WO2012013565A1

WO2012013565A1 - Phosphinic acid hydrazide flame retardant compositions

Info

Publication number: WO2012013565A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/062518
Authority: WO
Inventors: Simon Kniesel; Holger Hoppe; Rudolf Pfaendner; Rainer Xalter; Carl-Eric Magnus WILÉN; Weronika Honorata Pawelec; Melanie Aubert
Original assignee: Basf Se
Priority date: 2010-07-29
Filing date: 2011-07-21
Publication date: 2012-02-02

Abstract

The invention relates to flame retardant compositions, wherein a phosphinic acid hydrazide is present in a polymer substrate. The combination with >NOR-compounds improves the flame retardant properties.

Description

Phosphinic acid hydrazide flame retardant compositions Description

The invention relates to flame retardant compositions that comprise phosphinic acid hydrazide compounds and a polymer substrate.

Flame retardant(s) (FR, FRs) are added to polymeric materials (synthetic or natural) to enhance the flame retardant properties of the polymers. Depending on their composition, flame retardants may act in the solid, liquid or gas phase either chemically, e.g. as a spumescent by liberation of nitrogen, and/or physically, e.g. by producing a foam coverage. Flame retardants interfere during a particular stage of the combustion proc- ess, e.g. during heating, decomposition, ignition or flame spread.

There is still a need for flame retardant compositions with improved properties that can be used in different polymer substrates.

Inorganic and organic compounds with FR-activity have been used for achieving the FR-effect in various types of polymers. Such compounds include halogenated hydro- carbons, phosphorous containing compounds, metal containing compounds, such as metal oxides and hydroxides, and melamine derivatives. Halogenated FRs are very commonly used due to their effectiveness. Nevertheless, the use of halogenated compounds has generally become of an environmental concern.

To diminish the problems associated with halogenated FRs, synergists are often used in combination with halogenated FRs. Synergists are compounds which enhance the flame retarding properties of the halogenated FRs and thus enable the use of halogenated FRs in substantially reduced amounts. Synergistic compounds encompass a group of compounds known as "free radical initiators", which include organic peroxides (see e.g. U.S. 3,058,926), dibenzyl compounds (see e.g. U.S. 3,271 ,333 and U.S. 3,420, 786), disulphides (see e.g. U.S. 3,284,544), hydrazones (see e.g. U.S.

3,269,962), and azo-compounds (see e.g. U.S. 4,237, 179, U.S. 3,897,373, U.S.

4,486,347 and FR 1 425 563). Such synergists are used only in combination with other FRs, and typically with said halogenated FRs. The azo-compounds have been used e.g. as azo dyes with an additional function as FR-synergists, and are typically in com- plex form with transition metal ions, e.g. Cu or Cr.

Non-halogenated N-hydrocarbyloxy hindered amino light stabilizers (NOR-HALS) have also been proposed for solving the problem. These can be used alone, e.g. in place of halogenated FRs, or as synergists for FR-applications (see e.g. WO 99/00450).

Increased standards with regard to safety and environmental requirements result in stricter regulations. Particularly known halogen containing flame retardants no longer match all necessary requirements. Therefore, halogen free flame retardants are pre- ferred, particularly in view of their better performance in terms of smoke density associated with fire. Improved thermal stability and decreased delamination tendency are further benefits of halogen free flame retardant compositions.

WO 00/02869 discloses polyphosphate salts of a 1 ,3,5-triazine compound and its use for flame retardant compositions.

U. S. Patent Specification No. 5,084,546 discloses flame retardant epoxy resin compositions, wherein hydroxyalkyl phosphine oxides are present as active components.

Published PCT/EP 2008/053474 discloses flame retardant epoxy resin compositions, wherein 6H-dibenz[c,e][1 ,2]oxaphosphorin-6-oxide is present as an active component. It has surprisingly been found that polymers with excellent flame retardant properties are prepared in the event that phosphinic acid hydrazide compounds are added to a polymer base. Phosphinic acid hydrazide compounds have excellent FR-properties, either if applied alone, or combined with other compounds having FR-properties.

Therefore, the invention relates to a composition, particularly a flame retardant compo- sition, which comprises

a) A compound of the formula

Wherein

One of R† and R₂ represents hydrogen or a substituent selected from the group consisting of CrC₂₀alkyl, hydroxy-C₂-C₈alkyl, C₂-C₂oalkenyl, C₆-

C₂₀aryl, CrCi₂alkyl-C₆-C₂₀aryl, C₆-C₂oaryl-CrC₄alkyl, mono- or bicyclic C₅- C₂₀cycloalkyl, mono- or bicyclic CrCi₂alkyl-C₅-C₂₀cycloalkyl, and mono- or bicyclic C₅-C₂₀cycloalkyl-CrC₄alkyl; or

Both R† and R₂ independently of one another represent substituents selected from the group consisting of CrC₂₀alkyl, hydroxy-C₂-C₈alkyl, C₂- C₂₀alkenyl, C₆-C₂₀aryl, CrCi₂alkyl-C₆-C₂₀aryl, C₆-C₂₀aryl-CrC₄alkyl, mono- or bicyclic C₅-C₂₀cycloalkyl, mono- or bicyclic CrCi₂alkyl-C₅-C₂₀cycloalkyl, and mono- or bicyclic C₅-C₂₀cycloalkyl-CrC₄alkyl; or

