Synthesis, characterization, and application of a hydrolytically stable liquid phosphite

Abstract

Organic alkyl and aryl phosphites are effective antioxidants and photostabilizers with applications in a wide range of polymers. The primary role of phosphites is to decompose hydroperoxide. However, aryl phosphites are also capable of reacting as antioxidants by negatively affecting the kinetics. In particular, liquid phosphites have a greater effect on polymer degradation because of their high compatibility, reactivity, and solubility with almost all polymers, but they are sensitive to hydrolysis. In order to overcome this hydrolytic sensitivity in liquid phosphites, a novel hydrolytically stable liquid phosphite incorporating a sterically hindered aromatic alcohol (2,4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐6‐methylphenol) that gives hydrolytic stability to the phosphite was synthesized and characterized, and its performance as an antioxidant for polypropylene was investigated. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 22:163–168, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers