulfur-containing polyurethane can have an Abbe number of at least 30, or at least 32, or at least 35, or at least 38, or at least 39, or at least 40, or at least 44.
• the sulfur-containing polyurethane when polymerized and at least partially cured can demonstrate good impact resistance/strength.
• Impact resistance can be measured using a variety of conventional methods known to one skilled in the art.
• the impact resistance is measured using the Impact Energy Test which consists of testing a flat sheet sample of polymerizate having a thickness of 3mm, and cut into a square piece approximately 4cm x 4cm. Said flat sheet sample of polymerizate is supported on a flat O-ring which is attached to top of the pedestal of a steel holder, as defined below.
• Said O-ring is constructed of neoprene having a hardness of 40 + 5 Shore A durometer, a minimum tensile strength of 8.3 MPa, and a minimum ultimate elongation of 400 percent, and has an inner diameter of 25 mm, an outer diameter of 31 mm, and a thickness of 2.3 mm.
• Said steel holder consists of a steel base, with a mass of approximately 12 kg, and a steel pedestal affixed to said steel base.
• the shape of said steel pedestal is approximated by the solid shape which would result from adjoining onto the top of a cylinder, having an outer diameter of 75 mm and a height of 10 mm, the frustum of a right circular cone, having a bottom diameter of 75 mm, a top diameter of 25 mm, and a height of 8 mm, wherein the center of said frustum coincides with the center of said cylinder.
• the bottom of said steel pedestal is affixed to said steel base, and the neoprene O-ring is affixed to the top of the steel pedestal, with the center of said O-ring coinciding with the center of the steel pedestal.
• the flat sheet sample of polymerizate is set on top of the O-ring with the center of said flat sheet sample coinciding with the center of said O-ring.
• the Impact Energy Test is carried out by dropping steel balls of increasing weight from a distance of 50 inches (1.27 meters) onto the center of the flat sheet sample.
• the sheet is determined to have passed the test if the sheet does not fracture.
• the sheet is determined to have failed the test when the sheet fractures.
• the term "fracture” refers to a crack through the entire thickness of the sheet into two or more separate pieces, or detachment of one or more pieces of material from the backside of the sheet (i.e., the side of the sheet opposite' the side of impact) .
• the impact strength of the sheet is reported as the impact energy that corresponds to the highest level (i.e., largest ball) at which the sheet passes the test, and it is calculated accordinging to the following formula:
• E represent impact energy in Joules (J)
• m represents mass of the ball in kilograms (kg)
• g represents acceleration due to gravity (i.e., 9.80665 m/sec 2 )
• d represents the distance of the ball drop in meters (i.e., 1.27 m) .
• the impact strength can be at least 1.0 Joule, or at least 2.0 Joules, or at least 4.95 Joules.
• the sulfur-containing polyurethane of the present invention when at least partially cured can have low density.
• the density can be at least 1.0, or at least 1.1 g/cm 3 , or less than 1.45, or less than 1.4, or less than 1.3, or less than 1.25, or less than 1.2 g/cm 3 , or from 1.0 to 1.2 grams/cm 3 , or from 1.0 to 1.25 grams/cm 3 , or from 1.0 to 1.3 grams/cm 3 , or from 1.0 to 1.4 grams/cm 3 , or from 1.0 to less than 1.45 grams/cm 3 .
• the density is measured using a DensiTECH instrument manufactured by Tech Pro, Incorporated in accordance with ASTM D297.
• Solid articles that can be prepared using the sulfur- containing polyuurethane of the present invention include but are not limited to optical lenses, such as piano and ophthalmic lenses, sun lenses, windows, automotive transparencies, such as windshields, sidelights and backlights, and aircraft transparencies -
• the sulfur-containing polyurethane polymerizate of the present invention can be used to prepare photochromic articles, such as lenses.
• the polymerizate can be transparent to that portion of the electromagnetic spectrum which activates the photochromic substance (s) , i.e., that wavelength of ultraviolet (UV) light that produces the colored or open form of the photochromic substance and that portion of the visible spectrum that includes the absorption maximum wavelength of the photochromic substance in its UV activated form, i.e., the open form.
• UV ultraviolet
• photochromic substances can be used in the present invention. Suitable photochromic substances, suitable amounts thereof, and methods of incorporation into the polymerizate are described in WO 2004/060951 Al at [00151] to [00161] , incorporated herein by reference .
• the photochromic substance can be added to the sulfur-containing polyurethane prior to polymerizing and/or cast curing the material.
• the photochromic substance used can be chosen such that it is resistant to potentially adverse interactions with, for example, the isocyanate, isothiocyante groups present. Such adverse interactions can result in deactivation of the photochromic substance, for example, by trapping them in either an open or closed form.
• suitable photochromic substances for use in the present invention can include photochromic pigments and organic photochromic substances encapsulated in metal oxides such as those disclosed in U.S. Patents 4,166,043 and 4,367,170,- organic photochromic substances encapsulated in an organic polymerizate such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,931,220.
• the Infrared Spectra were measured on Mattson Sirius 100 FT-IR apparatus; the refractive index and Abbe number were measured on a multiple wavelength Abbe Refractometer Model DR-M2 manufactured by ATAGO Co., Ltd.; the refractive index and Abbe number of liquids were measured in accordance with ASTM-D1218; the refractive index and Abbe number of solids were measured in accordance with ASTM- D542,- the refractive index (e-line) was measured at a temperature of 20 0 C; and the viscosity was measured using a Brookfield CAP 2000+ Viscometer.