Ri and R₂ together represent C₂-C₅alkylene; and

R represents hydrogen or a group of the partial formula

Wherein and R₂' are defined as R^ and R₂, and salts of these compounds; and

b) A polymer substrate.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a composition, which comprises as Component a) a compound of the formula

Wherein

and R₂ independently of one another represent substituents selected from the group consisting of CrC₂₀alkyl, hydroxy-C₂-C₈alkyl, C₂-C₂₀alkenyl, C₆-C₂₀aryl, C Ci₂alkyl-C₆-C₂₀aryl, C₆-C₂oaryl-CrC₄alkyl, mono- or bicyclic C₅-C₂₀cycloalkyl, mono- or bicyclic CrCi₂alkyl-C₅-C₂₀cycloalkyl, and mono- or bicyclic C₅-C₂₀cyclo- alkyl-C C₄alkyl;

And R^ and R₂' are defined as R^ and R₂.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a composition, which com- prises as Component a) a compound of the formula

Wherein

R and R₂ independently of one another represent substituents selected from the group consisting of CrC₂₀alkyl, hydroxy-C₂-C₈alkyl, C₂-C₂₀alkenyl, C₆-C₂₀aryl, C Ci₂alkyl-C₆-C₂₀aryl, C₆-C₂₀aryl-CrC₄alkyl, mono- or bicyclic C₅-C₂₀cycloalkyl, mono- or bicyclic CrCi₂alkyl-C₅-C₂₀cycloalkyl, and mono- or bicyclic C₅-C₂₀cyclo- alkyl-C C₄alkyl.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention relates to composition, which comprises as Component a) a compound (I), wherein

Both R and R₂ independently of one another represent substituents selected from the group consisting of CrC₂₀alkyl, C₆-C₂₀aryl, CrCi₂alkyl-C₆-C₂₀aryl and C₆-C₂₀aryl-CrC₄alkyl; and

R represents hydrogen or a group of the partial formula (A),

Wherein R^ and R₂' are defined as R^ and R₂, and salts of these compounds. A highly preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a composition, which comprises as Component a) a compound (I), wherein

Both F and R₂ independently of one another represent substituents selected from the group consisting of d-C₈alkyl and phenyl; and

R represents hydrogen or a group of the partial formula (A),

Wherein R^ and R₂' are defined as R^ and R₂, and salts of these compounds.

A most preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a composition, which comprises

a) A compound (I), wherein

Both R and R₂ independently of one another represent substituents selected from the group consisting of CrC₈alkyl and phenyl; and

R represents hydrogen or a group of the partial formula (A), wherein

R^ and R₂' are defined as R^ and R₂, and salts of these compounds; and b) A thermoplastic polymer substrate.

The compositions defined above for use as flame retardants are another embodiment of the invention.

The compounds (I) are characterized by their excellent flame retardancy. The instant compositions have excellent initial colour and show little yellowing.

The compounds (I) may be used in combination with halogenated and/or non-haloge- nated FR-compounds, for example non-halogenated FR, to improve flame retarding efficacy. Such halogenated and/or non-halogenated FR-compounds may be conventional organic or inorganic halogenated FR-compounds or phosphorous, antimony or metal hydroxide FR-compounds. The instant compounds may have a synergistic effect on other conventional FR-compounds. In that event, the compounds (I) allow a signifi- cant reduction of the amounts needed when applying conventional FR-compounds, such as halogenated or antimony FR-compounds.

The general terms used in the description of the instant invention, unless defined otherwise, are defined as follows:

Component a)

In a compound (I), R^ and R₂ defined as CrC₂₀alkyl are, e.g. methyl, ethyl or straight chain or branched C₃-C₃oalkyl, e.g. n-propyl, isopropyl, n-, iso- or tert-butyl, n-pentyl, isoamyl, neopentyl, 2-ethylbutyl, n-hexyl, 1-methylpentyl, 1 ,3-dimethylbutyl, n-heptyl, isoheptyl, n-octyl, 1 ,4,4-trimethyl-2-pentyl, 3,4-, 3,5- or 4,5-dimethyl-1-hexyl, 3- or 5-methyl-1-heptyl, 1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethylbutyl, 2-ethylhexyl, branched octyl as obtained from a dimer of isobutylene, n-nonyl, 1 , 1 ,3-trimethylhexyl, branched nonyl as obtained from a trimer of tripropylene, 1-methylundecyl, 2-n-butyl-n-octyl, branched dodecyl obtained from a trimer of isobutylene or a tetramer of propylene, branched pentadecyl obtained from a pentamer of propylene, 2-n-hexyl-n-decyl or 2-n-octyl-n-dodecyl.

Hydroxy-C₂-C₈alkyl is preferably hydroxy-C₂-C₅alkyl, for example 2-hydroxyethyl, 2- or 3-n-hydroxypropyl or 2-hydroxy-isobutyl (= 2-methyl-2-hydroxypropyl).

