Polyurethane/urea containing pendant alkoxysilane groups

1. Polyurethane/ureas wherein the polyurethane/ureas contain 0.5 to 6% by weight, based on the weight of the polyurethane/ureas, of alkoxysilane groups (calculated as Si, MW 28), which have been incorporated by the reaction of isocyanate groups with a dihydroxy compound containing urea and alkoxysilane groups, said dihydroxy compound corresponding to the formula I

[HO—X] 2 —N—CO—NH—Y—Si—(Z) 3   (I)

wherein

X represents the same or different C 1 -C 4 linear or branched alkylene groups,

Y represents a linear or branched alkylene group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and

Z independently represents organic groups that are inert to isocyanate groups below 100° C., provided that at least one group is an alkoxy group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;

and wherein the polyurethane/ureas optionally contain hydrophilic groups and are optionally dispersed in an aqueous medium.

2. The polyurethane/ureas of claim 1 wherein

X represents an ethylene group,

Y represents a propylene group, and

Z represents a methoxy group.

3. The polyurethane/ureas of claim 1 wherein the polyurethane/ureas contain hydrophilic groups and are dispersed in an aqueous medium.

4. The polyurethane/ureas of claim 2 wherein the polyurethane/ureas contain hydrophilic groups and are dispersed in an aqueous medium.

5. The polyurethane/ureas of claim 3 wherein said polyurethane/ureas contain 10 to 120 milliequivalents, per 100 grams of polyurethane/ureas, of chemically incorporated anionic groups and up to about 10% by weight, based on the weight of said polyurethane/ureas, of lateral and/or terminal hydrophilic chains containing ethylene oxide units.

6. The polyurethane/ureas of claim 4 wherein said polyurethane/ureas contain 10 to 120 milliequivalents, per 100 grams of polyurethane/ureas, of chemically incorporated anionic groups and up to about 10% by weight, based on the weight of said polyurethane/ureas, of lateral and/or terminal hydrophilic chains containing ethylene oxide units.

7. A process for preparing an polyurethane/ureas which comprises

a) preparing a prepolymer having at least two isocyanate groups by reacting an excess of an organic polyisocyanate with a high molecular weight polyol, a dihydroxy compound containing urea and alkoxysilane groups, optionally an isocyanate-reactive compound containing hydrophilic groups and optionally a low molecular weight isocyanate-reactive compound, said dihydroxy compound corresponding to the formula I

[HO—X] 2 —N—CO—NH—Y—Si—(Z) 3   (I)

wherein

X represents the same or different C 1 -C 4 linear or branched alkylene groups,

Y represents a linear or branched alkylene group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and

Z independently represents organic groups that are inert to isocyanate groups below 100° C., provided that at least one group is an alkoxy group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;

b) chain extending the prepolymer prepared in step a) by reacting the prepolymer with an amine chain extender, and

c) optionally dispersing the prepolymer of step a) or the chain extended prepolymer of step b) in an aqueous medium either before, during or after step b).

8. The process of claim 7 wherein

X represents an ethylene group,

Y represents a propylene group, and

Z represents a methoxy group.

9. The process of claim 7 wherein the optional isocyanate-reactive compound containing hydrophilic groups is present and step c) is carried out.

10. The process of claim 8 wherein the optional isocyanate-reactive compound containing hydrophilic groups is present and step c) is carried out.

11. The process of claim 9 wherein said polyurethane/ureas contain 10 to 120 milliequivalents, per 100 grams of polyurethane/ureas, of chemically incorporated anionic groups and up to about 10% by weight, based on the weight of said polyurethane/ureas, of lateral and/or terminal hydrophilic chains containing ethylene oxide units.

12. The process of claim 10 wherein said polyurethane/ureas contain 10 to 120 milliequivalents, per 100 grams of polyurethane/ureas, of chemically incorporated anionic groups and up to about 10% by weight, based on the weight of said polyurethane/ureas, of lateral and/or terminal hydrophilic chains containing ethylene oxide units.

13. A coating prepared from the polyurethane/ureas of claim 1 .

14. A coating prepared from the polyurethane/ureas of claim 1 wherein the polyurethane/ureas used to prepare the coating contain hydrophilic groups and are dispersed in an aqueous medium.