Trimer catalysts with improved processability and surface cure

1. A method for preparing a polyisocyanurate/polyurethane foam which comprises contacting at least one polyisocyanate with at least one polyol, in the presence of at least one blowing agent and a catalytically effective amount of a catalyst composition comprising a solution of at least one diluent having dissolved therein at least one α,β-unsaturated carboxylate salt of the formula:

wherein X, Y, and Z are selected independently from methyl, —CO 2 H; —CO 2 M; or a hydrogen atom; and

wherein M in each occurrence is selected independently from

(i) a potassium ion, or

(ii) a quaternary ammonium ion, and wherein the at least one α,β-unsaturated carboxylate salt comprises a salt of at least one of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, and fumaric acid.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the presence of at least one urethane catalyst.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein X, Y, and Z are selected independently from a hydrogen atom and methyl.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein M is a quaternary ammonium ion.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein M is a potassium ion.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the quaternary ammonium ion comprises tetramethylammonium, tetraethylammonium, tetrapropylammonium, tetrabutylammonium, trimethyl(2-hydroxypropyl)ammonium, triethyl(2-hydroxypropyl) ammonium, tripropyl(2-hydroxypropyl)ammonium, tributyl(2-hydroxypropyl) ammonium, trimethyl(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium, triethyl(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium, tripropyl(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium, tributyl(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium, dimethylbenzyl(2-hydroxypropyl)ammonium, or dimethylbenzyl(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one α,β-unsaturated carboxylate salt comprises a salt of at least one of acrylic acid, and methacrylic acid.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one α,β-unsaturated carboxylate salt comprises at least one of potassium acrylate and tetramethylammonium acrylate.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the at least one α,β-unsaturated carboxylate salt comprises tetramethylammonium acrylate.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one polyol comprises at least one polyether polyol, at least one polyester polyol, or any combination thereof.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the foam has a density of 20 to 250 Kg/m 3 .

12. The method of claim 8 wherein the salt comprises potassium acrylate.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein said contacting further comprises contacting at least one member selected from the group consisting of stabilizers, surfactants, flame retardants, chain extenders, epoxy resins, acrylic resins, fillers and pigments.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the diluent comprises ethylene glycol.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the isocyanate index is from about 200 to about 400.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the catalyst, excluding the diluent, is present in an amount from about 0.05 to about 10 pphp and the foam has an isocyanate index of 80 to 500.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the catalyst composition comprises a solution of potassium acrylate dissolved in ethylene glycol.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the catalyst composition comprises a solution of tetramethylammonium acrylate dissolved in ethylene glycol.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the carboxylate salt comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of potassium acrylate, tetramethylammonium acrylate, tetraethylammonium acrylate, tetrapropylammonium acrylate, tetrabutylammonium acrylate, potassium methacrylate, tetramethylammonium methacrylate, tetraethylammonium methacrylate, tetrapropylammonium methacrylate, tetrabutylammonium methacrylate, mono-potassium fumarate, bis-potassium fumarate, mono-tetramethylammonium fumarate, bis-tetramethylammonium fumarate, potassium tetramethylammonium fumarate, mono-tetraethylammonium fumarate, bis-tetraethylammonium fumarate, potassium tetraethylammonium fumarate, mono-tetrapropylammonium fumarate, bis-tetrapropylammonium fumarate, potassium tetrapropylammonium fumarate, mono-tetrabutylammonium fumarate, bis-tetrabutylammonium fumarate, and potassium tetrabutylammonium fumarate.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the polyisocyanate comprises at least one of toluene diisocyanate and diphenyl methane diisocyanate isomers.

21. The method of claim 2 wherein the urethane catalyst comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of triethylenediamine, N-methylimidazole, 1,2-dimethylimidazole, N-methylmorpholine, N-ethylmorpholine, triethylamine, N,N′-dimethylpiperazine, 1,3,5-tris(dimethylaminopropyl)hexahydrotriazine, 2,4,6-tris(dimethylaminomethyl)phenol, N-methyldicyclohexylamine, pentamethyldipropylene triamine, N-methyl-N′-(2-dimethylamino)-ethyl-piperazine, tributylamine, pentamethyldiethylenetriamine, hexamethyltriethylenetetramine, heptamethyltetraethylenepentamine, dimethylaminocyclohexylamine, pentamethyldipropylene-triamine, triethanolamine, dimethylethanolamine, bis(dimethylaminoethyl)ether, tris(3-dimethylamino)propylamine, 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0] undecene or its acid blocked derivatives, and any mixtures thereof.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the urethane catalyst comprises pentamethyldiethylenetriamine.

23. A method for preparing a polyisocyanurate/polyurethane foam which comprises contacting at least one polyisocyanate with at least one polyol, in the presence of at least one blowing agent and a catalytically effective amount of a catalyst composition comprising the contact product of at least one diluent and at least one member selected from the group consisting of potassium acrylate, tetramethylammonium acrylate, tetraethylammonium acrylate, tetrapropylammonium acrylate, tetrabutylammonium acrylate, potassium methacrylate, tetramethylammonium methacrylate, tetraethylammonium methacrylate, tetrapropylammonium methacrylate, tetrabutylammonium methacrylate, mono-potassium fumarate, bis-potassium fumarate, mono-tetramethylammonium fumarate, bis-tetramethylammonium fumarate, potassium tetramethylammonium fumarate, mono-tetraethylammonium fumarate, bis-tetraethylammonium fumarate, potassium tetraethylammonium fumarate, mono-tetrapropylammonium fumarate, bis-tetrapropylammonium fumarate, potassium tetrapropylammonium fumarate, mono-tetrabutylammonium fumarate, bis-tetrabutylammonium fumarate, and potassium tetrabutylammonium fumarate.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the catalyst composition further comprises at least one amine compound.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the amine compound comprises 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undecene or its acid blocked derivatives.

26. The method of claim 23 wherein said contacting further comprises contacting at least one surfactant.