Organic sulfide antioxidants

Abstract: Organic sulfide antioxidants useful for stabilizing polyolefins against oxidative and thermal degradation during processing and use represented by Formula I : wherein n is an integer of 2 to 15; R is an alkyl group of 2 to 30 carbons, or a cycloalkyl group of 5 to 20 carbons, R is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group of 2 to 30 carbons, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group of 5 to 20 carbons, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group of 2 to 30 carbons where any of up to 6 carbon atoms are replaced with an O or S heteroatom, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group of 5 to 20 carbons where any of up to 6 carbon atoms are replaced with an O or S heteroatom, with the proviso that the heteroatoms must be separated from each other and from the portion of the compound to which the R group is bonded by at least one carbon atom, the substituents for R being -OH, -SR⁴ or -OR⁴, wherein R⁴ is an alkyl group of 1 to 30 carbons or a cycloalkyl group of 5 to 20 carbons; R¹ and R² are independently H or an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbons; and R³ is an alkyl group of 1 to 24 carbons or a cycloalkyl group of 5 to 20 carbons.

Description: The present invention is related to organic sulfide antioxidants which may be used to stabilize polyolefin resins against the detrimental effects of thermal and oxidative degradation both during processing and aging. Background of the Invention Polyolefin resins, which are prepared from aliphatic olefins, are known in the art as a class of thermoplastics characterized by excellent physical properties. For example, polyolefin resins demonstrate a high resistance to stress cracking, a high tensile strength and a high stability under load. These physical properties make this class of thermoplastics particularly useful in the manufacture of pipe, film, wire, coated molded objects, etc. However, polyolefins demonstrate a high amount of degradation at the high temperatures typically required in the processing of the polymers into useful finished articles. This drawback associated with the polyolefin resins is discussed, e.g., in U.S. Patent 3,574,165. Moreover, polyolefin resins are further detrimentally affected by oxidative degradation caused by the formation of peroxides in the polymer backbone. These peroxides decompose under the influence of heat and light initiating chain scission or crosslinking reactions in the polymer which ultimately result in the loss of physical properties. The compounds of this invention effectively decompose the peroxides before they can adversely affect the polymer. In order to stabilize polyolefins against the deleterious effects of both thermal and oxidative degradation, it is known in the art to incorporate small amounts of various phenolic or arylamine antioxidants into the resin in combination with other antioxidants, such as sulfide containing antioxidants. For example, U.S. Patent Nos. 3,180,850, 3,258,493, 3,293,209, 3,574,165, 3,652,680 and 3,772,246 all teach the use of a combination of these types of antioxidants as ingredients in resins to protect polyolefin resins from both thermal and oxidative degradation. US-A-3 258 495 discloses thiol terminated polyoxyalkylene glycols as straight and branched chain compounds useful as elastomeric compositions. These are produced by reacting a hydroxy terminated liquid polyoxyalkylene glycol polymer with epihalohydrin to produce an intermediate halohydrin further reacted with excess sodium sulfhydrate at a pH below 9.5 and at a temperature of at least 100°C to yield product and sodium halide by-product. The product has the structure: where R is the polyoxyalkylene moiety of the polyoxyalkylene glycol condensation product of an alkylene oxide having 2 to 4 carbon atoms and a polyhydric alcohol having 2 to 6 hydroxy groups with a molecular weight of at least 400 and n is greater that 2 but not greater than 6. Conventional sulfide antioxidants, used to stabilize polyolefin resins, are the esters of thiodipropionic acid, particularly the dilauryl thiodipropionate and the distearyl thiodipropionate (DLTDP and DSTDP, respectively). Although the thiodipropionates are effective in stabilizing polyolefin resins, they suffer from the drawback of being hydrolytically unstable due to the presence of an