Synthesis and TGA evaluation of novel triphosphate esters

Abstract

Several new substituted organo tri/thiotriphosphate esters were synthesized by condensing cyclic oxaza/dioxaphosphorochloridates/thiochloridates with [K.sub.2]HP[O.sub.4] in the presence of tetrabutylammonium iodide. The functionality on the phosphate was systematically changed by synthesis, thus allowing evaluation and comparison of a range of phosphate esters with highly varied structural features. They were subjected to thermogravimetric analysis, derivative thermogravimetric analysis, and differential thermal analysis to assess their thermal stability and potential use as flame retardants. It has been found that their thermal degradations, being highly complex and dependent upon a number of molecular structural features, are difficult to rationalize on simple rules.