C₂-C₂oAlkenyl is, for example, 1-propenyl, allyl, methallyl, 2-butenyl or 2-pentenyl.

C₆-C₂₀Aryl is, for example, phenyl or 1- or 2-naphthyl.

CrCi₂Alkyl-C₆-C₂₀aryl is C₆-C₂₀aryl, preferably phenyl that is substituted, for example, by from one to three of the CrC₄alkyl radicals described above or by one or two C C₆alkyl radicals or one C Ci₂alkyl radical.

C₆-C₂₀Aryl-CrC₄alkyl is preferably phenyl-C C₄alkyl, e.g. benzyl or 1-phenyl-1 -ethyl or 2-phenyl-1 -ethyl.

Mono- or bicyclic C₅-C₂₀cycloalkyl is preferably C₅-Ci₂cycloalkyl, e.g. cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl.

Mono- or bicyclic CrCi₂alkyl-C₅-C₂₀cycloalkyl is preferably C₅-Ci₂cycloalkyl, e.g.

cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl, substituted by, for example, one to three of the C C₄alkyl radicals, e.g. methyl or tert-butyl, described above or by one or two CrC₆alkyl radicals or one C Ci₂alkyl radical.

Mono- or bicyclic C₅-C₂₀cycloalkyl-CrC₄alkyl, is preferably C₅-Ci₂cycloalkyl-CrC₄alkyl, e.g. cyclopentylmethyl or cyclohexylmethyl.

In a compound (I), and R₂ are different. In that embodiment, one of R^ and R₂ represents hydrogen and the other one a substituent selected from the groups defined above or both R^ and R₂ represent different substituents selected from the groups de- fined above.

In a preferred embodiment, R^ and R₂ are identical in the compound (I). In that embodiment, both R and R₂ represent substituents selected from the groups defined above.

In the embodiment wherein R is other than hydrogen, R represents a group of the par- tial formula

Wherein R^ and R₂' are defined as R^ and R₂. In the compound (la), the definitions of and R₂' correspond to the definitions of R^ and R₂.

Such compounds are represented by the general formula:

Wherein

and R₂ independently of one another represent substituents selected from the group consisting of CrC₂₀alkyl, hydroxy-C₂-C₈alkyl, C₂-C₂₀alkenyl, C₆-C₂₀aryl, C Ci₂alkyl-C₆-C₂₀aryl, C₆-C₂oaryl-CrC₄alkyl, mono- or bicyclic C₅-C₂₀cycloalkyl, mono- or bicyclic CrCi₂alkyl-C₅-C₂₀cycloalkyl, and mono- or bicyclic C₅-C₂₀cyclo- alkyl-C C₄alkyl; and

Ri' and R₂' are defined as R^ and R₂.

In the embodiment wherein R represents hydrogen, the compounds (I) are represented by the general formula

Wherein

and R₂ independently of one another represent substituents selected from the group consisting of CrC₂₀alkyl, hydroxy-C₂-C₈alkyl, C₂-C₂₀alkenyl, C₆-C₂₀aryl, C Ci₂alkyl-C₆-C₂₀aryl, C₆-C₂₀aryl-CrC₄alkyl, mono- or bicyclic C₅-C₂₀cycloalkyl, mono- or bicyclic CrCi₂alkyl-C₅-C₂₀cycloalkyl, and mono- or bicyclic C₅-C₂₀cyclo- alkyl-C C₄alkyl.

The term salt of a compound (I) comprises within its scope acid addition salts with proton donor acid, such as hydrochloric, hydrobromic or sulphuric acid, e.g. the hydrogen chloride or hydrogen bromide addition salt.

Compounds (I) are known according to E. Steininger, Monatshefte fur Chemie 1966, 97(2), 383, or are obtainable by known methods, such as in a first step: reaction of a halophosphine oxide, such as chlorodiphenylphosphine oxide, to give a compound (lb) and in a second step: reaction of that compound with another equivalent of a halophosphine to give a compound (la). Alternatively, compounds of the general formula (la) may also be obtained by a one-step reaction starting from hydrazine and halo- phosphine, as described by H. Bock and G. Rudolph, Chemische Berichte 1965, 98(7), Component a) is preferably contained in the flame retardant compositions according to the invention in an amount from 0.1 - 45.0 wt.%, preferably 0.1 - 30.0 wt.%, based on the weight of the polymer substrate.

Component b)

The term polymer substrate comprises within its scope thermoplastic polymers or thermosets. Thermoplastic polymers are preferred. A list of suitable thermoplastic polymers is given below:

1. Polymers of monoolefins and diolefins, for example polypropylene, polyisobutylene, polybut-1-ene, poly-4-methylpent-1-ene, polyvinylcyclohexane, polyisoprene or polybutadiene, as well as polymers of cycloolefins, for instance of cyclopentene or norbornene, polyethylene (which optionally can be cross linked), for example high density polymethylene (HDPE), high density and high molecular weight polyethylene (HDPE-HMW), high density and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (HDPE-UHMW), medium density polyethylene (MDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), (VLDPE) and (ULDPE).

