Oxazolidinone modified triglycidyl ether of trihydroxy triphenyl methane and derivatives thereof
United States Patent 91 Clarke Apr. 8, 1975 1 OXAZOLIDINONE MODIFIED TRIGLYCIDYL ETHER OF TRII-IYDROXY TRIPHENYL METHANE AND DERIVATIVES THEREOF [75] Inventor: James A. Clarke, Lake Jackson,  
 Tex.  
 [73] Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company,  
 Midland, Mich.  
  221 Filed: Oct. 4, 1973 211 Appl. No.: 403,706  
 Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 173,258, Aug. 19,  
 1971, Pat. No. 3,789,053.  
 [52] U.S. Cl 260/47 El; 117/1284&#34;, 161/184; 260/37 EP; 260/47 EN; 260/53 EP [51] Int. Cl C08g 30/04 3,334,110 4/1967 Schramm 260/830 X Primary E.\&#39;aminerMorris Liebman Assistant E.\&#39;aminerT. Pertilla Attorney, Agent, or FirmJames G. Carter [57] ABSTRACT Novel oxazolidinone modified triglycidyl ethers of trihydroxy triphenyl methane and derivatives thereof are prepared which are useful in molding and adhesive compositions.  
 7 Claims, No Drawings OXAZOLIDINONE MODIFIED TRIGLYCIDYL ETI-IER OF TRII-IYDROXY TRIPIIENYL METIIANE AND DERIVATIVES THEREOF CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 173,258, filed August 19, 1971, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,789,053.  
  This invention relates to novel oxazolidinone modified triglycidyl ethers of trihydroxy triphenyl methane and derivatives thereof, and to thermosettable and cured compositions thereof.  
  Compositions prepared from epoxy resins which are solid at room temperature, such as those of this disclosure, are particularly desirable for use in such applications as molding resins, particularly for encapsulation of electrical components; for laminates; adhesives; powder coatings and the like.  
  It has now been discovered that oxazolidinone modified triglycidyl ether of trihydroxy triphenyl methane and derivatives thereof when cured to a thermoset condition exhibits excellent if not outstanding physical properties of one or more of the group of properties such as tensile strength, adhesion to metals, retention of strength and adhesion at elevated temperatures, and particularly high heat distortion values.  
  These physical properties make the oxazolidinone modified triglycidyl ether of trihydroxy triphenyl methane of the present invention particularly suitable for such applications as molding compositions, adhesives, encapsulating and laminatingresins and the like where the end products are to be employed in elevated temperature environments. Such utility is found in areas such as, for example, encapsulation of electrical components for aerospace applications, laminates for electronic printed circuit boards operating at temperature, and the like.  
  The triglycidyl ethers of trihydroxy triphenyl metham: and derivatives thereof which are modified to produce the novel epoxy resin compositions of the present invention may be represented by the following general formula:  
 O-CIh-CH-CH;  
 wherein Q is hydrogen or a lower alkyl group of from 1 to about 2 carbon atoms; each R is independently hydrogen or a lower alkoxy group of from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms.  
  Procedures for preparing the triglycidyl ethers of trihydroxytriphenylmethane and derivatives thereof are fully described in a copending application by Paul E. Schrader entitled LEUCAURIN EPOXIDES, Ser. No. 173,259, filed on Aug. 19, 1971 and in a copending application entitled EPOXIDES OF ALKOXY- SUBSTITUTED TR1(HYDROXYPHENYL) AL- KANES by Raymond W. Mah, Ser. No. 173,257, filed on Aug. 19,1971.  
  The oxazolidinone modified triglycidyl ether of trihydroxy triphenyl methane may be prepared by any of several methods as described in the literature.  
  One method of preparation of the novel oxazolidinonemodified triglycidyl ether of trihydroxy triphenyl methane and derivatives thereof of the present invention is to react the triglycidyl ether of trihydroxy triphenyl methane or a derivative thereof with an organic polyisocyanate or polyisothiocyanate in the presence of a catalyst wherein the ratio of NCO or NCS groups to groups is in the range of from about 0.121 to about 0.5:1 and preferably from about 0.12:1 to about 0.30: 1. When the NCO or NCS to ratio exceeds about 0.511, the products have a tendency to gel.  
