Abstract: Polycyclic trisaminomethanes of the formula ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, alike or different, are alkylene;R.sup.3 and R.sup.4, alike or different, are alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aralkyl; or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are joined together to form an alkylene group which may be interrupted by(1) ##STR2## WHERE Q is hydrogen or alkyl, or (2) ONE OR TWO --O-- linkages; andThere are at least 2 carbons between each two hetero atoms in the outer ring system, are useful as initiators for the polymerization of pivalolactone. These polycyclic trisaminomethanes are prepared by reacting a polyamine of the formulaR.sup.3 NHR.sup.1 NHR.sup.2 NHR.sup.4with a dialkoxy(dialkylamino)methane of the formula(RO).sub.2 CHNR'.sub.2in which R and R', alike or different, are alkyl.

Abstract: Polycyclic phosphorous triamides of the formula ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, alike or different, are alkylene of 2 to about 6 carbons;R.sup.3 and R.sup.4, alike or different, are alkyl of 1 to about 8 carbons, cycloalkyl of 5 to about 8 carbons, or aralkyl where the aryl group is of 6 to about 12 carbons and the alkyl is of 1 to about 8 carbons; or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are joined together to form an alkylene group of 2 to about 6 carbons which may be interrupted by1. a ##STR2## group where Q is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to about 18 carbons, or 2. ONE OR TWO --O-- linkages;There are at least 2 carbons between each two hetero atoms in the outer ring system, and when the triamide is tricyclic, at least one of the chains between the nitrogens linked to phosphorus contains at least three atomsAre useful as flame retardants for cotton.

Abstract: Polycyclic phosphorous triamides of the formula ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, alike or different, are alkylene of 2 to 6 carbons;R.sup.3 and R.sup.4, alike or different, are alkyl of 1 to 8 carbons, cycloalkyl of 5 to 8 carbons, or aralkyl where the aryl group is of 6 to 12 carbons and the alkyl is of 1 to 8 carbons; or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are joined together to form an alkylene group of 2 to 6 carbons which may be interrupted by1. a ##STR2## group where Q is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 18 carbons, or 2. ONE OR TWO --O-- linkages; there are at least 2 carbons between each two hetero atoms in the outer ring system, and when the triamide is tricyclic, at least one of the chains between the nitrogens linked to phosphorus contains at least three atomsAre useful as flame retardants for cotton.