Polyolefins, i.e. the polymers of monoolefins exemplified in the preceding paragraph, preferably polyethylene and polypropylene, can be prepared by different and especially by the following methods:

a) Radical polymerisation (normally under high pressure and at elevated tempera- ture).

b) Catalytic polymerisation using a catalyst that normally contains one or more than one metal of groups IVb, Vb, Vlb or VIII of the Periodic Table. These metals usually have one or more than one ligand, typically oxides, halides, alcoholates, esters, ethers, amines, alkyls, alkenyls and/or aryls that may be either π- or σ-coor- dinated. These metal complexes may be in the free form or fixed on substrates, typically on activated magnesium chloride, titanium(lll) chloride, alumina or silicon oxide. These catalysts may be soluble or insoluble in the polymerisation medium. The catalysts can be used by themselves in the polymerisation or further activators may be used, typically metal alkyls, metal hydrides, metal alkyl halides, metal alkyl oxides or metal alkyloxanes, said metals being elements of groups la, lla and/or Ilia of the Periodic Table. The activators may be modified conveniently with further ester, ether, and amine or silyl ether groups. These catalyst systems are usually termed Phillips, Standard Oil Indiana, Ziegler-Natta), TNZ (DuPont), metallocene or single site catalysts (SSC).

2. Mixtures of the polymers mentioned under 1), for example mixtures of polypropylene with polyisobutylene, polypropylene with polyethylene (for example PP/HDPE, PP/LDPE) and mixtures of different types of polyethylene (for example

LDPE/HDPE).

Copolymers of monoolefins and diolefins with each other or with other vinyl monomers, for example ethylene/propylene copolymers, linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and mixtures thereof with low density polyethylene (LDPE), propylene/but- 1-ene copolymers, propylene/isobutylene copolymers, ethylene/but-1-ene copolymers, ethylene/hexene copolymers, ethylene/methylpentene copolymers, ethyl- ene/heptene copolymers, ethylene/octene copolymers, ethylene/vinylcyclohexane copolymers, ethylene/cycloolefin copolymers (e.g. ethylene/norbornene like COC), ethylene/1 -olefins copolymers, where the 1 -olefin is generated in-situ; propylene/ butadiene copolymers, isobutylene/isoprene copolymers, ethylene/vinylcyclohex- ene copolymers, ethylene/alkyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene/alkyl methacrylate copolymers, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers or ethylene/acrylic acid copolymers and their salts (ionomers) as well as terpolymers of ethylene with propylene and a diene such as hexadiene, dicyclopentadiene or ethylidene-norbornene; and mixtures of such copolymers with one another and with polymers mentioned in 1) above, for example polypropylene/ethylene-propylene copolymers, LDPE/ethylene- vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA), LDPE/ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers (EAA), LLDPE/EVA, LLDPE/EAA and alternating or random polyalkylene/carbon monoxide copolymers and mixtures thereof with other polymers, for example polyamides. Hydrocarbon resins (for example C₅-C₉) including hydrogenated modifications thereof (e.g. tackifiers) and mixtures of polyalkylenes and starch;

The homopolymers and copolymers mentioned above may have a stereo structure including syndiotactic, isotactic, hemi-isotactic or atactic; where atactic polymers are preferred. Stereo block polymers are also included.

Polystyrene, poly(p-methylstyrene), poly(a-methylstyrene).

Aromatic homopolymers and copolymers derived from vinyl aromatic monomers including styrene, a-methylstyrene, all isomers of vinyl toluene, especially p-vinyl toluene, all isomers of ethyl styrene, propyl styrene, vinyl biphenyl, vinyl naphtha- lene, and vinyl anthracene, and mixtures thereof. Homopolymers and copolymers may have a stereo structure including syndiotactic, isotactic, hemi-isotactic or atactic; where atactic polymers are preferred. Stereo block polymers are also included; a) Copolymers including aforementioned vinyl aromatic monomers and co- monomers selected from ethylene, propylene, dienes, nitriles, acids, maleic anhydrides, maleimides, vinyl acetate and vinyl chloride or acrylic derivatives and mixtures thereof, for example styrene/butadiene, styrene/acrylo- nitrile, styrene/ethylene (interpolymers), styrene/alkyl methacrylate, sty- rene/butadiene/alkyl acrylate, styrene/butadiene/alkyl methacrylate, sty- rene/maleic anhydride, styrene/acrylonitrile/methyl acrylate; mixtures of high impact strength of styrene copolymers and another polymer, for example a polyacrylate, a diene polymer or an ethylene/propylene/diene terpolymer; and block copolymers of styrene such as styrene/butadiene/styrene, sty- rene/isoprene/styrene, styrene/ethylene/butylene/styrene or styrene/ eth- ylene/propylene/styrene.

b) Hydrogenated aromatic polymers derived from hydrogenation of polymers mentioned under 6.), especially including polycyclohexylethylene (PCHE) prepared by hydrogenating atactic polystyrene, often referred to as polyvi- nylcyclohexane (PVCH).

c) Hydrogenated aromatic polymers derived from hydrogenation of polymers mentioned under 6a). Homopolymers and copolymers may have a stereo structure including syndiotactic, isotactic, hemi-isotactic or atactic; where atactic polymers are preferred. Stereo block polymers are also included.

