Abstract: A process for the preparation of 2-hydroxyalkylphosphine oxides and sulfides. The corresponding 2-acyloxyphosphine is hydrolyzed (or alcoholyzed) and oxidized, in either order, to produce the desired 2-hydroxyalkylphosphine oxide or sulfide. The product may contain one, two or three 2-hydroxyalkyl groups, depending on the phosphine starting material used.

Abstract: Alcohols preferably having a pka below that of propanol-1 are heated with certain heterocyclic phosphites to give phosphonates and certain heterocyclic phosphonites, to give phosphinates. If small amounts of alcohols are employed, the products are generally polymeric in nature whereas if larger amounts of the alcohol are employed, there is generally ring opening to the simpler monomer, or isomerization to the phosphonate or phosphinate. The products are useful as fire retardants and as adhesives for glass. Pentaerythritol phosphite can be self-polymerized by such heating to form the adhesive polymer.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 2-hydroxyethylphosphines. The process involves the addition of an alkenyl carboxylate (such as vinyl acetate) to a phosphine containing a P--H bond, followed by conversion of the resulting ester-substituted phosphine to the corresponding 2-hydroxyethylphosphine. The conversion is effected by alcoholysis or by hydrolysis.

Abstract: Ultraviolet light absorbers and stabilizers, particularly for monolefin polymers, are provided from metal complexes of trivalent phosphorus compounds of the formulaeMe (L).sub.n (A).sub.m (L').sub.owhere Me is preferably nickel but can be manganese, iron, copper, molybdenum or tungsten, L is P(X)(Y)(Z) where any one or all of X, Y and Z can be O hydrocarbyl, ##EQU1## where R.sub.31 and R.sub.32 are hydrocarbyl oro hydrogen, S hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbyl, 2 or 3 of X, Y and Z can form one or more heterocyclic rings with P, A is an anion such as halogen, e.g. Cl, Br, I or F, NO.sub.3, ClO.sub.4, R.sub.33 COO.sup.- where R.sub.33 is hydrocarbyl, any hydrocarbyl group can have 1 or 2 halogen substituents, m is 0 or a small whole number, e.g. 1,2,3,4, L' is CO, NO, CN, halogen, o is zero or a small whole number, e.g. 1,2,3,4, n is 1 or another small whole number, e.g. 2,3,4, o+m+n is not greater than the highest coordination number of the metal.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of trialkyl and trialkenyl phosphates. The process involves oxidation of the corresponding phosphite with oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas. The oxidation is catalyzed by a metal catalyst such as a transition metal carboxylate, for example, and is carried out at relatively low temperatures.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of trialkyl and trialkenyl phosphates. The process involves oxidation of the corresponding phosphite with oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas. The oxidation is catalyzed by a nonoxidizing initiator such as an organic peroxide or an azo compound, and requires the influence of ultraviolet light for optimum performance.