The invention provides a method for sequence controllable block copolymerization of a cyclic ester monomer and an epoxy monomer, including: in an inert atmosphere, adding the epoxy monomer and/or the cyclic ester monomer into a catalytic initiating system including an organic base and an alkyl borane for reaction, so as to obtain a sequence controllable polyether-polyester block copolymer of the cyclic ester monomer and the epoxy monomer, i.e. a polyester-b-polyether or a polyether-b-polyester. The invention can prepare various polyether-polyester block copolymers of which the molecular weights, block sequences, block ratios and pendant group combinations can be flexibly adjusted. The invention provides a method for continuously preparing an aliphatic polyester-polyether block copolymer by a one-pot method utilizing a catalytic system of a metal-free Lewis acid-base pair.

Disclosed herein are emulsifiers for epoxy resins obtained by reacting an epoxy resin with a mixture of a polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of greater than 4000 g/mol and less than 10,000 g/mol and a block copolymer of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol, aqueous epoxy resin dispersions including the same, and methods for preparation thereof.

Polyethers are prepared by polymerizing an alkylene oxide in the presence of a starter, an aluminum compound that has at least one hydrocarbyl substituent, and a cyclic amidine. The phosphorus-nitrogen base is present in only a small molar ratio relative to the amount of starter. The presence of such small amounts of cyclic amidine greatly increases the catalytic activity of the system, compared to the case in which the aluminum compound is used by itself. The product polyethers have low amounts of unsaturated polyether impurities and little or no unwanted high molecular weight fraction. Polymers of propylene oxide have very low proportions of primary hydroxyl groups.

Polyethers are prepared by polymerizing an alkylene oxide in the presence of a starter, an aluminum compound that has at least one hydrocarbyl substituent, and a phosphorus-nitrogen base. The phosphorus-nitrogen base is present in only a small molar ratio relative to the amount of starter. The presence of such small amounts of phosphorus-nitrogen base greatly increases the catalytic activity of the system, compared to the case in which the aluminum compound is used by itself. The product polyethers have low amounts of unsaturated polyether impurities and little or no unwanted high molecular weight fraction. Polymers of propylene oxide have very low proportions of primary hydroxyl groups.

A method of producing a polyether polyol that includes reacting a low molecular weight initiator with one or more monomers in the presence of a polymerization catalyst, the low molecular weight initiator having a number average molecular weight of less than 1,000 g/mol and a nominal hydroxyl functionality at least 2, the one or more monomers including at least one selected from propylene oxide and butylene oxide, and the polymerization catalyst being a Lewis acid catalyst having the general formula M(R.sup.1).sub.1(R.sup.2).sub.1(R.sup.3).sub.1(R.sup.4).sub.0 or 1. Whereas, M is boron, aluminum, indium, bismuth or erbium, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 each includes a same fluoroalkyl-substituted phenyl group, and optional R.sup.4 includes a functional group or functional polymer group. The method further includes forming a polyether polyol having a number average molecular weight of greater than the number average molecular weight of the low molecular weight initiator in the presence of the Lewis acid catalyst.

The present disclosure relates to block copolymers comprising, and methods of making thereof, a polycarbonate chain linked to a hydrophilic polymer. Such block copolymers may have the formula B-A-B, where A is a polycarbonate or polyethercarbonate chain and B is a polyether. Provided methods are useful in reducing the amount of waste generated from the synthesis of polycarbonates and provide improved thermal stability and high primary hydroxyl content. Provided block copolymers also have utility as additives in enhanced oil recovery methods, and foam polymer applications.

A composition comprising: a bulk material; and at least one surface; the bulk material comprising ions of a metal M bonded to one another via linker groups; the surface comprising ions of a metal M′ bonded to one another via linker groups; the metals M and M′ being the same or different; the surface comprising at least one first site A and at least one second, different site B; the site A having a hydroxyl group bonded thereto; the site B being a Lewis acidic site; is described. Methods of forming the composition and the use of the composition as a catalyst, in particular to catalyse reactions in which CO.sub.2 is incorporated into the structure of a molecule, in particular a polymer, are also described.

A method of producing a high primary hydroxyl group content and a high number average molecular weight polyol includes preparing a mixture that includes a double metal cyanide catalyst and a low molecular weight polyether polyol having a number average molecular weight of less than 1,000 g/mol, the polyether polyol is derived from propylene oxide, ethylene oxide, or butylene oxide, setting the mixture to having a first temperature, adding at least one selected from propylene oxide, ethylene oxide, and butylene oxide to the mixture at the first temperature, allowing the mixture to react to form a reacted mixture, adding a Lewis acid catalyst to the reacted mixture, setting the reaction mixture including the second catalyst to have a second temperature that is less than the first temperature, and adding additional at least one selected from propylene oxide, ethylene oxide, and butylene oxide to the reacted mixture at the second temperature such that a resultant polyol having a primary hydroxyl group content of at least 60% and a number average molecular weight greater than 2,500 g/mol is formed.

Hydroxyl-containing copolymers of butylene oxide and ethylene oxide having a hydroxyl equivalent weight of at least 150, an average of 1.8 to 6 hydroxyl groups per molecule of which hydroxyl groups at least 70% are primary hydroxyl groups and an oxyethylene content of no greater than 10% by weight based on the weight of the copolymer, are useful for making polyurethanes. These polyols are characterized by high reactivity and fast curing times. Polyurethanes made using these polyols have excellent mechanical properties and are highly hydrophobic.

Polyurethanes are made in a one-shot process from one or more polyols having a hydroxyl equivalent weight of at least 350, wherein at least 50% of the weight of iii) is a hydroxyl-containing polymer of propylene oxide, the hydroxyl-containing polymer of propylene oxide having a hydroxyl equivalent weight of at least 350, an average of 1.8 to 3 hydroxyl groups per molecule of which hydroxyl groups 40 to 70% are primary hydroxyl groups, an oxyethylene content of no greater than 10% by weight based on the weight of the polymer and a polydispersity of 1.175 or less. The polyurethanes exhibit excellent mechanical properties, are highly hygroscopic and cured rapidly.