BIARYL ALKYtPHOSPBONATES ANB MKTHOBS FOR PREPARING SAME

CROSS RHFKRKNCC jOOGI j This application claims priority f rom U.S. Provisional Application No, 60/727,680 entitled "Method for Preparing High Purity Diaromatic λlkylphosphonatcs" ifled October 18 _S 2005 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/727,619 entitled "Method for Preparing High Purity Diaroniatic λlkylphosphonates" filed October IS, 2005, the contents of which arc incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

[IHM)2| Various methods ofr the synthesis of diaramatic alkyiphosphonates are known. Methods for making diaromatie alkylphosphonatcs are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,152.373 and 4,377,537, ofr example. In U. S, Patent No. 4,152.373, diaromatie aikylphosphonates are prepared by the reaction of a tπaromaticphosphite specifically tripbenyiphosphilε and methanol in the presence of a catalytic amount of methyl iυdide. The reaction temperatures are higher than the boiling point of methanol i-65 ⁰ C), mid consequently require a relatively slow addition of methanol in order to keep it from boiling out of the reactor. In this reaction, phenol is a byproduct ϊhat is distilled from the product in a separate step,

|θ(HO| U-S, Patent No. 4,377.537 describes a method of synthesizing diarυrn&ϊie

methylphosphonates by the reaction of a triarylphosphjte (specifically triphersylphυsphlte) and tfialkylphosphite (spediically trimethyiphosphite) in the presence of a catalytic amount of roethyl iodide. The reaction typically invoive-s heating the component to a ihm\ temperaiure of about 230 ' ^■' (; ofr up to I hour, Exothermic reactions for lhis process occur in two temperature regions, the first around 100 ^y C, and the second near 210 ⁰ C. Due to the exothermic (even explosive) nature of these reactions when used in a batch process, the reaction scheme described

In U.S. Patent Na 4,371,53? is limited to small scale production of diaromatk alkylphosphonafes.

(IMHM) Although some diaroroatic alkylphospboaates (e.g. dipheny! methylphosphonate) (Registry number 7526-36-3) are commercially available, they are relatively expensive,

SUMMARY

(88651 Embodiments of the invention described herein include a method or f preparing diarvi alkylphospborsate including healing optionally substituted triarylphospliife to a defined reaction temperature, adding a mixture comprising optionally substituted tria&ylphosphite m molar excess of rfom at least about 10 % to about 50 % in relation io the optionally substituted triarviphosphite and s catalyst to the heated optionally substituted tπarylphosphite, or adding a mixture comprising optionally substituted alkanol in a molar excess of romf at kast about IO % to about 50 % in relation to the optionally substituted triaryiphosphite and a catalyst to ihe heated optionally substituted triarylphosphite, reacting the optionally substituted triarylpbosphite and optionally substituted triaikyiphosphite or optionally substituted alkanol to f orm optionally siibsiituled diaryl alkylphosphonate. a«d providing optionally substituted diarylalkyiphosphonate containing substantially no triarylpliospbite. In some erabodiments. the optionally substituted trialkylphosphite, or optiottally substituted alkanol, may be rofm at least about 20 % to about 40 % molar excess in relation to the optionally substituted triarylphosphite, and m others, tlic optionally substituted trialkylphosphite or optionally substituted alkanol may be in abotϊt a 13 % molar excess in relation to the optionally substituted ttiaryl phosphite.

|0006] In some eiiibodifticnis, the optionally substituted triarytphosphite .may be of general IOπΏUUϊ (111):

-O— P-O-R

O R ₁ (HI) wherein R; may be of general orfmula (U):

wherein R^, K4. R% and R?, independently may be selected f rom hydrogen, irifiuororneihyl nitro, cyano, tyCiy alkyl, an aromatic, a haiide, Ci-C _6. « alkyl etlier, beni;y! halkfc. bcnxykther, aromatic ether and ami hi nations thereof, ϊn certain etnbiidiniciits, the optionally substituted triarylphosphjte πiay be triphemiphosphite.

|0007| In some embodimenis, the optionally substituted trialkyjphosphite may be of aenersl formula UV);

1I ₂ -O-P-O-Il ₂

O I

UV) wherein R;> may be a C 5 -Oo alk> L in certain embodiments, the optionally substituted trialkylphosphite røav be trimαthylphosphite.

[iW%$\ In embodiment, the optionally substituted alkanol may be of general ofrmuia (V);

H-C-Ol ϊ

(V)

wbeie Rjj and R _v mny independently be hydrogen or C _r O> _β aliyl and hi certain embodiments the optionally substituted aUcanoI may be methanol.

følMrøf In embodiments, the mixture comprising optionally substituted tήalkylphospbUe or optionally substituted aikanol and ihe catalyst may be added under a surface of the heated optional Iy substituted tπaryiphαsphite, and in some embodiments, the optionally substituted

tridkylphαsphite or optionally substituted aikanol and tlie catalyst may be added on top of a surface of the heated optionally substituted triarylphosphite.

