COMPOSITION AND PROCESS FOR PREPARING MOISTURE-CROSSLINKING POLYMERS AND USE THEREOF

Abstract

The invention relates to a composition and to a process for preparing moisture-crosslinking polymers under catalysis by at least one metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compound, and to the use of the composition in the CASE sector (coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers), especially in the field of adhesives and sealants.

Claims

1. A composition comprising at least one silylated polymer (SiP) and at least two catalysts A and B, wherein catalyst A is a metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compound.

2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein catalyst A is heptaisobutyl POSS-titanium(IV) ethoxide (TiPOSS), and catalyst B is a metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compound.

3. The composition according to claim 2, wherein catalyst A is heptaisobutyl POSS-titanium(IV) ethoxide (TiPOSS), and catalyst B is heptaisobutyl POSS-tin(IV) ethoxide (SnPOSS).

4. The composition according to claim 1, wherein catalyst B is not a metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compound.

5. The composition according to claim 4, wherein catalyst B is an organometallic compound.

6. The composition according to claim 4, wherein catalyst B is selected from the group consisting of tetraalkyl titanates, such as tetramethyl titanate, tetraethyl titanate, tetra-n-propyl titanate, tetraisopropyl titanate, tetra-n-butyl titanate, tetraisobutyl titanate, tetra-sec-butyl titanate, tetraoctyl titanate, tetra(2-ethylhexyl) titanate, dialkyl titanates ((RO).sub.2TiO.sub.2 in which R is, for example, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl), such as isopropyl n-butyl titanate; titanium acetylacetonate chelates, such as diisopropoxybis(acetylacetonate) titanate, diisopropoxybis(ethylacetylacetonate) titanate, di-n-butylbis(acetylacetonate) titanate, di-n-butylbis(ethylacetoacetate) titanate, triisopropoxidebis(acetylacetonate) titanate, zirconium tetraalkoxides, such as zirconium tetraethoxide, zirconium tetrabutoxide, zirconium tetrabutyrate, zirconium tetrapropoxide, zirconium carboxylates, such as zirconium diacetate; zirconium acetylacetonate chelates, such as zirconium tetra(acetylacetonate), tributoxyzirconium acetylacetonate, dibutoxyzirconium bisacetylacetonate, aluminium trisalkoxides, such as aluminium triisopropoxide, aluminium trisbutoxide; aluminium acetylacetonate chelates, such as aluminium tris(acetylacetonate) and aluminium tris(ethylacetylacetonate), organotin compounds such as dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTL), dibutyltin maleate, dibutyltin diacetate, tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate (tin octoate), tin naphthenate, dimethyltin dineodecanoate, dioctyltin dineodecanoate, dimethyltin dioleate, dioctyltin dilaurate, dimethyl mercaptides, dibutyl mercaptides, dioctyl mercaptides, dibutyltin dithioglycolate, dioctyltin glycolate, dimethyltin glycolates, a solution of dibutyltin oxide, reaction products of zinc salts and organic carboxylic acids (carboxylates) such as zinc(II) 2-ethylhexanoate or zinc(II) neodecanoate, mixtures of bismuth carboxylates and zinc carboxylates, reaction products of bismuth salts and organic carboxylic acids, such as bismuth(III) tris(2-ethylhexanoate) and bismuth(III) tris(neodecanoate) and bismuth complexes, organolead compounds such as lead octoxide, organovanadium compounds, amine compounds such as butylamine, octylamine, dibutylamine, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, diethylenetriamine, oleylamine, cyclohexylamine, benzylamine, diethylaminopropylamine, xylylenediamine, triethylenediamine, guanidine, diphenylguanidine, 2,4,6-tris(dimethylaminomethyl)phenol, morpholine, N-methylmorpholine, 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole and 1,8-diazabicyclo(5.4.0)undecene-7 (DBU), salts of these amines with carboxylic acids or other acids or mixtures thereof.

7. The composition according to claim 6, wherein catalyst B is selected from the group consisting of dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTL), tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate (tin octoate), zinc(II) 2-ethylhexanoate, zinc(II) neodecanoate, bismuth(III) tris(2-ethylhexanoate), bismuth(III) tris(neodecanoate) or mixtures thereof.

8. The composition according to claim 6, wherein catalyst B is dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTL).

9. The composition according to claim 3, wherein catalyst A is selected from the group consisting of heptaisobutyl POSS-titanium(IV) ethoxide (TiPOSS) and heptaisobutyl POSS-tin(IV) ethoxide (SnPOSS), preferably in that the catalyst is heptaisobutyl POSS-titanium(IV) ethoxide (TiPOSS).

10. The composition according to claim 9, wherein said composition includes more than one catalyst A metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compound.

11. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compound has the general formula R*qSirOsMt where each R* is independently selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted C1- to C20-alkyl, optionally substituted C3- to C6-cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C2- to C20-alkenyl, optionally substituted C6- to C10-aryl, —OH and —O—(C1- to C10-alkyl), each M is independently selected from the group consisting of s- and p-block metals, d- and f-block transition metals, lanthanide and actinide metals and semimetals, especially from the group consisting of metals of transition groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10 and 11 and metals of main groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, preferably from the group consisting of Na, Zn, Sc, Nd, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Pt, Cu, Ga, Sn and Bi; especially preferably from the group consisting of Zn, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Sn and Bi, q is an integer from 4 to 19, r is an integer from 4 to 10, s is an integer from 8 to 30, and t is an integer from 1 to 8.

12. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compound has a general structure (I) ##STR00022## where X.sup.1, X.sup.2 and X.sup.3 are independently selected from Si and M.sup.1, where M.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of s- and p-block metals, d- and f-block transition metals, lanthanide and actinide metals and semimetals, especially from the group consisting of metals of transition groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10 and 11 and metals of main groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, preferably from the group consisting of Na, Zn, Sc, Nd, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Pt, Cu, Ga, Sn and Bi; especially preferably from the group consisting of Zn, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Sn and Bi, Z.sup.1, Z.sup.2 and Z.sup.3 are independently selected from the group consisting of L.sup.2, R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7, where L.sup.2 is selected from the group consisting of —OH and —O—(C1- to C10-alkyl), especially —O—(C1- to C8-alkyl) or —O—(C1- to C6-alkyl), or where L.sup.2 is selected from the group consisting of —OH, —O-methyl, —O-ethyl, —O-propyl, —O-butyl, —O-octyl, —O-isopropyl, and —O-isobutyl; R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 are independently selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted C1- to C20-alkyl, optionally substituted C3- to C8-cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C2- to C20-alkenyl and optionally substituted C5- to C10-aryl; Y.sup.1 and Y.sup.2 are independently —O-M.sup.2-L.sup.3.sub.Δ, or Y.sup.1 and Y.sup.2 are associated and together are —O-M.sup.2(L.sup.3.sub.Δ)-O— or —O—, where L.sup.3 is selected from the group consisting of —OH and —O—(C1- to C10-alkyl), especially —O—(C1- to C8-alkyl) or —O—(C1- to C6-alkyl), or where L.sup.3 is selected from the group consisting of —OH, —O-methyl, —O-ethyl, —O-propyl, —O-butyl, —O-octyl, —O-isopropyl, and —O-isobutyl, and where M.sup.2 is selected from the group consisting of s- and p-block metals, d- and f-block transition metals, lanthanide and actinide metals and semimetals, especially from the group consisting of metals of transition groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10 and 11 and metals of main groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, preferably from the group consisting of Na, Zn, Sc, Nd, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Pt, Cu, Ga, Sn and Bi; especially preferably from the group consisting of Zn, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Sn and Bi, and X.sup.4 is -M.sup.3L.sup.1.sub.Δ or M.sup.3 and Q.sup.1 and Q.sup.2 are H or each is a single bond joined to M.sup.3, where L.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of —OH and —O—(C1- to C10-alkyl), especially —O—(C1- to C8-alkyl) or —O—(C1- to C6-alkyl), or where L.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of —OH, —O-methyl, —O-ethyl, —O-propyl, —O-butyl, —O-octyl, —O-isopropyl, and —O-isobutyl, and where M.sup.3 is selected from the group consisting of s- and p-block metals, d- and f-block transition metals, lanthanide and actinide metals and semimetals, especially from the group consisting of metals of transition groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10 and 11 and metals of main groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, preferably from the group consisting of Na, Zn, Sc, Nd, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Pt, Cu, Ga, Sn and Bi; especially preferably from the group consisting of Zn, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Sn and Bi, or X.sup.4 is -M.sup.3L.sup.1.sub.Δ and Q.sup.2 is H or a single bond joined to M.sup.3 and Q.sup.1 is H, M.sup.4L.sup.4.sub.Δ or where M.sup.4 is selected from the group consisting of s- and p-block metals, d- and f-block transition metals, lanthanide and actinide metals and semimetals, especially from the group consisting of metals of transition groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10 and 11 and metals of main groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, preferably from the group consisting of Na, Zn, Sc, Nd, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Pt, Cu, Ga, Sn and Bi; especially preferably from the group consisting of Zn, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Sn and Bi, and where L.sup.4 is selected from the group consisting of —OH and —O—(C1- to C10-alkyl), especially —O—(C1- to C8-alkyl) or —O—(C1- to C6-alkyl), or where L.sup.4 is selected from the group consisting of —OH, —O-methyl, —O-ethyl, —O-propyl, —O-butyl, —O-octyl, —O-isopropyl, and —O-isobutyl, and where R.sup.8 is selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted C1- to C20-alkyl, optionally substituted C3- to C8-cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C2- to C20-alkenyl and optionally substituted C5- to C10-aryl, or X.sup.4, Q.sup.1 and Q.sup.2 are independently -M.sup.3L.sup.1.sub.Δ, or X.sup.4 is —Si(R.sup.8)—O-M.sup.3L.sup.1.sub.Δ, Q.sup.2 is a single bond joined to the silicon atom of X.sup.4 and Q.sup.1 is -M.sup.4L.sup.4.sub.Δ, or X.sup.4 is —Si(R.sup.8)—O-M.sup.3L.sup.1.sub.Δ, Q.sup.2 is a single bond joined to the silicon atom of X.sup.4 and Q.sup.1 is a single bond joined to the M.sup.3 atom of X.sup.4.

13. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compound has the structural formula (II) ##STR00023## where Z.sup.1, Z.sup.2 and Z.sup.3 are independently selected from the group consisting of L.sup.2, R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7, where L.sup.2 is selected from the group consisting of —OH and —O—(C1- to C10-alkyl), especially —O—(C1- to C8-alkyl) or —O—(C1- to C6-alkyl), or where L.sup.2 is selected from the group consisting of —OH, —O-methyl, —O-ethyl, —O-propyl, —O-butyl, —O-octyl, —O-isopropyl, and —O-isobutyl R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are independently selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted C1- to C20-alkyl, optionally substituted C3- to C8-cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C2- to C20-alkenyl and optionally substituted C5- to C10-aryl; and X.sup.4 is -M.sup.3L.sup.1.sub.Δ or M.sup.3 and Q.sup.1 and Q.sup.2 are H or each is a single bond joined to M.sup.3, where L.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of —OH and —O—(C1- to C10-alkyl), especially —O—(C1- to C8-alkyl) or —O—(C1- to C6-alkyl), or where L.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of —OH, —O-methyl, —O-ethyl, —O-propyl, —O-butyl, —O-octyl, —O-isopropyl, and —O-isobutyl, and where M.sup.3 is selected from the group consisting of s- and p-block metals, d- and f-block transition metals, lanthanide and actinide metals and semimetals, especially from the group consisting of metals of transition groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10 and 11 and metals of main groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, preferably from the group consisting of Na, Zn, Sc, Nd, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Pt, Cu, Ga, Sn and Bi; especially preferably from the group consisting of Zn, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Sn and Bi, or X.sup.4 is -M.sup.3L.sup.1.sub.Δ and Q.sup.2 is H or a single bond joined to M.sup.3 and Q.sup.1 is H, M.sup.4L.sup.4.sub.Δ or where M.sup.4 is selected from the group consisting of s- and p-block metals, d- and f-block transition metals, lanthanide and actinide metals and semimetals, especially from the group consisting of metals of transition groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10 and 11 and metals of main groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, preferably from the group consisting of Na, Zn, Sc, Nd, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Pt, Cu, Ga, Sn and Bi; especially preferably from the group consisting of Zn, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Sn and Bi, and where L.sup.4 is selected from the group consisting of —OH and —O—(C1- to C10-alkyl), especially —O—(C1- to C8-alkyl) or —O—(C1- to C6-alkyl), or where L.sup.4 is selected from the group consisting of —OH, —O-methyl, —O-ethyl, —O-propyl, —O-butyl, —O-octyl, —O-isopropyl, and —O-isobutyl, and where R.sup.8 is selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted C1- to C20-alkyl, optionally substituted C3- to C8-cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C2- to C20-alkenyl and optionally substituted C5- to C10-aryl, or X.sup.4, Q.sup.1 and Q.sup.2 are independently -M.sup.3L.sup.1.sub.Δ, or X.sup.4 is —Si(R.sup.8)—O-M.sup.3L.sup.1.sub.Δ, Q.sup.2 is a single bond joined to the silicon atom of X.sup.4 and Q.sup.1 is -M.sup.4L.sup.4.sub.Δ, or X.sup.4 is —Si(R.sup.8)—O-M.sup.3L.sup.1.sub.Δ, Q.sup.2 is a single bond joined to the silicon atom of X.sup.4 and Q.sup.1 is a single bond joined to the M.sup.3 atom of X.sup.4.