ester functionality. Due to this hydrolytic instability, the thiodipropionates may be leached out of the polyolefin resins and articles made with these resins by hot water and in particular, hot water containing soap and detergents. The loss of the thiodipropionate stabilizer will cause premature deterioration, such as embrittlement and cracking of the polyolefins. This is particularly disadvantageous when the resins are used in hot water applications such as in hot water pipes, tubing applications and as components for automatic laundry and dishwashing equipment, etc. The drawbacks of the thiodipropionates are discussed in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,652,680 and 3,772,246. The present invention provides organic sulfide antioxidants which may be used to stabilize polyolefin resin compositions, which not only provide excellent results as antioxidants and processing stabilizers, but also possess hydrolytic stability. Moreover, the antioxidant compounds of the present invention may be incorporated into the polyolefin reins to protect the polyolefins both during processing and after the resins have been formed into articles. Summary of the Invention The present invention relates to an organic sulfide antioxidant useful for stabilizing polyolefin against oxidative and thermal degradation during processing and use, the organic sulfide antioxidant being represented by Formula I : wherein n is an integer of 2 to 15; R is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group of 2 to 30 carbons, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group of 5 to 20 carbons, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group of 2 to 30 carbons where any of up to 6 carbon atoms are replaced with an O or S heteroatom, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group of 5 to 20 carbons where any of up to 6 carbon atoms are replaced with an O or S heteroatom, with the proviso that the heteroatoms must be separated from each other and from the portion of the compound to which the R group is bonded by at least one carbon atom, the substituents for R being -OH, -SR⁴ or - OR⁴, wherein R⁴ is an alkyl group of 1 to 30 carbons or a cycloalkyl group of 5 to 20 carbons; R¹ and R² are independently H or an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbons; and R³ is an alkyl group of 1 to 24 carbons or a cycloalkyl group of 5 to 20 carbons; with the exception of compounds in which R is unsubstituted alkyl of 2, 3 or 4 carbons or unsubstituted C₂₋₄alkylene-O-C₂₋₄alkylene, R¹ and R² are H, and n is 2; and of compounds in which n is 2, and R³ is substituted by -SH. The present invention further relates to a method of preparing an organic sulfide of Formula I' and to a method of stabilizing a polyolefin resin against oxidative or thermal degradation comprising adding to the resin an amount of the organic sulfide represented by Formula I ' set forth below: wherein n is an integer of 2 to 15; R is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group of 2 to 30 carbons, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group of 5 to 20 carbons, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group of 2 to 30 carbons where any of up to 6 carbon atoms are replaced with an O or S heteroatom, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group of 5 to 20 carbons where any of up to 6 carbon atoms are replaced with an O or S heteroatom, with the proviso that the heteroatoms must be separated from each other and from the portion of the compound to which the R group is bonded by at least one carbon atom, the substituents for R being -OH, -SR⁴ or - OR⁴, wherein R⁴ is an alkyl group of 1 to 30 carbons or a cycloalkyl group of 5 to 20 carbons; R¹ and R² are independently H or an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbons; and R³ is an alkyl group of 1 to 24 carbons or a cycloalkyl group of 5 to 20 carbons. Preferably, the present sulfide antioxidants are those represented by Formula I or I' wherein R is a mixture of: wherein α and β are types of linkages wherein R¹ is H or CH₃; R² is H; and R³ is an alkyl group of 10 to 18 carbons. More preferably, the sulfide antioxidants of the present invention are those represented by Formula I or I ' wherein R is wherein R¹ and R² are H; and R³ is an alkyl group of 12 to 18 carbons. In the preferred and more preferred sulfide antioxidants set forth