Abstract: A method of making flame retarded polyurethanes by including a bromobenzoate compound in the polyurethane mixture. Also disclosed is a method of making flame retarded polyvinyl chlorides, unsaturated polyesters and epoxy resins by incorporating a bromobenzoate compound into the polymer system. The bromobenzoate compounds of the invention may also be used as plasticizers for PVC and rubber.

Abstract: A method of preparing tetrabromobenzoate compounds from tetrabromophthalic anhydride by reacting tetrabromophthalic anhydride with alcohol in the presence of a decarboxylation catalyst. The reaction may be carried out in an excess of alcohol, or with a near stoichiometric amount of alcohol by performing the reaction in an inert solvent.

Abstract: A process for leaching gold, silver, platinum and palladium wherein an aqueous leaching solution containing bromine and bromide ion contacts a precious metal source to produce an aqueous leachate. A precursor composition for producing an aqueous leaching solution for leaching gold, silver, platinum and palladium. A process for electrogenerating bromine and a process for leaching gold, silver, platinum and palladium wherein bromine is electrogenerated and contacts a precious metal source to produce an aqueous leachate. A process for leaching gold, silver, platinum and palladium wherein bromine is electrogenerated from a solution containing chloride ions and bromide ions.

Abstract: A process for leaching gold, silver, platinum and palladium wherein an aqueous leaching solution containing bromine and bromide ion contacts a precious metal source to produce an aqueous leachate. A precursor composition for producing an aqueous leaching solution for leaching gold, silver, platinum and palladium. A process for electrogenerating bromine and a process for leaching gold, silver, platinum and palladium wherein bromine is electrogenerated and contacts a precious metal source to produce an aqueous leachate. A process for leaching gold, silver, platinum and palladium wherein bromine is electrogenerated from a solution containing chloride ions and bromide ions.

Abstract: Flame retardant additive for plastics, compositions containing the additive, and methods for preparing the additives and compositions. The additives include a halostyrene-glycidyl (meth)acrylate copolymer. The compositions include a thermoplastic substrate requiring flame retardancy and copolymers of a halostyrene and glycidyl (meth)acrylate.

Abstract: Flame retardant latex compositions are disclosed which include natural or synthetic latex grafted with ring-halogenated, ethylenically unsaturated aromatic monomers. The graft latex is used alone or in combination with non-grafted natural or synthetic latex. The compositions are useful as coatings for a wide variety of applications, including fabric backcoatings, carpetings, paints, adhesives, sealants, caulks, non-woven binders and so on.

Abstract: A method for controlling diseases in plants, comprising applying to the roots or leaves of the plant a water-soluble, mono- or di-substituted ammonium perhalide of the formula: ##STR1## where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently hydrogen, hydroxyethyl, alkyl, cyclic alkyl, (alpha, omega)-alkyl, alkyl ether, polyether, heterocyclic ring-substituted alkyl, and halogenated alkyl; X is chlorine, bromine or iodine; n is 2 to 6; and only one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is hydrogen.In another aspect of the invention, plant seeds are disinfected by applying the water-soluble, mono- or di-substituted ammonium perhalide to the seeds.

Abstract: A method for reducing plant water loss by closing stomatal openings and reducing the transpiration rate. In particular, a water loss reducing composition made of an osmo-adjusting solute such as sorbitol or xylitol is applied to plants. The solution is applied to the root zone by drenching regularly or prior to water deficiency, and preferably includes between about 0.5 and about 25 weight percent of the water loss reducing and conditioning agent.

Abstract: Improved flame retardant polymer latices are disclosed which comprise copolymers of ring-halogenated aromatic monomer units and alkyl acrylate/methacrylate monomer units, and which may additionally include at least one other monomer. In a first embodiment, the latices include ring-brominated aromatic monomer units and alkyl acrylate and/or alkyl methacrylate monomer units. In a second embodiment, the latices include these first two types of monomer units and further include third monomer units from unsaturated esters of saturated carboxylic acids, halogen-free aromatic monomers or unsaturated carboxylic or dicarboxylic acid monomers. In a third embodiment, the latices include four monomer units, namely ring-brominated aromatic monomer units, alkyl acrylate/methacrylate monomer units, halogen-free aromatic monomer units and unsaturated carboxylic or dicarboxylic acid monomer units.

Abstract: Osmo-adjusting solutes, particularly polyols and/or monosaccharides, are used to control the growth of plants. In particular, aqueous solutions of sorbitol or xylitol are used to reduce plant height and increase stem diameter. The solutions preferably include between about 0.05 and about 25 weight percent of the osmo-adjusting solute, and are applied to the root zone by drenching regularly or prior to transplanting. The solutions are also shown to be effective for conditioning plants for hardiness against certain environmental and handling stresses.