Graft copolymers of vinyl aromatic monomers such as styrene or a-methylstyrene, for example styrene on polybutadiene, styrene on polybutadiene-styrene or poly- butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymers; styrene and acrylonitrile (or methacrylonitrile) on polybutadiene; styrene, acrylonitrile and methyl methacrylate on polybutadiene; styrene and maleic anhydride on polybutadiene; styrene, acrylonitrile and maleic anhydride or maleimide on polybutadiene; styrene and maleimide on polybutadiene; styrene and alkyl acrylates or methacrylates on polybutadiene; styrene and acrylonitrile on ethylene/propylene/diene terpolymers; styrene and acrylonitrile on polyalkyl acrylates or polyalkyl methacrylates, styrene and acrylonitrile on acry- late/butadiene copolymers, as well as mixtures thereof with the copolymers listed under 6), for example the copolymer mixtures known as ABS, MBS, ASA or AES polymers.

Halogen-containing polymers such as polychloroprene, chlorinated rubbers, chlorinated and brominated copolymer of isobutylene-isoprene (halobutyl rubber), chlorinated or sulphochlorinated polyethylene, copolymers of ethylene and chlorinated ethylene, epichlorohydrin homo- and copolymers, especially polymers of halogen- containing vinyl compounds, for example polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride, as well as copolymers thereof such as vinyl chloride/vinylidene chloride, vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate or vinylidene chloride/- vinyl acetate copolymers. Polymers derived from α,β-unsaturated acids and derivatives thereof such as poly- acrylates and polymethacrylates; polymethyl methacrylates, polyacrylamides and polyacrylonitriles, impact-modified with butyl acrylate.

Copolymers of the monomers mentioned under 9) with each other or with other unsaturated monomers, for example acrylonitrile/ butadiene copolymers, acryloni- trile/alkyl acrylate copolymers, acrylonitrile/alkoxyalkyl acrylate or acrylonitrile/vinyl halide copolymers or acrylonitrile/ alkyl methacrylate/butadiene terpolymers.

Polymers derived from unsaturated alcohols and amines or the acyl derivatives or acetals thereof, for example polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl stearate, polyvinyl benzoate, polyvinyl maleate, polyvinyl butyral, polyallyl phthalate or polyallyl melamine; as well as their copolymers with olefins mentioned in 1 above. Homopolymers and copolymers of cyclic ethers such as polyalkylene glycols, polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide or copolymers thereof with bisglycidyl ethers. Polyacetals such as polyoxymethylene and those polyoxymethylenes, which con- tain ethylene oxide as a co-monomer; polyacetals modified with thermoplastic poly- urethanes, acrylates or MBS.

Polyphenylene oxides and sulphides, and mixtures of polyphenylene oxides with styrene polymers or polyamides.

Polyurethanes derived from hydroxyl-terminated polyethers, polyesters or polybu- tadienes on the one hand and aliphatic or aromatic polyisocyanates on the other, as well as precursors thereof.

Polyamides and co-polyamides derived from diamines and dicarboxylic acids and/- or from aminocarboxylic acids or the corresponding lactams, for example polyami- de 4, polyamide 6, polyamide 6/6, 6/10, 6/9, 6/12, 4/6, 12/12, polyamide 11 , poly- amide 12, aromatic polyamides starting from m-xylene diamine and adipic acid; polyamides prepared from hexamethylenediamine and isophthalic or/and tereph- thalic acid and with or without an elastomer as modifier, for example poly-2,4,4,- trimethylhexamethylene terephthalamide or poly-m-phenylene isophthalamide; and also block copolymers of the aforementioned polyamides with polyolefins, olefin copolymers, ionomers or chemically bonded or grafted elastomers; or with polyethers, e.g. with polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol or polytetramethylene glycol; as well as polyamides or co-polyamides modified with EPDM or ABS; and polyamides condensed during processing (RIM polyamide systems).

Polyureas, polyimides, polyamide imides, polyether imides, polyester imides, poly- hydantoins and polybenzimidazoles. Polyesters derived from dicarboxylic acids and diols and/or from hydroxycarboxylic acids or the corresponding lactones, for example polyethylene terephthalate, poly- butylene terephthalate, poly-1 ,4-dimethylolcyclohexane terephthalate, polyalkylene naphthalate (PAN) and polyhydroxybenzoates, as well as block co-polyether esters derived from hydroxyl-terminated polyethers; and also polyesters modified with polycarbonates or MBS.

Polyketones.

Polysulphones, polyether sulphones and polyether ketones.

Blends of the aforementioned polymers (polyblends), for example PP/EPDM, Poly- amide/EPDM or ABS, PVC/EVA, PVC/ABS, PVC/MBS, PC/ABS, PBTP/ABS, PC/ASA, PC/PBT, PVC/CPE, PVC/acrylates, POM/thermoplastic PUR, PC/thermoplastic PUR, POM/acrylate, POM/MBS, PPO/HIPS, PPO/PA 6.6 and copolymers, PA/HDPE, PA/PP, PA/PPO, PBT/PC/ABS or PBT/PET/PC.

