Hooker Chemicals & Plastics Corporation

Alvin F Shepard

Bobby F Dannels

This invention relates to novel aromatic compounds and to novel aromatic polymers of the compounds. The compounds of the present invention are cyclic ethers of orthobisphenol having the following structure: ##STR1## wherein R is independently selected from the group of hydrogen, chlorine, bromine or fluorine. The compounds of the present invention may be easily polymerized and the polymers exhibit good stability at high temperatures. The polymers are useful as molding compounds in applications where phenol-aldehyde and phenol-ketone condensates are now used.

Cyclic ethers of phenolic compounds and polymers thereof

The present invention relates to polymer compositions and to a process of producing phenolic novolak resins having a high phosphorus content. It is known that phenolic novolak resins may be reacted with P.sub.2 O.sub.5. However, it has now been found that if the novolak has substantially entirely ortho-ortho linkage the amount of phosphorus, suitably in the form of P.sub.2 O.sub.5, P.sub.2 S.sub.5, P.sub.2 O.sub.3 or mixtures thereof, that may be reacted is greatly increased and the polymer produced has enhanced fire-retardant properties. The present polymers have a wide utility in the production of flame-retardant molding compositions and laminates.

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Grand Island, NY, United States of America

Alvin F Shepard