Abstract: This invention relates to the bromination of styrenic polymers by contacting same with a brominating agent in the presence of a bromination catalyst and, as a reaction solvent, bromochloro-methane.

Abstract: This invention relates to a thermally stable brominated polystyrene composition which contains alkali metal base (e.g., NaOH) in an amount less than about 1 wt % such that if the flame retardant is dissolved in bromochloromethane and the resultant solution is extracted with water, the resultant water extract exhibits a pH of at least about 9.0. A preferred composition of this type even when heated to 315.degree. C. for one hour did not undergo darkening--the color remained tan. Comparative samples not containing the base turned black under these same conditions. Especially useful compositions additionally have less than 500 ppm, and better still, less than 100 ppm total Cl, and at least about 67 wt % bromine. Processes for producing the compositions are also described.

Abstract: This invention relates to the bromination of styrenic polymers by contacting same with a brominating agent in the presence of a bromination catalyst and, as a reaction solvent, bromochloromethane.

Abstract: This invention relates to the bromination of styrenic polymers by contacting same with a brominating agent in the presence of a bromination catalyst and, as a reaction solvent, bromochloromethane.

Abstract: Unsaturated, thermosetting, brominated phthalic anhydride/polyol polyester resins are prepared by reacting brominated phthalic anhydride with polyol and an unsaturated polycarboxylic acid compound in the presence of an acid neutralizing agent under reaction conditions so as to form an unsaturated polyester resin product, the proportions of reactants being selected so as to provide, (i) at least about a 5:4 mole ratio of total moles of polyol to the sum of the moles of brominated phthalic anhydride, unsaturated polycarboxylic acid compound and any saturated polycarboxylic acid compounds in the reaction, and (ii) a bromine content of at least about 40 weight percent in the unsaturated polyester resin product.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing a white flame retardant product which principally contains a bisimide. The process comprises: providing an essentially water-free solution containing tetrabromophthalic anhydride and a solvent in a reaction vessel; forming a reaction mass by adding a diamine or a diamine salt to the solution at an addition rate such that, at the addition temperature, water formed during the addition is removed from the reaction mass substantially as it is formed; terminating the addition of the diamine when the molar ratio of the tetrabromophthalic anhydride initially present in the solution to the diamine or diamine salt added is at least about 2.00:1; maintaining the reaction mass at a temperature of at least 125.degree. C. for at least 0.5 hr after the addition; and recover from the reaction mass the flame retardant product.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing a mixture of brominated, non-condensed ring polyaromatics, which process features multiple bromination temperatures and multiple catalyst additions for brominating the precursor non-condensed ring polyaromatic. The mixture has an average bromine number of about 6 to about 8 bromine atoms per molecule, a low melting point range, and a low amount of light end impurities.

Abstract: This invention relates to the process for preparing partially brominated non-condensed ring polyaromatic product. The process comprises forming a reaction mass by adding a substantially stoichiometric amount of Br.sub.2 to a mixture comprising a non-condensed ring polyaromatic, a solvent selected from a group consisting of methylene dibromide, methylene dichloride and mixtures thereof, and a catalyst selected from the group consisting of zirconium halide, iron, ferric chloride and mixtures thereof, the reaction mass being maintained at a temperature within the range of from about 10.degree. to about 50.degree. C. during at least substantially all of the addition; refluxing the reaction mass after the addition is completed or at least nearly completed; and recovering from the reaction mass the partially brominated non-condensed ring polyaromatic product.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel mixtures of brominated diphenyl ethanes, such mixtures containing a predominant amount of hexabromodiphenyl ethane and having an average bromine number, based upon GC area percent, of from about 6.7 to about 7.3. ABS based formulations containing such mixtures and articles made from such formulations are also a part of this invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for increasing the melting point of partially brominated diphenyl oxide mixtures having an average bromine content of 7.2 to 7.7. The process comprises: forming a slurry comprised of C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkanol and the mixture; maintaining the slurry until the melting point increase which is sought is obtained; and separating the so-treated mixture from the slurry.