  Suitable catalysts for such reaction include trialkyl amines, alkali metal halides and quaternary ammonium and quaternary phosphonium compounds. In addition, co-catalysts such as a primary or secondary monohydric alcohol having from about 1 to about 6 carbon atoms may be employed to facilitate the reaction.  
  A further and frequently preferred method for the preparation of oxazolidinone-modified triglycidyl ether of trihydroxytriphenyl methane or derivatives thereof is to prepare a carbamate by the reaction of an organic diisocyanate with a monohydric alcohol and then to react the resultant carbamate compound with the triglycidyl ether of trihydroxy triphenyl mthane or derivative thereof in the presence of the trialkyl amine, alkali metal halide, quaternary ammonium compound or phorphonium compound as a catalyst. The preparation of the carbamate may take place in the presence of the triglycidyl ether of trihydroxy triphenyl methane or derivative thereof which serves as a reaction medium for this reaction. If this technique is employed, the addition of the catalyst to the reaction medium after the formation of the carbamate will produce a reaction between the carbamate and the triglycidyl ether to produce the oxazolidinonemodified resin of this invention.  
  This preferred method is more fully described in my copending application, Ser. No. 48,524 filed June 18, 1970.  
  Suitable organic polyisocyanates and polyisothiocyanates which may be employed include diisocyanates and diisothiocyanates, such as, for example, toluene 2,4-diisocyanate; 1,5-naphthalene-diisocyanate; cumene-2,4-diisocyanate; 4-methoxy-l ,3-phenylenediisocyanate; 4-chloro-l,3-phenylenediisocyanate; 4- bromo-l ,I i-phenylenediisocyanate; 4-ethoxy-1,3- phenylenediisocyanate; 2,4- diisocyanatodiphenylether; 5,6-dimethyl- 1 ,3- phenylenediisocyanate; 2,4-dimethyl-1,3- phenylenediisocyanate; 4,4- diisocyanatodiphenylether; benzidinediisocyanate; 4, 6-  
 , dimethyl-1,3-phenylenediisocyanate; 9,10-anthracenediisocyanate; 4,4&#39;-diisocyanatodibenzyl; 3,3&#39;-dimethyl- 3 4,4&#39;-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane; 2,6&#39;-dimethyl -4,4- diisocyanatodiphenyl; 2,4 -diisocyanatostilbene; 3,3- dimethyl-4,4-diisocyanatodiphenyl; 3,3&#39;-dimethoxy- 4,4-diisocyanatodiphenyl; l ,4- anthracenediisocyanate; 2,5-fluorenediisocyanate; 1,8- naphthalenediisocyanate; and 2,6- diisocyanatobenzfuran.  
  Other suitable isocyanates include the diisocyanates as are described in Canadian Patent No. 700,026 and in US. Pat. No. 2,683,730; the phenyl indane diisocyanates which are described in US. Pat. No. 2,855,385, the organic diisocyanates which are described in US. Pat. No. 2,292,443.  
  Also included as useful in preparing the oxazolidinones of this invention are the isothiocyanates which are the sulfur analogs of the above mentioned isocyanates.  
  Polymeric isocyanates such as for example the polymethylene polyphenyl isocyanates may also be employed in the present invention.  
  The novel oxazolidinone-modified glycidyl ethers of trihydroxy triphenyl methane and derivatives thereof of the present invention may be represented by the general formula A c I z&#39; wherein Z is the residue (or a polyvalent radical) of the organic polyisocyanate or organic polyisothiocyanate, Z is the residue (or polyvalent radical) of the triglycidyl ether of trihydroxy triphenyl methane or derivative thereof, A is oxygen or sulfur and in has an average value of about 2, n has an average value of from about 2 to about 4 and wherein the unfilled valences in the oxazolidinone ring are hydrogen.  
 Since the ratio of NCO or NCS groups to groups employed in the reaction to prepare the novel oxazolidinone-modified resin of the present invention is about 0.5 or less, and the groups react in a random manner, it is possible for some molecules of the triglycidyl ether of trihydroxy triphenyl methane resin or derivative thereof employed to escape reaction with an isocyanate or isothiocyanate group. Thus, the resultant composition may contain minor amounts of unmodified triglycidyl ether of trihydroxy triphenyl methane or derivative thereof.  
