Great Lakes Chemical Corporation

Rastko I Mamuzic

Bhabatosh Bhattacharya

Nicolai A Favstritsky

John L Sands

Richard S Rose

Arthur G Mack

David C Sanders

John E Hill

Robert P Levek

John A Garman

Robert B McDonald

Gregory Thompson

Robert M Thomas

Mary G Harscher

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.

One-pot synthesis of ring-brominated benzoate compounds

Described are processes for preparing brominated diphenylalkane products which are far whiter than prior known brominated diphenylalkane products. The resultant white brominated diphenylalkane products also form a part of the present invention, as do formulations incorporating the white brominated diphenylalkane products, and articles prepared therefrom.

Brominated diphenylalkane products and processes

A block copolymer of polyalkylene and halogenated polystyrene comprises the formula:

Block copolymer of polyalkylene and halogenated polystyrene

4,4'-dibromodiphenyl ether may be obtained in high yield and purity by the uncatalyzed 'neat' bromination of diphenyl oxide, followed by methanol digestion.

Process for producing 4,4'-dibromodiphenyl ether

Bis(2-ethyl-1-hexyl) tetrabromophthalate produced by the reaction of tetrabromophthalic anhydride with 2-ethyl-1-hexanol in the presence of titanium isopropoxide catalyst may be purified by contacting the reaction mixture with sodium carbonate decahydrate with agitation for a time and at a temperature sufficient to enhance product quality, followed by isolation of bis(2-ethyl-1-hexyl) tetrabromophthalate.

Process for preparing alkyl tetrabromophthalates

A process for the perbromination of phenol and diphenyl ether by brominating the corresponding compound in bromine as the sole reaction medium using metal and metal-containing catalysts at an elevated initial reaction temperature of at least about 35.degree. C., preferably at least about 45.degree. C., substantially enhances reaction productivity without adversely affecting product yield or quality.

Perbromination of phenol and diphenyl ether at elevated temperature

A process for isolating crude pentabromophenol containing occluded bromine and hydrogen bromide as impurities comprising the steps of contacting the crude pentabromophenol with a strong acid such as hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid and phosphoric acid; heating the mixture in order to remove excess bromine; and recovering of the pentabromophenol, whereby formation of carbonyl-group-containing impurities during isolation is minimized.

Process for the isolation of pentabromophenol

The compounds bis(2,3-dibromopropyl carbonate) of tetrabromobisphenol A and bis(2,3-dibromopropyl carbonate) of tetrachlorobisphenol A are effective fire retardants and impart enhanced fire-retardant properties to normally-combustible polymers by incorporation therein of a fire-retardant amount of one of said compounds or a mixture thereof. The fire retardancy of such polymer composition is further enhanced by incorporation therein of an additional flame-retardant material, e.g., an arsenic, antimony, or bismuth compound, preferably antimony oxide. Such polymer compositions of enhanced fire-retardancy incorporating a compound of the invention.

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West Lafayette, IN, United States of America

Rastko I Mamuzic