Polyurethanes From 4,4′-Diphenylmethane Diisocyanate and Poly(oxyethylene) Glycols. I. Preparation and General Properties

Linear polyurethanes (PU) from 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate and an equimolar quantity of poly(oxyethylene) glycol (PEG) of various molecular weight (106, 200, 400, 1000, 2000, and 4000) were obtained by polymerization using 4-methylpentanone-2 as solvent at 115 °C. Alternative reaction conditions and melt polymerization were also applied. Samples were characterized by elemental analysis, solubility, I.R. spectroscopy, DSC (Tm, Tg ), [n] and [Mbar]n (osmotic). The results are correlated with the molecular weight of PEG and discussed.