above, n is determined by the number of unattached bonds in each R group. Preferred organic sulfide antioxidants in accordance with the present invention are pentaerythritol tetrakis( n -hexadecylthiopropyl)ether, pentaerythritol tris( n -hexadecylthiopropyl)ether, pentaerythritol tetrakis ( n -octadecylthiopropyl) ether, pentaerythritol tris( n -octadecylthiopropyl) ether, pentaerythritol tetrakis ( n -dodecylthiopropyl) ether, pentaerythritol tris( n -dodecylthiopropyl) ether, trimethylolpropane tris( n -octadecylthiopropyl) ether, trimethylolpropane tris( n -hexyldecylthiopropyl) ether, dipentaerythritol hexakis( n -octylthiopropyl) ether, dipentaerythritol hexakis ( n -dodecylthiopropyl) ether and dipentaerythritol hexakis( n -hexadecylthiopropyl) ether. Examples of representative sulfide antioxidants useful in practicing the present 5 invention are as set forth below: In the following non-limiting examples of representative structures for the sulfide antioxidants of the present invention, the sorbitan backbone shown in a 1,4-sorbitan, which comprises about 85% of the sorbitan of commerce. Sorbitan also contains about 13% of 3,6-sorbitan and about 2% of 2,5-anhydro-L-iditol (both isomers of 1,4-sorbitan). It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the sulfide antioxidants set forth below, which are derived from 1,4-sorbitan, also include these isomers. In the following non-limiting examples of representitive sulfide antioxidants of the present invention derived from sucrose, Z is CH₂CH₂CH₂SR³; Z¹ is Z² is and R³ is as defined above. Non-limiting examples of the preferred sulfide antioxidants in accordance with the present invention are set forth below: wherein R⁹ represents an alkyl group of 10 to 18 carbons; Z⁴ is -CH₂CH₂CH₂-, and Z⁵ is Non-limiting examples of the most preferred sulfide antioxidants in accordance with the present invention are set forth below: wherein R¹⁰ represents an alkyl group of 12 to 18 carbons. The organic sulfide antioxidants of the present invention represented by Formula I or I ', may be prepared, for example, by first reacting a polyol (with two or more hydroxyl groups per molecule) with an allylic or substituted allylic halide (particularly chloride, bromide or iodide) in the presence of a base, such as sodium or potassium hydroxide. The amount of base used should be an amount sufficient to remove the by-product hydrogen halide and to form the corresponding polyallylic ether. Water or any other inert solvent may be used if necessary. Next, a mercaptan is added, under free radical conditions (i.e., in the presence of peroxides, azo compounds, ultraviolet light, etc.) to the polyallylic ether discussed above, in order to form the antioxidant compounds of the present invention. The number of moles of mercaptan which should be employed in this reaction is an amount at least equal to the number of double bonds in the allyl ether. The present organic sulfide antioxidant compounds may also be prepared by other methods which will be evident to one skilled in the art based upon the present disclosure. Illustrated below is a reaction scheme which may be used to prepare the compounds of the present invention. wherein R, R¹, R² and R³ are as defined above and X is Cl, Br or I. The sulfide antioxidants of the present invention may be added to a polyolefin resin in any conventional manner. Appropriate methods for the addition of the present compounds to a polyolefin resin will be evident to one skilled in the art based upon the present disclosure. For example, the present sulfide antioxidants may be added to the polyolefin resins by appropriate methods known in the art, such as blending, extruding, kneading, etc., with the requirement that a uniform mixture is produced. The present organic sulfide antioxidants may be added to a polyolefin resin in synergistic combination with an auxiliary antioxidant, such as a phenolic or arylamine antioxidant. Additives, such as talc, metal deactivators, calcium carbonate, calcium stearate, UV stabilizers (such as benzophenones, salicylic acid esters, hindered amines and benzotriazoles), etc., may further be added to a polyolefin resin composition containing the present organic sulfide antioxidants. Generally, when used as stabilizers in polyolefin resins, the organic sulfide antioxidants of the present invention will be continued in the resin in an amount of