In the reactions of N,N'-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)oxamide (BHEOD) with an excess of ethylene carbonate (EC) and N,N'-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)oxamide (BHPOD) with an excess of propylene carbonate (PC), the hydroxyethoxy and hydroxypropoxy derivatives of oxamide (OD) were obtained, respectively, distinguished by an increased thermal stability. First time, these derivatives were used as polyol components to obtain foamed polyurethane plastics with the contribution of 4,4'-diisocyanate diphenylmethane (MDI). The rigid polyurethane foams of a slight water uptake, good stability of dimensions, enhanced thermal stability, and compression strength were obtained. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012