Abstract: Poly (pentabromobenzyl acrylate) having weight average molecular weight (Mw) in the range from 4,000 to 120,000 and polydispersity index of less than 10 as determined by high temperature gel permeation chromatography, wherein the glass transition temperature of the poly (pentabromobenzyl acrylate) is not more than 150 C.°, the poly (pentabromobenzyl acrylate) includes chains which are terminated by an end group derived from a chain length regulator, wherein the end group is a thiol group —SR1, and wherein R1, is a linear or branched alkyl group composed of not less than 8 carbon atom.

Abstract: The invention provides a solution polymerization process, comprising polymerizing pentabromobenzyl acrylate or pentabromobenzyl methacrylate in a mixture of water-miscible aprotic solvent and water, in the presence of a water-soluble free radical initiator and preferably also chain length regulator. The polymers obtained and their uses as flame retardants in polypropylene, HIPS, ABS and textile products are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for preparing gaseous elemental bromine and transferring it to a site of its intended use, comprising feeding a bromide (Br—) source, an oxidant and an acid into a reaction vessel to form an acidic aqueous reaction mixture, oxidizing the bromide at a temperature in the range between 59 C and the boiling point of said reaction mixture, thereby forming elemental bromine in a gaseous state, passing a stream of air through the reaction vessel and transferring metered amounts of the resultant mixture of air and bromine vapors to said site of use. The invention also provides an apparatus for carrying out the process.