Preparation of polyetherols by ring-opening polymerization of alkylene oxides

Abstract

A process for preparing polyetherols by ring-opening polymerization of alkylene oxides onto H-functional initiator molecules, which comprises at least one process step a) in which a compound of the formula (I) M′ a M″ b (OH) c O d *A c *L f   (I), applied to a solid inert support or incorporated in the latter or molded to form a shaped body is used as catalyst, and at least one process step b) in which a multimetal cyanide compound of the formula (II) M 1 a [M 2 (CN) b (A) c ] d .fM 1 g X n .h(H 2 O).eL   (II) applied to a solid, inert support or incorporated in the latter or molded to form a shaped body or in powder or paste form is used as catalyst.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A process for preparing polyetherols by ring-opening polymerization of alkylene oxides onto H-functional initiator molecules, which comprises at least one process step a) in which a compound of the formula (I)  
       M′ a M″ b (OH) c O d *A e *L f    (I),  
       where 
 M′ is a metal ion selected from groups IA, IIA of the Periodic Table and Ni or Zn, and mixtures thereof,  
 M″ is a metal ion selected from groups IIIA, IVA, IB to VIIIB of the Periodic Table and As, Sb and Bi, and mixtures thereof,  
 A is at least one singly charged or multiply charged, inorganic or organic anion,  
 L is at least one inorganic or organic ligand,  
 where  
 a is a rational number greater than zero,  
 b, c, d, e, f are rational numbers greater than or equal to zero,  
 c and d must not simultaneously be zero,  
 a, b, c, d, e and f are selected such that the compound is electrically neutral,  
 applied to a solid inert support or incorporated in the latter or molded to form a shaped body is used as catalyst,  
 and at least one process step b) in which a multimetal cyanide compound of the formula (II)  
 M 1   a [M 2 (CN) b (A) c ] d .fM 1   g X n .h(H 2 O).eL   (II)  
 where  
 M 1  is at least one metal ion selected from the group consisting of Zn2+, Fe2+, Co3+, Ni2+, Mn2+, Co2+, Sn2+, Pb2+, Mo4+, Mo6+, Al3+, V4+, V5+, Sr2+, W4+, W6+, Cr2+, Cr3+, Cd2+,  
 M 2  is at least one metal ion selected from the group consisting of Fe2+, Fe3+, Co2+, Co3+, Mn2+, Mn3+, V4+, V5+, Cr2+, Cr3+, Rh3+, Ru2+, Ir3+ 
 and M 1  and M 2  are identical or different,  
 A is at least one anion selected from the group consisting of halide, hydroxide, sulfate, carbonate, cyanide, thiocyanate, isocyanate, cyanate, carboxylate, oxalate and nitrate,  
 X is at least one anion selected from the group consisting of halide, hydroxide, sulfate, carbonate, cyanide, thiocyanate, isocyanate, cyanate, carboxylate, oxalate and nitrate,  
 L is at least one water-miscible ligand selected from the group consisting of alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, ethers, polyethers, esters, ureas, amides, nitriles and sulfides,  
 and  
 a, b, c, d, g and n are selected such that the compound is electrically neutral, and  
 e is the coordination number of the ligand,  
 e and f are fractional numbers or integers greater than or equal to 0  
 h is a fractional number or integer greater than or equal to 0,  
 applied to a solid, inert support or incorporated in the latter or molded to form a shaped body or in powder or paste form is used as catalyst.  
 
     
     
         2 . A process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein alkylene oxide is first added onto the initiator molecule in a process step a) and a process step b) is then carried out.  
     
     
         3 . A process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein alkylene oxide is first added onto the initiator molecule in a process step a), a process step b) is then carried out and another process step a) is carried out subsequently.  
     
     
         4 . A process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the alkylene oxide used in process step a) is ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide and the alkylene oxide used in process step b) is propylene oxide.  
     
     
         5 . A process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the alkylene oxide used for carrying out process step a) at the end of the process is ethylene oxide.  
     
     
         6 . A polyetherol having a functionality of from 1 to 8 and a molar mass of from 200 to 100,000 which can be prepared by a process as claimed in any of  claims 1  to  5 .  
     
     
         7 . The use of a polyetherol as claimed in  claim 6  for producing polyurethanes.