about 1:10,000 to about 1:20, and preferably about 1:1,000 to about 7:1,000 parts by weight of antioxidant to resin. If an auxiliary antioxidant is used in combination with the sulfide antioxidants of the present invention, the weight ratio of primary antioxidant to the sulfide antioxidant is from about 10:1 to about 1:10 and preferably about 1:2 to about 1:4. The present invention will now be illustrated by reference to the following specific non-limiting examples. Example 1 Example 1 demonstrates the preparation of a mixture of pentaerythritol tetrakis ( n -hexadecylthiopropyl) ether and pentaerythritol tris( n -hexadecylthiopropyl)ether. A 250ml three-necked flask equipped with a magnetic stirrer, a condenser and a nitrogen inlet tube van purged with nitrogen and charged with 91g of n -hexadecyl mercaptan (0.35 mole). The n -hexadecyl mercaptan was then heated to 80°C while stirred. To the heated and stirred n -hexadecyl mercaptan, 0.2g of a solution of 2,2'-azobis-(isobutyronitrile) in 26.49g of a 20/80 mixture of pentaerythritol tetra-allyl and triallyl ether (0.32 moles of unsaturation) was added dropwise over a 15-minute period. One-half hour after the addition of the mixture was completed, 0.1g of 2,2′-azobis(isobutyronitrile) was added. Two more 0.1g additions of 2,2′-azobis(isobutyronitrile) were made at subsequent half-hour intervals. After the final addition of the 2,2′-azobis(isobutyronitrile), the reaction mixture was held at 80°C for one hour. The product, a wax-like solid, was then recrystallized four times from 400ml of isopropanol and 100ml of hexane, yielding 41g (38%) of a mixture of the pentaerythritol tetrakis( n -hexadecylthiopropyl) ether and pentaerythritol tris( n -hexadecylthiopropyl)ether. The recrystallized product was a white solid with a melting point range of 40-48°C. NMR analysis indicated that the product was a mixture consisting of 40% of the tetrakis and 60% of the tris ethers. An elemental analysis was conducted for C₈₁H₁₆₄O₄S₄ (tetrakis) (theoretical C, 73.12; H, 12.43; S, 9.64, OH, O); and C₆₂H₁₂₇O₄S₃ (tris) (theoretical C, 72.16; H, 12.30; S, 9.30; OH, 1.7). The actual percentages found were: C, 73.3%; H, 12.5%; S, 9.26%; OH, 1.12%. Example 2 Example 2 demonstrates the preparation of pentaerythritol tetrakis( n -hexadecylthiopropyl) ether. The procedure used was identical to that set forth in Example 1, except that 107g of n -hexadecyl mercaptan (0.417 mole) was reacted with 29.64g of pure pentaerythritol tetraallyl ether (0.1 mole). The crude product was recrystallized three times in 300 ml of hexane yielding 57g of white solid having a melting point of 55-57°C. An elemental analysis was conducted for C₈₈H₁₆₄S₄O₄ (theoretical C - 73.12%, H - 12.43%, S - 9.64% and 0 - 4.81%). The actual percentages found were C - 73.4%, H - 11.9% and S - 10.0%. Example 3 Example 3 demonstrates the preparation of pentaerythritol tetra( n -dodecylthiopropyl) ether. The procedure used was identical to that set forth in Example 1, except that 123.9g of n -dodecylmercaptan (0.612 mole) was reacted with 44.5g of pentaerythritol tetraallyl ether (0.15 mole). The crude product was recrystallized twice in 800 ml of hexane yielding 95g of a white solid having a melting point of 38-40°C. Example 4 Example 4 demonstrates the preparation of pentaerythritol tetrakis( n -octadecylthiopropyl) ether. The procedure used was identical to that set forth in Example 1, except that 119.4g of n -octadecyl mercaptan (0.417 mole) was reacted with 29.6g of pentaerythritol tetraallyl ether (0.1 mole). The crude product was then recrystallized three times in 300 ml of hexane yielding 54g of a white solid having a melting point of 60-63°C. Example 5 Example 5 demonstrates the preparation of trimethylolpropane tris( n -hexadecylthiopropyl) ether. The procedure used was identical to that set forth in Example 1, except that 79.3g of n -hexadecyl mercaptan (0.307 mole) was reacted with 25g of trimethylol propane triallyl ether (0.0783 mole). The crude product was then recrystallized three times in 300 ml of hexane yielding 34g of a white solid having a melting point of 39-44°C. Example 6 Example 6 demonstrates the preparation of trimethylolpropane tris( n -octadecylthiopropyl) ether. The procedure used was identical to that set forth in Example 1, except that 92.7g of n -octadecyl mercaptan (0.323 mole) was reacted with 25g of trimethylol