Polyols Analysis Service

In polymer chemistry, polyols are a type of compounds with multiple hydroxyl

functional groups available for organic reactions. A compound with two
hydroxyl groups is a diol, one with three is a triol, one with four is a tetrol, and
so on.
Monomeric polyols, such as sucrose, glycerin, pentaerythritol and ethylene
glycol, often serve as the starting point for polymeric polyols. These materials
are often referred to as the "initiators" and reacted with ethylene oxide or
propylene oxide to produce polymeric polyols. Nonetheless, they should not
be confused with free radical "initiators" that are used to promote other
polymerization reactions. The functional group used as the starting point for a
polymeric polyol need not be a hydroxyl group; there are a lot of important
polyols that are built up from amines. A primary amino group generally
functions as the starting point for two polymeric chains, especially in the case
of polyether polyols.
Polymeric polyols are usually used to produce other polymers. They can react
with isocyanates to form polyurethanes that will be used to make adhesives,
mattresses, foam insulation for appliances, automotive seats, fibers, and
elastomeric shoe soles.
Polymeric polyols are generally polyethers or polyesters. Polyether polyols
are formed by reacting epoxides like propylene oxide or ethylene oxide with
the multifunctional initiator in the presence of a catalyst, usually a strong base
such as a double metal cyanide catalyst or potassium hydroxide. The most
common polyether diols include polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, and
poly (tetramethylene ether) glycol. For example, fairly low molecular weight
triols are based on glycerin (a triol) being reacted with ethylene oxide,
propylene oxide or a combination of the two. As a matter of fact, the chains
would not have equal length in any one molecule and there would be a
distribution of molecular weight polyols within the material. Polyether polyols
take up about 90% of the polymeric polyols used industrially; the balance is
polyester polyols. The polyester is another class of polymeric polyols.
Polyesters are often produced by condensation or polymerization of diols and
dicarboxylic acids. In contrast, the hydroxyl group and the carboxylic acid (or
their derivatives) may be within the same molecule, as in the case of
caprolactone.
With experienced scientists and advanced equipment at Creative Proteomics,
we have developed a reliable and reproducible method using highly sensitive
LC-MS/MS method for the rapid identification and quantification of diverse
polyols in different sample types, which can satisfy the needs of academic
and industrial study in your lab.