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TIB KAT 300 is an organotin-based polyurethane catalyst, typically used to promote the curing and crosslinking reactions in polyurethane systems.
TIB KAT 300 is known for its high catalytic activity and is often used in the production of rigid and flexible foams, elastomers, and coatings.
TIB KAT 300 helps accelerate the reaction between isocyanates and polyols or water, which is critical in polyurethane formation.
CAS Number: 77-58-7
Synonyms:
DBTDL,Dibutyltin dilaurate,Tin, dibutylbis,TIB KAT DBTDL ,TIB Catalyst 300
Introduction
TIB KAT 300 is a highly efficient organotin-based catalyst primarily used in polyurethane chemistry.
It facilitates the reaction between isocyanates and polyols or water, accelerating the formation of urethane linkages.
This catalyst is integral in producing various polyurethane products, including foams, elastomers, coatings, and adhesives.
zDeveloped by TIB Chemicals, TIB KAT 300 is recognized for its excellent catalytic activity and reliability in industrial applications.
Chemical Identity and Synonyms
TIB KAT 300 is primarily composed of dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTDL) or a similar organotin compound.
It is sometimes listed under trade names such as TIB Catalyst 300 or Tin(IV) dilaurate.
Organotin compounds like TIB KAT 300 are distinguished by the presence of tin atoms bonded to organic ligands, in this case, laurate groups derived from lauric acid.
Molecular Structure
Molecular Formula: C32H64O4Sn
Molecular Weight: 631.55 g/mol
The molecular structure consists of a central tin (Sn) atom coordinated to two butyl groups and two laurate ligands.
The laurate groups are long-chain fatty acids (C12), which enhance the catalyst’s solubility in organic media and influence its reactivity.
Chemical and Physical Properties
Appearance: Clear to pale yellow viscous liquid
Density: Approximately 1.05 g/cm³
Boiling Point: Above 300 °C (decomposes before boiling)
Solubility: Insoluble in water, soluble in organic solvents such as toluene, xylene, and other hydrocarbons
Flash Point: Greater than 200 °C (closed cup)
Viscosity: Moderately viscous, suitable for incorporation into polyurethane formulations
These physical properties make TIB KAT 300 compatible with typical polyurethane production processes, allowing easy mixing and uniform catalytic activity.
Synthesis and Manufacturing
The synthesis of TIB KAT 300 generally involves the esterification reaction between dibutyltin oxide (DBTO) and lauric acid.
This reaction proceeds under controlled temperature and inert atmosphere to avoid oxidation or side reactions.
The resulting dibutyltin dilaurate is purified through distillation or recrystallization to achieve high purity and catalytic performance.
Process summary:
Step 1: React dibutyltin oxide with lauric acid in a suitable solvent (e.g., xylene)
Step 2: Heat mixture to reflux under nitrogen atmosphere
Step3: Remove water formed by esterification via azeotropic distillation
Step 4: Purify product by distillation or filtration
This controlled synthetic route ensures minimal impurities that could affect catalyst efficiency or polyurethane product quality.
Mechanism of Action as a Catalyst
TIB KAT 300 catalyzes the urethane formation reaction by coordinating with the isocyanate functional group, increasing its electrophilicity.
The tin center interacts with the isocyanate carbon, facilitating nucleophilic attack by hydroxyl groups of polyols or water molecules, which form urethane or urea linkages respectively.
The general catalytic cycle involves:
Formation of a complex between the tin center and isocyanate
Enhanced nucleophilic attack by polyol hydroxyl or water
Release of the urethane product and regeneration of the catalyst
This mechanism lowers the activation energy and accelerates curing without being consumed, making TIB KAT 300 highly efficient even at low concentrations.
Applications in Polyurethane Chemistry
TIB KAT 300 is widely utilized in polyurethane synthesis across many sectors due to its effectiveness in catalyzing the isocyanate-polyol reaction.
Key applications include:
Flexible foam production for furniture, automotive seating, and bedding
Rigid foam manufacturing used for thermal insulation in construction and refrigeration
Elastomer synthesis for durable rubber-like materials
Coatings and adhesives to enhance curing rates and mechanical properties
Casting and encapsulation for electronic and industrial components
Its versatility stems from its compatibility with a variety of isocyanate and polyol systems and its ability to fine-tune curing kinetics.
Role in Rigid Foam Production
In rigid foam production, TIB KAT 300 serves as a critical catalyst that promotes rapid crosslinking of polyurethane polymer chains.
