Abstract: A hydroxyphenyl or alkoxyphenyl phosphine oxide composition comprising (i) a first mixture of mono-(hydroxyphenyl) or (alkoxyphenyl)phosphine oxide isomers, (ii) a second mixture of bis-(hydroxyaryl) or (alkoxyphenyl)phosphine oxide isomers, (iii) a third mixture of tris-(hydroxyaryl) or (alkoxyphenyl)phosphine oxide isomers, and optionally iv) a minority amount of non-hydroxy or non-alkoxy tris-phenyl phosphine oxides is provided. Also provided are epoxy resins compositions with excellent flame retardancy and physical properties, which resins comprise the phosphine oxide composition.

Abstract: A hydroxyphenyl or alkoxyphenyl phosphine oxide composition comprising (i) a first mixture of mono-(hydroxyphenyl) or (alkoxyphenyl) phosphine oxide isomers, (ii) a second mixture of bis-(hydroxyaryl) or (alkoxyphenyl) phosphine oxide isomers, (iii) a third mixture of tris-(hydroxyaryl) or (alkoxyphenyl) phosphine oxide isomers, and optionally iv) a minority amount of non-hydroxy or non-alkoxy tris-phenyl phosphine oxides is provided. Also provided are epoxy resins compositions with excellent flame retardancy and physical properties, which resins comprise the phosphine oxide composition.

Abstract: A halogenated non-polymeric phenyl ether flame retardant is described having the general formula (I): wherein each X is independently Cl or Br, n is an integer of 1 or 2, and each p is independently an integer of 1 to 4, provided that, when each X is Cl, the total amount halogen in the ether is from about 50 to about 65 wt % and when each X is Br, the total amount halogen in the ether is from at least 70 wt % to about 79 wt % and wherein from about 30% to about 80%, for example from about 35% to about 75% of the halogenated ethers are fully halogenated the remainder being partially halogenated. The present flame retardant provides superior mechanical properties when incorporated into a polymer than similar flame retardants which contain a higher amount of fully halogenated species.

Abstract: A flame retardant blend comprises at least first and second halogenated non-polymeric phenyl ethers having the general formula (I): wherein each X is independently Cl or Br, each m is independently an integer of 1 to 5, each p is independently an integer of 1 to 4, n is an integer of 1 to 5 and wherein the values of n for the first and second ethers are different.

Abstract: A halogenated aryl ether oligomer is formed by halogenation of an aryl ether oligomer and is useful as a flame retardant for flammable macromolecular materials. Typically, the halogenated aryl ether oligomer comprises the following repeating monomeric units: wherein R is hydrogen or alkyl, especially C1 to C4 alkyl, Hal is halogen, m is at least 1, n is 0 to 3 and x is at least 2.

Abstract: A halogenated non-polymeric phenyl ether flame retardant is described having the general formula (I): wherein each X is independently Cl or Br, n is an integer of 1 or 2, and each p is independently an integer of 1 to 4, provided that, when each X is Cl, the total amount halogen in the ether is from about 50 to about 65 wt % and when each X is Br, the total amount halogen in the ether is from at least 70 wt % to about 79 wt % and wherein from about 30% to about 80%, for example from about 35% to about 75% of the halogenated ethers are fully halogenated the remainder being partially halogenated. The present flame retardant provides superior mechanical properties when incorporated into a polymer than similar flame retardants which contain a higher amount of fully halogenated species.

Abstract: A halogenated aryl ether oligomer is formed by halogenation of an aryl ether oligomer and is useful as a flame retardant for flammable macromolecular materials. Typically, the halogenated aryl ether oligomer comprises the following repeating monomeric units: wherein R is hydrogen or alkyl, especially C1 to C4 alkyl, Hal is halogen, m is at least 1, n is 0 to 3 and x is at least 2.

Abstract: A controlled molecular weight polymer of styrene is provided having bromine substituted thereon. Control of molecular weight is achieved by the use of alpha-methyl styrene dimer as a chain transfer agent. The brominated polymer of styrene is useful as a flame retardant, particularly for polyamides giving improved properties including color retention after molding.

