POLYURETHANES FROM RENEWABLE RESOURCES .1. PROPERTIES OF POLYMERS DERIVED FROM GLUCOSE AND XYLOSE BASED POLYOLS

Carbohydrates and vegetable oils are considered as replacements for some petroleum oil derived polymer precursors. For polyurethane production, blending of ethylene glycol glucoside (alkoxylated to a low level in a solution reaction) with polytetrahydrofuran diol, yields high carbohydrate content polyols of low viscosity. Characterisation allows a representative structure to be derived for these complex mixtures. From a variety of polyol blends, solid polyurethanes were prepared which ranged from linear, soluble, weak elastomers to those of increased transition temperature, stiffness, decreased solubility and lower extension under tensile load. These effects are attributable to the rigidity of the glucose unit which also increases hydrogen bonding and potential for crosslinking. Polymers prepared with the higher levels of the glucoside are able to absorb significant amounts of water suggesting uses in the biological field.