Polycarbonates that correspond to the general formula:

-R-O-C-O-

O

Such Polycarbonates are obtainable by interfacial processes or by melt processes (catalytic transesterification). The polycarbonate may be either branched or linear in structure and may include any functional substituents. Polycarbonate copolymers and polycarbonate blends are also within the scope of the invention. The term polycarbonate should be interpreted as inclusive of copolymers and blends with other thermoplastics. Methods for the manufacture of polycarbonates are known, for example, from U.S. Patent Specification Nos. 3,030,331; 3, 169, 121; 4, 130,458; 4,263,201; 4,286,083; 4,552, 704; 5,210,268; and 5,606,007. A combination of two or more polycarbonates of different molecular weights may be used. Preferred are polycarbonates obtainable by reaction of a diphenol, such as bisphenol A, with a carbonate source. Examples of suitable diphenols are:

Bisphenol A:

bisphenol AF

: bisphenol , bisphenol

bisphenol

C: , bisphenol E: bisphenol bisphenol

bisphenol

bisphenol bisphenol

bisphenol Z:

4,4'-(2-norbornylidene)bis(2,6-dichlorophenol), or fluorene-9-bisphenol:

The carbonate source may be a carbonyl halide, a carbonate ester or a haloformate. Suitable carbonate halides are phosgene or carbonylbromide. Suitable carbonate esters are dialkylcarbonates, such as dimethyl- or diethylcarbonate, diphenyl carbonate, phenyl-alkylphenylcarbonate, such as phenyl-tolylcarbonate, dialkylcarbonates, such as dimethyl- or diethylcarbonate, di-(halophenyl)carbonates, such as di-(chlorophenyl)- carbonate, di-(bromophenyl)carbonate, di-(trichlorophenyl)carbonate or di-(trichloro- heny)arbonate, di-(alkylphenyl)carbonates, such as di-tolylcarbonate, naphthylcarbon- ate, dichloronaphthylcarbonate and others.

The polymer substrate mentioned above, in the event it comprises polycarbonates or polycarbonate blends, is a polycarbonate-copolymer, wherein isophthalate/terephtha- late-resorcinol segments are present. Such polycarbonates are commercially available, e.g. Lexan® SLX (General Electrics Co. USA). Other polymeric substrates of component b) may additionally contain in the form as admixtures or as copolymers a wide variety of synthetic polymers including polyolefins, polystyrenes, polyesters, polyethers, polyamides, poly(meth)acrylates, thermoplastic polyurethanes, polysulphones, polya- cetals and PVC, including suitable compatibilizing agents. For example, the polymer substrate may additionally contain thermoplastic polymers selected from the group of resins consisting of polyolefins, thermoplastic polyurethanes, styrene polymers and copolymers thereof. Specific embodiments include polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), glycol-modified polycyclohexylenemethylene terephthalate (PCTG), polysul- phone (PSU), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), acrylonitrile-butaiene-styrene (ABS), acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylic ester (ASA), acryloni- trile-ethylene-propylene-styrene (AES), styrene-maleic anhydride (SMA) or high impact polystyrene (HIPS).

According to a further embodiment, the term polymer substrate of component b) consists of a polyfunctional epoxide compound, wherein at least two epoxy groups of the partial formula

are present, which are attached directly to carbon, oxygen, nitrogen or sulphur atoms, and wherein q represents zero, and R₃ both represent hydrogen and R₂ represents hydrogen or methyl; or wherein q represents zero or 1 , and R₃ together form the -CH2-CH2- or -CH2-CH2-CH2- groups and R₂ represents hydrogen.

Examples of polyfunctional epoxide compounds are: Polyglycidyl esters and poly(p-methylglycidyl) esters obtainable by reacting a compound having at least two carboxyl groups in the molecule with epichloro- hydrin and/or glyceroldichlorohydrin and/or β-methylepichlorohydrin. The reaction is carried out in the presence of bases.

Suitable compounds having at least two carboxyl groups in the molecule are aliphatic polycarboxylic acids, such as glutaric, adipic, pimelic, suberic, azelaic, sebacic or dimerized or trimerized linoleic acid. Cycloaliphatic polycarboxylic acids are suitable, e.g. tetrahydrophthalic, 4-methyltetrahydrophthalic, hexahy- drophthalic or 4-methylhexahydrophthalic acid.

Aromatic polycarboxylic acids are suitable, such as phthalic, isophthalic, trimel- litic and pyromellitic acid. Likewise suitable are carboxyl-terminated adducts of, for example, trimellitic acid and polyols such as glycerol or 2,2-bis(4-hydroxycy- clohexyl)propane.

Polyglycidyl ethers or poly(p-methylglycidyl) ethers obtainable by reacting a compound having at least two free alcoholic hydroxyl groups and/or phenolic hydroxyl groups with a suitably substituted epichlorohydrin under alkaline conditions or in the presence of an acidic catalyst with subsequent treatment under alkaline conditions.