This results in foams with high dimensional stability, low thermal conductivity, and excellent mechanical strength.
The catalyst also facilitates the reaction between isocyanates and blowing agents (water or physical blowing agents) to generate the foam’s cellular structure. Key benefits include:
Faster foam rise and gelation times
Improved foam uniformity and cell size distribution
Enhanced thermal insulation properties
Compatibility with various polyol blends and additives
These properties make TIB KAT 300 a preferred catalyst for producing rigid foams in refrigerators, freezers, and building insulation panels.
Role in Flexible Foam Production
For flexible polyurethane foams, TIB KAT 300 accelerates the polymerization and crosslinking processes necessary for open-cell foam formation.
This type of foam requires a balance between reactivity and flexibility to avoid brittleness or collapse. The catalyst’s activity can be precisely controlled to:
Ensure smooth foam rise without rapid gelling
Promote uniform cell structure for softness and durability
Maintain adequate pot life for processing and molding
Applications include seat cushions, mattresses, packaging materials, and automotive interiors where comfort and resilience are critical.
Use in Elastomers
Elastomers made with TIB KAT 300 demonstrate excellent mechanical properties such as elasticity, tensile strength, and abrasion resistance.
The catalyst accelerates the curing of polyurethane prepolymers and crosslinkers, allowing for:
Controlled cure profiles suitable for different manufacturing processes
Fine-tuning of hardness and elasticity based on formulation
Use in high-performance applications such as wheels, rollers, seals, and vibration dampers
The catalyst’s efficiency at varying temperatures allows elastomer producers to optimize cycle times and product performance.
Use in Coatings and Adhesives
In polyurethane coatings and adhesives, TIB KAT 300 enables rapid curing and robust film formation. It enhances adhesion to substrates such as metals, plastics, and wood, resulting in durable protective layers and bonding agents.
Advantages include:
Faster drying and curing at ambient or elevated temperatures
Improved mechanical strength and chemical resistance of coatings
Versatility in one-component and two-component adhesive systems
Compatibility with waterborne and solvent-based formulations
These features support applications in automotive, construction, packaging, and industrial maintenance.
Comparison with Other Catalysts
TIB KAT 300 offers distinct advantages compared to alternative catalysts:
High catalytic efficiency allows lower loading levels, reducing cost and potential formulation complications
Balanced reactivity provides better control of curing rates than amine catalysts, which may cause foaming or odor issues
Better compatibility with diverse polyurethane systems, including flexible, rigid, and elastomeric materials
Lower impact on foam stability, avoiding premature gelling or cell collapse often seen with other metal catalysts
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT TIB KAT 300
First aid measures:
Description of first aid measures:
General advice:
Consult a physician.
Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
Move out of dangerous area:
If inhaled:
If breathed in, move person into fresh air.
If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact:
Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately.
Wash off with soap and plenty of water.
Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact:
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and consult a physician.
Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
If swallowed:
Do NOT induce vomiting.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Rinse mouth with water.
Consult a physician.
Firefighting measures:
Extinguishing media:
Suitable extinguishing media:
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas
Advice for firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
Accidental release measures:
Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Use personal protective equipment.
Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
Environmental precautions:
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Soak up with inert absorbent material and dispose of as hazardous waste.
Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
Handling and storage:
Precautions for safe handling:
Avoid inhalation of vapour or mist.
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Storage class (TRGS 510): 8A: Combustible, corrosive hazardous materials
Exposure controls/personal protection:
Control parameters:
Components with workplace control parameters
Contains no substances with occupational exposure limit values.
Exposure controls:
Appropriate engineering controls:
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice.
Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
Personal protective equipment:
Eye/face protection:
Tightly fitting safety goggles.
Faceshield (8-inch minimum).
Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
Skin protection:
Handle with gloves.
Gloves must be inspected prior to use.
Use proper glove
removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product.
Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices.
Wash and dry hands.
Full contact:
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
Splash contact
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
It should not be construed as offering an approval for any specific use scenario.
Body Protection:
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Respiratory protection:
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a fullface respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls.
If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator.
Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Control of environmental exposure
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Stability and reactivity:
Chemical stability:
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Incompatible materials:
Strong oxidizing agents:
Hazardous decomposition products:
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions.
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas.
Disposal considerations:
Waste treatment methods:
Product:
Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company.
Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material.
Contaminated packaging:
Dispose of as unused product
