Synthesis of Polyether Polyols using Glycerol Phosphate Disodium Salt as Initiator

The employment of glycerol phosphate as initiator for the synthesis of polyether polyols is explored in order to open the possibility of preparing a new range of products with enhanced flame retardant properties. For this purpose, glycerol phosphate disodium salt was employed as initiator, caesium hydroxide was selected as catalyst and dimethyl sulfoxide as the aprotic solvent. The influence of the operative conditions on the polymerization rate and the product properties was studied. This study revealed that the employment of dimethyl sulfoxide allows the activation of the initiator and the start-up of the propylene oxide incorporation to the polyol chain. The optimal ratio between the catalyst and the initiator resulted to be 1:6 using CsOH. MALDI-TOF MS, H-1-NMR and P-31-NMR results confirmed that the phosphate was incorporated into the polymer chain. Finally, the thermal stability of the phosphorylated polyols was confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis.