| abstract |
In a process for the preparation of brominated polystyrene, as an additive for polymer matrices to impart flame retardancy, including preparing a solution of a polystyrene reactant comprising from about five to about 20 percent by weight of a polystyrene reactant, in a halogenated hydrocarbon solvent; adding a Lewis acid bromination catalyst to form a solution; adding to the solution from about 1 to about 3.3 moles of a brominating agent, per mole of polystyrene repeating units, and reacting the polystyrene reactant with the brominating agent at a reaction temperature of from about -20 DEG C. to about 50 DEG C.; wherein the improvement comprises controlling the color characteristics of the resultant brominated polystyrene by selecting a polystyrene reactant having a weight average molecular weight of from about 500 to about 1,500,000; selecting a catalytically effective amount of the catalyst on the basis of having a strength sufficient to effect at least monobromination of the polystyrene without inducing alkylation of the polystyrene by the halogenated hydrocarbon solvent; selecting a brominating agent from the group consisting of bromine chloride and bromine; operating at the lowest possible temperature within the range, consistent with the brominating agent and the catalyst selected; and isolating the brominated polystyrene, wherein the color properties of the resultant brominated product are improved by selection and consideration of reaction time and temperature, catalyst, brominating agent and method of product isolation. |