Polyurethane Catalysis by Tertiary Amines

In the production of polyurethane foam, catalysts play an important role. With a good selection of the catalyst, the desired profile in reaction, foaming, flowability, and foam properties can be obtained. In this article a deeper insight into the molecular catalyst structure-polymer properties relationship will be given. The selection of catalyst is based on its activity as well as performance on physical foam properties. Depending on the molecular structure of the catalyst, the activity will be different. This activity relates to the catalysis of the gel and blow reaction but also the allophonate, biuret, and trimerisation reactions. Via a model system, each of these reactions is studied to understand the reaction mechanism in a better way.