• NCO concentration of the prepolymer was determined by reaction with an excess of n-dibutylamine (DBA) to form the corresponding urea followed by titration of the unreacted DBA with HCl in accordance with ASTM-2572-97.
• THF Tetrahydrofuran
• DBA certified ACS 3.
• DBA certified ACS 4.
• DBA/THF solution 150 tnL of dibutylamine (DBA) was combined with 750 mL tetrahydrofuran (THF) ; it was mixed well and transfered to an amber bottle.
• DBA dibutylamine
• THF tetrahydrofuran
• Blank determination Into a 220-mL polyethylene beaker was added 50 mL THF followed by 10.0 ttiL DBA/THF solution. The solution was capped and allowed to mix with magnetic stirring for 5 minutes. 50 mL of the 80/20 THF/PG mix was added and titrated using the standardized alcoholic HCl solution and this volume was recorded. This procedure was repeated and these values averaged for use as the blank value .
• the SH groups within the product were determined using the following procedure.
• a sample size (0.1 g) of the product was combined with 50 mL of tetrahydrofuran (THF) /propylene glycol (80/20) solution and stirred at room temperature until the sample was substantially dissolved.
• 25.0 mL of 0.1 N iodine solution (commercially obtained from Aldrich 31, 8898-1) was added to the mixture and allowed to react for a time period of 5 to 10 minutes.
• To this mixture was added 2.0 mL concentrated HCl.
• the mixture was titrated potentiometrically with 0.1 N sodium thiosulfate in the millivolt (mV) mode.
• the resulting volume of titrant is represented as "mLs Sample" in the below equation.
• a blank value was initially obtained by titrating 25.0 mL of iodine
• the reaction product (156.5 g, 100% yield) was a clear viscous liquid having a viscosity of 596 cP at 73 0 C, refractive index of 1.613, Abbe number of 37 and SHEW of 539 g/equivalent .
• Example 3 Synthesis of block-type dithiol oligomer from DMDS, DIPEB and DEGDVE (PT-3)
• DMDS 2- mercaptoethyl sulfide
• DIPEB 1, 3-diisopropenylbenzene
• Example 4 Synthesis of polythiol oligomer from three equivalents DMDS and one equivalent TrialIyI Isocyanurate (TAIC) (PT-4)
• EXAMPLE 6 Synthesis of block-type dithiol oligomer from PT-5 and Ethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate (EGDM), 2:1 mole ratio (PT-6) [00189] At ambient temperature, 134.0 g of Dithiol Oligomer described in Example 5 (PT-5) (0.313 moles) and 30.8 g EGDM (0.156 moles) were charged to a glass jar and mixed.
• VAZO 52 0.1 g VAZO 52 was dissolved into the reaction mixture, which was then returned to the oven at 60 0 C. Over a time period of 8 hours, the reaction mixture was kept in the 60 0 C oven, and two more additions of 0.2 g VAZO 52 were made. After 17 hours, the resulting sample was titrated, giving an SH equivalent weight of 238 g/equivalent. The viscosity of the material at 25°C was 490 cps. The refractive index of the product was 1.615, and the Abbe number was 34.
• EXAMPLE 8 Synthesis of block-type dithiol oligomer from PT-7 and VNB, 2:1 mole ratio (PT-8)
• Example 9 Polyurethane prepolymer from PT-2 and Desmodur W (PUP-I) [00192] Into a glass jar were charged under nitrogen pillow 48.30 g (0.0484 moles) of PT-2 and 53.75 g (0.2051 moles) of 4,4'- methylenebis (cyclohexyl isocyanate) , which was obtained from Bayer Corp. under the trade name Desmodur W. The mixture was heated to a temperature of 70 0 C and homogenized.
• N,N- dimethyl cyclohexylamine catalyst (Polycat 8, obtained from Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.) was added and the mixture was stirred at a temperature of 70 0 C for 2 hours.
• the SH analysis was conducted and showed consumption of SH groups and completion of the reaction.
• the polythiourethane prepolymer (102 g, 100% yield) was a clear viscous liquid and had NCO content of 11.00%, viscosity of 2838 cP at 73°C, refractive index of 1.571 and Abbe number of 43.
• Example 10 Polyurethane polymer from PUP-I (PU-I) .
• PUP-I PUP-I
• DBTDL dibutyltin dilaurate
• the mixture was degassed at a temperature of 80 0 C under vacuum for 4 hours.
• Mixed together were 22.62 g (0.0912 SH eq. ) of PT-4 and 1 drop of Polycat 8. This mixture was degassed at a temperature of 80 0 C under vacuum for 2 hours .
• the two mixtures were then combined and mixed at a temperature of 80 0 C and the resulting mixture was cast into a flat glass plate mold.
• the temperature was increased to 130 0 C and the mixture in the mold was heated for 16 hours .
• the cured polymer product was clear, colorless, and had a refractive index of 1.608, an Abbe number of 40, and impact strength* of 2.5 J. [00194] The following provides the ball sizes used and the corresponding impact energy .
• Example 11 Polyurethane prepolymer from PT-6 and Desmodur W (PUP-2) [00195] Into a glass jar were charged under nitrogen pillow 103.2 g (0.1 moles) of PT-6 and 104.8 g (0.4 moles) of Desmodur W. The mixture was homogenized then heated to a temperature of 65 0 C and stirred at this temperature for 16 hours . The SH analysis was conducted and showed consumption of SH groups and completion of the reaction. The polyurethane prepolymer (208 g, 100% yield) was a clear viscous liquid and had NCO content of 12.20%, viscosity of 1774 cps at 73°C, refractive index of 1.557 and Abbe number of 43.
• PUP-2 Desmodur W

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