propane triallyl ether (0.0983 mole). The crude product was recrystallized three times in 300 ml of hexane yielding 53g of a white solid having a melting point of 43-45°C. Example 7 Example 7 demonstrates the preparation of dipentaerythritol hexakis ( n -octylthiopropyl) ether. The procedure used was identical to that set forth in Example 1, except that 134.4g of n -octyl mercaptan (0.919 mole) was reacted with 24.25g of dipentaerythritol hexaallyl ether (0.15 moles). The crude product, an oil, was low-temperature recrystallized three times at -76°C (in a dry ice/acetone bath) in 500 ml of hexane yielding 20g of a clear oil. Example 8 Example 8 demonstrates the preparation of dipentaerythritol hexakis( n -dodecyl thiopropyl) ether. The procedures used was identical to that set forth in Example 1, except that 123.9g of n -dodecyl mercaptan (0.612 mole) was reacted with 49.5g of dipentaerythritol hexaallyl ether (0.10 mole). The crude product, an oil, was low-temperature recrystallized three times at -10°C in 500 ml of hexane yielding 38g of a clear oil. Example 9 Example 9 demonstrates the preparation of dipentaerythritol hexakis( n -hexadecylthiopropyl) ether. The procedure used was identical to that set forth in Example 1, except that 158.3g of n -hexadecyl mercaptan (0.612 mole) was reacted with 49.5g of dipentaerythritol hexaallyl ether (0.10 mole). The crude product, a solid, was recrystallized three times in 600 ml of hexane yielding 75g of a white solid having a melting point of 44-45°C. Examples 10-22 Examples 10 to 22 illustrate the greater stability of the organic sulfide antioxidants of this invention in comparison to conventional sulfide antioxidants. Small samples of antioxidants (10-25mg) were heated in platinum boats at a rate 10°C per minute. The temperature necessary to cause a weight loss of 5% was then determined. The gas flow (nitrogen or air) was 200cc per minute in a duPont Model 9900 Thermogravimetric Analyzer. Examples 10-14 are conventional antioxidants used in the plastics industry. The following antioxidants were used in Examples 10-14. DLTDP - Dilauryl Thiodipropionate DSPDPH- Distearyl Pentaerythritol Diphosphite TBPBPH - Tetrakis(2,4-di- t -butylphenyl)-4,4′-biphenylene-diphosphonite TBPP - Tris(2,5-di- t -butylphenyl) Phosphite The data set forth in Table I illustrates the temperature at which a 5% weight loss occurs for a series of antioxidants. Examples 15-22 are sulfide antioxidants in accordance with the present invention. As can be seen from the Table I, the temperature at which a 5% weight loss occurs is considerably higher for the compounds according to the present invention as compared to conventional antioxidants. These results are consistent regardless of whether the analysis is run in the presence of air or nitrogen. Thermogravimetric Analysis Example No. Antioxidant 5% Weight Loss (°C) Nitrogen Air 10 DSTDP 271 266 11 DLTDP 308 259 12 DSPDPH 252 259 13 TBPBPH 171 160 14 TBPP 291 280 15 Production of Ex. 1 359 314 16 Production of Ex. 2 368 Not Evaluated 17 Production of Ex. 4 376 Not Evaluated 18 Production of Ex. 5 374 Not Evaluated 19 Production of Ex. 6 367 Not Evaluated 20 Production of Ex. 7 365 Not Evaluated 21 Production of Ex. 8 357 Not Evaluated 22 Production of Ex. 9 359 Not Evaluated Example 23 Test specimens were made from 100 parts by weight of polypropylene, 0.1 parts by weight of pentaerythritol tetrakis[3,5-di- t -butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate], 0.1 parts by weight of calcium stearate and 0.3 parts by weight of additives. A methylene chloride slurry of the ingredients was made and the solvent was evaporated. The resulting mixtures were then blended in an intensive mixer. The mixture were then pelletized in a laboratory extruder at a temperature of 250°C. The pellets were injection molded at 250°C into test specimens (125 mil x 5/8 x 2-1/4 inches). The test specimens were aged in racks suspended from a slowly rotating Ferris wheel in a forced air oven at 150°C. Failure as noted in Table II set forth below was the time to formation of a discolored and friable area on the specimen. Additive Avg. Days to Failure None 35 DSTDP 95 Product of Ex. 1 141 The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

