ORGANOPHOSPHORUS COMPOSITIONS

1,215,106. Organophosphorus compositions. UNION CARBIDE CORP. 13 March, 1969, No. 13270/69. Heading C2C. [Also in Divisions C3 and D1] Organophosphorus compositions are prepared by reacting elemental phosphorus with an epoxide or episulphide and an alcohol or mercaptan in the presence of a basic catalyst. White or yellow phosphorus is preferred. Many starting materials and catalysts are specified, and the reaction may be carried out in the presence of an inert solvent and an inert gas atmosphere, if desired. The compositions are generally mixtures of compounds of formula (RX) 3-n P(R<SP>1</SP>) n where n is 1 or 2, X is oxy or thio, R is the residue of an alcohol or mercaptan after removal of the -OH or -SH group, R<SP>1</SP> is H, -R<SP>2</SP>XH or -R<SP>2</SP>XP (R<SP>1</SP>) m (XR) 2-m where m is 0, 1 or 2, and R<SP>2</SP> is the residue of an epoxide after removal of the epoxy group. The compositions are useful intermediates. They may be oxidized to convert P-H groups to P(O)OH groups, which may then be reacted with alkylene oxide, and reacted with an aldehyde to convert P-H to P-CH 2 OH which may be further oxidized and reacted with alkylene oxide. The compositions may also be reacted with an activated olefin, which may be followed by oxidation. The compositions of the invention may be used as the polyol component in the preparation of polyurethanes and may be used to give flame-retardant properties to cotton textiles.