Abstract:
Phosphorus containing flame retardants are prepared by a two step process having as essential steps:
1. reacting diorgano organophosphonate with reactant comprising phosphorus oxide reagent to yield a metaphosphate/phosphonate reaction product, and thereafter; 2. reacting the reaction product of step (1) with reactant comprising epoxide to yield poly(oxyorganophosphate/phosphonate) product.
Selected novel poly(oxyorganophosphate/phosphonate) products contain a backbone structure of repeating units represented by the average formula: wherein m is an integer from 1 to 50; R, R 1 , and R 2 are individually selected from saturated hydrocarbon radical, alkaryl radical, aralkyl radical, and aryl radical; and R 3 is: wherein R 4 R 5 , R 6 , and R, are individually selected from hydrogen atom, hydrocarbon radical, and halogenated hydrocarbon radical. Articles and compositions such as textiles and polyurethanes are rendered flame retardant by incorporation of poly(oxyorganophosphate/phosphonate) prepared by the process of the invention particularly products of Formula (I).