  In formulating adhesives and molding compositions from epoxy resins in general and also from the oxazolidinone-modified triglycidyl ether of trihydroxy triphenyl methane or derivative thereof of the present invention, the active ingredients are the polyglycidyl ether and the curing agents therefor. In some instances, it is desirable to add other epoxy resins to the adhesive or molding formulation to provide a change in certain properties, such as viscosity, reaction rate, wetability of the surfaces to be bonded, and the like. When such mixtures are employed in connection with the present invention, the active ingredients then become a mixture of the oxazolidinone-modified epoxy resin, the added epoxy resin and the epoxy curing agent. In addition to the above mentioned active ingredients, adhesive compositions usually contain one or more additives such as fillers, accelerators, thixotroping agents and the like. Molding compositions usually also contain a mold release agent.  
  Suitable curing agents for the resin of the present invention include dicyandiamide, melamine, guanidines such as acetyl guanidine, methylene dianiline, mphenylenediamine, BF complex with monoethy] amine, anhydrides such as tetrahydrophthalic anhydride, dianhydrides such as benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride, and the like.  
  In the preparation of adhesives and molding compositions from epoxy resins, it is often desired to incorporate therein certain inert fillers. Suitable fillers which may be employed in the compositions of the present invention include, for example, aluminum powder, other metal powders, clays, inorganic carbonates, carbon black, silica flour and the like.  
  In formulating adhesives and molding compositions from epoxy resins, it is often desired to add compounds to the formulation which will reduce the cure time of the resin. Suitable accelerators which may be employed in the compositions of the present invention include, for example, tertiary amines such as benzyldimethylamine, dihydroxydiphenolics, substituted quanidines. BF complex with monoethylamine and the like.  
  In some instances, it is desirable to employ thixotroping agents in adhesive and molding compositions. Suitable thixotroping agents which may be employed in the compositions of the present invention include, for example, silica aerogels, treated clays, fibrous mineral products such as asbestos or microcrystalline silicates and the like.  
  The following examples are illustrative of the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the scope thereof in any manner.  
 EXAMPLE 1 To a reaction vessel fitted with agitator, thermometer, and means for applying vacuum and purging with nitrogen gas, was added 200 grams (1.270 epoxide equivalents) of the triglycidyl ether of 4,4,4&#34;- trihydroxy triphenylmethane. After degassing the resin under vacuum at l 15C, the vacuum was released using nitrogen. After cooling the resin to 60C, 6.8 grams of methanol was added followed by the addition of 15.68 grams (0.l NCO equivalents) of toluene diisocyanate (80/20 mixture by weight of the 2,4- and 2,6- isomers). The temperature was raised to C and after 1 /2 hours, the toluene diisocyanate had reacted with the methanol to form the corresponding carbamate as noted by the disappearance of isocyanate groups by infrared analysis. The temperature was then raised to C, and I00 mg. (500 ppm) of tetrabutylphosphonium bromide was added. The temperature was maintained at C for 3 hours. The temperature was then raised to C for 1 hour. The resultant product had an epoxide content of 20.3% and a Durrans softening point of 70C. infrared analysis indicated the presence of the desired oxazolidinone groups.  
  Tensile test specimens were prepared from this product by adding a stoichiometric amount of a hardener, 4,4&#39;-methylene-bis(2-chloroaniline), to the melted resin at 140C. then pouring the mixture into a /a 4 6 cavity and curing for 4 hours at 180C plus 16 hours at 150C. A tensile strength value of 6000 psi with an elongation of 3% was obtained. The unmodifled resin which is the triglycidyl ether of 4,4&#39;,4&#34;- trihydroxy triphenyl methane without oxazolidinone groups, cured with the same hardener in the same manner, gave an average tensile strength of 3000 psi and 1% ultimate elongation. Thus, some of the brittleness associated with highly crosslinked epoxy resins has been eliminated by the oxazolidinone modification.  
  A molding composition was then formulated according to the following recipe.  
 60 grams of the product prepared above 14.05 grams methylene dianiline 48.0 grams ASP 400 clay filler 2.4 grams zinc stearate 1.2 grams resorcinol The heat distortion temperature of specimens of the above formulation cured at 300F for 4 minutes was 390F and when post cured at 200C for 16 hours, the heat distortion temperature was 437F. The above formulation had a spiral flow value of 105 inches when tested at 300F and 250 psi for 3 minutes employing the procedure described on pages 104-108 of MODERN PLASTICS. February, 1968.  