[003 θ| Tlic catalyst of embodiments may be an alkylating catalyst, and in certain embodiments nmy be €liji,

[003.11 in. some embodiments, the defined reaction temperature may be at least greater than the semperaαire of the highest exotherm of those exothemis created when the reactants arc mixed together at room temperature and heated up, and in other embodiments, the defined reaction temperature may be rofm about 210 ⁰ C to about 26(1 ⁰ C. In alternative embodiments, the defbed reaction temperature may be maintained during the addition of the optionally substitute! trialkylphosphite or optionally substituted alkaπoi and a catalyst,

|(IO12| In embodinsents, substantially ?rø toxic by-products may be orfmed when the optionally substituted diary! alkySphosphonate prepared using ihe methods described above are used in subsequent reactions.

|00!3| Other embodiments of the invention may include methods for preparing optionally substituted diary) a)k.y!phosρhonate including heating optionally substituted triaryiphosphJte to a reaction temperature at least greater than the highest exotherm, adding ύ mixture including optionally substituted trialkylpbosphite in molar excess of from at least about H) % to about 50 % in relation, to the optionally substituted triarylphosphite and a catalyst to the

heated optionally substituted tπarylphosphife, or adding a mixture comprising optionally substituted aikαnol m a molar excess of romf at least about 10 % to about 50 % in relation to the optionally substituted triαrylpbospMie and a catalyst to the heated optionally substituted triaryiphosphϊte. maintaining the reaction temperature during the addition of the optionally substituted irialkylphosphite or optionally substituted alkanøi and a catalyst, reacting with the optionally substituted triarylphαsphite and optionally substituted trύiikylphυsphiie or optionally substituted alkanol ϊof oms optionally substituted diaryl ami providing optionally substituted diaryMkylphosphonate containing substantially no triaryi phosphite. In

sorac embodimeafs, the optionally substituted trialkylphosphύe or optionally substituted aikaitol j nay be from at least about 20 % to about 40 % molar excess in relation to the optionally substituted trisrylphosphite. ami in others, the optionally substituted trialJkylphosphite or optionally substituted alkaiioi may be m about a 13 % molar excess in relation to the optionally substituted triaryiphosphite.

|O0!4| In some embodiments, the reaction temperature may be ronft about 210 ⁰ C to about 260 X\ arid m others, the reaction temperature may be rom f about 230 "C to about 260 ⁰ C.

[O0ϊ5| Still other embodhnents of the invention include methods or prfeparing optionally substituted diaryl alkylphopbonate including combining optionally substituted tπaryiphosphite and at least one catalyst to irom a triarylphospiήtc catalytic mixture, heating the πiaryiphosphke eaϊalytic mixture, adding at least one optionally substituted iriaJkylphosphUe to she heated iriaryf phosphite catalytic mixsure, or adding nt least one optionally substituted alkanol to the heated triarylphosphite catalytic mixture, and reacting the uϊaryiphosphite catalytic mixture and optionally substituted trialkySphαsphite or optionally substituted alkasiol to fbnii optionally substituted diaryl a&yiphϋsphoπate.

fOO16| hi some embodiments, the catalyst may be an alkylating catalyst and in others, the catalyst may be CfM. The triaryl phosphite catalytic mixture of embodiments may be substantially stable, and may comprise an excess of optionally substituted triarvlphosphite in relation, to the catalyst, in still other embodiments, reacting using the triarylphosphile catalytic mixture may be carried out at high temperature with substantially no loss of catalyst,

fOOπ] Yet other embodiments of the invention include a catalyst comprising al least ow optionally substituted tiiarylphosphhc combined with at least one alkylating catalyst. In certain embodiments, the catalyst may be an alky! hafide of general ormufla (ViJ)

R. _ir X (VO)

wherein Rn? Js €y ^(' V> ^lkyl and X is a halide. hi certain embodiments die catalyst may be of general formula (YI)

wherein. R ₅ is of general ormf ula (II)

wherein R<, R. _} , Rs, and Rv, independently may be selected .from hydrogen,. irϋluαromethyl, πitro, cyaπo, CrCNo aikyl, an aromadc. a halide, CrC^o alky I ether, beoryl

cm!kk\ benzylether, aromatic ether and combinations thereof, R^ is CVC-?y alkyl and X is a halkie.

