Method for alkoxylation of chlorides and bromides of trivalent phosphorus

摘要

This invention relates to an improvement in the process of condensing chlorides and bromides of trivalent phosphorus with alkylene oxides to give corresponding beta -haloalkyl esters of phosphorous acid, useful in the manufacture of fireproofing agents, growth regulators etc. The improvement comprises performing the condensation in the presence of a catalytic quantity of a suitable organic aluminum compound, whereby the reaction proceeds efficiently and substantially without competing side-reactions. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the organic aluminum compound is used in conjunction with a suitable stabilizing base selected from organic amines and phosphines.