Technology Type

Type: Propoxylation to Polypropylene Oxide
Process: Ring-Opening Polymerization
Abbreviation
: Propylene Oxide is polymerized to Polypropylene Oxide by two industrially dominant Processes. Both Processes are defined by the Catalyst that is used. The dominant Method employs an Initiator or Starter Molecule with active Hydrogens such as Water, Ethylene Glycol, Glycerine, Ethylene Diamine, or Sorbitol and a Base Catalyst like Potassium Hydroxide. This approach is usually referred to as the Base-Catalyzed Process. The other Process to Polypropylene Oxide uses a class of Heterogeneous Metal-Based Catalysts termed "Double-Metal Cyanide" Catalysts (aka DMC catalysts). Each Process has unique attributes including differences in cost, Process flexibility, and even structure of the final Product.
Link: https://ebrary.net/14323/environment/polymerization_alkoxides_polyethers?msclkid=45c7afeebdbb11ec9c40d659bb23c532