Patent GB-970815-A (GB)
Title: Phosphorus-containing polyols
Inventor: COATES HAROLD
IPC: C07F9/50
Filed: 1963-07-04
Abstract: The invention comprises phosphorus-containing polyols of the general formula: P[(C2H3XO)nH]3 X is hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or phenyl, and n is greater than 1, preferably in the range 5-10.  The polyols are prepared by reacting phosphine, with an alkylene oxide, in the presence of an alkylene oxide condensation catalyst. The alkylene oxide is ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, styrene oxide, or epichlorhydrin, one or more of which may be employed in the reaction. Alkylene oxide condensation catalysts that may be used are basic, e.g. metal oxides, or hydroxides, or tertiary amines such as triethylamine, pyridine, or N-methyl- or N-ethyl-morpholine, or acidic, such as mineral acids, or Lewis acids; e.g. AlCl3, or BF3 or complexes thereof, or organometallic and quasiorganometallic; e.g. trialkyl or dialkyl aluminium compounds and trialkyl boron compounds. Preferred concentration of catalyst is between 0.5% and 5% of the weight of alkylene oxide, which, in turn, is usually present in molar excess of the phosphine, to induce maximum chain length; the latter also depends on reaction condition (e.g. pressure, temperature) and nature of the catalyst. After reaction, some purification from unreacted reactants may be achieved, by solvent extraction or distillation.  Examples give three preparations of the phosphorus polyols from propylene oxide. The polyols of the invention are used for incorporation into conventional polyurethane plastics, preferably in a proportion of 10-50% by weight of the non-phosphorus containing polyhydroxy component of the polyurethane starting materials, by reaction with organic polyisocyanates (see Division C3). Three worked examples of preparation of such plastics are given. The inclusion of the phosphorus containing polyols in the polyurethane introduces flame retardant properties to the material.ALSO:Polyurethanes are prepared by conventional methods from organic polyisocyanates and mixtures of known polyhydroxy compounds with novel phosphorus containing polyols of average formula: <FORM:0970815/C3/1> wherein X is hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or phenyl, and n is greater than 1, preferably from 5-10.  The phosphorus polyol preferably comprises 10-50% by weight of the total polyhydroxy material, to give an optional P content of 2-2.5% by weight in the final polyhydroxy mixture.  The polyurethanes are prepared by reaction with polyisocyanate, preferably aromatic diisocyanates, optionally in the presence of known catalysts and surfactants, e.g. tertiary amines, silicones, and organo tin compounds, suitably followed by a heat treatment after cure. Elastomers or foams may be produced, water, and preferably a fluorinated hydrocarbon being used as blowing agents in the latter. The non-phosphorus containing polyhydroxy compounds are suitably polyethers, polyesters, or poly esteramides, with an -OH functionality of at least 2, and a Mol. wt. of at least 400; and may be used individually or in mixtures. Examples are given for the preparation of three types of phosphorus polyols (see Division C2) and the preparation of polyurethane foams from all three. The phosphorus polyols are used in polyurethanes for their fire-retardant effect and to improve hydrolytic stability.