GB740269A - Organic polymeric compounds and materials containing phosphorous and nitrogen - Google Patents

Abstract

Condensation polymers in liquid, resin or gell form or polymeric material, are made by reacting tetra-(hydroxymethyl) phosphonium chloride (THPC) or tri-(hydroxymethyl) phosphine oxide (THPO) with (a) urea, melamine, guanidine or any mixture thereof, either alone or in the presence of formaldehyde, or (b) a fibrous cellulose derivative containing primary amino groups, in the presence or absence of urea, melamine, guanidine or any mixture thereof with or without formaldehyde. The formaldehyde may be added in the form of a water-soluble condensate with melamine, guanidine or urea. The condensation of THPC may be effected in aqueous media and in the presence of acidic or basic catalysts, e.g. acetic and hydrochloric acids and alkali metal carbonates and bicarbonates, and preferably by reacting 1 part (by weight) of THPC with (a) 1/6 to 1/2 part of melamine &c., or (b) 1/6 to 2/3 part of a water-soluble condensate of melamine &c. with formaldehyde, and 1 to 3 parts of water at 50 DEG to 100 DEG C. Liquid polymers can be isolated by adding to the reaction medium a solvent for water, e.g. methyl or ethyl alcohol. The polymers may be used in making moulded articles, e.g. buttons, food containers and electrical insulators, and synthetic coatings and adhesives. Examples 1 to 6 describe the preparation of the condensation polymers. Organic fibrous materials, e.g. cotton fibres, slivers, yarns, threads, textiles, ropes, paper and cardboard, may be flame-proofed by impregnation with an aqueous solution of the partially condensed polymers and heat curing. Where cotton fibres are used, HCl formed during the condensation is preferably neutralized by adding an alkali metal carbonate or bicarbonate, guanidine carbonate or urea to the reaction medium before, during or after the condensation. The reaction of aminized cellulose, such as spun aminoethylated cotton cellulose fibres or cellulose treated with aqueous caustic soda containing 2-aminoethyl sulphuric acid (see U.S.A. Specification 2,459,222), with the partial condensation polymers is preferably effected by impregnating the aminized fibres with an aqueous solution of the polymer, removing excess liquid and curing at 80 DEG to 160 DEG C. Examples 7-10 describe the flame-proofing of cotton print and examples 11-13 describe the treatment of aminized cellulose.