Towards an industrial synthesis of diamino diphenyl methane (DADPM) using novel delaminated materials: A breakthrough step in the production of isocyanates for polyurethanes

Delaminated materials ITQ-2, ITQ-6 and ITQ-18 are very efficient catalysts of zeolitic nature for the synthesis of diamino diphenyl methane (DADPM), the polyamine precursor in the production of MDI for polyurethanes. The exfoliation process results in excellent accessibility of their active sites to reactant molecules as well as fast desorption of products. These catalysts present higher activity and slower rates of deactivation than their corresponding zeolites. Moreover, the topology of the delaminated structure imposes a precise control of the isomer distribution, offering an additional flexibility in the synthesis of DADPM. By optimizing the process conditions it is possible to achieve final DADPM crude under industrial production specifications with ITQ-18. This catalyst represents a real chance for replacing HCl in the industrial production of DADPM.