Ethers of this type are derived, for example, from straight-chain alcohols, such as ethyleneglycol, diethyleneglycol and higher poly(oxyethylene) glycols, pro- pane-1 ,2-diol, or poly(oxypropylene) glycols, propane-1 ,3-diol, butane-1 ,4-diol, poly(oxytetramethylene) glycols, pentane-1 ,5-diol, hexane-1 ,6-diol, hexane- 2,4,6-triol, glycerol, 1 , 1 , 1-trimethylolpropane, bistrimethylolpropane, pentae- rythritol, sorbitol, and from polyepichlorohydrins.

In the alternative, they are derived, for example, from cycloaliphatic alcohols, such as 1 ,3- or 1 ,4-dihydroxycyclohexane, bis(4-hydroxycyclohexyl)methane, 2,2-bis(4-hydroxycyclohexyl)-propane or 1 , 1-bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclohex-3-ene, or they possess aromatic nuclei, such as N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)aniline or ρ,ρ'- bis(2-hydroxyethylamino)diphenylmethane.

The epoxy compounds may also be derived from mononuclear phenols, such as resorcinol or hydroquinone; or they are based on polynuclear phenols, such as bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)methane, 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, 2,2-bis(3,5- dibromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane or 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl sulphone, or on condensates of phenols with formaldehyde that are obtained under acidic conditions, such as phenol Novolak®.

Poly(N-glycidyl) compounds obtainable by dehydrochlorinating the reaction products of epichlorohydrin with amines containing at least two amino hydrogen atoms. These amines are, for example, aniline, toluidine, n-butylamine, bis(4- aminophenyl)methane, m-xylylenediamine or bis(4-methylaminophenyl)meth- ane, and also Ν,Ν,Ο-triglycidyl-m-aminophenol or Ν,Ν,Ο-triglycidyl-p-amino- phenol.

The poly(N-glycidyl) compounds also include Ν,Ν'-diglycidyl derivatives of cycloalkylene-ureas, such as ethylene urea or 1 ,3-propyleneurea, and N,N'-di- glycidyl derivatives of hydantoins, such as of 5,5-dimethylhydantoin.

IV) Poly(S-glycidyl) compounds, such as di-S-glycidyl derivatives derived from di- thiols, such as ethane-1 ,2-dithiol or bis(4-mercaptomethylphenyl) ether.

Epoxy compounds having a radical of the partial formula B, in which and R₃ together are -CH₂-CH₂- and n is 0 are bis(2,3-epoxycyclopentyl) ether, 2,3-epoxycyclopentyl- glycidyl ether or 1 ,2-bis(2,3-epoxycyclopentyloxy) ethane. An example of an epoxy resin having a radical of the formula A in which and R₃ together are -CH₂-CH₂- and n is 1 is (3,4-epoxy-6-methylcyclohexyl)methyl 3',4'-epoxy-6'-methylcyclohexanecar- boxylate.

Polyfunctional epoxide compounds are known. Many of them are commercially available from Huntsman Advanced Materials (brand name Araldite®). Examples of suitable polyfunctional epoxides are:

a) Liquid bisphenol A diglycidyl ethers, such as ARALDITE GY 240, ARALDITE GY 250, ARALDITE GY 260, ARALDITE GY 266, ARALDITE GY 2600, ARALDITE MY 790;

b) Solid bisphenol A diglycidyl ethers such as ARALDITE GT 6071 , ARALDITE GT 7071 , ARALDITE GT 7072, ARALDITE GT 6063, ARALDITE GT 7203, ARALDITE GT 6064, ARALDITE GT 7304, ARALDITE GT 7004, ARALDITE GT 6084, ARALDITE GT 1999, ARALDITE GT 7077, ARALDITE GT 6097, ARALDITE GT 7097, ARALDITE GT 7008, ARALDITE GT 6099, ARALDITE GT 6608, ARALDITE GT 6609, ARALDITE GT 6610;

c) Liquid bisphenol F diglycidyl ethers, such as ARALDITE GY 281 , ARALDITE

GY 282, ARALDITE PY 302, ARALDITE PY 306;

d) Solid polyglycidyl ethers of tetraphenylethane, such as CG Epoxy Resin^®0163; e) Solid and liquid polyglycidyl ethers of phenol-formaldehyde Novolak®, such as EPN 1 138, EPN 1139, GY 1 180, PY 307;

f) Solid and liquid polyglycidyl ethers of o-cresol-formaldehyde NOVOLAK, such as ECN 1235, ECN 1273, ECN 1280, ECN 1299;

g) Liquid glycidyl ethers of alcohols, such as Shell^®glycidyl ether 162, ARALDITE DY 0390, ARALDITE DY 0391 ; h) Liquid glycidyl ethers of carboxylic acids, such as Shell^®Cardura E terephthalic ester, trimellitic ester, ARALDITE PY 284;

i) Solid heterocyclic epoxy resins (triglycidyl isocyanurate), such as ARALDITE PT 810; k) Liquid cycloaliphatic epoxy resins, such as ARALDITE CY 179;

I) Liquid Ν,Ν,Ο-triglycidyl ethers of p-aminophenol, such as ARALDITE MY 0510;

m) Tetraglycidyl-4,4'-methylenebenzamine or Ν,Ν,Ν',Ν-tetraglycidyldiaminohenyl- methane, such as ARALDITE MY 720, ARALDITE MY 721.