Abstract: A flame retardant blend comprises at least first and second halogenated non-polymeric phenyl ethers having the general formula (I): wherein each X is independently Cl or Br, each m is independently an integer of 1 to 5, each p is independently an integer of 1 to 4, n is an integer of 1 to 5 and wherein the values of n for the first and second ethers are different

Abstract: A controlled molecular weight polymer of styrene is provided having bromine substituted thereon. Control of molecular weight is achieved by the use of alpha-methyl styrene dimer as a chain transfer agent. The brominated polymer of styrene is useful as a flame retardant, particularly for polyamides giving improved properties including color retention after molding.

Abstract: A controlled molecular weight polymer of styrene is provided having bromine substituted thereon. Control of molecular weight is achieved by the use of alpha-methyl styrene dimer as a chain transfer agent. The brominated polymer of styrene is useful as a flame retardant, particularly for polyamides giving improved properties including color retention after molding.

Abstract: A controlled molecular weight polymer of styrene is provided having bromine substituted thereon. Control of molecular weight is achieved by the use of alpha-methyl styrene dimer as a chain transfer agent. The brominated polymer of styrene is useful as a flame retardant, particularly for polyamides giving improved properties including color retention after molding.

Abstract: A controlled molecular weight polymer of styrene is provided having bromine substituted thereon. Control of molecular weight is achieved by the use of alpha-methyl styrene dimer as a chain transfer agent. The brominated polymer of styrene is useful as a flame retardant, particularly for polyamides giving improved properties including color retention after molding.

Abstract: A controlled molecular weight polymer of styrene is provided having bromine substituted thereon. Control of molecular weight is achieved by the use of alph?-methyl styrene dimer as a chain transfer agent. The brominated polymer of styrene is useful as a flame retardant, particularly for polyamides giving improved properties including color retention after molding.

Abstract: A flame retardant composition comprises (a) an organic halide flame retardant in the form of a powder having an average particle size less than or equal 15 microns and (b) an inorganic oxide in an amount up to 5% of the total weight of the organic halide and the inorganic oxide.

Abstract: A halogenated aryl ether oligomer is formed by halogenation of an aryl ether oligomer and is useful as a flame retardant for flammable macromolecular materials. Typically, the halogenated aryl ether oligomer comprises the following repeating monomeric units: wherein R is hydrogen or alkyl, especially C1 to C4 alkyl, Hal is halogen, m is at least 1, n is 0 to 3 and x is at least 2.

Abstract: A process for substantially perbrominating diphenyl ether comprising the steps of: (A) adding the diphenyl ether to a mixture of: (i) a greater than 400 percent excess of the stoichiometric amount of bromine; and (ii) a catalytically effective amount of a Lewis acid catalyst; (B) heating said mixture to an elevated temperature during the addition; and (C) continuing the reaction at an elevated temperature after addition of the aromatic compound has been completed.

Abstract: A method for preparing tetrabromobenzoate ester from a tetrabromophthalic anhydride including the steps of reacting the tetrabromophthalic anhydride with a catalyst and an alcohol at a temperature that favors partial esterification over complete esterification of the tetrabromophthalic anhydride to form a tetrabromophthalate half-ester reaction mixture; and feeding the half-ester reaction mixture to at least one reactor having and maintaining a temperature that favors decarboxylation over esterification to produce a tetrabromobenzoate ester-containing product. The temperature favoring partial esterification of the tetrabromophthalic anhydride is between about 70° C. and 130° C. The temperature favoring decarboxylation over esterification is between about 190° C. and 205° C. The tetrabromobenzoate ester-containing product comprises at least about 85% tetrabromobenzoate ester. The at least one reactor may include two or more reactors connected to one another in series.

Abstract: Provided are methods for the preparation and purification of alkyl tetrahalophthalate esters by the reaction of a tetrahalophthalic compound with an alkanol in the presence of a titanate catalyst. More particularly, improved methods are provided for making and recovering an ester with little contamination by catalytic metal components and color bodies, and with little acidity, in a high yield from the esterification reaction by pretreating the starting materials to reduce the acidity thereof, reacting the starting materials in the presence of a titanate catalyst, stripping excess alcohol, hydrolyzing the catalyst, and filtering out solids to yield a high purity tetrahalophthalate ester product.