This monograph 'Chemistry and Technology of Polyols for Polyurethanes' is in fact an introduction to the exciting world of polyols for polyurethanes.

This monograph has tried to give a flavour of the chemical subtleties of oligo-polyol manufacture based on a knowledge of classical organic and macromolecular chemistry. The objective was to explain, in a simple and accessible manner, the complex chemical and physico-chemical phenomena involved in oligo-polyol synthesis, which is extremely important in developing a fabrication technology.

The second objective of this monograph was to link together information about the large number of different oligo - polyols which are used to build the polyurethane architecture, which are totally different in chemical structure, but which have many things in common, such as:

• All oligo-polyols have terminal hydroxyl groups;

• All oligo-polyols have functionality (a definite number of hydroxyl grouyps/mol);

• All oligo-polyols have primary or secondary hydroxyl groups but not tertiary hydroxyl groups;

• All oligo-polyols are low molecular weight polymers, in the range of oligomer's molecular weight of 400-12000 daltons;

• All oligo-polyols are characterised by the same physico-chemical characteristics, determined by the same common analytical methods;

• The transformation of oligo-polyols in polyurethanes is based on a reactive process (the formation of high molecular weight polyurethane is a consequence of a chemical process);

• The majority of oligo-polyols are liquid or very low melting point solids and due to the low viscosities (much lower than those of melted polymers) are very easy and economical to process to form...