DiπλILED DESCRIPTION føilfϋf Before the present compositions and methods are described, it is to be understood that they arc not limited to the particular compositions, methodologies or protocols described, as these may vary, ft is also to be understood that the terminology nsed in the description is Cor the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit their scope which will he limited only by the appended claims.

| ^ββ J9J It must also be noted that as used herein and m the appended claims, the singular forma V ₅ "an ^" ", and "die"' include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless defined otherwise, ail technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments disclosed, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described,

10020 J '"Optional" or "optionally" means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where the event occurs and instances where it does not.

|00211 '"Substantially ao ^" " means that the subsequently described event may occur at most about less than 10 % of the time or the subsequently described component may be at most about less than 10 % of the total composition, in some embodiments, and in others, at most about less than 5 %. and in still others at most about less than 1 %. f0022] The term "filkyP or " ^' "aLkyi group" refers to a branched or unbranchcd hydrocarbon or group of 1 to 20 carbon atoms, such as but not limited to methyl, ethyl, n-prøpyL iso§m?ϊry!, n-hutγL b ohutyl. t-b«tvi, octvl. decvL tctvmiecvL hexadcevL eicosvi, telracosvl and

the like, "Cycioalky-r or "eyeloalkyl groups" are branched or unbranehed liydioearixMS m which all or some of the carbons are arranged in a ring such as but not limited to eyefepentyt cydohexyf, methyJeyclohexyi and the like. The term "lower aikyT includes an alkyl group of i to 10 carbon atoms.

[00231 The term ^vv aryr or. "aryl group" refers io monovalent aromatic hydrocarbon radicals or groups cmislstiτιg of one or more usfed rings in which at least one ring is aromatic in nature, Aryis may include but are not limited to phenyl, napthyi. biphenyl rmg systems and the

like. The aryl group may be ^substituted or substituted with a variety of suhstήuents including but. no!, limited to aJkyl alkenyl, halidc, benzyli, alkyl or aromatic ether, nilra, cy _< oχ-> and the like and combinations thereof.

[0024] "SUbSUtUCBt" refers to a molecular group that replaces a hydrogen m a compound and may Include but are not limited io IrUluororøeihyl, nkr<x alkyl, aromatic or aryl halide ⁽ P _s CL Br, !), CrCjo alkyl ether, henry! halidc, benzyl ether, aromatic or aryl ether, h ^y droxy, afkoxy, arπiso, alkylaπiiao C-NI-IR'), dialkylasnino (-NR' R ^*" ) or other groups which Uo mn interfere with the formation of the diary} alkylphospiioπate,

(IMI25] As defined herein, a« "aryloP' or au "arylol group" is an aryl group with a hydroxy!, OH, group suhsliluεnt on the aryl ring. Non-lhnitmg examples ol ^' mt arylo! are phenol, naphthalene and the like, A wide variety of arlyois may be used in the embodiments of the invention and are commercially avaiiahle.

[01 ⁾ 261 Tht ^; term ^{^} alkanol" or ^alkanoi group' ^* refers to a compound including an alky! of 1 Io 20 carbon atoms or mow having at least one hydroxy! group subsiiUsem. Examples of aikanols include but are not limited to methanol, ethanol, 1- and 2-propanoJ, LI-

dlmethylethanol, hexanoK ocsaπol aiκt the like. Aikanol groups may be optionally substituted with suhstiments as described above,

|0«27] The term "sfenoi" or ^{^} alkenol group" refers to a compound mcludmg an alkeπe 2 Lo 2ϋ carbon atoms or more having at least one hydroxy! group substitueot The hydroxy! may be arranged m either isomeric configuration (cis or trans), Alkenols may be urtfher substituted with one or more substituents as described above and may be used i.o place of alkanob in some embodiments of the invention, λlkenois are known to those skilled in the art and many arc rea-dily available commercial iy.

I002SI Embi)diTOt'.πts of the present invention may include methods for making optionally substituted diary ϊ alkylphosphonates. optionally substituted diary) aikylphosphonates prepared using such methods, and compositions related to these methods. The method of some embodiments may include combining optionally substituted triaryLphosphite with an at least IO % molar excess of either opikm&iiy substituted trialkylphospMte or optionally substituted alkanol and s catalytkaily effective amount of a catalyst, !n embodiirtejiis. the optionally substituted triaryl phosphite may be heated to a defined reaction temperature prior to the addition of the optionally substituted trialkylphosphite or optionally substituted αikanol and a caialyHcally effective amount of a catalyst and this reaction mixture may be reacted to form optionally substituted diary! aikylphosphooate. hi oilier embodiments, the optionally substituted trialkylphosphite may be combined with a catalyticaJly effective amouDt of a catalyst and this raixtαre may be added to optionally substituted triarylphospfeite heated to a defined reaction temperature. Without wishing to be hound by theory; combining the components at ambient temperature and beating to a suitable reaction temperature may induce an uncontrolled exothermic reaction, to occur potentially creating a violent exolhemi.