14. The composition according to claim 13, wherein the metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compound is a metal silsesquioxane of the structure (IV) ##STR00024## where X4 is selected from the group consisting of metals of transition groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10 and 11 and metals of main groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, preferably from the group consisting of Na, Zn, Sc, Nd, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Pt, Cu, Ga, Sn and Bi; especially preferably from the group consisting of Zn, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Sn and Bi, most preferably from the group consisting of Ti and Sn, and is most preferably Ti, and X4 is joined to OR where R is selected from the group consisting of —H, -methyl, -ethyl, -propyl, -butyl, -octyl, -isopropyl, and -isobutyl, Z.sup.1, Z.sup.2 and Z.sup.3 are each independently C1- to C20-alkyl, C3- to C8-cycloalkyl, C2- to C20-alkenyl and C5- to C10-aryl, especially selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, vinyl, allyl, butenyl and phenyl, and benzyl, and R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are each independently C1- to C20-alkyl, C3- to C8-cycloalkyl, C2- to C20-alkenyl, and C5- to C10-aryl, especially selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, vinyl, allyl, butenyl and phenyl, and benzyl.

15. The composition according to claim 14, wherein the metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compound is a metal silsesquioxane of the structure (IVb) ##STR00025## where X4 is selected from the group consisting of metals of transition groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10 and 11 and metals of main groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, preferably from the group consisting of Na, Zn, Sc, Nd, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Pt, Cu, Ga, Sn and Bi; especially preferably from the group consisting of Zn, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Sn and Bi, most preferably from the group consisting of Ti (and therefore is heptaisobutyl POSS-titanium(IV) ethoxide (TiPOSS)) and Sn (and therefore is heptaisobutyl POSS-tin(IV) ethoxide (SnPOSS)), and is most preferably Ti (and therefore is heptaisobutyl POSS-titanium(IV) ethoxide (TiPOSS)).

16. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the silylated polymer (SiP) is obtainable by a synthesis, catalysed by a metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compound, of at least one isocyanate-reactive compound, especially at least one hydroxy-functionalized polymer (component A), and one or more compounds having at least one isocyanate group (component B).

17. The composition according to claim 16, wherein the metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compound for catalysed synthesis of component A and component B is heptaisobutyl POSS-titanium(IV) ethoxide (TiPOSS) and/or heptaisobutyl POSS-tin(IV) ethoxide (SnPOSS), preferably heptaisobutyl POSS-titanium(IV) ethoxide (TiPOSS).

18. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the polymer backbone (P) of the silylated polymer (SiP) has constituents selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyureas, polyethers, polyesters, phenolic resins, polyalkylenes, poly(meth)acrylates, polyamides, polycaprolactones, polybutadienes or polyisoprenes, and polycarbonates or mixtures thereof, preferably from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyureas, poly(meth)acrylates or polyethers or mixtures thereof, most preferably polyethers.

19. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the silylated polymer (SiP) has at least two end groups of the general formula (V) ##STR00026## where X is C, Si or a heteroatom and these, according to their valency, optionally have one or more R.sup.8 radicals, preferably C, N, O, P, S, more preferably C, N or O, most preferably N or O, and each is bonded to a carbon in the polymer backbone, R* is 0 or an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C25-alkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C18-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C18-aryl group and, when R*=0, the silicon atom is bonded directly to the nitrogen atom, each Y is independently either O or a direct bond of the silicon atom to the respective R.sup.9, R.sup.10 or R.sup.11 radical, and preferably at least one Y is O, R.sup.8 is H, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C16-alkyl group, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C2- to C16-alkenyl group or an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C2- to C16-alkynyl group, an optionally substituted C4- to C14-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C14-aryl group, or a radical of the general structure (Vb), R.sup.12 and R.sup.14 are each independently H or a radical from the group consisting of —R.sup.15, —COOR.sup.15 and —CN, R.sup.13 is H or a radical from the group consisting of —CH.sub.2—COOR.sup.15, —COOR.sup.15, —CONHR.sup.15, —CON(R.sup.15), —CN, —NO.sub.2, —PO(OR.sup.15).sub.2, —SOR.sup.15 and —SO.sub.2OR.sup.15, R.sup.15 is a hydrocarbyl radical having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and optionally having at least one heteroatom, R.sup.9, R.sup.10 and R.sup.11 are independently H, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C5-alkyl group, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C2- to C10-alkenyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C14-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C14-aryl group, m is 0 or 1 and, when m=0, the silicon atom is bonded directly to a carbon in the polymer backbone (P).

20. The composition according to claim 19, wherein the silylated polymer (SiP) has a polyether polymer backbone having at least two end groups of the general formula (V) ##STR00027## where X is N or O and N optionally has an R.sup.8 radical, R* is 0 or an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C20-alkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C12-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C12-aryl group, preferably an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C15-alkyl group, and, when R*=0, the silicon atom is bonded directly to the nitrogen atom, Y in Y—R.sup.9 and Y—R.sup.10 are O and the Y in Y—R.sup.11 is either O or a direct bond of the silicon atom to the respective R.sup.11 radical, R.sup.8 is H, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C10-alkyl group, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C2- to C10-alkenyl group or an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C2- to C10-alkynyl group, an optionally substituted C4- to C10-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C10-aryl group or a succinic acid derivative of the general structure (Vb), R.sup.9, R.sup.10 and R.sup.11 are independently H, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C4-alkyl group, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C2- to C5-alkenyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C10-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C10-aryl group, preferably independently H or a C1- to C2-alkyl group, and m is 0 or 1 and, when m=0, the silicon atom is bonded directly to a carbon in the polymer backbone (P), preferably m=1.

21. The composition according to claim 20, wherein the silylated polymer (SiP) has a polyether polymer backbone having at least two end groups of the general formula (V) ##STR00028## where R* is 0 or an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C15-alkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C6-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C6-aryl group, preferably an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C10-alkyl group, more preferably a C1-alkyl group (=alpha-silane) or a C3-alkyl group (=gamma-silane), and, when R*=0, the silicon atom is bonded directly to the nitrogen atom, R.sup.8 is H, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C8-alkyl group, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C2- to C8-alkenyl group or an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C2- to C8-alkynyl group, an optionally substituted C4- to C6-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C6-aryl group, R.sup.9, R.sup.10 and R.sup.11 are independently H, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C4-alkyl group, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C2- to C5-alkenyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C6-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C6-aryl group, preferably independently H or a C1- to C2-alkyl group, and m is 0 or 1 and, when m=0, the silicon atom is bonded directly to a carbon in the polymer backbone (P), preferably m=1.

22. The composition according to claim 16, wherein the hydroxy-functionalized polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyoxyalkylene diols or polyoxyalkylene triols, especially polyoxyethylene di- and triols and polyoxypropylene di- and triols, higher-functionality polyols such as sorbitol, pentaerythritol-started polyols, ethylene oxide-terminated polyoxypropylene polyols, polyester polyols, styrene-acrylonitrile, acryloyl-methacrylate, (poly)urea-grafted or -containing polyether polyols, polycarbonate polyols, CO.sub.2 polyols, polyhydroxy-functional fats and oils, especially castor oil, polyhydrocarbon polyols such as dihydroxypolybutadiene, polytetrahydrofuran-based polyethers (PTMEG), OH-terminated prepolymers based on the reaction of a polyetherol or polyesterol with a diisocyanate, polypropylene diols, polyester polyols or mixtures thereof, preferably polypropylene diols, polyester polyols, or mixtures thereof.

23. The composition according to claim 22, wherein the hydroxy-functionalized polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyoxyalkylene diols, polyoxyalkylene triols, especially polyoxyethylene di- and/or triols and/or polyoxypropylene di- and/or triols, KOH-catalysed hydroxy-functionalized polyethers or double metal cyanide complex-catalysed (DMC-catalysed) hydroxy-functionalized polyethers or mixtures thereof.

24. The composition according to claim 16, wherein component B is selected from the group consisting of aromatic and/or aliphatic isocyanates (Iso) of the general structure (VI) or mixtures thereof or isocyanatosilanes (Iso-Si) of the general structure (VII) or mixtures ##STR00029## R.sup.x is a carbon-containing group, preferably at least one aromatic or aliphatic group or mixtures thereof, more preferably an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C16-alkyl group, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C2- to C16-alkenyl group or an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C2- to C16-alkynyl group, an optionally substituted C4- to C14-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C14-aryl group, most preferably diphenylmethane, toluene, dicyclohexylmethane, hexane or methyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexyl, each Y is independently either O or a direct bond of the silicon atom to the respective R.sup.9, R.sup.10 or R.sup.11 radical, and preferably at least one Y is O, z is at least 1, preferably at least 2, R.sup.9, R.sup.10 and R.sup.11 are independently H, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C5-alkyl group, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C2- to C10-alkenyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C8-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C8-aryl group and R* is 0 or an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C25-alkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C18-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C18-aryl group and, when R*=0, the silicon atom is bonded directly to the nitrogen atom.

25. The composition according to claim 16, wherein component B is selected from the group consisting of aromatic and/or aliphatic isocyanates (Iso) of the general structure (VI) or mixtures thereof or isocyanatosilanes (Iso-Si) of the general structure (VII) or mixtures thereof ##STR00030## where R.sup.x is diphenylmethane, toluene, dicyclohexylmethane, hexane or methyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexyl, preferably diphenylmethane or hexane or methyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexyl, most preferably diphenylmethane or methyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexyl, and z is at least 2, preferably 2, Y in Y—R.sup.9 and Y—R.sup.10 are O and the Y in Y—R.sup.11 is either O or a direct bond of the silicon atom to the respective R.sup.11 radical, R.sup.9, R.sup.10 and R.sup.11 are independently H, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C3-alkyl group and R* is 0 or an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C15-alkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C6-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C6-aryl group, preferably an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C10-alkyl group, more preferably a C1-alkyl group (=alpha-silane) or a C3-alkyl group (=gamma-silane), and, when R*=0, the silicon atom is bonded directly to the nitrogen atom.