  The product prepared above was evaluated as a high temperature adhesive by preparing the following formulation A:  
 Oxazolidinone modified epoxy resin grams Melamine 0.2 grams Dicyandiamide 0.8 grams Aluminum powder. 150 mesh 8.0 grams Silica aerogel 0.25 grams Test Temperature A B Room (77F) 2550 psi 2120 psi .300F 2160 1860 2205 psi av. 1850 psi av.  
 EXAMPLE 2 A. Preparation of Triglycidylether of Vanillin (3-Methoxy-4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde) Phenol Reaction Product 76 Grams (0.5 moles) vanillin and 705 grams (7.5 moles) phenol were mixed and melted at 40C. 20  
 Grams 36% HCl (2.83% phenol wt.) was added and reacted 2 hours at 40C. Excess phenol was flashed to 175C under full vacuum to yield 150 grams of product. Theoretical yield was 161 grams.  
  107 Grams (1 eq.) of the above product was dissolved in 462.5 grams (5 moles) epichlorohydrin. 1 Gram 60% aqueous benzyl trimethyl ammonium chloride was added and reacted 1% hours at C. This was cooled to 25C and dehydrochlorinated with 333 grams 15% causticcarbonate for 1% hours. The spent caustic was separated and the organic layer treated again with 333 grams causticcarbonate for one-half hour. The spent caustic was separated and the organic layer was water washed until neutral. The lights were vacuum distilled to 150C. This yielded 103 grams of product designated as (2-A) containing 25.1% epoxides. Theoretical yield was 163 grams and a softening point of about 50C. Theoretical epoxide was 26.38.  
 B. Preparation of Oxazolidinone Modified Product of A 40.0 Grams of the above prepared product was placed in a flask equipped with means for stirring, nitrogen purge, and measuring and controlling the temperature. The resin was heated to C, degassed, and the vacuum replaced by a nitrogen pad.  
  2.74 Grams of tolylene dimethyl urethane was added, plus 6 drops of 70% alcoholic solution of tetrabutylphosphonium acetate acetic acid complex in methanol. The temperature was raised to 154C over a period of 2.7 hours with a vacuum applied for the latter 1.7 hours to remove methanol evolved by the reaction. Analysis at this point indicated that all the urethane added had been reacted and that most of this had been converted to oxazolidinone by reaction with epoxide. About 8-10% of the urethane added was converted to isocyanate trimer. The product, designated as (2-B), at this stage was a dark red, solid resin with a Durran softening point of 68C. Epoxide analysis gave a value of 20.1% compared to a calculated value of 21.6% if the desired reaction alone took place.  
  30.0 Grams of the above prepared product was cured with a stoichiometric amount, 6.95 grams, of methylene dianiline for 16 hours at C and 2 hours at 175C to give a /2 X /2 X 5 test bar. The heat distortion temperature of this bar was 416F. Other data for this same cure were: 8500 psi flexural strength and 4.6 X 10 psi flexural modulus.  
 EXAMPLE 3 A. Preparation of Triglycidyl Ether of Guaiacol (Orthomethoxyphenol )-Ortho-Hydroxybenzaldehyde Reaction Product 70 Grams (0.574 moles) o-hydroxybenzaldehyde,  
 500 grams (4.03 moles) guaiacol, and mls glacial acetic acid were mixed and cooled to 10C. A mixture of 70 mls H 80 and 110 mls glacial acetic acid was added and reacted for 2 hours at 1015C. This was left to stand overnight at 25C and then water washed twice, aqueous Nal-lCO washed twice, and water washed twice. Excess guaiacol was vacuum distilled to C. 160 Grams of dark, solid novolac was recovered. Theoretical yield was 203 grams.  
  125 Grams (1.07 eq.) novolac was dissolved in 990 grams (10.7 moles) epichlorohydrin. 125 Grams 60% aqueous benzyl trimethly ammonium chloride was added and reacted for 2 hours at 110C. This was cooled and dehydrochlorinated with 357 grams caustic-carbonate as in 2-A above. The resin solution was water washed and vacuum distilled to 145C. 165 Grams of product (3-A) containing 22.5% epoxides and having a Durran softening point of about 63C was recovered. The theoretical yield was 185 grams and the theoretical 7c epoxide was 24.85.  
