Resumen
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for manufacturing a high purity, low odor polyether polyol with a very low level of a catalytic residue by an alkylene oxide polyaddition reaction to an active hydrogen containing substance in the presence of a double metal cyanide as a catalyst. <P>SOLUTION: The reaction is carried out in the presence of sepiolite and/or by subsequent sepiolite treatment of the polyether polyol obtained by using the double metal cyanide in the absence of sepiolite. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO
Reivindicaciones
1. A process to produce high-purity, low odour polyether polyols, with very low levels of catalytic residues, by means of alkene oxide polyaddition reactions to substances that contain active hydrogens in the presence of double metal cyanides as catalysts, characterized in that they take place in the presence of sepiolites. 2. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that it uses a sepiolite concentration between approximately 0,0005% in weight and 2% in weight, preferably between 0,0010% and 1% in weight with respect to the quantity of polyether polyol produced. 3. Process according to any claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sepiolites and the double metal cyanide catalysts are added separately to the reaction medium. 4. Process according to any claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sepiolites and the double metal cyanide catalysts are added previously mixed to the reaction medium. 5. Process according to claim 4, characterized in that the mixture of sepiolites and double metal cyanide catalysts undergoes an activation treatment before being added to the reaction medium. 6. Process according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that totally or partially dehydrated sepiolites are used. 7. Process according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it uses sepiolites which are activated by means of treatment with organic or inorganic acids, bases or salts. 8. Process according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that once the polyaddition reaction has finished, the sepiolites are separated by filtration. 9. Process according to claim 8, characterized in that a filtration coadjuvant is used. 10. A process to produce high-purity, low-odour polyether polyols, with very low levels of catalytic residues, by means of alkene oxide polyaddition reactions to substances that contain active hydrogens in the presence of double metal cyanides as catalysts, characterized in that the brute polyether polyols produced are treated with sepiolites. 11. Process according to claim 10, characterized in that a sepiolites concentration between 15 p.p.m. and 5% in weight is used, preferably between 100 p.p.m. and 2% in weight, with respect to the quantity of brute polyether polyol. 12. Process according to any claim 10 or 11, characterized in that partially or totally dehydrated sepiolites are used. 13. Process according to any of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that it uses sepiolites activated by means of treatment with organic or inorganic acids, bases, or salts. 14. Process according to any of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the treatment with sepiolites is carried out at temperatures between 20°C and 200°C, preferably between 50°C and 150°C and more preferably between 90°C and 140°C. 15. Process according to any of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that said treatment with sepiolites is carried out for a period of time between 30 and 60 minutes. 16. Process according to any of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that after the treatment with sepiolites has finished, the sepiolites are separated by filtration. 17. Process according to claims 16, characterized in that a filtration coadjuvant is used. 18. Use of sepiolites in the production of polyether polyols with high purity and low odour, with very low levels of catalytic residue.
