POLYMERIZATION OF MONOISOCYANATES BY THE PRUITT-BAGGETT ADDUCT

n-Butyl isocyanate (nBIC) was polymerized in bulk by the Pruitt-Bagget t adduct (PBA) at -23, 0.0, and 25.0-degrees-C. Polymerization was acc ompanied by trimerization to the cyclic isocyanurates at all temperatu res. Spectroscopic evidences supported the nylon-1 structure for both trimer and polymer. The polymer /trimer ratio and the molecular weight of produced polymers were found to increase with decreasing temperatu re. The Pruitt-Baggett catalyst (PBC), which is the reaction product o f (PBA + H2O) system, also polymerized nBIC, but with a relatively slo wer rate. In aromatic and etheric solutions, nBIC was only trimerized by PBA. Copolymerization of nBIC with propylene oxide by PBA and PBC f ailed. Some selected monoisocyanates were also polymerized by PBA. (C) 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.