Catalysis of the reaction between isocyanates and protonic substrates. I. Metal salt–amine complexes as catalysts in the polyurea foaming process

Tertiary amines and metal [Cu(II), Zn(II)] salts exhibit a synergistic effect in the catalysis of the isocyanate water reaction. The amino complexes of zinc and copper salts display a very large versatility in defining the most suitable formulations for the polyurea foam production. The foaming process is indeed controlled by the nature and the composition of these new catalytic combinations; kinetics of foaming and textural characteristics of final foams are easily modified in that way. Copyright © 1981 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.