|iO2*>| In certain embodiments, optionally substituted diary! alkylphosphonate may orm f immediately upon addition to the optionally substituted frialkylphosphite or optionally

substituted altooi and a eatalytieally effective amount of the catalyst to the heated optionally substituted triarylphosphite. In other embodiments, the heat generated by the reaction may be regulated by tilt- rate at which the optionally substituted trialky [phosphite or optionally substituted alkanoi aM a eatalytieally effective arooimt of the catalyst are added to the healed optionally subsutmed trialkylphosphite. Therefore the optionally substituted tnaikylphospbiCe or optionally substituted alkaod and a eatalyticaliy effective amount of the catalyst may be

added using a controlled method such as. orf example, dropping in lfora above or pumping in from below the surface of the reaction mixture. jOOJGj Irs still other embodiments, optionally substituted iriarviphuspliite ami a estalytically eiTeitrve amount of a catalyst, such as, but not limited to, a methyl halkk* may be combined to form a stable triary I phosphite catalytic .mixture. The triarylphosphite caUiiytie mixture may be stored oflloxviag its preparation at ambient temperature or afn indefinite period of time, and/or the triarlyphospMie catalytic mixture may be healed to a defined reaction temperature aτκ.1 production of optionally substituted dsaryl alkyipbαsphonate may be initiated by the addition of an at least IQ % molar excess of optionally substituted aikaπoi or optionally substituted triaikyiphosphite to the heated txiaryiphospbite catalytic mixtore. The triaryiphospbite catalytic mixture of embodiments may ufrther contain an excess of optionally substituted triaryiphosphltε Ln relation tα the catalyst,

[0031 j Without wishing to be bound by theory when combined with the catalyst, the optionally substituted iriaryiphosphite may react with the catalyst to form the tπaryiphospliut* catalytic mixture such that substantially no Arbozov reaction occurs, and substantially no

exotheπn is produced. Moreover, the iriariyphosphite catalytic mixture may substantially increase the boiling point of the catalyst such thai Che triaryiphαsphite catalytic mixture may be heated to a temperature greater than 40 ⁰ C with substantially no loss of catalytic activity. Therefore, production of optionally substituted diary! alkylphosphonate may take place at high temperature with substantially no loss of the catalyst due to vaporization of the catalyst as may occur when the catalyst is added with the optionally substituted trialkylphosphite or optionally substituted afkanoi or added individually cither by dropping into the reaction or pumping in from below the reaction, surface.

|0032| hi certain embodiments,, optionally substituted diaryl aBcylphosphonate may jχ>rm immediately upon addition of the optionally substituted trialkylphosphite or optionally substituted alkanol to the heated triarylphosphite catalytic mixture, In other embodiments, the heat generated by the reaction may be regulated by the rale at which the optionally substituted trialkyf phosphite or optionally substituted alk&oo! are added to the heated trkikytphosphite catalytic mixture. Therefore, the optionally substituted irialkylpho'sphite or optionally substituted alkaϊrøl may be added using a controlled method such as, tor example, dropping in from above or puπspiisg h\ romf below the surface of the reaction mixture.

|0033| In embodiments of the invention, the defined reaction temperature may be at least higher than the highest exoiherm when the components are mixed at ambient temperature and h-eated allowing the reaction w occur, and is certain embodiments, the reaction temperature may be ι\l least greater than the temperature of the highest exotherøi and below the temperature at which the optionally substituted diaryl dkylphosphonate produced is thermally degraded. The react kin temperature of embodiments may therefore be romf about 210 ^C C to about 260 ⁰ C, and in others, the reaction temperature may be romf about 230 ⁰ C to about 260 °C. Without wishing

to be bound by theory, the large observed uncontrolled exothemi, when the reactanls are eorαbiiiod at room temperature and heated, may be eliminated by performing the reaction at a kmxperalute at least greater than the highest t'xotlienn and the volatility of the reaction mixture may be reduced allowing ofr the reaction to occur more safely,

|0034] Tk* optionally substituted diary 1 alkylphosphcoates prepared by any of the methods described above may be substantially free of contaminants, such as, hft example, residual optionally substituted trlarylphosphiie which may allow optionally substituted diary! aϊkylphosphoϊuites prepared using methods of embodiments of the itiventioR to be used is subsequent condensation reactions with substantially no ormafl ion of toxic by-products,

[0035| The diary] alkylphosphonates or optionally substituted diary! alkylphosphonates of embodiments may be of general ormf ula (!}:

O

!l

1 i

^R 2 (I ) where R^ may be C^Qo alkyi and Rj may be an aromatic or aiyl group, or a substituted aryl group offormula (I I };

where R^, Ii^, R^ E, _v , and R ₇ may independently be any sαbstitoem including but not limited to hydrogen, CrC^s alkyl, aromatic or aryl ga>up, trilluoromeihyk iritro, cyano, halide (F, C], Br, I). Cϊ-C.-;,,; aikyl ether, benzyl balide, benzyl ether, aromatic or aryl ether, or optionally substituted

versions of these, arsd Rj. R ₄ , R ₅ , R^ and R? arc essentially umϊlϊeeixx! by the reaction, f.n certain embodiments, the diaryl aikylphosplumate may be diphenyl methylphosphonate,

|0036| Optionally suhstmued triarylpbosphite may be of general ormufla (III):

where R: may be an aromatic or and group, or a substituted aryf groiφ of formula (H). and in some embodiments, the irtarylphosphite may be triphenylphosphite.

|0037| Optionally substituted tπalkyJphosphUcs may be of genera! ormulfa. (IV):

