Spectroscopic Characteristics of Highly Selective Manganese Catalysis in Acqueous Polyurethane Systems

The latest investigations on producing more efficient catalytic aqueous polyurethane systems are in the domain of metal complexes with mixed ligands. In our previous research works, the high selectivity for the isocyanate-hydroxyl reaction in aqueous polyurethane systems has been shown by the manganese(III) mixed-ligand complexes. The two new complexes have been prepared with two acetylacetonate (acac) ligands and one maleate ligand and its hydroxylamine derivative of the general formula [Mn(C(5)H(7)O(2))(2)L]. Their structures have been established by using the fundamental analyses, the FTIR and UV/VIS spectroscopic methods, as well as the magnetic measurements. In order to explain the different selectivity of the manganese(III) mixed-ligand complexes, the UV and ESR spectroscopy have been employed to determine the kinetics of the complexes' decomposition. The thermal stability of the complexes has been determined by way of the dynamic TG method at the heating rate of 5°C·min(-1) and at the temperature ranged 20-550°C. It suggests the decomposition of the complexes by loss of acid ligand. The main factor in the selective catalysis control in the aqueous polyurethane systems is the nature of the acid ligands and their impact on the manganese(II)/manganese(III) equilibrium.