5873-54-1

Basic information

• Product Name: 2 4'-METHYLENEBIS(PHENYL ISOCYANATE)
• Synonyms: 1-isocyanato-2-[(4-isocyanatophenyl)methyl]-benzen;1-isocyanato-2-[(4-isocyanatophenyl)methyl]-Benzene;2,4’-methylenediphenylenediisocyanate;benzene,1-isocyanato-2-[(4-isocyanatophenyl)methyl;benzene,1-isocyanato-2-[4-isocyanatophenyl)methyl]-;Diphenylmethane-2,4’-diisocyanate;o-(p-isocyanatobenzyl)phenylisocyanate;2 4'-METHYLENEBIS(PHENYL ISOCYANATE)
• CAS NO: 5873-54-1
• Molecular Formula: C₁₅H₁₀N₂O₂
• Molecular Weight: 250.2521
• EINECS: 227-534-9
• Mol File: 5873-54-1.mol
• Article Data: 7

Chemical Properties

• Melting Point: 36-40 °C(lit.)
• Boiling Point: 376.3°Cat760mmHg
• Flash Point: 110 °C
• Appearance: /
• Density: 1.13g/cm³
• Vapor Pressure: 0.001Pa at 20℃
• Storage Temp.: -20°C Freezer, Under inert atmosphere
• Solubility: Chloroform (Slightly), Methanol (Slightly)
• Water Solubility: 30μg/L at 22℃
• Stability: Moisture Sensitive
• CAS DataBase Reference: 2 4'-METHYLENEBIS(PHENYL ISOCYANATE)(CAS DataBase Reference)
• NIST Chemistry Reference: 2 4'-METHYLENEBIS(PHENYL ISOCYANATE)(5873-54-1)
• EPA Substance Registry System: 2 4'-METHYLENEBIS(PHENYL ISOCYANATE)(5873-54-1)

Safety Data

• Hazard Codes: Xn
• Statements: 20/21/22-36/37/38
• Safety Statements: 26-36
• Hazardous Substances Data: 5873-54-1(Hazardous Substances Data)

Usage

Description

2,4'-Methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate), also known as MDI, is an organic compound that is primarily used as a chemical intermediate in the production of polyurethane polymers. It is a colorless to pale yellow solid with a characteristic isocyanate odor. MDI is known for its high reactivity and is used in various applications due to its ability to form strong, flexible, and durable materials.

Uses

Used in Adhesive Industry:
2,4'-Methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate) is used as a research reagent for studying the emission behavior of reactive polyurethane hotmelt adhesives. Its high reactivity allows for the development of adhesives with improved performance characteristics, such as increased bond strength and flexibility.
Used in Polyurethane Production:
MDI is used as a key component in the production of polyurethane polymers, which are versatile materials with a wide range of applications. These polymers are used in the manufacturing of flexible and rigid foams, coatings, elastomers, and fibers. The use of MDI in polyurethane production is due to its ability to form strong and durable materials with excellent mechanical properties.
Used in Automotive Industry:
In the automotive industry, 2,4'-Methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate) is used as a component in the production of polyurethane materials for various applications, such as automotive seating, insulation, and soundproofing. The use of MDI in this industry is due to the high performance and durability of the resulting polyurethane materials.
Used in Construction Industry:
MDI is used in the construction industry for the production of polyurethane-based insulation materials, which offer excellent thermal insulation properties and contribute to energy efficiency in buildings. The use of MDI in this industry is due to the ability of polyurethane materials to provide long-lasting and effective insulation.
Used in Furniture Industry:
In the furniture industry, 2,4'-Methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate) is used in the production of polyurethane foams for use in cushions, mattresses, and other soft furnishings. The use of MDI in this industry is due to the comfort, durability, and resilience of the resulting polyurethane foams.
Used in Textile Industry:
MDI is used in the textile industry for the production of polyurethane-based fibers and coatings, which are used in the manufacturing of various types of fabrics, including upholstery, apparel, and industrial textiles. The use of MDI in this industry is due to the flexibility, strength, and durability of the resulting polyurethane materials.

Upstream product

• 75-44-5 phosgene 
• 50-00-0 formaldehyd 
• 1208-52-2 2,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane 
• 6582-52-1 2,2'-methylenedianiline 
• 101-77-9 4,4'-diamino diphenyl methane 

Downstream Products

• 1208-52-2 2,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane 
• 47636-24-8 dibutyl diphenyl methane-4,4’-dicarbamate 

Relevant articles and documents

PROCESS FOR PREPARING AROMATIC ISOCYANATES

The invention relates to a process for preparing isocyanates by reacting the corresponding amines with phosgene in the liquid phase, if appropriate in the presence of at least one inert medium, in which the amine and the phosgene are first mixed in a mixing chamber (1) to give a reaction mixture and the reaction mixture is fed to a reactor, the amine being added through an orifice (3) arranged coaxially to the mixing chamber (1) and the phosgene being added through feed orifices (5) in at least two planes (7, 9) arranged at right angles to the axis (11) of the mixing chamber (1), or the phosgene being added through the orifice (3) arranged coaxially to the mixing chamber and the amine through the feed orifices (5) in at least two planes (7, 9) arranged at right angles to the axis (11) of the mixing chamber (1). At least one plane (9) is arranged upstream and at least one plane (7) downstream of the orifice (3) arranged coaxially to the mixing chamber (1) in main flow direction of the reaction mixture. The mean residence time of the reaction mixture in the mixing chamber (1) is not more than 20 ms.

Process for the production of isocyanates

Isocyanates, preferably diisocyanates and polyisocyanates of the diphenylmethane series (MDI), are produced by reaction of amines dissolved in a solvent with phosgene in the same solvent to form the corresponding isocyanates. Hydrogen chloride and excess phosgene are subsequently removed from the reaction mixture to obtain a crude isocyanate-containing solution. Subsequently, the crude isocyanate-containing solution is separated by distillation into isocyanates and solvent. The solvent is recycled and used for the production of solutions of the amines and of phosgene. The solvent being recycled is treated to reduce the phosgene and diisocyanate contents before being used for the production of the solution of the amine.

Process for distilling a mixture of isomeric diisocyanatodiphenylmethanes

Preparation of 2,4'-methylene diphenylene diisocyanate (MDI) comprises distillation of a diisocyanatodiphenylmethane isomer mixture from 2,2'-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane, 2,4'-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane and 4,4'-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane to give a mixture comprising 2,4'-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane (85-99 wt.%), 4,4'-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane (up to 15 wt.%) and 2.2'-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane (up to 0.2 wt.%). Preparation of 2,4'-methylene diphenylene diisocyanate (MDI) (with less production of 2,4'-MDI) comprises distillation of a diisocyanatodiphenylmethane isomer mixture from 2,2'-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane, 2,4'-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane and 4,4'-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane to give a mixture comprising 2,4'-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane (85-99 wt.%), 4,4'-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane (up to 15 wt.%) and 2.2'-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane (up to 0.2 wt.%) (where: distillation is carried out in a single-step; a partition column is used in at least one distillation stage; a destillative before separation is upstreamed to the partition column before distillation to give a mixture (comprising 2,2'-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane (0-15 wt.%), 2,4'-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane (12-60 wt.%) and 4,4'-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane (25-88 wt.%)), which is used as feed stream to the partition column; and the vapor at the top of the partition column is condensed and 98-99.6% of it returns to the top zone).