R.-,~{i p O"~R-> I

O i

where Ra .may be Cr^ ^! ; ^! .a alky L and m some embodiments, the triaikyiphαsphiie may bε trimethylphosphitc-

|0IB8| Optionally subsiituted aikanols of embodiments presented herein, may be of general formula (Y);

where R^ and Rs may independently be hydrogen or Cj-Cao alkyl. and iτ5 some emb<jdimeαts _x the optionaily subsiituted alkaiio! may be methanol.

|0039 j Various molar ratios of the reaciants may be used in embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, the optionally substituted aikanol or optionally substituted trialkylphosphite may be provided in a molar excess relative to the optionally substituted triarySphαsphϋte. In certain embodiments, the optionally substituted alkanci or optionally

substituted trkiLkylphosphlte may be in at least aboiu 50 % moiar excess relative Io lhe optionally substituted triaryiphosphite. and in other embodiments, the optionally substituted alkaiiαl or optionally substituted trmlkvtprω«piute may be at least about 10 % molar excels relative to the optionally substituted triarvlphosphite. In still other embodiments, the optionally substituted

aika&ol or optionally substituted triaikylphosphke may be in a molar excess of rfom at least about H) Ii to about 50 % relative to the optionally substituted triarylphosphhe or at least atxnU 20 % to about 40 % relative to the optionally substituted triarylphosphite. In some embodiments, the optionally substituted alkanol or optionally substituted triaikylphusphite m&y be in excess relative to the optionally substituted triarylphosphite of about 13 %. j ^β O4d] In embodiments in which the optionally Substituted alkanol or optionally substituted trialkvlphosphite may be in molar excess relative to the optionally substituted triarylphosphite-, the ds&ryi alkylphosphonate produced may contain substantially no contaminants such as. ibr example, residual tήarylpbosphite. Residual triarylphosphite may be difficult to purtiy frørø diary! alkyipbosphonatc because the boiling points of the two coiapounds are similar, and tda Iky I phosphite may not be distilled away irom dsaryl alkylpboesphonat*,. Moreover, even a small amount, ofr example, less than 1 % of ^" the total product, of residual triarylphosphite may react with conjugated bisphsnoJs and may be reduced to form toxic phosphines. Additionally, oxidized bispheπol may ofrm colored by-products, hi either case, the resulting oligomeπc or polyphosphonatc may be tainted and usiuseable,

|0041| In some embodimt'iits, the catalyst may include, but are not limited to, alky! chlorides, alky! bromides and alkyl iodides in which the alkyi groups may carry one or more of a variety of substitueπts. Ir- other embodiments, metliyliodide may be ϊhύ catalyst. Other known alkylating catalysts that may be used in the present invention include, but are noi limited to.

sulfonic acid esters, sulfuric acid esters, and sultoπes. Strong acids such as, bxxt not limited to. irifluororøcihane sulfonic acid, petOuorobtUane sulfonic acid and perfborooetane sulfonic acid may also serve as catalysts in this reaction, The amount of catalyst added to the reaction may vary among embodiments and may be romf about 0,01 % to about 10 % by weight relative to the triarytpiiøsphUe. In other embodiments, the catalyst may be romf about 0.5 %« Io about 5 % by weight relative to the triarylphosphite.

|0042| The method of the present invention is not limited by how a catalyst is added, l-or example, the catalyst may be combined with (he optionally substituted triaryiphosphke prior to the addition of die optionally substituted alfcano! or optionally substituted alkylphosphite, or the catalyst may be added concurrently with the addition of optionally substituted alkano! or optionally substiUUcd alkyiphosphite. fθ#431 In embodiments, one or more reuctant and/or catalysts may be added Irons above onto the upper surface of the reaction mixture. For example, optionally substituted alkaπok or optionally $«bsiύiλte4 aikanol and a catalyst, may be atlded to a reaction mixture containing optionally suhsirαitαi triarylphosphite or triarylphosphUe and a catalyst via an addition Ihanel. ^" The afkanol or alkaαol/eatalyst mixture may then be dropped onto the surface of the reaction

mixture in s eorsrroikd manner, in other embodiments, the optionally substicuted alkaool, or optionally substituted alkanol and a catalyst, may be pumped into the reaction mixture thereby adding the alkano! or alkanoi/eatalyst mixture rofm bdow the surface of the reaction mixture. Pumping components into a reaction mixture may allow for a constant stream of optionally substituted triafkylphosphite or optionally substituted alkanol and a catalyst to he provided to headed optionally substituted triarylphosphite or optionally .substituted trialkyiphosphite. Or, optionally substituted aϊkanot may he provided to heated lriarylphosphitc eaialytk mixture irom

below the surface of the reaction mixture hi a comrolSed manner. Without wiping to be bowiά by theory, adding components such as the optionally substituted alkano!, optionaily substituted tvialkyiphosphite. and or a catalyst from below tie surface of the reaction mixture may allow or f improved residence time of that component in the reaction mixture increasing t.be lime in which the rcaetants may react since the- heal evolved during the reaction or the defined reaction temperature may be such that one or more of these components evaporate OUT of the reaction mixture if added to the surface of the reaction, mixture. Adding the react S on components rom f below may result in improved reaction efficiency, conversion time, aαd product yield, Sn other

embodiments, the efed rate of the optionally substituted trialkyiphosliϊtø or optionally substituted alkanol and a catalyst may be Increased by pumping these components beneath the surface of the reaction mixture reducing the reaction time compared to the overhead addition method by as much as by half.