Claims: Claims for the following Contracting States : AT, BE, CH, DE, DK, FR, GB, IT, LI, NL, SE An organic sulfide represented by Formula I: wherein n is an integer of 2 to 15; R is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group of 2 to 30 carbons, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group of 5 to 20 carbons, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group of 2 to 30 carbons where any of up to 6 carbon atoms are replaced with an O or S heteroatom, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group of 5 to 20 carbons where any of up to 6 carbon atoms are replaced with an O or S heteroatom, with the proviso that the heteroatoms must be separated from each other and from the portion of the compound to which the R group is bonded by at least one carbon atom, the substituents for R being -OH, -SR⁴ or - OR⁴, wherein R⁴ is an alkyl group of 1 to 30 carbons or a cycloalkyl group of 5 to 20 carbons; R¹ and R² are independently H or an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbons; R³ is an alkyl group of 1 to 24 carbons or a cycloalkyl group of 5 to 20 carbons; with the exception of compounds in which R is unsubstituted alkyl of 2, 3 or 4 carbons or unsubstituted C₂₋₄alkylene-O-C₂₋₄alkylene, R¹ and R² are H, and n is 2; and of compounds in which n is 2, and R³ is substituted by -SH. An organic sulfide as in claim 1, wherein R is: a mixture of: wherein α and β are the types of linkages, and wherein R¹ is H or CH₃; R² is H; R³ is an alkyl group of 10 to 18 carbons. An organic sulfide as in claim 2, wherein R is wherein R¹ and R² are H; R³ is an alkyl group of 12 to 18 carbons; An organic sulfide antioxidant selected from the group consisting of wherein: R¹⁰ represents an alkyl group of 12 to 18 carbons. An organic sulfide as in claim 1, selected from the group consisting of pentaerythritol tetrakis( n -hexadecylthiopropyl) ether, pentaerythritol tris( n -hexadecylthiopropyl) ether, pentaerythritol tetrakis( n -octadecylthiopropyl) ether, pentaerythritol tris( n -octadecylthiopropyl) ether, pentaerythritol tetrakis( n -dodecylthiopropyl) ether, pentaerythritol tris( n -dodecylthiopropyl) ether, trimethylol propane tris( n -octadecylthiopropyl) ether, trimethylol propane tris( n -hexyldecylthiopropyl) ether, dipentaerythritol hexakis( n -octylthiopropyl) ether, dipentaerythritol hexakis( n -dodecylthiopropyl) ether and dipentaerythritol hexakis( n -hexyldecylthiopropyl) ether. A method of preparing an organic sulfide represented by Formula I': wherein n is an integer of 2 to 15; R is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group of 2 to 30 carbons, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group of 5 to 20 carbons, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group of 2 to 30 carbons where any of up to 6 carbon atoms are replaced with an O or S heteroatom, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group of 5 to 20 carbons where any of up to 6 carbon atoms are replaced with an O or S heteroatom, with the proviso that the heteroatoms must be separated from each other and from the portion of the compound to which the R group is bonded by at least one carbon atom, the substituents for R being -OH, -SR⁴ or - OR⁴, wherein R⁴ is an alkyl group off 1 to 30 carbons or a cycloalkyl group of 5 to 20 carbons; R¹ and R² are independently H or an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbons; R³ is an alkyl group of 1 to 24 carbons or a cycloalkyl group of 5 to 20 carbons; comprising reacting a polyol and a stoichiometric quantity of an allylic or substituted allylic halide in the presence of a base, to form a polyallylic ether and adding a mercaptan to the formed polyallylic ether in a molar amount at least equivalent to the number of double bonds in the polyallylic ether. A method of stabilizing a polyolefin resin against oxidative or thermal degradation comprising adding to the resin an amount of the organic sulfide as defined in claim 6 sufficient to stabilize the resin against oxidative or thermal degradation. A method according to claim 7 wherein the organic sulfide is present in an amount of about 1:10,000 to about 1:20 parts by weight of the resin. A method according to claim 8 wherein the organic sulfide is present in an amount of about 1:1,000 to about 7:1,000 parts by weight of the resin. A method according to claim 7 further comprising adding an auxiliary antioxidant to the resin. A method according to claim 10 wherein the auxiliary antioxidant is selected from the