John Howard Robson

Selective ethylene oxide hydrolysis catalysed by oxo-molybdenum species

Abstract Ortho-molybdate and ortho-tungstate (MO2−4, M = Mo or W) are selective catalysts for the hydrolysis of ethylene oxide. Model compounds synthesized from epoxides and organic soluble molybdate and tungstate salts of the bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium cation suggest that intermediates in this reaction are anionic molybdenum(VI) or tungsten(VI) alkoxide complexes of type [MO2(OCH2CH2O)2]2−, containing chelating vicinal dialkoxide ligands derived from the epoxide residue. Hydrolysis of an ethylene oxide derived complex has been shown to yield exclusively monoethylene glycol as the organic product, with the regeneration of the metallate dianion (MO2−4).

Slab High Resilience Foam

Since the commercial introduction of polyurethane foams in the 1950’s, there have been many innovations in this foam technology-polyester polyols, polyether polyols, prepolymer foams, one-shot foams, filled foams, etc.1 However, these advancements in technology, as significant as they were, did not afford polyurethane foams with all the possible properties for cushioning applications (high resilience, high load ratios, low flammability). Recent advancements in polyurethane foam technology have led to a new generation of foams (high resilience foam) which have many of the desirable properties required for superior cushioning.