|00441 Without wishing to he bound by theory in embodiments in which iriaryiphosphito is reacted with trialkyS phosphite, the synthesis of diary! alkylphosphαnaie may occur as illustrated h\ scheme (I):

R r 0-P-O-R ₁ R ₂ -O-P-O-R ₂

R, R ₂

⁽ I)

wherein Rj may be an aromatic or aryl group, or a substituted aryl group of ormfαtø (II) and R. _?. niay be Cr€V aikyi.

f0045| In embodiments In which lrarylphosphUc is reacted with optionally substituted aikanol, the synthesis of diary ⁾ alkylphosphonate may occur as illustrated in scheme (Hy.

^ ₊ R ₂ -OI i.

O Rf-O-P-O-R ₅ + R ₁ -OM

^R 2 (H)

wherein Rj may be an aromatic or aryl group, or a substituted aryl group of ormfula (FI) and R^

mixy be CVQo alky L

|00461 Still oϊher einbodimenis, a triarylphosphitc catalytic mixture, may be orfmed by combining optionally substituted ξriaryl phosphite with a catalysi such as, or efχamplc _: a methyl balkle catalyse a&ά heated to a defined reaction temperature before the addition of optionally substituted trlalkylpho^phitc or optionally substituted alktmol. Is some embodisiienls, the optionally subsututed triarylphosphite may ibrm a complex with the eaialyst without undergoing

an ArboxoY nsaction resulting In a catalyst of general ormufla (Vl);

wherein R* may be ars aromatic or aryl group, or a substituted ary! group of ormulaf (Ii); R;< _? may

be hydrogen or CVC^ alky!; n\ιύ X may be a hatide such as F. CL Br, or i. The catalyst of such embodiments may be stable at ambient temperature, or heated to a temperature up to about 2(*0 ^1> C without loss of catalytic activity. Hie stability of the catalytic complex, may be such that the catalyst complex may be stored for an Indefinite period of time. The reaction by which the catalyst of embodiments is ofrmed may be reversed at high temperature. Therefore m some embodiments, the catalyst of genera! Jbπmila VI and optionally substituted triaryl phosphite may be heated to a defined reaction temperature of at least about 210 ^β C and optionally substituted alkanol or opikjnaih substituted iriaikylphosphite may be added to create a reaction mixture used to prepare optionally substituted diary! alkyl phosphorate. !π such embodiments, diary! aikyiphosphonate ma}' be prepared without providing an additional catalyst. f(HJ47| Advantageously, the diary I alkylphmphooates produced by embodiments of the invention may be prepared in one-pot, so there may be no need to isolate or purify intermediates,

Additionally, by-products such as dialkyl arylphosphite, triaryipliosphiic, aryiols, methoxyaryls, diary! alkyiphosphaies. diary! methylphosphite and residual triarylphosphite may be minimized or ϋiunirMed, so owz or more separation steps m which by-products are re-moved may not be necessary, hi certain embodiments, tπarylphospbite may be avoided as a by-product. The diary! alkyphosphcmatcs produced by the present invention may. therefore, be easier to purify or produce at a level of porky siiiϊϊcieτu ofr subsequent reactions.

|0048J λ widt: variety of diaroroaiic alkylphospboπates may be produced using the present invention. These may be used as monomers in the synthesis of polymers, such as, hot not limited to, polypiiosphoπates and copolymers of carbonates and phosphorates. These poipners

have exceptional fire resistance and are useful ia a wide variety of applications encountered in everyday Hfe. f 0049] Having generally described the invention, a more complete understanding thereof may be obtained by reference to the following examples that are provided for purposes of illustration only and do not limit the invention,

EXAMPLES 1-4

[MlSi ⁾ \ AU glassware was oven dried overnight at 1 10 ⁰ C and assembled under a nitrogen purge. A 5 liter flask equipped with aτi overhead stirrer, oil bath, addition unnfel walcr-c∞ied condenser with nisrυgcn by-pass, ami thermometer was used as the reaction vessel The 8 ask was charged with 2480 grams (8 mole) of iriphenylphosphite. When the temperature of the t-riphcnylphosphite- reached 235 ⁰ C ₅ a solution of 563,2 grams (4,54 moics) of trimethylphosphiie and 36 grams of methyl iodide was added drop wise over a 5 - 6 hour period. This represents an excess of 13.4 % mob of the πiphenylphosphue. During the addition, the temperature of the oil bath and the rate of addition were adjusted to maintain the temperature of λe reaction mixture between 230 - 2S0 ^' - ¹ C. When the addition was complete the oil bath temperature was set to 245 ^1> C and the reaction mixture was stirred or ofne additional hour and subsequently allowed to cot.il to room temperature. The crude yield was 3060 ™ 3OSU grams, fO051] The crude product was purified by vacuum distillation through a 12-inch vigreux column. Typically, a tbrerun of 400 - SOO grams was taken romf 46 io 108 °€ {0.03 - 0.1. mm Hg>, The main fraction of 1700 - 1800 grams was taken romf 90 to 104 ⁰ C (0.93 - 0,05) mm Hg) leaving a pot residue of up to 200 grams. Specific details or f each example arc provided in Table I tχ?low.