group consisting of phenolic and arylamine antioxidants. A method according to claim 11 wherein the auxiliary antioxidant is present in a weight ratio of auxiliary antioxidant to the organic sulfide of about 10:1 to about 1:10. A method according to claim 12 wherein the weight ratio is about 1:2 to about 1:4. A polyolefin stabilized against the oxidative or thermal degradation made by the method of claim 7. Claims for the following Contracting State : ES A method of preparing an organic sulfide represented by Formula I': wherein n is an integer of 2 to 15; R is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group of 2 to 30 carbons, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group of 5 to 20 carbons, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group of 2 to 30 carbons where any of up to 6 carbon atoms are replaced with an O or S heteroatom, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group of 5 to 20 carbons where any of up to 6 carbon atoms are replaced with an O or S heteroatom, with the proviso that the heteroatoms must be separated from each other and from the portion of the compound to which the R group is bonded by at least one carbon atom, the substituents for R being -OH, -SR⁴ or - OR⁴, wherein R⁴ is an alkyl group of 1 to 30 carbons or a cycloalkyl group of 5 to 20 carbons; R¹ and R² are independently H or an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbons; R³ is an alkyl group of 1 to 24 carbons or a cycloalkyl group of 5 to 20 carbons; comprising reacting a polyol and a stoichiometric quantity of an allylic or substituted allylic halide in the presence of a base, to form a polyallylic ether and adding a mercaptan to the formed polyallylic ether in a molar amount at least equivalent to the number of double bonds in the polyallylic ether. A method of preparing an organic sulfide according to claim 1, wherein R is: a mixture of: wherein α and β are the types of linkages, and wherein R¹ is H or CH₃; R² is H; R³ is an alkyl group of 10 to 18 carbons. A method of preparing an organic sulfide according to claim 1, wherein R is wherein R¹ and R² are H; R³ is an alkyl group of 12 to 18 carbons; A method of preparing an organic sulfide according to claim 1, wherein the organic sulfide is wherein: R¹⁰ represents an alkyl group of 12 to 18 carbons. A method of preparing an organic sulfide according to claim 1 wherein the sulfide is selected from the group consisting of pentaerythritol tetrakis( n -hexadecylthiopropyl) ether, pentaerythritol tris( n -hexadecylthiopropyl) ether, pentaerythritol tetrakis( n -octadecylthiopropyl) ether, pentaerythritol tris( n -octadecylthiopropyl) ether, pentaerythritol tetrakis( n -dodecylthiopropyl) ether, pentaerythritol tris( n -dodecylthiopropyl) ether, trimethylol propane tris( n -octadecylthiopropyl) ether, trimethylol propane tris( n -hexyldecylthiopropyl) ether, dipentaerythritol hexakis( n -octylthiopropyl) ether, dipentaerythritol hexakis( n -dodecylthiopropyl) ether and dipentaerythritol hexakis( n -hexyldecylthiopropyl) ether. A method of stabilizing a polyolefin resin against oxidative or thermal degradation comprising adding to the resin an amount of the organic sulfide prepared according to claims 1 to 5 sufficient to stabilize the resin against oxidative or thermal degradation. A method according to claim 6 wherein the organic sulfide is present in an amount of about 1:10,000 to about 1:20 parts by weight off the resin. A method according to claim 7 wherein the organic sulfide is present in an amount of about 1:1,000 to about 7:1,000 parts by weight of the resin. A method according to claim 6 further comprising adding an auxiliary antioxidant to the resin. A method according to claim 9 wherein the auxiliary antioxidant is selected from the group consisting of phenolic and arylamine antioxidants. A method according to claim 10 wherein the auxiliary antioxidant is present in a weight ratio off auxiliary antioxidant to the organic sulfide of about 10:1 to about 1:10. A method according to claim 11 wherein the weight ratio is about 1:2 to about 1:4.

Inventors: BOHEN JOSEPH MICHAEL, REILLY JAMES LEO, BOHEN, JOSEPH MICHAEL, REILLY, JAMES LEO
Applicants: ATOCHEM NORTH AMERICA, ATOCHEM NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Application year: 1990
Main classification: C07C323
IPC codes: C08L23, C08K5, C07H15, C09K15, C07D307, C07C323