26. The composition according to claim 25, wherein Component B is at least one isocyanate (Iso) of the general structure (VI) selected from the group consisting of polymeric, oligomeric and monomeric methylene diphenyl isocyanate (MDI), especially from 4,4′-methylene diphenyl isocyanate (4,4′-MDI), 2,4′-methylene diphenyl isocyanate (2,4′-MDI), 2,2′-methylene diphenyl isocyanate (2,2′-MDI), 4,4′-diisocyanatodicyclohexylmethane (H12MDI), 2-methylpentamethylene 1,5-diisocyanate, dodecamethylene 1,12-diisocyanate, lysine and lysine ester diisocyanate, cyclohexane 1,3-diisocyanate, cyclohexane 1,4-diisocyanate, perhydro(diphenylmethane 2,4′-diisocyanate), perhydro(diphenylmethane 4,4′-diisocyanate), 1,4-diisocyanato-2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexane (TMCDI), 3-isocyanatomethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexyl isocyanate (=isophorone diisocyanate or IPDI), hexamethylene 1,6-diisocyanate (HDI) or the trimer thereof (HDI trimer), 2,2,4- and/or 2,4,4-trimethylhexamethylene 1,6-diisocyanate, 1,4-bis(isocyanato)cyclohexane, 1,4-bis(isocyanato)benzene (PPDI), 1,3- and/or 1,4-bis(isocyanatomethyl)cyclohexane, m- and/or p-xylylene diisocyanate (m- and/or p-XDI), m- and/or p-tetramethylxylylene 1,3-diisocyanate, m- and/or p-tetramethylxylylene 1,4-diisocyanate, bis(1-isocyanato-1-methylethyl)naphthalene, 1,3-bis(isocyanato-4-methylphenyl)-2,4-dioxo-1,3-diazetidine, naphthalene 1,5-diisocyanate (NDI), 3,3′-dimethyl-4,4′-diisocyanatodiphenyl (TODI), tolylene 2,4- and/or 2,6-diisocyanate (TDI), 1,3-bis(isocyanatomethyl)benzene or mixtures thereof, preferably 4,4′-methylene diphenyl isocyanate (4,4′-MDI) or isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), hexamethylene 1,6-diisocyanate (HDI) or the trimer thereof (HDI trimer) or mixtures thereof, most preferably 4,4′-methylene diphenyl isocyanate (4,4′-MDI) or isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) or mixtures thereof.

27. The composition according to claim 26, wherein Component B is at least one isocyanatosilane (Iso-Si) of the general structure (VII) is selected, or mixtures thereof, ##STR00031## where R.sup.9, R.sup.10 , and R.sup.11 and are preferably a methyl or ethyl group or mixtures thereof, preferably selected from the group consisting of 3-(triethoxysilyl)methyl isocyanate, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)methyl isocyanate, 3-(triethoxysilyl)ethyl isocyanate, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)ethyl isocyanate, 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate, 3-(triethoxysilyl)butyl isocyanate, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)butyl isocyanate, 3-(triethoxysilyl)pentyl isocyanate, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)pentyl isocyanate, 3-(triethoxysilyl)hexyl isocyanate, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)hexyl isocyanate or mixtures thereof, preferably 3-(trimethoxysilyl)methyl isocyanate, 3-(triethoxysilyl)methyl isocyanate, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate, 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate or mixtures thereof, more preferably 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate, 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate, or mixtures thereof.

28. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the silylated polymer (SiP) has been prepared by reaction with an aminosilane (AmSi).

29. The composition according to claim 28, wherein the aminosilane (AmSi) is at least one aminosilane (AmSi) of the general structure (VIII) is selected, or is a mixture thereof, ##STR00032## where R.sup.7 is H, R.sup.8 is H, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C25-alkyl group, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C2- to C25-alkenyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C18-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C18-aryl group, or a radical of the general structure (Vb), R* is 0 or an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C25-alkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C18-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C18-aryl group and, when R*=0, the silicon atom is bonded directly to the nitrogen atom, R.sup.12 and R.sup.14 are each independently H or a radical from the group consisting of —R.sup.15, —COOR.sup.15 and —CN, R.sup.13 is H or a radical from the group consisting of —CH.sub.2—COOR.sup.15, —COOR.sup.15, —CONHR.sup.15, —CON(R.sup.15), —CN, —NO.sub.2, —PO(OR.sup.15).sub.2, —SOR.sup.15 and —SO.sub.2OR.sup.15, R.sup.15 is a hydrocarbyl radical having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and optionally having at least one heteroatom, R.sup.9, R.sup.10 and R.sup.11 are independently H, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C4-alkyl group, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C2- to C5-alkenyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C10-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C10-aryl group, preferably independently H or a C1- to C2-alkyl group, and each Y is independently either O or a direct bond of the silicon atom to the respective R.sup.9, R.sup.10 or R.sup.11 radical, and preferably at least one Y is O.

30. The composition according to claim 29, wherein the aminosilane (AmSi) of the general structure (VIII) is selected from the group of N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)methyl]butylamine, N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)methyl]butylamine, N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)ethyl]butylamine, N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)ethyl]butylamine, N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]butylamine, N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]butylamine, N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)butyl]butylamine, N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)butyl]butylamine, N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)pentyl]butylamine, N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)pentyl]butylamine, N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)hexyl]butylamine, N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)hexyl]butylamine, 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, N-cyclohexyl-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, N-cyclohexyl-3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, N-(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)aminosuccinic acid diethyl ester, N-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)aminosuccinic acid diethyl ester or a mixture thereof, preferably N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)methyl]butylamine, N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)methyl]butylamine, N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]butylamine, N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]butylamine, N-(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)aminosuccinic acid diethyl ester, N-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)aminosuccinic acid diethyl ester, more preferably N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]butylamine, N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]butylamine, N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)methyl]butylamine, N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)methyl]butylamine, N-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)aminosuccinic acid diethyl ester, N-(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)aminosuccinic acid diethyl ester or a mixture thereof, most preferably N-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)aminosuccinic acid diethyl ester, N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]butylamine, N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)methyl]butylamine or a mixture thereof.

31. (canceled)

Description

PARTICULARLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0221] 1. Composition comprising at least one silylated polymer (SiP) and at least two catalysts A and B, where catalyst A is selected from the group of the metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compounds. [0222] 2. Composition according to Embodiment 1, characterized in that catalyst A is selected from the group of the metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compounds, preferably in that catalyst A is heptaisobutyl POSS-titanium(IV) ethoxide (TiPOSS), and catalyst B is likewise selected from the group of the metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compounds. [0223] 3. Composition according to Embodiment 1 or 2, characterized in that catalyst A is heptaisobutyl POSS-titanium(IV) ethoxide (TiPOSS) and catalyst B is heptaisobutyl POSS-tin(IV) ethoxide (SnPOSS). [0224] 4. Composition according to Embodiment 1, characterized in that catalyst B is selected from a group of catalysts not including metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compounds. [0225] 5. Composition according to Embodiment 4, characterized in that catalyst B is selected from the group of organometallic compounds. [0226] 6. Composition according to Embodiment 5, characterized in that catalyst B is selected from the group of organotin or organotitanium compounds. [0227] 7. Composition according to any of Embodiments 4 to 6, characterized in that catalyst B is selected from the group consisting of tetraalkyl titanates, such as tetramethyl titanate, tetraethyl titanate, tetra-n-propyl titanate, tetraisopropyl titanate, tetra-n-butyl titanate, tetraisobutyl titanate, tetra-sec-butyl titanate, tetraoctyl titanate, tetra(2-ethylhexyl) titanate, dialkyl titanates ((RO).sub.2TiO.sub.2 in which R is, for example, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl), such as isopropyl n-butyl titanate; titanium acetylacetonate chelates, such as diisopropoxybis(acetylacetonate) titanate, diisopropoxybis(ethylacetylacetonate) titanate, di-n-butylbis(acetylacetonate) titanate, di-n-butylbis(ethylacetoacetate) titanate, triisopropoxidebis(acetylacetonate) titanate, zirconium tetraalkoxides, such as zirconium tetraethoxide, zirconium tetrabutoxide, zirconium tetrabutyrate, zirconium tetrapropoxide, zirconium carboxylates, such as zirconium diacetate; zirconium acetylacetonate chelates, such as zirconium tetra(acetylacetonate), tributoxyzirconium acetylacetonate, dibutoxyzirconium bisacetylacetonate, aluminium trisalkoxides, such as aluminium triisopropoxide, aluminium trisbutoxide; aluminium acetylacetonate chelates, such as aluminium tris(acetylacetonate) and aluminium tris(ethylacetylacetonate), organotin compounds such as dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTL), dibutyltin maleate, dibutyltin diacetate, tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate (tin octoate), tin naphthenate, dimethyltin dineodecanoate, dioctyltin dineodecanoate, dimethyltin dioleate, dioctyltin dilaurate, dimethyl mercaptides, dibutyl mercaptides, dioctyl mercaptides, dibutyltin dithioglycolate, dioctyltin glycolate, dimethyltin glycolates, a solution of dibutyltin oxide, reaction products of zinc salts and organic carboxylic acids (carboxylates) such as zinc(II) 2-ethylhexanoate or zinc(II) neodecanoate, mixtures of bismuth carboxylates and zinc carboxylates, reaction products of bismuth salts and organic carboxylic acids, such as bismuth(III) tris(2-ethylhexanoate) and bismuth(III) tris(neodecanoate) and bismuth complexes, organolead compounds such as lead octoxide, organovanadium compounds, amine compounds such as butylamine, octylamine, dibutylamine, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, diethylenetriamine, oleylamine, cyclohexylamine, benzylamine, diethylaminopropylamine, xylylenediamine, triethylenediamine, guanidine, diphenylguanidine, 2,4,6-tris(dimethylaminomethyl)phenol, morpholine, N-methylmorpholine, 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole and 1,8-diazabicyclo(5.4.0)undecene-7 (DBU), salts of these amines with carboxylic acids or other acids or mixtures thereof. [0228] 8. Composition according to Embodiment 7, characterized in that catalyst B is selected from the group consisting of dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTL), tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate (tin octoate), zinc(II) 2-ethylhexanoate, zinc(II) neodecanoate, bismuth(III) tris(2-ethylhexanoate), bismuth(III) tris(neodecanoate) or mixtures thereof. [0229] 9. Composition according to Embodiment 7 or 8, characterized in that catalyst B is dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTL). [0230] 10. Composition according to any of Embodiments 4 to 8, characterized in that catalyst A is selected from the group consisting of heptaisobutyl POSS-titanium(IV) ethoxide (TiPOSS) and heptaisobutyl POSS-tin(IV) ethoxide (SnPOSS), preferably in that the catalyst is heptaisobutyl POSS-titanium(IV) ethoxide (TiPOSS). [0231] 11. Composition according to Embodiment 10, characterized in that it includes more than one catalyst A from the group of metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compounds. [0232] 12. Composition according to any of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that catalyst A is in the form of a monomer, oligomer and/or polymer, where the metal(s) are present terminally and/or within the chain. [0233] 13. Composition according to Embodiment 12, characterized in that the metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compound has the general formula R*.sub.qSi.sub.rO.sub.sM.sub.t where each R* is independently selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted C1- to C20-alkyl, optionally substituted C3- to C6-cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C2- to C20-alkenyl, optionally substituted C6- to C10-aryl, —OH and —O—(C1- to C10-alkyl), each M is independently selected from the group consisting of s- and p-block metals, d- and f-block transition metals, lanthanide and actinide metals and semimetals, especially from the group consisting of metals of transition groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10 and 11 and metals of main groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, preferably from the group consisting of Na, Zn, Sc, Nd, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Pt, Cu, Ga, Sn and Bi; especially preferably from the group consisting of Zn, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Sn and Bi, [0234] q is an integer from 4 to 19, [0235] r is an integer from 4 to 10, [0236] s is an integer from 8 to 30, and [0237] t is an integer from 1 to 8. [0238] 14. Composition according to any of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compound has a general structure (I)

