Abstract:
Urethane acrylate oligomers, suitable for use in coatings and like formulations, prepared by capping polyols having hydroxyl functionality (fOH) equal to or greater than 4, using 2-isocyanatoethyl acrylate or 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate, thereby avoiding the gelation that normally occurs in attempting to prepare urethane acrylates with high/OH polyols by reaction with diisocyanates. Reaction of low molecular weight polyols, containing two or three hydroxyl groups, with mono isocyanate(meth)acrylate monomers produces useful, low viscosity urethane (meth)acrylate oligomers. Specifically, capping of a mole of 2,2-dihydroxymethyl butanoic acid by two moles of 2-isocyanatoethyl acrylate molecules leads to the formation of radiation curable water-soluble liquid monomers that are transparent and soluble in water. Oligomers obtained by capping with 2-isocyanatoethyl acrylate demonstrate enhanced adhesion to glass and stainless steel. Solid, hydroxyl-containing chemicals can be transformed to liquids by reaction with monoisocyanate- (meth)acrylate monomers