Cross-linked porous polyurethane materials featuring dodecaborate clusters as inorganic polyol equivalents

Chem Commun (Camb). 2019 Jul 23;55(60):8852-8855. doi: 10.1039/c9cc03350e.

Abstract

We report the discovery that a perhydroxylated dodecaborate cluster ([B12(OH)12]2-) can act as an inorganic polyol, serving as a molecular cross-linker in the synthesis of polyurethane-based materials. We further demonstrate how the inherent robustness of the utilized boron cluster can effectively enhance the thermal stability of the produced polyurethane materials incorporating [B12(OH)12]2- building blocks compared to analogous polymers made from carbon-based polyols. Ultimately, this approach provides a potential route to tune the chemical and physical properties of soft materials through incorporation of polyhedral boron-rich clusters into the polymer network.