Table 1 , Suirmwy of Examples 1 -4

f 00521 * ^ ^s erade products rofm cadi of the examples above (1-4) were analyzed by gas chromatography. Furtr standards of each starting material and the product were used to establish retention times. From this analysis, the amount of the desired product, residua! starting materials., and any side products were measured. The crude reaction mixtυa* was diluted with acetone and injected into the gas chromatogmph. AIi of the peaks measured were assigned a chemical structure. The results are summarised in Table 2. It is of significance thai no tripheαylpbosphkc is present in. the crude reaction mixture. As a result no phosphinc compounds can ofrm when this monomer is subsequent!)' used in polymerization reactions with dipheϊκ>ls.

Table 3. Summary olXias Chrornau«grapb Analyses of Examples 1-4

* Other is comprised of one or more of the ollofwing; aiiisole, trimethylpliαsphke, diphenyf- methyiphosphate.

EXAMPLE 5 (COMPARATIVE)

|0053| This example was conducted using the same apparatus and mrse starting materials as described m Examples 1-4. In this case, stoichiometric quantities of the reaetants were used (i.e., no excess of cither reactant). 31 Og Triphenyiphosphite (1 molX 62g πϊphenyipfcosphite φ.$ moi), and 2 nils of methyl iodide were charged to the reactor. The reactor was healed to 120 °C and an exothermic reaction caused the temperature to dimb to 16? ⁰ C. The temperature was maintained for 30 minutes and tJhcn increased Jo 215 "'C. λ second exothermic reaction caused the temperature to increase to 240 ⁰ C. The temperature was maintained for an additional 30 minutes and then allowed to cool. f#f)54J The crude product was analyzed by gas chromatography as described previously. The resales are presented m Table ^' 3. As indicated, the comparative Example 5 that used no excess of the triaikyiphospMte contains a significant amount of triphenylphosphite hi the crude produet,

10055 j hi an attempt to remove the triphenylphospbiie, the eaide product was subjected to vacuum distillation through a 12-inch vigreux column. The main rafction rofm the vacuum distillation process still contained a significant amount of itiphcnylphospbiie. Attempts to remove the .remaining triphenylphosphite by vacuum distllkuion were unsuccessful presumably due to the similarity in boiling points of this compound and the desired product (i.e., diphenyl methyiphosphonatε K

^" Fable 3. Gas Chromatographic Analysis of Comparative Example 5

*ϋiher h comprised of one or more of the ollfowing; anisoie, trimethyiphosphiic, diphenyl- melhyiphαsphate. fθ$5&] By f ollowing the ssatoof-the-ari method f or preparing diaromatic alkyiphαsphoπale compounds, it is clear that some starting material (ix\, triphαjylplκ>$philc} remains in the crude reaction mixtiϊre. This materia! is practical!)' impossible to remove by vacuum distillation or other knows purification techniques. If the diaromatic alkySphosphonate conUϊiπinated whh triphcnylphosphite is used to prepare polymers, or exfample, with conjugated diphenols, toxic phosphi«e compound ofrmation is favored. Exposure ¹ to these dangerous compounds cars occur during subsequent work- up and handling of the polymer or by others that come into contact with ihis material

IiXAMFLE 6

|βO57| λH glassware was oven dried overnight at 1 10 ¹¹ C _< md assembled under a nitrogen jTtffge. A 5 liter flask equipped with an overhead stirrer, oil bath, addition iurvnek water-cooled condenser with nitrogen by-pass, and thermometer was used as the reaction vessel. The Oask was charged with 1552 grams (4,86 mote) of triphenylphosphite. arκl the oil bath was set to heat to 250 *€\ When the temperature of the iπpheπylphosphiie reached 250 ^U C, a solution of 176.0 g (S, S mok% 13 % molar excess) Qi methanol and 5,0 grams of methyl iodide was added drop wise over about a 5 hour period. During the addition, the temperature of the oil bath, arid the rale of

addition were adjusted to maintain the temperature of the reaction mixture between 230 - 25 T. When the addition was complete, the oil bath temperature was set to 245 ^1> C and the reaction mixture was stirred for one additional hour and subsequently allowed to cool to room temperature, The crude yield was .1724 grams. The erode product was purifkt! by vacuum distillation through a 12-inch vigreux column,