##STR00010##  where [0239] X.sup.1, X.sup.2 and X.sup.3 are independently selected from Si and M.sup.1, where M.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of s- and p-block metals, d- and f-block transition metals, lanthanide and actinide metals and semimetals, [0240] especially from the group consisting of metals of transition groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10 and 11 and metals of main groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, preferably from the group consisting of Na, Zn, Sc, Nd, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Pt, Cu, Ga, Sn and Bi; especially preferably from the group consisting of Zn, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Sn and Bi, [0241] Z.sup.1, Z.sup.2 and Z.sup.3 are independently selected from the group consisting of L.sup.2, R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7, where L.sup.2 is selected from the group consisting of —OH and —O—(C1-to C10-alkyl), especially —O—(C1- to C8-alkyl) or —O—(C1- to C6-alkyl), or where L.sup.2 is selected from the group consisting of —OH, —O-methyl, —O-ethyl, —O-propyl, —O-butyl, —O-octyl, —O-isopropyl, and —O-isobutyl; [0242] R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 are independently selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted C1- to C20-alkyl, optionally substituted C3- to C8-cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C2- to C20-alkenyl and optionally substituted C5- to C10-aryl; [0243] Y.sup.1 and Y.sup.2 are independently —O-M.sup.2-L.sup.3.sub.Δ, or Y.sup.1 and Y.sup.2 are associated and together are —O-M.sup.2(L.sup.3.sub.Δ)-O— or —O—, where L.sup.3 is selected from the group consisting of —OH and —O—(C1- to C10-alkyl), especially —O—(C1- to C8-alkyl) or —O—(C1- to C6-alkyl), or where L.sup.3 is selected from the group consisting of —OH, —O-methyl, —O-ethyl, —O-propyl, —O-butyl, —O-octyl, —O-isopropyl, and —O-isobutyl, and where M.sup.2 is selected from the group consisting of s- and p-block metals, d- and f-block transition metals, lanthanide and actinide metals and semimetals, [0244] especially from the group consisting of metals of transition groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10 and 11 and metals of main groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, preferably from the group consisting of Na, Zn, Sc, Nd, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Pt, Cu, Ga, Sn and Bi; especially preferably from the group consisting of Zn, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Sn and Bi, and [0245] X.sup.4 is -M.sup.3L.sup.1.sub.Δ or M.sup.3 and Q.sup.1 and Q.sup.2 are H or each is a single bond joined to M.sup.3, where L.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of —OH and —O—(C1- to C10-alkyl), especially —O—(C1- to C8-alkyl) or —O—(C1- to C6-alkyl), or where L.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of —OH, —O-methyl, —O-ethyl, —O-propyl, —O-butyl, —O-octyl, —O-isopropyl, and —O-isobutyl, and where M.sup.3 is selected from the group consisting of s- and p-block metals, d- and f-block transition metals, lanthanide and actinide metals and semimetals, [0246] especially from the group consisting of metals of transition groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10 and 11 and metals of main groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, preferably from the group consisting of Na, Zn, Sc, Nd, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Pt, Cu, Ga, Sn and Bi; especially preferably from the group consisting of Zn, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Sn and Bi, or [0247] X.sup.4 is -M.sup.3L.sup.1.sub.Δ and Q.sup.2 is H or a single bond joined to M.sup.3 and Q.sup.1 is H, M.sup.4L.sup.4.sub.Δ or —SiR.sup.8, where M.sup.4 is selected from the group consisting of s- and p-block metals, d- and f-block transition metals, lanthanide and actinide metals and semimetals, [0248] especially from the group consisting of metals of transition groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10 and 11 and metals of main groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, preferably from the group consisting of Na, Zn, Sc, Nd, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Pt, Cu, Ga, Sn and Bi; especially preferably from the group consisting of Zn, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Sn and Bi, [0249] and where L.sup.4 is selected from the group consisting of —OH and —O—(C1- to C10-alkyl), especially —O—(C1- to C8-alkyl) or —O—(C1- to C6-alkyl), or where L.sup.4 is selected from the group consisting of —OH, —O-methyl, —O-ethyl, —O-propyl, —O-butyl, —O-octyl, —O-isopropyl, and —O-isobutyl, and where R.sup.8 is selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted C1- to C20-alkyl, optionally substituted C3- to C8-cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C2- to C20-alkenyl and optionally substituted C5- to C10-aryl, or [0250] X.sup.4, Q.sup.1 and Q.sup.2 are independently -M.sup.3L.sup.1.sub.Δ, or [0251] X.sup.4 is —Si(R.sup.8)—O-M.sup.3L.sup.1.sub.A, Q.sup.2 is a single bond joined to the silicon atom of X.sup.4 and Q.sup.1 is -M.sup.4L.sup.4.sub.Δ, or [0252] X.sup.4 is —Si(R.sup.8)—O-M.sup.3L.sup.1.sub.Δ, Q.sup.2 is a single bond joined to the silicon atom of X.sup.4 and Q.sup.1 is a single bond joined to the M.sup.3 atom of X.sup.4. [0253] 15. Composition according to any of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compound has the structural formula (II)

##STR00011##  where X.sup.4, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, Z.sup.1, Z.sup.2 and Z.sup.3 are defined according to Embodiment 4. [0254] 16. Composition according to Embodiment 15, characterized in that the metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compound of the structure (IV) is a metal silsesquioxane

##STR00012##  where [0255] X.sup.4 is selected from the group consisting of metals of transition groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10 and 11 and metals of main groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, preferably from the group consisting of Na, Zn, Sc, Nd, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Pt, Cu, Ga, Sn and Bi; especially preferably from the group consisting of Zn, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Sn and Bi, most preferably from the group consisting of Ti and Sn, and is most preferably Ti, and [0256] X.sup.4 is joined to OR where R is selected from the group consisting of —H, -methyl, -ethyl, -propyl, -butyl, -octyl, -isopropyl, and -isobutyl, Z.sup.1, Z.sup.2 and Z.sup.3 are each independently C1- to C20-alkyl, C3- to C8-cycloalkyl, C2- to C20-alkenyl and C5- to C10-aryl, especially selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, vinyl, allyl, butenyl and phenyl, and benzyl, and R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are each independently C1- to C20-alkyl, C3- to C8-cycloalkyl, C2- to C20-alkenyl, and C5- to C10-aryl, especially selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, vinyl, allyl, butenyl and phenyl, and benzyl. [0257] 17. Composition according to Embodiment 16, characterized in that the metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compound is a metal silsesquioxane of the structure (IVb)

##STR00013## [0258]  where X.sup.4 is selected from the group consisting of metals of transition groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10 and 11 and metals of main groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, preferably from the group consisting of Na, Zn, Sc, Nd, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Pt, Cu, Ga, Sn and Bi; especially preferably from the group consisting of Zn, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Fe, Sn and Bi, most preferably from the group consisting of Ti (and therefore is heptaisobutyl POSS-titanium(IV) ethoxide (TiPOSS)) and Sn (and therefore is heptaisobutyl POSS-tin(IV) ethoxide (SnPOSS)), and is most preferably Ti (and therefore is heptaisobutyl POSS-titanium(IV) ethoxide (TiPOSS)). [0259] 18. Composition according to any of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the silylated polymer (SiP) is obtainable by a synthesis, catalysed by a metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compound, of at least one isocyanate-reactive compound, especially at least one hydroxy-functionalized polymer (component A), and one or more compounds having at least one isocyanate group (component B). [0260] 19. Composition according to Embodiment 18, characterized in that the metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compound for catalysed synthesis of component A and component B is defined according to any of Embodiments 11 to 16, especially in that the compound is heptaisobutyl POSS-titanium(IV) ethoxide (TiPOSS) and/or heptaisobutyl POSS-tin(IV) ethoxide (SnPOSS), preferably heptaisobutyl POSS-titanium(IV) ethoxide (TiPOSS). [0261] 20. Composition according to any of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the polymer backbone (P) of the silylated polymer (SiP) has constituents selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyureas, polyethers, polyesters, phenolic resins, polyalkylenes, poly(meth)acrylates, polyamides, polycaprolactones, polybutadienes or polyisoprenes, and polycarbonates or mixtures thereof, preferably from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyureas, poly(meth)acrylates or polyethers or mixtures thereof, most preferably polyethers. [0262] 21. Composition according to any of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the silylated polymer (SiP) has at least two end groups of the general formula (V)

##STR00014## [0263]  where [0264] X is C, Si or a heteroatom and these, according to their valency, optionally have one or more R.sup.8 radicals, preferably C, N, O, P, S, more preferably C, N or O, most preferably N or O, and each is bonded to a carbon in the polymer backbone, [0265] R* is 0 or an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C25-alkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C18-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C18-aryl group and, when R*=0, the silicon atom is bonded directly to the nitrogen atom, [0266] each Y is independently either O or a direct bond of the silicon atom to the respective R.sup.9, R.sup.10 or R.sup.11 radical, and preferably at least one Y is O, [0267] R.sup.8 is H, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C16-alkyl group, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C2- to C16-alkenyl group or an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C2- to C16-alkynyl group, an optionally substituted C4- to C14-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C14-aryl group, or a radical of the general structure (Vb), [0268] R.sup.12 and R.sup.14 are each independently H or a radical from the group consisting of —R.sup.15, —COOR.sup.15 and —CN, [0269] R.sup.13 is H or a radical from the group consisting of —CH.sub.2—COOR.sup.15, —COOR.sup.15, —CONHR.sup.15, —CON(R.sup.15), —CN, —NO.sub.2, —PO(OR.sup.15).sub.2, —SOR.sup.15 and —SO.sub.2OR.sup.15, [0270] R.sup.15 is a hydrocarbyl radical having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and optionally having at least one heteroatom, [0271] R.sup.9, R.sup.10 and R.sup.11 are independently H, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C5-alkyl group, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C2- to C10-alkenyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C14-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C14-aryl group, [0272] m is 0 or 1 and, when m=0, the silicon atom is bonded directly to a carbon in the polymer backbone (P). [0273] 22. Composition according to Embodiment 21, characterized in that the silylated polymer (SiP) has a polyether polymer backbone having at least two end groups of the general formula (V)

##STR00015##  where [0274] X is N or O and N optionally has an R.sup.9 radical, [0275] R* is 0 or an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C20-alkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C12-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C12-aryl group, preferably an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C15-alkyl group, and, when R*=0, the silicon atom is bonded directly to the nitrogen atom, [0276] Y in Y—R.sup.9 and Y—R.sup.10 are O and the Y in Y—R.sup.11 is either O or a direct bond of the silicon atom to the respective R.sup.11 radical, preferably at least one Y is O, [0277] R.sup.9 is H, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C10-alkyl group, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C2- to C10-alkenyl group or an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C2- to C10-alkynyl group, an optionally substituted C4- to C10-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C10-aryl group or a succinic acid derivative of the general structure (Vb) according to Embodiment 9, [0278] R.sup.9, R.sup.10 and R.sup.11 are independently H, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C4-alkyl group, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C2- to C5-alkenyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C10-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C10-aryl group, preferably independently H or a C1- to C2-alkyl group, and [0279] m is 0 or 1 and, when m=0, the silicon atom is bonded directly to a carbon in the polymer backbone (P), preferably m=1. [0280] 23. Composition according to Embodiment 22, characterized in that the silylated polymer (SiP) has a polyether polymer backbone having at least two end groups of the general formula (V)

