| abstract |
This invention discloses the use of sulfite salts as catalysts to make polyurethane polymers. In particular, this invention discloses the use of metal salts such as alkali metal salts as well as alkyl ammonium salts such as tetralkyl ammonium salts as catalysts to make polyurethane polymers. The sulfite salts are useful to make polyurethane polymers and polyurethane foam polymer products such as flexible polyurethane foam polymers, rigid foam polyurethane polymers, semi-rigid polyurethane polymer, microcellular polyurethane polymer, and spray foam polyurethane polymer and any polymeric material that requires the assistance of catalysts to promote the formation of urethane and urea bonds such as those found in polyurethane emusions for paints, coatings, protective coatings, lacquer as well as other polyurethane or polyurethane containing materials such as thermoplastic polymers, thermoplastic polyurethane polymers, elastomers, adhesives, sealants, etc. Examples of suitable catalysts include sodium sulfite, potassium sulfite, lithium sulfite, tetramethylammonium sulfite and the like. |