| Abstract: | HET acid was condensed with either ethylene glycol or 1,4-butanediol to yield the respective oligoesters. These oligoesters were characterized by molecular weight, measured by vapor-pressure osmometry. The degradation mechanism of oligoesters of HET acid with either ethylene glycol or 1,4-butanediol was elucidated. The thermal properties of these polyesters were studied using differential thermal analysis and thermal volatilization analysis. The mechanism of degradation was proposed on the basis of pyrolysis–gas chromatography studies, the degradation products being subsequently identified by mass spectrometry. It turned out that in the course of decomposition, hexachlorocyclopentadiene was formed, which is believed to be the active substance for flame retardance in these systems. The aspect of tailoring flame retardancy by changing the chemical environment, i.e., by using different diols, is discussed. |