##STR00016##  where [0281] R* is 0 or an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C15-alkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C6-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C6-aryl group, preferably an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C10-alkyl group, more preferably a C1-alkyl group (=alpha-silane) or a C3-alkyl group (=gamma-silane), and, when R*=0, the silicon atom is bonded directly to the nitrogen atom, [0282] R.sup.9 is H, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C8-alkyl group, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C2- to C8-alkenyl group or an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C2- to C8-alkynyl group, an optionally substituted C4- to C6-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C6-aryl group, [0283] R.sup.9, R.sup.10 and R.sup.11 are independently H, an optionally substituted, straight-chain or branched C1- to C4-alkyl group, an optionally substituted, straight-chain or branched C2- to C5-alkenyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C6-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C6-aryl group, preferably independently H or a C1- to C2-alkyl group, and [0284] m is 0 or 1 and, when m=0, the silicon atom is bonded directly to a carbon in the polymer backbone (P), preferably m=1. [0285] 24. Composition according to any of Embodiments 18 to 23, characterized in that the hydroxy-functionalized polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyoxyalkylene diols or polyoxyalkylene triols, especially polyoxyethylene di- and triols and polyoxypropylene di- and triols, higher-functionality polyols such as sorbitol, pentaerythritol-started polyols, ethylene oxide-terminated polyoxypropylene polyols, polyester polyols, styrene-acrylonitrile, acryloyl-methacrylate, (poly)urea-grafted or -containing polyether polyols, polycarbonate polyols, CO.sub.2 polyols, polyhydroxy-functional fats and oils, especially castor oil, polyhydrocarbon polyols such as dihydroxypolybutadiene, polytetrahydrofuran-based polyethers (PTMEG), OH-terminated prepolymers based on the reaction of a polyetherol or polyesterol with a diisocyanate, polypropylene diols, polyester polyols or mixtures thereof, preferably polypropylene diols, polyester polyols, or mixtures thereof. [0286] 25. Composition according to Embodiment 24, characterized in that the hydroxy-functionalized polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyoxyalkylene diols, polyoxyalkylene triols, especially polyoxyethylene di- and/or triols and/or polyoxypropylene di- and/or triols, KOH-catalysed hydroxy-functionalized polyethers or double metal cyanide complex-catalysed (DMC-catalysed) hydroxy-functionalized polyethers or mixtures thereof. [0287] 26. Composition according to any of the preceding Embodiments 18 to 24, characterized in that component B is selected from the group consisting of aromatic and/or aliphatic isocyanates (Iso) of the general structure (VI) or mixtures thereof or isocyanatosilanes (Iso-Si) of the general structure (VII) or mixtures thereof

##STR00017##  where [0288] R.sup.x is a carbon-containing group, preferably at least one aromatic or aliphatic group or mixtures thereof, more preferably an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C16-alkyl group, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C2- to C16-alkenyl group or an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C2- to C16-alkynyl group, an optionally substituted C4- to C14-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C14-aryl group, most preferably diphenylmethane, toluene, dicyclohexylmethane, hexane or methyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexyl, [0289] each Y is independently either O or a direct bond of the silicon atom to the respective R.sup.9, R.sup.10 or R.sup.11 radical, and preferably at least one Y is O, [0290] z is at least 1, preferably at least 2, [0291] R.sup.9, R.sup.10 and R.sup.11 are independently H, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C5-alkyl group, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C2- to C10-alkenyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C8-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C8-aryl group and [0292] R* is 0 or an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C25-alkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C18-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C18-aryl group and, when R*=0, the silicon atom is bonded directly to the nitrogen atom. [0293] 27. Composition according to any of Embodiments 18 to 26, characterized in that component B is selected from the group consisting of aromatic and/or aliphatic isocyanates (Iso) of the general structure (VI) or mixtures thereof or isocyanatosilanes (Iso-Si) of the general structure (VII) or mixtures thereof

##STR00018##  where [0294] R.sup.x is diphenylmethane, toluene, dicyclohexylmethane, hexane or methyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexyl, preferably diphenylmethane or hexane or methyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexyl, most preferably diphenylmethane or methyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexyl, and [0295] z is at least 2, preferably 2, [0296] Y in Y—R.sup.9 and Y—R.sup.10 are O and the Y in Y—R.sup.11 is either O or a direct bond of the silicon atom to the respective R.sup.11 radical, preferably at least one Y is O, [0297] R.sup.9, R.sup.10 and R.sup.11 are independently H, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C3-alkyl group and [0298] R* is 0 or an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C15-alkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C6-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C6-aryl group, preferably an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C10-alkyl group, more preferably a C1-alkyl group (=alpha-silane) or a C3-alkyl group (=gamma-silane), and, when R*=0, the silicon atom is bonded directly to the nitrogen atom. [0299] 28. Composition according to Embodiment 27, characterized in that at least one isocyanate (Iso) of the general structure (VI) is selected from the group consisting of polymeric, oligomeric and monomeric methylene diphenyl isocyanate (MDI), especially from 4,4′-methylene diphenyl isocyanate (4,4′-MDI), 2,4′-methylene diphenyl isocyanate (2,4′-MDI), 2,2′-methylene diphenyl isocyanate (2,2′-MDI), 4,4′-diisocyanatodicyclohexylmethane (H12MDI), 2-methylpentamethylene 1,5-diisocyanate, dodecamethylene 1,12-diisocyanate, lysine and lysine ester diisocyanate, cyclohexane 1,3-diisocyanate, cyclohexane 1,4-diisocyanate, perhydro(diphenylmethane 2,4′-diisocyanate), perhydro(diphenylmethane 4,4′-diisocyanate), 1,4-diisocyanato-2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexane (TMCDI), 3-isocyanatomethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexyl isocyanate (=isophorone diisocyanate or IPDI), hexamethylene 1,6-diisocyanate (HDI) or the trimer thereof (HDI trimer), 2,2,4- and/or 2,4,4-trimethylhexamethylene 1,6-diisocyanate, 1,4-bis(isocyanato)cyclohexane, 1,4-bis(isocyanato)benzene (PPDI), 1,3- and/or 1,4-bis(isocyanatomethyl)cyclohexane, m- and/or p-xylylene diisocyanate (m- and/or p-XDI), m- and/or p-tetramethylxylylene 1,3-diisocyanate, m- and/or p-tetramethylxylylene 1,4-diisocyanate, bis(1-isocyanato-1-methylethyl)naphthalene, 1,3-bis(isocyanato-4-methylphenyl)-2,4-dioxo-1,3-diazetidine, naphthalene 1,5-diisocyanate (NDI), 3,3′-dimethyl-4,4′-diisocyanatodiphenyl (TODI), tolylene 2,4- and/or 2,6-diisocyanate (TDI), 1,3-bis(isocyanatomethyl)benzene or mixtures thereof, preferably 4,4′-methylene diphenyl isocyanate (4,4′-MDI) or isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), hexamethylene 1,6-diisocyanate (HDI) or the trimer thereof (HDI trimer) or mixtures thereof, most preferably 4,4′-methylene diphenyl isocyanate (4,4′-MDI) or isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) or mixtures thereof. [0300] 29. Composition according to Embodiment 27, characterized in that at least one isocyanatosilane (Iso-Si) of the general structure (VII) is selected, or mixtures thereof,

##STR00019##  where R.sup.9, R.sup.10, R.sup.11 and R* are as defined in Embodiment 14 or 15, preferably R.sup.9, R.sup.10, R.sup.11 are a methyl or ethyl group or mixtures thereof, preferably selected from the group consisting of 3-(triethoxysilyl)methyl isocyanate, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)methyl isocyanate, 3-(triethoxysilyl)ethyl isocyanate, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)ethyl isocyanate, 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate, 3-(triethoxysilyl)butyl isocyanate, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)butyl isocyanate, 3-(triethoxysilyl)pentyl isocyanate, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)pentyl isocyanate, 3-(triethoxysilyl)hexyl isocyanate, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)hexyl isocyanate or mixtures thereof, preferably 3-(trimethoxysilyl)methyl isocyanate, 3-(triethoxysilyl)methyl isocyanate, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate, 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate or mixtures thereof, more preferably 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate, 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate, or mixtures thereof. [0301] 30. Composition according to any of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the silylated polymer (SiP) has been prepared by reaction with an aminosilane (AmSi). [0302] 31. Composition according to Embodiment 30, characterized in that at least one aminosilane (AmSi) of the general structure (VIII) is selected, or is a mixture thereof,

##STR00020##  where [0303] R.sup.7 is H, [0304] R.sup.8 is H, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C25-alkyl group, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C2- to C25-alkenyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C18-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C18-aryl group, or a radical of the general structure (Vb), [0305] R* is 0 or an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C25-alkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C18-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C18-aryl group and, when R*=0, the silicon atom is bonded directly to the nitrogen atom, [0306] R.sup.12 and R.sup.14 are each independently H or a radical from the group consisting of —R.sup.15, —COOR.sup.15 and —CN, [0307] R.sup.13 is H or a radical from the group consisting of —CH.sub.2—COOR.sup.15, —COOR.sup.15, —CONHR.sup.15, —CON(R.sup.15), —CN, —NO.sub.2, —PO(OR.sup.15).sub.2, —SOR.sup.15 and —SO.sub.2OR.sup.15, [0308] R.sup.15 is a hydrocarbyl radical having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and optionally having at least one heteroatom, [0309] R.sup.9, R.sup.10, R.sup.11 and R* are defined according to Embodiment 22 or 23 and [0310] each Y is independently either O or a direct bond of the silicon atom to the respective R.sup.9, R.sup.10 or R.sup.11 radical, and preferably at least one Y is O. [0311] 32. Composition according to Embodiment 31, characterized in that at least one aminosilane (AmSi) of the general structure (VIII) is selected, or is a mixture thereof,

