Reduction of color degradation of triphenylmethane polymeric colorants within polyurethane foams

摘要

New, useful and surprisingly effective polymeric triphenylmethane colorant-containing compositions which exhibit very low color degradation within polyurethane foams. Generally during polyurethane foam production, certain amine-based hydroxyl-group containing catalysts deleteriously attack the nitrogen linking groups within triphenylmethane polymeric colorants. Such compositions require the presence of nominal yet effective amounts of organic cyclic ester materials. The ring systems of such materials appear to open during exposure to heat (during the foaming procedure) and release carboxylic acids into the foaming formulation. The tertiary amines become quenched by the carboxylic acids and thus do not exhibit degradation of the TPM-based chromophore. The resultant foams exhibit substantially uniform color throughout. The processes and resultant foams are also contemplated within this invention.