Safer Polyurethane Foams with Cyclic Carbonates

Abstract Polyurethanes (PUs) are a class of materials usually synthesized from isocyanates, diols, and water. Water is essential for producing carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) which is used for the self‐blowing of the foams. Due to safety concerns with the production of isocyanates, alternative chemistries have been evaluated and cyclic carbonate systems have shown great promise. In a recent advancement by Bourguignon, Grignard, and Detrembleur, a cyclic carbonate and diamine system is capable of generating CO 2 for self‐blowing through hydrolysis of the carbonate‐based monomer. The authors demonstrate that with a simple variation of the diamine monomer a wide range of physical and thermo‐mechanical properties were achievable. This work represents a significant step towards safer and more environmentally friendly PUs.