##STR00021##  where [0312] R.sup.8 is H, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C10-alkyl group, an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C2- to C10-alkenyl group or an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C2- to C10-alkynyl group, an optionally substituted C4- to C10-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C10-aryl group or a succinic acid derivative of the general structure (Vb) according to Embodiment 19, [0313] R* is 0 or an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C20-alkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C12-cycloalkyl group or an optionally substituted C4- to C12-aryl group, preferably an optionally substituted straight-chain or branched C1- to C15-alkyl group, more preferably a C1-alkyl group (=alpha-silane) or a C3-alkyl group (=gamma-silane), and, when R*=0, the silicon atom is bonded directly to the nitrogen atom, [0314] R.sup.9, R.sup.10, R.sup.11 are defined according to Embodiment 22 or 23, preferably R.sup.9, R.sup.10, R.sup.11 are a methyl or ethyl group or mixtures thereof, and [0315] Y in Y—R.sup.9 and Y—R.sup.10 are O and the Y in Y—R.sup.11 is either O or a direct bond of the silicon atom to the respective R.sup.11 radical. [0316] 33. Composition according to any of the preceding Embodiments 30 to 32, characterized in that the aminosilane (AmSi) of the general structure (VIII) is selected from the group of N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)methyl]butylamine, N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)methyl]butylamine, N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)ethyl]butylamine, N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)ethyl]butylamine, N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]butylamine, N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]butylamine, N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)butyl]butylamine, N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)butyl]butylamine, N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)pentyl]butylamine, N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)pentyl]butylamine, N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)hexyl]butylamine, N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)hexyl]butylamine, 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, N-cyclohexyl-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, N-cyclohexyl-3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, N-(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)aminosuccinic acid diethyl ester, N-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)aminosuccinic acid diethyl ester or a mixture thereof, preferably N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)methyl]butylamine, N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)methyl]butylamine, N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]butylamine, N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]butylamine, N-(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)aminosuccinic acid diethyl ester, N-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)aminosuccinic acid diethyl ester, more preferably N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]butylamine, N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]butylamine, N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)methyl]butylamine, N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)methyl]butylamine, N-(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)aminosuccinic acid diethyl ester, N-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)aminosuccinic acid diethyl ester or a mixture thereof, most preferably N-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)aminosuccinic acid diethyl ester, N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]butylamine, N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)methyl]butylamine or a mixture thereof. [0317] 34. Composition according to any of the preceding Embodiments 18 to 33, characterized in that the metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compound for catalysed synthesis is present in a molar concentration in the range from 0.000001 to 0.0001 mol/kg or 0.0001 to 0.1 mol/kg, especially from 0.00001 to 0.00005 mol/kg or 0.001 to 0.01 mol/kg, based in each case on the total weight of the composition. [0318] 35. Composition according to any of the preceding Embodiments 18 to 34, characterized in that the metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compound for catalysed synthesis is present with a proportion by weight of 0.001% to 1.5%, preferably of 0.002% to 0.5%, based in each case on the total weight of the composition. [0319] 36. Composition according to any of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the silylated polymer (SiP) has a viscosity in the range from 500 to 100 000 mPa.Math.s, preferably in the range from 2000 to 25 000 mPa.Math.s. [0320] 37. Composition according to any of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the silylated polymer (SiP) according to any of the preceding embodiments has a viscosity lower by >5% compared to a silylated polymer (SiP) prepared under dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTL) catalysis. [0321] 38. Composition according to any of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the silylated polymer (SiP) has a number-average molar mass (Mn) between 500 and 100 000 g/mol. [0322] 39. Composition according to any of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the silylated polymer (SiP) has a molar mass distribution (Mw/Mn) of about 1.6 or less. [0323] 40. Composition according to any of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the composition is moisture-curing, preferably with additional use of a catalyst. [0324] 41. Composition according to any of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that it can cure through the influence of moisture and at room temperature, in the range of 10-30° C., preferably in the range of 18-25° C., more preferably at 20 to 23° C. [0325] 42. Composition according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the composition further comprises one or more additives selected from the group consisting of filler, adhesion promoter, moisture scavenger, plasticizer, UV stabilizers, thixotropic agents, wetting agents or combinations thereof, where one or more additives is/are preferably a silane. [0326] 43. Composition comprising the following components or obtainable by combining the following components: [0327] 2 to 50 g of silylated polymer (SiP) defined according to any of the preceding embodiments, [0328] 0 to 35 g of plasticizer [0329] 5 to 65 g of chalk [0330] 0 to 15 g of titanium dioxide [0331] 0 to 5 g of water scavenger [0332] 0 to 5 g of adhesion promoter, and [0333] 0 to 2 g of a catalyst according to any of the preceding embodiments,  based in each case on the total weight of the composition. [0334] 44. Composition according to Embodiment 43, comprising the following components or obtainable by combining the following components: [0335] 10 to 40 g of silylated polymer (SiP) defined according to any of the preceding embodiments, [0336] 5 to 30 g of plasticizer [0337] 15 to 55 g of chalk [0338] 1 to 10 g of titanium dioxide [0339] 0.25 to 3 g of water scavenger [0340] 0.25 to 3 g of adhesion promoter, and [0341] 0 to 1 g of a catalyst according to any of the preceding embodiments,  based in each case on the total weight of the composition. [0342] 45. Composition according to either of Embodiments 43 and 44, comprising the following components or obtainable by combining the following components: [0343] 15 to 35 g of silylated polymer (SiP) defined according to any of the preceding embodiments, [0344] 10 to 25 g of plasticizer [0345] 25 to 50 g of chalk [0346] 1.5 to 5 g of titanium dioxide [0347] 0.5 to 2 g of water scavenger [0348] 1 to 2.5 g of adhesion promoter, and [0349] 0 to 0.8 g of a catalyst according to any of the preceding embodiments,  based in each case on the total weight of the composition. [0350] 46. Process for producing the composition according to any of the preceding embodiments, comprising the following steps: [0351] (i) synthesizing a polymer by combining at least one isocyanate-reactive compound, especially a hydroxy-functionalized polymer according to Embodiment 24 or 25, and with one or more isocyanates (Iso) according to Embodiment 26, 27 or 28, or one or more isocyanatosilanes (Iso-Si) according to Embodiment 26, 27 or 29 using a metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compound according to any of the preceding embodiments, especially heptaisobutyl POSS-titanium(IV) ethoxide (TiPOSS) according to Embodiment 16 or 17, heptaisobutyl POSS-tin(IV) ethoxide (SnPOSS) according to Embodiment 16 or 17 or mixtures thereof, [0352] (ii) optionally admixing the polymer from step (i) with a catalyst selected from dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTL) or a metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compound according to any of the preceding embodiments, especially heptaisobutyl POSS-titanium(IV) ethoxide (TiPOSS) according to Embodiment 16 or 17, heptaisobutyl POSS-tin(IV) ethoxide (SnPOSS) according to Embodiment 16 or 17 or mixtures thereof. [0353] 47. Process for producing the composition according to any of the preceding embodiments, comprising the following steps: [0354] (i) synthesizing a polymer by combining at least one hydroxy-functionalized polymer selected from the group consisting of hydroxy-functionalized polymers according to Embodiment 24 or 25 having number-average molar masses (Mn) of 500-35 000 g/mol, preferably of about 2000 g/mol or about 19 000 g/mol, or mixtures thereof with one or more isocyanates (Iso) according to Embodiment 26, 27 or 28, or one or more isocyanatosilanes (Iso-Si) according to Embodiment 26, 27 or 29, preferably 3-(triethoxysilyl)methyl isocyanate or 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate or mixtures thereof, using a metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compound according to any of the preceding embodiments, especially heptaisobutyl POSS-titanium(IV) ethoxide (TiPOSS) according to Embodiment 16 or 17, heptaisobutyl POSS-tin(IV) ethoxide (SnPOSS) according to Embodiment 16 or 17 or mixtures thereof, [0355] (ii) optionally admixing the polymer from step (i) with a catalyst selected from dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTL) or a metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compound according to any of the preceding embodiments, especially heptaisobutyl POSS-titanium(IV) ethoxide (TiPOSS) according to Embodiment 16 or 17, heptaisobutyl POSS-tin(IV) ethoxide (SnPOSS) according to Embodiment 16 or 17 or mixtures thereof. [0356] 48. Process for producing the composition according to Embodiment 47, comprising the steps of: [0357] (i) synthesizing a polymer at a temperature of <80° C. by combining at least one hydroxy-functionalized polymer selected from the group consisting of hydroxy-functionalized polymers according to Embodiment 24 or 25 having number-average molar masses (Mn) of 500-35 000 g/mol, preferably of about 2000 g/mol or about 19 000 g/mol, or mixtures thereof with one or more isocyanates (Iso) according to Embodiment 26, 27 or 28, or one or more isocyanatosilanes (Iso-Si) according to Embodiment 26, 27 or 29, preferably 3-(triethoxysilyl)methyl isocyanate or 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate or mixtures thereof, using a metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compound according to any of the preceding embodiments, especially heptaisobutyl POSS-titanium(IV) ethoxide (TiPOSS) according to Embodiment 16 or 17, heptaisobutyl POSS-tin(IV) ethoxide (SnPOSS) according to Embodiment 16 or 17 or mixtures thereof, [0358] (ii) optionally admixing the polymer from step (i) with a catalyst selected from dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTL) or a metal-siloxane-silanol(ate) compound according to any of the preceding embodiments, especially heptaisobutyl POSS-titanium(IV) ethoxide (TiPOSS) according to Embodiment 16 or 17, heptaisobutyl POSS-tin(IV) ethoxide (SnPOSS) according to Embodiment 16 or 17 or mixtures thereof. [0359] 49. Process for producing the composition according to Embodiment 46, 47 or 48, characterized in that the polymer obtained in each case from step (i) is reacted with an aminosilane (AmSi) according to Embodiment 31, 32 or 33, preferably with N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]butylamine, N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]butylamine, N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)methyl]butylamine, N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)methyl]butylamine, N-(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)aminosuccinic acid diethyl ester, N-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)aminosuccinic acid diethyl ester or mixtures thereof. [0360] 50. Use of the composition according to any of the preceding embodiments in CASE sectors (coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers). [0361] 51. Use of the composition according to any of the preceding embodiments in adhesives and sealants.

EXAMPLES

Examples I)

[0362] Preparation of the Polymers Required for the Study:

[0363] The following materials were used for the preparation of the prepolymers and silane-terminated polymers: [0364] 4,4′-methylene diphenyl isocyanate, Alfa Aesar [0365] IPDI Wanate IPDI, DKSH [0366] PolyU L 4000 (low monool polyoxypropylene diol, OH number 27 mg KOH/g, viscosity 1000 mPa.Math.s), PolyU GmbH [0367] PolyU L 12000 (low monool polyoxypropylene diol, OH number 10 mg KOH/g, viscosity 6000 mPa.Math.s), PolyU GmbH [0368] diethyl maleate, Acros Organics [0369] 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, Alfa Aesar [0370] 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, Alfa Aesar [0371] 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate, Acros Organics [0372] 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate, TCI [0373] DBTL Kosmos 19, Evonik, 20% strength, dissolved in Hexamoll DINCH, BASF [0374] TiPOSS, 20% strength, dissolved in Hexamoll DINCH, BASF [0375] vinyltrimethoxysilane, VTMO, Acros Organics [0376] vinyltriethoxysilane, VTEO, Alfa Aesar

[0377] Preparation of Triethoxysilane-Terminated Polymers (ESTP) and Trimethoxysilane-Terminated Polymers (MSTP)

[0378] A) Preparation of Triethoxysilane-Terminated Polymers (ESTP) and Trimethoxysilane-Terminated Polymers (MSTP) From the reaction of MDI Prepolymer With N-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)aminosuccinic acid diethyl ester or N-(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)aminosuccinic acid diethyl ester:

[0379] A1) Synthesis of Triethoxysilane-Terminated Polymer (ESTP)

[0380] Step 1; MDI Prepolymer Synthesis: Reaction of 4,4′-MDI With PolyU L 4000 and TiPOSS as Catalyst

[0381] In a reaction vessel under a nitrogen atmosphere, 31.3 g of 4,4′-methylene diphenyl isocyanate was melted at 55° C., and 250 g of PolyU L 4000 heated to 50° C. was added while stirring within 30 min. The mixture was cooled down to room temperature, and 0.625 g of a 1% TiPOSS solution (corresponding to 22 ppm of TiPOSS) in DINCH was added. After a reaction time of 3 h at room temperature, by means of titration, a content of free isocyanate groups of 1.9% by weight (calculated value: 1.9% by weight) was obtained. The viscosity of the resulting prepolymer was 5000 mPa.Math.s.

[0382] Step 2, Aminosilane Synthesis: Reaction of Diethyl Maleate With 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane

[0383] A reaction vessel was initially charged with 50 g of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, and 38.9 g of diethyl maleate was added at room temperature within 30 min. The mixture was stirred at 80° C. for a further 12 h. 87 g of N-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)aminosuccinic acid diethyl ester was obtained as a water-clear liquid.

[0384] Step 3, Synthesis of Triethoxysilane-Terminated Polymer ESTP 1:

[0385] To 171.2 g of MDI prepolymer with 0.0038 g of TiPOSS under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature was added 30 g of N-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)aminosuccinic acid diethyl ester while stirring. The reaction was ended after 2 h at 80° C.; it was no longer possible to detect any free isocyanate. The viscosity of the resultant triethoxysilane-terminated polymer ESTP 1 was 18 000 mPa.Math.s.

[0386] A2) Comparative Experiment for A1; Synthesis of Triethoxysilane-Terminated Polymer ESTP 2

[0387] For a comparison, the MDI prepolymer synthesis of step 1 of reaction sequence A1 was repeated using 0.625 g of a 1% DBTL solution in DINCH as catalyst. The subsequent steps were conducted analogously to the manner described above. A triethoxysilane-terminated polymer ESTP 2 with viscosity of 28 000 mPa.Math.s was obtained.

[0388] A3) Trimethoxysilane-Terminated Polymers (MSTP)

[0389] Step 1; MDI Prepolymer Synthesis: Reaction of 4,4′-MDI With PolyU L 4000 and TiPOSS as Catalyst

[0390] As described under A1.

[0391] Step 2, Aminosilane Synthesis: Reaction of Diethyl Maleate With 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane

[0392] A reaction vessel was initially charged with 51 g of 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, and 49 g of diethyl maleate was added at room temperature within 30 min. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for a further 2 h. 97.8 g of N-(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)aminosuccinic acid diethyl ester was obtained as a water-clear liquid.

[0393] Step 3, Synthesis of Trimethoxysilane-Terminated Polymer MSTP 1:

[0394] To 240 g of MDI prepolymer with 0.006 g of TiPOSS under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature was added 37.5 g of N-(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)aminosuccinic acid diethyl ester while stirring. The reaction was ended after 2 h; it was no longer possible to detect any free isocyanate. The viscosity of the resultant trimethoxysilane-terminated polymer MSTP 1 was 17 000 mPa.Math.s.

[0395] A4) Comparative Experiment for A3; Synthesis of Trimethoxysilane-Terminated Polymer MSTP 2

[0396] For a comparison, the MDI prepolymer synthesis of step 1 of reaction sequence A1 was repeated using 0.625 g of a 1% DBTL solution in DINCH as catalyst. The subsequent steps were conducted analogously to the manner described above.