EXAMPLE 7 (COM PλRλT1 VE) f0058| AU glassware was oven dried overnight at i 10 ⁰ C and assembled under a nitrogen purge. λ 5 liter flask equipped with an overhead stirrer, oil bath, addition koofei, water-cooled condenser with nitrogen by-pass, and thermometer was used as the reaction vessel. The flask

was charged with 38S grams ( L25 mole) of tπpheπylphosprύte, ami the oil bath was set to heat to 250 ⁰ C. WIiCD the temperature of the triphenyf phosphite reached 250 ⁰ C, a soknioπ of 40.0 g U.25 mole, 0 % molar excess) of methanol ami 1,25 grama of methyl iodide was added drop wise over about a 2,25 hour period. During the addition, the temperature of the oil bath and the rate of addition were adjusted to maintain the temperature of the reaction .mixture tα about 250 Xl When, the addition was complete, the oil bath temperature was set to 245 °C and the reaction mixture stirred for one addiiionai hour and subsei|ueτit!y allowed H< cool to room temperature. The erode yield was 425 grams.

|OθS ^§ | Prior to purification, the crude products were analyzed by gas chromatography. Pure standards of e^eb starting material and the product were used to establish re^ntioα times. From this analysis, the amount of the desired product, residual starting materials and any side products were measured. The results are summarized below in Table 4,

Table 4. Gas Chromatographic Analysis of Examples 6-7

*Qthcr is comprised of one or more of the ollofwing: amsofe, dipheny/lnxsihyrphosphate.

1006Of As indicated by the results in Table 4, the comparative Example ? that used ao excess of methanol, contains triphenylphosphite in the crude product. Attempts to re-move the remaining triphenviphospiiste by vacuum distillation were unsuccessful presumably due to the similarity in boiling pohus of this compound and the desired product {i.e.. dipheny! methytpfeøsphoiiase } .

[$HM>11 in an attempt to remove the triphenylphosphite, the crude product was .subjected to vacuum Uisiϋlatioji through a 12-inch vigreux column. The maiji rafction rofm the vacuum distillation process still contained a significant amount of tripteiylphosphke. Attempts κ> remove the remaining triphcnyiphosphite by vacuum distϋkuion were unsuccessful presumably due to the similarity in boiling points of this compound and the desired product (i.e., di phenyl mcihyipho&phojiate).

[0lt62 } By following the state-of-the-art method for preparing diaromaUc alkylphosphoiiate compounds, it is clear that some starling material (i.e.. triphenylphosphite} remains in the crude reaction mixture. This material is praetieaiiy impossible to remove by vacuum distillation o? other known purification techniques. If the diarornMie alkylphøsphønate contaπύnated with triphenylphosphite Is used to prepare polymers, or exfample, with conjugated

dφhenots. toxic phosphuie compound formation is favored, Exposure to these dangerous compounds cm occur during subsequent work-up and handling of the polymer or by others that come into contact with this material.

EXAMPLE S |Oθ63] AH glassware was oven dried overnight at 1 10 ^t: 'C and assembled ntxάiϊr a nitrogen

purge. A 5 liter flask equipped with an overhead stirrer, oil bath, addition unnfel water-cooled condenser with nitrogen by-pass, and thermometer was used as the reaction vessel The laskf was charged with 2560 grants (8. CK) mole) of tripherrylphosphite and 36.7 grams of iαdomethanε and were mixed together in the reaction flask at room temperature. During mixing, no exothemi was observed The mixture was then heated under nitrogen to 240 ⁰ C. When 240 ⁰ C was reached, a solution of 550.0 g (473 mole) of trirnethylphosphite was added to the mixture from thefeeding funnel. Some discoloration was observed during heating, however this disappeared when πirπelhylphosphite was added. No reflux was observed during either mixing tiiphe-ny I phosphite and catalyst or heating up this mixture before addition of iriroethylphosphite. Addition time was 3 hours during which the reaction was kept under control ai romf 210 ^'' 'C to 260 ^' T-', Altar the -addition, the temperature of the reaction mixture was held at 240 ^'" 'C or anf addiifooal hour &nά then cooled to room temperature. The products were then analyzed. Crude yield was 3140 g.

|WM4j ηo exothermic activity was detected during the reaction. ^' The mixture of triphenvlphospbite and ioάorøethane obtained a deep red-purple color upon heating. Ia addition so reOttxmg of iodoniethane could also be observed. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the triphi'rtylphospbite ®nά iodomethane may react to orfm trisphenoxymethylphosphoniurn iodide salt

Table 5. Gas Chromatographic Analysis of Example 8

Theoretically at 100% yield there should be :248X12 ^::: 2976.0g of P-diester.

Experimental yield: (2731.8x100)/2976g=91.8%

DMPP(i) = Dimethylphenylphosphite

P-diester ^~ Oiphi-nyl mεthyiρ-hosρhonatt ^v

TPP(I) = ^' Triphenylphosphile

TPP(a) ^;:ϊ Triphcnylphosphate