 B. Preparation of Oxazolidinone Modified Product of A 80 Grams of the triepoxide was reacted with 7.47 grams of tolylene dimethyl urethane in the same manner as for example 2-B.  
  Total reaction time was 4 /2 hours at an average reaction temperature of 155C.  
  The product analyzed 15.7% epoxide vs a calculated value of 16.5% if the desired reaction were complete with no side reaction.  
  Values for this product, cured with a stoichiometric amount of methylene dianiline at 125C for 16 hours and 175C for 2 hours are:  
 Heat Distortion Tcmp. 390F Flcxural Strength 5500 psi Flexural Modulus 4.5 X 10&#34; psi EXAMPLE 4 Preparation and Testing of Adhesives Adhesives were prepared from the products of Example l-A,2-A, 2-B and the triglycidylether of trihydroxy triphenylmethane (TGETHTPM) employing the following formulation:  
 100 parts by weight of resin 70 parts by weight of aluminum powder 4 parts by weight of colloidal silica 8 parts by weight of dicyandiamide 2 parts by weight of melamine The above components were well mixed at about 110C and after degassing under vacuum at 110C lap shear specimens were prepared by applying the adhesive to etched aluminum substrates preheated to l 10C and after curing at 360F for 40 minutes, the specimens were cooled and lap shear values determined at various temperatures. The results are reported in the following table. The values given are in lbs/in&#34;.  
  To a 1000 ml reaction vessel fitted with agitator, thermometer. means for controlled heating and means for applying vacuum and purging with nitrogen gas, was added 100 grams (0.652 epoxide equivalents) of the 8 triglycidyl ether of 4,4&#39;-4&#34;-trihydroxy triphenyl methane which analyzed 28% epoxide. This resin is a semi solid which will flow when heated to about C. After degassing the resin under vacuum at C, the vacuum was released using nitrogen.  
  An isocyanate, which was primarily trifunctional, known as PAPl (polymethylene polyphenylisocyanate) produced by the Upjohn Company, having an isocyanate equivalent weight of 133.5, and a functionality of about 2.7 and which is a dark colored liquid of moderate viscosity was reacted with excess methanol to convert the liquid to the solid tricarbamate. This product was dried free of the excess methanol and pulverized. Initially, 12.0 grams (.0725 eq.) of the PAPl-methanol adduct was added to the g of resin in the flask and the temperature raised to C to dissolve the adduct. Then 0.13 grams of tetrabutylphosphonium acetate acetic acid complex was added to catalyze reaction between the carbamate and epoxide. The temperature was then raised to C. Infrared analysis was used to check the progress of the reaction, namely conversion of carbamate to oxazolidinone. After 2 hours at 165C, including three-fourth hours under vacuum to remove the liberated methanol, the conversion was essentially complete but the product resin still was too soft to give a powderable solid at room temperature. Therefore. 2.0 grams of additional PAPl-methanol adduct was added and the reaction continued at 165C for 2 hours longer. The product resin was an opaque brownish solid at room temperature. The epoxide content was analyzed as 20.4% epoxide vs. a calculated value of 21.9% from the ratio of isocyanate to epoxide which was 0.130. The Durran softening point of the solid was 80C which is sufficient to allow flaking or pulverizing.  
  Heat distortion temperature of the resin cured with a stoichiometric amount of methylene dianiline was 419F.  
 What is claimed is:  
  1. An oxazolidinone modified epoxy resin represented by the general formula wherein Z is a polyvalent radical of an organic polyisocyanate or polyisothiocyanate, Z is a polyvalent radical of a triglycidyl ether represented by the general formula CH 2 CH-CH 3 wherein Q is hydrogen or a lower alkyl group of from 1 to about 2 carbon atoms, each R is independently hydrogen or a lower alkoxy group of from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; A is oxygen or sulfur, m has an average 5. The modified epoxy resin of Claim 2 wherein Q is hydrogen and each R is independently hydrogen or a methoxy group.  
  6. The modified epoxy resin of Claim 3 wherein Q is hydrogen and each R is independently hydrogen or a methoxy group.  
  7. The modified epoxy resin of Claim 4 wherein Q is hydrogen and each R is independently hydrogen or a methoxy group.