[0397] To 240 g of MDI prepolymer with 0.006 g of DBTL under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature was added 37.5 g of N-(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)aminosuccinic acid diethyl ester while stirring. The reaction was ended after 2 h; it was no longer possible to detect any free isocyanate. A trimethoxysilane-terminated polymer MSTP 2 with viscosity of 25 000 mPa.Math.s was obtained.

[0398] B) Preparation of Triethoxysilane-Terminated Polymers (ETSP) and Trimethoxysilane-Terminated Polymers (MSTP) From the Reaction of 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate or 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate With PolyU L 12000

[0399] B1) Synthesis of Triethoxysilane-Terminated Polymer ESTP 3: Reaction of 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate and PolyU L 12000 With TiPOSS as Catalyst

[0400] A reaction vessel under a nitrogen atmosphere was initially charged with 250 g of PolyU L 12000, and 6.25 g of a 20% TiPOSS solution in DINCH was added while stirring. Subsequently, 10.98 g of 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate was added dropwise within 30 min. The reaction was ended after 2 h; it was no longer possible to detect any free isocyanate. The viscosity of the resultant triethoxysilane-terminated polymer was 7300 mPa.Math.s. Finally, 2% VTEO was added.

[0401] B2) Comparative Experiment for B1; Synthesis of Triethoxysilane-Terminated Polymer ESTP 4: Reaction of 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate and PolyU L 12000 With DBTL as Catalyst

[0402] A reaction vessel under a nitrogen atmosphere was initially charged with 250 g of PolyU L 12000, and 6.25 g of a 20% DBTL solution in DINCH was added while stirring. Subsequently, 10.98 g of 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate was added dropwise within 30 min. The reaction was ended after 2 h; it was no longer possible to detect any free isocyanate. The viscosity of the resultant triethoxysilane-terminated polymer was 7700 mPa.Math.s. Finally, 2% VTEO was added.

[0403] B3) Synthesis of Trimethoxysilane-Terminated Polymer MSTP 3: Reaction of 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate and PolyU L 12000 With TiPOSS as Catalyst

[0404] A reaction vessel under a nitrogen atmosphere was initially charged with 200 g of PolyU L 12000, and 5 g of a 20% DBTL solution in DINCH was added while stirring. Subsequently, 7.31 g of 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate was added dropwise within 30 min. The reaction was ended after 2 h; it was no longer possible to detect any free isocyanate. The viscosity of the resultant trimethoxysilane-terminated polymer was 8900 mPa.Math.s. Finally, 2% VTMO was added.

[0405] B4) Synthesis of Trimethoxysilane-Terminated Hybrid Polymer MSTP 4: Reaction of 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate and PolyU L 12000 With DBTL as Catalyst

[0406] A reaction vessel under a nitrogen atmosphere was initially charged with 200 g of PolyU L 12000, and 5 g of a 20% DBTL solution in DINCH was added while stirring. Subsequently, 7.31 g of 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate was added dropwise within 30 min. The reaction was ended after 2 h; it was no longer possible to detect any free isocyanate. The viscosity of the resultant trimethoxysilane-terminated polymer was 9100 mPa.Math.s. Finally, 2% VTMO was added.

[0407] C) Testing of the Curing Characteristics of Triethoxysilane-Terminated Polymers ESTP 1 to 4 and Trimethoxysilane-Terminated Polymers MSTP 1 to 4

[0408] The curing characteristics of the silane-terminated polymers were tested by determining the fibre time TT and tack-free time TFT on samples of thickness 2 mm at 23° C./50% RH. For this purpose, the samples were made up without catalyst and with TiPOSS, DBTL or with a combination of TiPOSS and DBTL and cured.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE A Curing characteristics of triethoxysilane-terminated polymers (ESTP 1 to 4) and trimethoxysilane-terminated polymers (MSTP 1 to 4) using TiPOSS and DBTL ESTP 1 ESTP 2 ESTP 3 ESTP 4 MSTP 1 MSTP 2 MSTP 3 MSTP 4 TT/TFT TT/TFT TT/TFT TT/TFT TT/TFT TT/TFT TT/TFT TT/TFT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 TS 1 No further No No >48 h/ >30 h/ No No 6 h/ 1 h/ addition reaction reaction <72 h 48 h reaction reaction 12 h 3.5 h of cat. for 7 for 7 for 7 for 7 days days days days TS 2 +0.5% by No 8 h/No 22 h/ 6 h/ 16 h/ 5 h/ 40 min/ 15 min/ wt. reaction through- <48 h 20 h 44 h No 1.5 h 45 min TiPOSS for 7 days curing through- curing TS 3 +0.5% by 6.5 h/ 42 h/ 5 h/ >24 h/ 1.5 h/ 2.5 h/ 15 min/ 40 min/ wt. <40 h 65 h 16 h 48 h 5 h 8 h 45 min 2 h DBTL TS 4 +0.5% by 5.5 h/ 7 h/ 3 h/ 6 h/ 1 h/ 1.5 h/ 10 min/ 15 min/ wt. <30 h <30 h 8 h 18 h 4 h 5.5 h 40 min 45 min TiPOSS; +0.5% by wt. DBTL TS = test series

[0409] Columns 1, 2, 3 and 4 describe curing characteristics under air humidity (23° C./50% RH) of the triethoxysilane-terminated polymers to which additional catalyst (TiPOSS, by way of example DBTL, a 1:1 mixture of DBTL/TiPOSS) has or has not been added (ESTP 1 to 4). The triethoxysilane-terminated polymers have been obtained via the reaction of MDI prepolymer with N-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)aminosuccinic acid diethyl ester (ESTP 1, TiPOSS-catalysed and ESTP 2, DBTL-catalysed) and via the reaction of triethoxysilylpropyl isocyanate with polyol (ESTP 3, TiPOSS-catalysed and ESTP 4, DBTL-catalysed).

[0410] Columns 5, 6, 7 and 8 describe, by way of comparison, the reactions of the corresponding trimethoxysilane-terminated polymers prepared in the same way (MSTP 1 to 4).

[0411] D) Conclusion:

[0412] It can be inferred overall from the examples of columns 1-8 that the combination of equal parts of TiPOSS and DBTL used by way of example (but also bismuth, zinc, tin, zirconium, aluminium catalysts etc.) has a particularly advantageous effect on the curing of silane-terminated polymers. All silane-terminated polymers of test series 4 lead to fully cured hybrid polymers. It is particularly surprising here that the triethoxysilane-terminated polymers that are normally of limited reactivity (ESTP 1 to 4, test series 4) cure fully within customary curing times (up to 40 h). The curing outcome from column 3, test series 3, and column 4, test series 2, corroborates this result since there is likewise a catalyst mixture in this case of TiPOSS and DBTL. In the table, the corresponding triethoxysilane-terminated polymers that cure in a particularly accelerated manner by virtue of the catalyst mixture of TiPOSS and DBTL are marked. Furthermore, it is clear from test series 1, in the case of the trimethoxysilane-terminated polymers (columns 5 to 8), that the polymers that have been prepared from the silylation using TiPOSS are much more stable with respect to curing with air humidity (test series 1, columns 5 and 7). All triethoxysilane-terminated polymers ESTP 1-4 (test series 1, columns 1 to 4) and polymers MSTP 1 and MSTP 2 (test series 1, columns 5 and 6) are of limited reactivity without additional catalysis and do not have an adequate curing tendency (skin formation) even after a number of days.

[0413] The main results of the curing tests can be summarized as follows: [0414] 1) The moisture-induced curing of triethoxysilane-terminated polymers is greatly accelerated by the use of a catalyst combination of TiPOSS and DBTL (bismuth, zinc, tin, zirconium, aluminium etc.) and hence satisfies practical requirements. [0415] 2) By contrast, the use of a single catalyst (TiPOSS or DBTL) does not lead to a practically appropriate curing rate of the triethoxysilanized hybrid polymers. [0416] 3) The use of TiPOSS as sole catalyst for the synthesis of the silane-terminated polymers has the advantage that they are particularly stable with respect to ingress of water (humidity, residual moisture, formulation raw materials, etc.).

[0417] In order to demonstrate the practical suitability of an abovementioned triethoxysilane-terminated polymer (ESTP 3), it was processed as a polymer in an illustrative standard sealant and adhesive formulation. The resultant sealant and adhesive was examined with regard to curing characteristics (skin time, ST), hardness and density.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE B Composition in parts by weight and results of the evaluation of an illustrative standard sealant and adhesive using the ethoxysilane-terminated polymer ESTP 3 Example 1 ESTP 3 25* Chalk 45 Plasticizer 20 Titanium dioxide 3.35 Water scavenger 1.5 Adhesion promoter 1.95 DBTL 0.2 Skin time [min] 22 Shore A hardness 35 Density [g/cm.sup.3] 1.43 *contains 0.13 part by weight of TiPOSS

[0418] The results for skin time and hardness obtained with this material are within the range of values achieved with comparable industrial adhesives and sealants.

Example II)

[0419] The present invention relates to the composition and to the process for preparing polyurethane prepolymers and polyurethane systems based on polyols, di- or polyisocyanates and a TiPOSS-based catalyst.

[0420] TiPOSS-based catalysts that are preferred in accordance with the invention are those disclosed in EP 2 989 155 B1 and EP 2 796 493 A1. The disclosure of these documents is fully incorporated with regard to the catalysts. Particular preference is given to the catalysts (metallosilsesquioxane) according to embodiment 5 of EP 2 989 155 B1.

[0421] The study of the activity of heptaisobutyl POSS-titanium(IV) ethoxide (TiPOSS) for the formation of polyurethane compounds was conducted by way of example in comparison with dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTDL) and tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate (tin octoate) in various unfoamed and foamed polyurethane systems. Particular attention was paid to the effect on the preparation of the silylated polyurethanes (SPUR) by the IPDI route. The model formulations from the CASE application sectors, soft foam and flexible foam (slabstock foam), were examined here with regard to their curing characteristics at room temperature (23° C./50% RH) using various polyols and isocyanates with the same catalyst content of TiPOSS and DBTDL or tin octoate. For simplification, the studies have been conducted under the assumption that a complete stoichiometric reaction (index 100) can take place between isocyanate and polyol. In principle, the studies are also applicable to the preparation of prepolymers. The catalytic activity of the catalysts examined was determined by the determination and comparison of cream time, fibre time and tack-free time.

[0422] 1.) Study of TiPOSS/DBTDL in Unfoamed Polyurethane Formulations

[0423] a) Propylene glycol polyols

[0424] The polyol A component consisted of a polypropylene diol and the TiPOSS catalyst in the form of a 20% solution in diisononyl phthalate (DINP). For comparison of catalytic activity, a corresponding identical polyol A component was prepared using DBTDL. The amount of catalyst was 0.2 percent by weight in each case (neglecting the amount of solvent). In order to study the influence of molecular weight, the molecular weight was additionally varied from low (MW ˜2000) to high (MW ˜18 000), since it can be assumed that the reactivity of polypropylene polyols that are of limited reactivity in any case will decrease further with rising molecular weight, and hence differences in reactivity will be particularly readily observable.

[0425] The polypropylene polyols tested were accordingly those with MW ˜2000 (Rokopol D2002, PCC Rokita), MW ˜8000 (Rokopol LDB 8000), MW ˜12 000 (Rokopol LDB 12000) and MW ˜18 000 (Rokopol LDB 18000).

[0426] The crosslinker components used were the isocyanates P-MDI (Voranate M230, Dow), IPDI (Wanate IPDI, DKSH) and HDI trimer isocyanurates (Vestanat HT2500/100). The reaction between polyol A and isocyanate B component was effected by stirring the two components at 1000 rpm with a conventional propeller stirrer for 10 s. After the stirring process had ended, the resultant reaction mixture was cast into slabs of thickness ˜6 mm (10 g). The curing characteristics were determined from the cream time, fibre time and tack-free time.

[0427] It was found that the TiPOSS-catalysed curing of polyurethane at room temperature is significantly accelerated using the polypropylene polyols described compared to the corresponding DBTDL-catalysed crosslinking. The acceleration of the reaction, according to the combination of polyol and isocyanate examined, is between a factor of 2 and a factor of 100. Viewed overall, the factor of reaction acceleration when TiPOSS is used particularly surprisingly increases for the HDI trimer of isocyanurate used, and to a lesser degree for IPDI.

