Polyurethanes. I. The solution polymerization of diisocyanates with ethylene glycol

Abstract

Abstract Contrary to statements in the literature, it was found that useful polyurethanes could be prepared by the reaction of a diisocyanate with ethylene glycol. In this investigation m ‐phenylene diisocyanate, p ‐phenylene diisocyanate, 2, 4‐toluene diisocyanate, methylene bis(4‐phenyl isocyanate), durene diisocyanate, biphenylene diisocyanate, bis(4‐isocyanatophenyl) sulfone, 4,4′‐diisocyanatodiphenyl ether, 3,3′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐biphenylene diisocyanate, and 1,5‐naphthalene diisocyanate reacted with ethylene glycol in solution to give the corresponding polyurethanes. The reaction of methylene bis(4‐phenyl isocyanate) with ethylene glycol in dimethyl sulfoxide/4‐methylpentanone‐2 (50/50) gave a high molecular weight, linear polyurethane that could be solvent‐cast into films and dry‐spun into fibers. These films and fibers showed properties similar to those of existing commercial films and fibers.