Rigid urethane foams from hydroxymethylated castor oil, safflower oil, oleic safflower oil, and polyol esters of castor acids

Castor, safflower, and oleic safflower oil derivatives with enhanced reactivity and hydroxyl group content were prepared by hydroformylation with a rhodium‐triphenylphosphine catalyst, followed by hydrogenation. Rigid urethane foams prepared from these hydroxymethylated derivatives had excellent compressive strengths, closed cell contents, and dimensional stability. Best properties were obtained from hydroxymethylated polyol esters of castor acids.