Polyhydroxyalkylation of urea with ethylene carbonate and application of obtained products as components of Polyurethane foams

The reaction between urea and ethylene carbonate occur with partial release of CO2 and partial incorporation of carbonate groups into products. The carbonate groups were found to be attached both to nitrogen of urea and to oxyethylene chain. The most effective catalyst of the synthesis was potassium carbonate. The hydroxyethyl and hydroxyethoxy groups of urea derivatives undergo partial dimerization to form carbamate groups in the products. The products of reaction between urea and ethylene carbonate have good thermal stability, they start to decompose at 200°C. The obtained products can be used as polyol components for polyurethane foams. Polyurethane foams obtained from hydroxyethoxy derivatives of urea (EC8) are rigid products of low water uptake, good stability of dimensions, low mass loss on 30 days heating at 150 C, enhanced thermal stability and good compressive strength.