Synthesis and characterization of aliphatic thermoplastic poly(ether urethane) elastomers through a non-isocyanate route

A simple non-isocyanate route synthesizing aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers with good mechanical properties is described. A biscarbamate, i.e. di(hydroxyethyl)isophorone biscarbamate (DIBC), was prepared from direct reaction of isophorone diamine with ethylene carbonate without any catalyst. Self melt transurethane polycondensation of DIBC and co-polycondensation with different polyethylene glycols (PEGs) were conducted. Homopolymer of DIBC (PDIBC) and poly(ether urethane)s (PEUs) with high molecular weight were prepared. They were characterized by GPC, FT-IR, H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR, 2D C-13 - H-1 HSQC NMR, DEPT-135(13)C NMR, DSC, TGA and tensile test. PEUs exhibited an Mn up to 31,100, an Mw up to 126,000, Tg between -38.3 degrees C and 64.1 degrees C, initial decomposition temperature at over 259.1 degrees C, tensile strength up to 24.41 MPa with elongation at break of 454.17%, and resilience up to 97.50%. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.