Abstract: ar-Bromoaromatics having an alkenyl side chain on the aromatic nucleus are formed by feeding a beta-bromoalkyl-ar-bromoaromatic compound, together with a substantial excess of water, into a thermal dehydrobromination zone held at or above 475.degree. C., and maintaining a very short residence time (5 seconds or less) in the dehydrobromination zone. Very little extraneous co-products are formed. For example dibromostyrene was produced by co-feeding bromoethyldibromobenzene (BEDB) and excess amounts of water (using nitrogen as a carrier gas) into a Vycor tube packed with glass beads at 500.degree. C. By suitable controlling residence times, the amount of undesired coproducts formed was kept below 1.5 G. C. area %, and the percentage of BEDB conversion was in the range of 84.1% up to 99.1%.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing a white flame retardant product which principally contains a bisimide. The process comprises: providing an essentially water-free solution containing tetrabromophthalic anhydride and a solvent in a reaction vessel; forming a reaction mass by adding a diamine or a diamine salt to the solution at an addition rate such that, at the addition temperature, water formed during the addition is removed from the reaction mass substantially as it is formed; terminating the addition of the diamine when the molar ratio of the tetrabromophthalic anhydride initially present in the solution to the diamine or diamine salt added is at least about 2.00:1; maintaining the reaction mass at a temperature of at least 125.degree. C. for at least 0.5 hr after the addition; and recovering from the reaction mass the flame retardant product.

Abstract: A process for making meta-alkylphenols by reacting ortho-halo alkylbenzenes, e.g., ortho-chloro tert-butylbenzene, with an alkali metal base, e.g., potassium tert-butoxide.

Abstract: A process for partially brominating non-condensing ring aromatics (e.g. diphenyl ether) in the absence of a solvent by adding the polyaromatic to a stoichiometric excess of liquid bromine containing a zirconium halide catalyst. Product containing three bromine atoms per benzene ring (e.g., hexabromodiphenyl ether) is formed in high selectivity by keeping the reaction mixture below a threshold temperature at which higher bromine substitution occurs.

Abstract: A process for partially brominating polyphenylene ether (e.g. diphenly ether) in the absence of a solvent by adding the polyphenylene ether to a stoichiometric excess of liquid bromine containing a zirconium halide catalyst.

Abstract: The title compound can be made by reacting ethylene glycol with hexabromo-p-xylene in the presence of anhydrous potassium carbonate. The compound is useful as a fire retardant for plastics, and can be used to form a polyester of the linear type. Fibers made from such polyesters are useful for making fire retardant textiles, carpets, drapes, and garments.

Abstract: Compounds having the formula ##STR1## where X is a halogen, ester, hydroxyl, alkoxy, amine, cyanide, or isocyanate radicals. These compounds are useful as flame retardant additives for polymers, especially for polyurethane foams.

Abstract: Compounds such as methylbis(2,4,6-tribromophenyl)phosphonate and phenylbis(2,4,6-tribromophenyl)phosphonate are useful as flame retardants for organic polymers and resins such as polyurethane foams, polyesters, and polystyrene.

Abstract: The fire retardancy of polyesters is enhanced with halophenoxyphosphazenes which are reaction products of a halogenated phenol and a phosphonitrilic halide. Brominated phenols are preferred although chlorophenols can be used. Of the brominated phenols, preferred starting materials are p-bromophenol, 2,4-dibromophenol and mixtures thereof. Phosphonitrilic chlorides are preferred starting materials. Pure phosphonitrilic halides can be used; however, mixtures are preferred because of their availability. Cyclic and linear phosphonitrilic halides are useful as well as mixtures thereof. Saturated and unsaturated polyesters can be made fire retardant by this invention as can thermoplastic and thermosetting materials. Linear and crosslinked polyesters can be treated. Preferred polyesters are fiber forming polyesters of a diol and dibasic acid, such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(1,4-cyclohexylenedimethyleneterephthalate).

Abstract: Polystyrene and related polymers are rendered flame retardant by 2,3,5,6-tetrabromo-p-xylene-.alpha.,.alpha.'-diol. Tests of polystyrene containing the diol show a high degree of stability toward ultraviolet radiation.