Novel phosphorus-containing monomers and flame retardant high impact monovinylidene aromatic polymer compositions derived therefrom

Abstract

Disclosed are cyclic phosphate esters of fumarate—or maleic acids suitable for use as a comonomer, capable of being copolymerized with a monovinylidene aromatic compounds to impart flame resistant properties to the resultant copolymers.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A phosphorus-containing compound suitable for use as a comonomer, capable of being copolymerized with a monovinylidene aromatic compound to impart flame resistant properties to the resultant copolymers thereof, comprising compounds of a generic formula:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein: 
 R 1  is hydrogen or an alkyl;  
 R 2  is carboalkoxy;  
 X is oxygen, sulfur or alkylamine;  
 Y is oxygen or sulfur;  
 P is pentavalent phosphorus ; and  
 n is 2or3.  
 
     
     
         2 . A phosphorus-containing compound suitable for use as a comonomer, capable of being copolymerized with a monovinylidene aromatic compound to impart flame resistant properties to the resultant copolymers thereof, comprising compounds of a generic formula:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein: 
 R 1  is hydrogen or an alkyl;  
 R 2  is carboalkoxy;  
 X is oxygen, sulfur or alkylamine;  
 P is trivalent phosphorus ; and  
 n is 2 or 3.  
 
     
     
         3 . A phosphorus containing compound of  claim 1  wherein R 2  is a radical of generic formula:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein: 
 R 1  is hydrogen or an alkyl;  
 X is oxygen, sulfur or alkylamine;  
 Y is oxygen or sulfur;  
 P is pentavalent phosphorus ; and  
 n is 2 or 3.  
 
     
     
         4 . A phosphorus containing compound of  claim 2  wherein R 2  is a radical of generic formula:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       Wherein: 
 R 1  is hydrogen or an alkyl;  
 X is oxygen, sulfur or alkylamine;  
 P 1  P is trivalent phosphorus ; and  
 n is 2 or 3.  
 
     
     
         5 . A phosphorus containing compound of  claim 1  which is bis(2-oxo-5,5-dimethyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinanylmethyl) fumarate.