Synthesis and properties of thermosetting polymers from a phosphorous‐containing fatty acid derivative

A new phosphorous‐containing fatty acid diepoxide was obtained from 10‐undecenoyl chloride and 10‐(2′,5′‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐oxide and crosslinked with 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethane and bis(m‐aminophenyl)methylphosphine oxide. The properties of the thermosetting materials were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and limiting oxygen index (LOI). Thermal and thermooxidative degradation was studied by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, FTIR, ³¹P magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. LOI values indicate good flame‐retardant properties that are related to the formation of a protective phosphorous‐rich layer that slowed down the degradation and prevented it from being total. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 5630–5644, 2006