Abstract: A flame-retarded polyolefin fiber made of a thermoplastic polyolefin and a graft copolymer composition represented by tile formula: ##STR1## in which PP is polypropylene, and S represents grafted side chains having halogenated monomeric units of the formula: ##STR2## wherein x=1 to 4, R.sub.8 is H or CH.sub.3, R.sub.9 is H or a C.sub.1-4 alkyl group, and R.sub.10 is Br or Cl. In an alternate embodiment the flame-retarded polyolefin fiber further includes a halogenated bisphenol derivative represented by the formula: ##STR3## in which R.sub.1 to R.sub.4 are H, CH.sub.3 or a halogen, R.sub.5 is H, dihaloethyl, dihalopropyl or dihalobutyl, and A is a single bond, O, CO, S, SO.sub.2 or C(R.sub.6)(R.sub.7), where R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 are H or a C.sub.1-4 alkyl.

Abstract: A process for the solventless polymerization of brominated styrenes includes blending monomers of brominated styrenes with a polymerization initiator, feeding the monomer/polymerization initiator mix into a prepolymerizer wherein the monomers begin to polymerize, and feeding the monomer/polymerization initiator mix and the partially polymerized bromostyrene into a screw-type extruder to drive the polymerization to a high degree of completion in a short period of time. Optionally, the monomers may be preheated before mixing with the initiator, or a heater may be included in the prepolymerizer.

Abstract: Smoke suppressed flame retardant thermoset resin compositions comprise smoke suppressant bicyclic phosphate compound(s), flame retardant(s) and unsaturated polyester or other thermoset materials. These compositions exhibit a reduced tendency to smoke under conditions of burning.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the purification of brominated styrenic homo-polymers and co-polymers. The purification process reduces or removes contained aliphatic bromine, and free bromine resulting from the reaction of the brominated reagent with the polystyrene backbone. In addition, the method optionally removes occluded inorganic halide impurities from the polymer. These impurities are considered undesirable due to their adverse effects on thermal aging and stability of the final end use resin formulations.

Abstract: A process for the solventless polymerization of brominated styrenes includes blending monomers of brominated styrenes with a polymerization initiator, feeding the monomer/polymerization initiator mix into a prepolymerizer wherein the monomers begin to polymerize, and feeding the monomer/polymerization initiator mix and the partially polymerized bromostyrene into a screw-type extruder to drive the polymerization to a high degree of completion in a short period of time. Optionally, the monomers may be preheated before mixing with the initiator, or a heater may be included in the prepolymerizer.

Abstract: Flame retardant latex coatings are disclosed which include natural or synthetic latex grafted with ring-halogenated, ethylenically unsaturated aromatic monomers. The grafted latex is used alone or in combination with non-grafted natural or synthetic latex. The coatings are useful for a wide variety of applications, including fabric backcoatings, carpetings, paints, adhesives, sealants, caulks, non-woven binders and so on.

Abstract: Improved flame retardant latex coatings are disclosed which comprise copolymers of ring-halogenated aromatic monomer units and alkyl acrylate/methacrylate monomer units, and which may additionally include at least one other monomer. In a first embodiment, the coatings include ring-brominated aromatic monomer units and alkyl acrylate and/or alkyl methacrylate monomer units. In a second embodiment, the coatings include these first two types of monomer units and further include third monomer units from unsaturated esters of saturated carboxylic acids, halogen-free aromatic monomers or unsaturated carboxylic or dicarboxylic acid monomers. In a third embodiment, the coatings include four monomer units, namely ring-brominated aromatic monomer units, alkyl acrylate/methacrylate monomer units, halogen-free aromatic monomer units and unsaturated carboxylic or dicarboxylic acid monomer units.

Abstract: Aqueous plant cryoprotectant composition containing between about 0.005 and 25 wt. % tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, tetrahydrofurfuryl amine or mixtures thereof and method of increasing the resistance of plant tissue to damage caused by freezing conditions comprising applying to the plant tissue surfaces at ambient non-freezing temperatures an aqueous solution containing an effective amount of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, tetrahydrofurfuryl amine or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the protection of plant tissue from damage upon exposure to air pollutants, and to assist plant tissue in recovering from air pollution injury, include the application of an effective amount of stress-protectant compositions selected from the group consisting of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, tetrahydrofurfuryl amine and mixtures thereof. The compositions are applied as aqueous solutions containing between about 0.005 and about 25 wt % of the stress-protectant components. Surfactants may be included to improve application of the compositions to the plants.

Abstract: A block copolymer of polyalkylene and halogenated polystyrene comprises the formula:S'--A--(A--S').sub.min which m is 0, 1, 3 or 4, A is a saturated polyalkylene, and S' is a nuclear brominated polystyrene having from about 0.5 to about 5 bromines per styrene unit. The polystyrene blocks are substantially free of halogen other than bromine and chlorine, and the polyalkylene is substantially free of halogen. The compositions retain the elastomeric properties of the non-halogenated form of the compounds while having significantly reduced flammability.