[0428] Conclusion for SPUR Methodology:

[0429] Since the reaction between the DMC polyols and IPDI isocyanate is the crucial reaction for the commercial preparation of SPUR (hybrid polymers), this finding is of great significance. Since we are already able to establish a considerable increase in reaction at room temperature and with 1:1 stoichiometry, it can be expected that, under the customary conditions of SPUR prepolymer preparation, it is possible to work with considerably smaller amounts of catalyst (⅕ to 1/10) and/or a lower temperature (<80° C.) and/or shortening of the reaction time. Since the formation of by-products in this preparation leads to an unwanted increase in viscosity, a distinct improvement in the reaction regime and product quality is thus to be expected.

[0430] With regard to the ever-increasing economic significance of the SPUR products, the use of the TiPOSS catalyst is expected to lead both to a cost benefit over tin catalysts and to a product benefit.

[0431] a) Propylene glycol polyols, ethylene glycol-Tipped

[0432] In order to assess whether these observations are also applicable to more reactive polyether polyols, by way of example, polyether polyols with MW ˜4000 and f=2 and MW ˜4850 and f=3 tipped with ethoxy groups at the termini were examined. It has been found that the differences in reactivity of the polyol systems catalysed with TiPOSS and DBTDL are smaller in the case of use of reactive polyether triol. Here too, it is again observed that the acceleration in reactivity of the crosslinking by TiPOSS is particularly effective for the HDI trimer.

[0433] 2.) Study of the Activity of TiPOSS/DBTL in Silane-Terminated Polyurethanes

[0434] The speed of fibre formation and curing in silane-terminated polyurethanes was determined on 6 mm SPUR slabs that had been produced by mixing the silane-terminated polyurethanes with 0.2 percent by weight each of TiPOSS and DBTL (each in solution, 20% in DINP). The mixing was effected with exclusion of air in an argon inert gas atmosphere with a conventional propeller stirrer. The mixed material was cured at 23° C./50% RH.

[0435] 3.) Study of the Activity of TiPOSS/DBTDL in Flexible Polyurethane Foam Formulations

[0436] The polyol A component consisted of a reactive, ethoxy group-tipped polyether triol (Rokopol M 5020, f=3), water and the TiPOSS catalyst, in the form of a 20% solution in diisononyl phthalate (DINP). For comparison of catalytic activity, a corresponding identical polyol A component was prepared using DBTDL. The amount of catalyst was 0.2 percent by weight in each case (neglecting the DINP solvent). By way of comparison, the reaction was conducted using a less reactive polypropylene polyol (Rokopol D 2002, f=2).

[0437] The crosslinking component used was the isocyanate P-MDI (Voranate M230). The reaction between polyol A and isocyanate B component was effected by stirring the two components at 2500 rpm with a conventional propeller stirrer for 10 s. The reaction was stoichiometric. After the stirring process had ended, the reaction mixture obtained (20 g) was poured into cups. The curing characteristics were determined from the cream time and tack-free time.

[0438] It was found that the activity of TiPOSS when using ethoxylated polyols is comparable to that of DBTDL. By contrast, the curing process in the case of the formulation made from a pure polypropylene polyol is more significantly accelerated by TiPOSS.

[0439] 4.) Study of the Activity of TiPOSS/Tin Octoate in a Slabstock Polyurethane Foam Formulation

[0440] The polyol A component consisted of a standard polyester polyol based on Desmophen 2200 B, an amine catalyst (N,N-dimethylpiperazine and N,N-dimethylhexadecylamine), cell stabilizers, water and the TiPOSS catalyst, in the form of a 20% solution in DINP. For comparison of catalytic activity, a corresponding identical polyol A component was prepared using tin octoate. The amount of TiPOSS and tin octoate catalyst was 0.03 percent by weight in each case.

[0441] The crosslinking components used were the isocyanate Desmodur T65 and a prepolymer having an NCO content of about 12%. The reaction was effected in a stoichiometric ratio (index 100). The reaction between polyol A and isocyanate B components was effected by stirring the two components at 1000 rpm with a Visco Jet stirrer unit for 10 s. After the stirring process had ended, the resultant reaction mixture (˜400 g) was poured into a 2 L wooden box, and the curing characteristics were determined from the cream time and tack-free time.

[0442] It was found that the activity of TiPOSS is comparable to that of tin octoate. The resultant foams from the reaction with TiPOSS have lower density; strength properties and indentation hardness are correspondingly lower.

[0443] 5.) Overall Conclusion/Applications

[0444] a) Use of TiPOSS in the Preparation of SPUR Prepolymers

[0445] The significant increase in reaction described in the reaction between the DMC polyols and IPDI can be used for the commercial production of SPUR (hybrid polymers). It can be expected here that it will be possible to use considerably smaller amounts of catalyst (⅕ to 1/10) and/or a lower temperature (<80° C.) and/or a shortened reaction time. Since, in general, the formation of by-products in this preparation leads to an unwanted increase in viscosity, a distinct improvement in the reaction regime and product quality, including lower product viscosity (very important for the formulator), is thus possible.

[0446] b) Preparation of KOH-Based PU Prepolymers With TiPOSS

[0447] The formation of prepolymers obtained from the reaction of KOH-based polyols and aliphatic and aromatic isocyanates can be brought about with considerably smaller amounts of TiPOSS catalyst (⅕ to 1/10) and/or a lower temperature (<80° C.) and/or a shortened reaction time. Since the formation of by-products in this preparation leads to an unwanted increase in viscosity, a distinct improvement in the reaction regime and product quality can thus be assumed.

[0448] c) Use of TiPOSS in 2-Component Clear Encapsulating Systems and PU Varnishes Based on HDI and Other Aliphatic Isocyanates

[0449] Use of TiPOSS as catalyst increases the curing rate in 2-component polyurethane clear encapsulating systems and PU varnishes. The increase in molecular weight distinctly improves the mechanical properties of the varnishes and encapsulating compounds.

[0450] d) TDI Foams/Use of TiPOSS in the Production of Slabstock Foams

[0451] In the production of TDI-based slabstock foams, through use of TiPOSS as catalyst, it is possible to dispense with the use of tin compounds that are harmful to health—as in all other applications mentioned in 5.). There is no loss here in product quality.

[0452] e) FIPFG (Foamed in Place Foam Gaskets)—Sealant Foams

[0453] The production of 2-component polyurethane systems for the FIPFG process based on TiPOSS-catalysed curing is particularly advantageous since the curing process is accelerated by the higher reactivity of TiPOSS compared to DBTL. Polyurethane products can additionally be produced without tin compounds that are harmful to health, which is particularly important for the production of sealant materials in the medical sector, kitchen applications, etc.

[0454] f) Use of TiPOSS in Moisture-Curing 1-Component Isocyanate-Terminated Prepolymers

[0455] The curing of 1-component isocyanate-terminated prepolymers can be accelerated by the use of TiPOSS. It is possible to dispense with the use of tin compounds that are harmful to health. This is of particular relevance when these prepolymers are used as adhesives for customary floor coverings, since it is thus possible to avoid possible contamination, even if only by small amounts of tin, via the skin of the foot.

[0456] 6.) Specific Embodiments

[0457] Studies on the activity of heptaisobutyl-POSS-titanium(IV) ethoxide TiPOSS in comparison to DBTL

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 1 Polyols from the KOH- catalyzed reaction f = 2, MW = 2000, PO f = 2, MW = 4000, PO, EO tipped Isocyanate Catalyst f = 3, MW = 4800, PO, EO tipped P-MDI* TiPOSS 0.2% vs. + DTBL 0.2% P-MDI TiPOSS 0.2% vs. ++ DTBL 0.2%

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 2 SPUR Catalyst activity Silylated TiPOSS 0.2% vs. + Polyurethane DTBL 0.2% (nonaromatic)

[0458] List of Abbreviations

[0459] Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, Elastomers (CASE)

[0460] Diisononyl phthalate (DINP)

[0461] Dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTDL or DBTL)

[0462] Tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate (tin octoate)

[0463] Silylated polyurethanes/silylated polyurethane resins (SPUR)

[0464] Heptaisobutyl POSS-titanium(IV) ethoxide (TiPOSS)

[0465] Dimethylcyclosiloxane (DMC)

[0466] Polyurethane (PU)

[0467] Potassium hydroxide (KOH)

[0468] FIPFG (foamed in place foam gaskets—sealant foams)

[0469] Titanium (Ti)

[0470] Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)

[0471] Embodiments, especially for Examples II [0472] 1. Process for preparing prepolymers by reacting a component A with a component B in the presence of a catalyst in a liquid medium, where component A is a polyol and component B a crosslinking component (crosslinker), characterized in that component A is in deficiency relative to component B, and component A and component B are especially used in a ratio of at least 1:1.05, preferably of 1:2.2, and the catalyst is selected from the group of the tin-free polyhedral oligomeric metallosilsesquioxanes, preferably from the group of the titanium(IV) polyoctahedral silsesquioxanes. [0473] 2. Process for preparing polyurethanes by combining a two-component system having a component A and a component B in the presence of a catalyst in a liquid medium, where component A is a polyol and component B a crosslinking component (crosslinker), characterized in that components A and B are present separately, and the catalyst has preferably been formulated with component A, and components A and B are present in a ratio of 1.2:1.0 up to 1.0:1.2. [0474] 3. Process for producing polyurethane systems, characterized in that the prepolymers are prepared or preparable according to either of Embodiments 1 and 2 using a catalyst selected from the group of the tin-free polyhedral oligomeric metallosilsesquioxanes, preferably from the group of the titanium(IV) polyoctahedral silsesquioxanes. [0475] 4. Process according to Embodiment 3, characterized in that the prepolymers are functionalized before the reaction with aminosilanes. [0476] 5. Process according to any of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that auxiliaries are added. [0477] 6. Process according to Embodiment 5, characterized in that the auxiliaries are selected from the group consisting of water, cell stabilizers, amine catalysts, fillers, adhesion promoters, moisture scavengers, plasticizers, UV stabilizers, thixotropic agents, or combinations thereof, preferably with one or more additives being one or more silanes. [0478] 7. Process according to Embodiment 6, characterized in that the amine catalyst may be N,N-dimethylpiperazine and/or N,N-dimethylhexadecylamine or a mixture thereof. [0479] 8. Process according to any of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the catalyst is R.sup.1-POSS-titanium(IV) ethoxide (TiPOSS) where R.sup.1 is an alkyl, allyl or aryl radical or mixtures thereof, and R.sup.1 is preferably a heptaisobutyl radical. [0480] 9. Process according to any of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the catalyst content is between 0.0001% and 5% by weight, preferably between 0.001% and 2% by weight, further preferably between 0.01% and 0.3% by weight, especially preferably 0.2, more especially preferably 0.03. [0481] 10. Process according to any of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the crosslinker is an isocyanate. [0482] 11. Process according to Embodiment 10, characterized in that the isocyanate is aromatic and/or aliphatic, preferably methylene diphenyl isocyanates (MDI) and/or isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and/or a hexamethylene diisocyanate trimer (HDI trimer) or a mixture thereof. [0483] 12. Process according to any of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the polyol is a polyoxypropylene diol, preferably having a molar mass between 2000 g/mol and 18 000 g/mol, more preferably having a molar mass between 12 000 g/mol and 18 000 g/mol. [0484] 13. Process according to any of the preceding Embodiments 1 to 11, characterized in that the polyol is an ethoxylated polyol, preferably a polyether triol tipped with ethoxy groups, and more preferably has a molar mass between 2000 g/mol and 4850 g/mol. [0485] 14. Process according to any of Embodiments 1 to 11, characterized in that the polyol is a polyester polyol, preferably Desmophen 2200 B. [0486] 15. Process according to any of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the polyol comes from a KOH- and/or DMC-catalysed reaction. [0487] 16. Process according to any of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the liquid medium is an organic solvent, preferably diisononyl phthalate (DINP). [0488] 17. Process according to any of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that it is tin-free.