Abstract
Phosphorylation of poly(epichlorohydrin) (PECH) was successfully performed via reacting the P-H bond of 9,10-dihydro-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO) with the pendent chloromethyl groups of PECH. From this reaction, phosphorus-containing PECH with hydroxyl terminal groups was obtained. This compound was further reacted with toluene-2,4-diisocyanate to form a phosphorous-containing polyurethane. The performance of the phosphorylation reaction and the structure of the resulting polymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, phosphorous-31 nuclear magnetic resonance ( <sup>31</sup> P NMR) spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The phosphorylated PECH and polyurethane were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), which showed weight loss retardation behavior under air at high temperature at >500°C and high char yield at 700°C. Both of the synthesized polymers are potentially useful as multifunctional modifiers for epoxy resins and for improving the toughness and flame retardancy of the resins.