Syntheses and properties of 4-hydroxy-3,5-dibromobenzyl phosphonates and their flame-retarding effects on ABS copolymer

4-Hydroxy-3,5-dibromobenzyl phosphonates (HDBBP) were synthesized by reacting phosphites with 4-hydroxy-3,5-dibromobenzyl bromide (HDBBB) which was prepared in advance by photobromination of 2,6-dibromo-p-cresol (DBPC) produced by bromination of p-cresol. In the reactions between HDBBB and phosphites, the rate of formation of dimethyl 4-hydroxy-3,5-dibromobenzyl phosphonate (HDBBP_m) was greater than that of diphenyl 4-hydroxy-3,5-dibromobenzyl phosphonate (HDBBP_P); however, quantitative yields for both products were obtainable. The addition of HDBBP as bromine and phosphorus containing flame-retardants to ABS copolymer showed better results than the addition of the same amount of brominated compound, or mixtures of both two compounds. It was also proved that compound containing both bromine and phosphorus exhibited more apparent synergistic effects on flame retardancy than the mixtures of brominated compound and phosphorous containing compound