Albemarle Corporation

Albelmarle Corporation

Thorsten W Brockmann

Charles H Kolich

Meng-Sheng Ao

David R Brackenridge

Donald E Balhoff

Billie B Dadgar

Homer C Lin

Ronny W Lin

W Dirk Klobucar

Tse-Chong Wu

Robert H Allen

William J Layman, Jr

Jon S Reed

Kannappan C Chockalingam

R Carl Herndon, Jr

Gary D Focht

Gary D Heidebrecht

Joseph D McLean

Ranjit K Roy

Yaping Zhong

This invention relates to a thermally stable brominated polystyrene composition which contains alkali metal base (e.g., NaOH) in an amount less than about 1 wt % such that if the flame retardant is dissolved in bromochloromethane and the resultant solution is extracted with water, the resultant water extract exhibits a pH of at least about 9.0. A preferred composition of this type even when heated to 315.degree. C. for one hour did not undergo darkening--the color remained tan. Comparative samples not containing the base turned black under these same conditions. Especially useful compositions additionally have less than 500 ppm, and better still, less than 100 ppm total Cl, and at least about 67 wt % bromine. Processes for producing the compositions are also described.

Brominated polystyrenic flame retardants

Palladium-catalyzed arylation of an olefin (e.g., ethylene) with an aromatic halide (e.g., 2-bromo-6-methoxynaphthalene, m-bromobenzophenone, or 4-isobutyl-1-bromobenzene) is conducted in specified media. After a special acid or base phase separation procedure, palladium-catalyzed carbonylation of the olefinically-substituted aromatic intermediate is conducted in specified media using CO and water or an alcohol to form arylalkylcarboxylic acid or ester or substituted arylalkylcarboxylic acid or ester (e.g., racemic 2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propionic acid, 2-(3-benzoylphenyl)propionic acid, or 2-(4-isobutylphenyl)propionic acid). Catalyst recovery procedures enabling recycle of catalyst residues and efficient recovery of amine hydrogen halide scavenger and solvent used in the arylation reaction are described, as well as novel, highly efficient methods of conducting the carbonylation reaction. The technology is economical and suitable for use on an industrial scale whereby reaction mixtures can be efficiently separated into the desired component mixtures without need for excessive capital investment or tedious, time-consuming operations. High yields of high purity products can be achieved.

Preparation of carboxylic compounds and their derivatives

This invention relates to the bromination of styrenic polymers by contacting same with a brominating agent in the presence of a bromination catalyst and, as a reaction solvent, bromochloromethane.

Process for brominated styrenic polymers

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Columbia, SC, United States of America

Thorsten W Brockmann