If desired, a mixture of epoxy compounds of diffe'rent structure can also be employed.

The presence of a conventional hardener component is an optional but a preferred embodiment in the composition. A suitable hardener compound is any of the known hardeners for epoxy resins. The amine, phenolic and anhydride hardeners are particularly preferred, such as polyamines, e.g. ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, hexamethylenediamine, methanediamine, N-aminoethyl piper- azine, diaminodiphenylmethane [DDM], alkyl-substituted derivatives of DDM, iso- phoronediamine [IPD], diaminodiphenylsulphone [DDS], 4,4-methylenedianiline [MDA], or m-phenylenediamine [MPDA]), polyamides, alkyl/alkenyl imidazoles, dicyanodia- mide [DICY], 1 ,6-hexamethylene-bis-cyanoguanidine, phenolic hardeners such as phenol novolac and cresol novolac, or acid anhydrides, e.g. dodecenylsuccinic acid anhydride, hexahydrophthalic acid anhydride, tetrahydrophthalic acid anhydride, phthalic acid anhydride, pyromellitic acid anhydride, styrene-maleic acid anhydride copolymers, and derivatives thereof.

Additional Components

The instant invention further pertains to a composition, which comprises, in addition to the components a) and b), as defined above, as optional components, additional flame retardants and further additives selected from the group consisting of so-called anti- dripping agents, polymer stabilizers, tetraalkylpiperidine and tetraalkylpiperazine derivatives.

According to a preferred embodiment the composition contains additional flame retardants selected from the group consisting of phosphorus containing flame retardants, nitrogen containing flame retardants, halogenated flame retardants and inorganic flame retardants. Such additional flame retardants are known components, items of commerce or can be obtained by known methods.

Representative phosphorus-containing flame retardantsare for example:

Aluminum salts of di-CrC₄alkylphosphinic acid, such as dimethylphosphinic acid, di- ethylphosphinic acid (DEPAL) or methyl-ethylphospinic acid (MEPAL), tetraphenyl re- sorcinol diphosphate (Fyrolflex RDP, Akzo Nobel), resorcinol diphosphate oligomer (RDP), triphenyl phosphate, ethylenediamine diphosphate (EDAP), diethyl-N,N-bis(2- hydroxyethyl)-aminomethyl phosphonate, hydroxyalkyl esters of phosphorus acids, salts of hypophosphoric acid (H₃P0₂) comprising e.g. Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, or Al³⁺ as cations, tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium sulphide, ammonium polyphosphate and phos- phazene flame-retardants.

Nitrogen containing flame retardants are, for example, isocyanurate flame retardants, such as polyisocyanurate, esters of isocyanuric acid or isocyanurates. Representative examples are hydroxyalkyl isocyanurates, such as tris-(2-hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate, tris(hydroxymethyl)isocyanurate, tris(3-hydroxy-n-proyl)isocyanurate or triglycidyl isocyanurate.

Nitrogen containing flame-retardants include further melamine-based flame-retardants. Representative examples are: melamine cyanurate, melamine borate, melamine phosphate, melamine pyrophosphate, melamine polyphosphate, melamine ammonium poly- phosphate, melamine ammonium pyrophosphate, dimelamine phosphate and di- melamine pyrophosphate.

Further examples are: benzoguanamine, tris(hydroxyethyl) isocyanurate, allantoin, gly- coluril, melamine cyanurate, melamine phosphate, dimelamine phosphate, urea cyanurate, ammonium polyphosphate, a condensation product of melamine from the series melem, melam, melon and/or a higher condensed compound or a reaction product of melamine with phosphoric acid or a mixture thereof.

Representative organohalogen flame retardants are, for example:

Polybrominated diphenyl oxide (DE-60F, Great Lakes Corp.), decabromodiphenyl oxide (DBDPO; Saytex^® 102E), tris[3-bromo-2,2-bis(bromomethyl)propyl] phosphate (PB 370^®, FMC Corp.), tris(2,3-dibromopropyl)phosphate, tris(2,3-dichloropropyl)phos- phate, chlorendic acid, tetrachlorophthalic acid, tetrabromophthalic acid, poly-p-chloro- ethyl triphosphonate mixture, tetrabromobisphenol A bis(2,3-dibromopropyl ether) (PE68), brominated epoxy resin, ethylene-bis(tetrabromophthalimide) (Saytex^® BT-93), bis(hexachlorocyclopentadieno)cyclooctane (Declorane Plus^®), chlorinated paraffins, octabromodiphenyl ether, hexachlorocyclopentadiene derivatives, 1 ,2-bis(tribromo- phenoxy)ethane (FF680), tetrabromo-bisphenol A (Saytex^® RB100), ethylene bis- (dibromo-norbornanedicarboximide) (Saytex^® BN-451), bis-(hexachlorocycloentadeno) cyclooctane, PTFE, tris-(2,3-dibromopropyl)-isocyanurate, and ethylene-bis-tetrabro- mophthalimide.

The flame retardants mentioned above are routinely combined with an inorganic oxide synergist. Most common for this use are zinc or antimony oxides, e.g. Sb₂0₃ or Sb₂0₅. Boron compounds are suitable, too. Representative inorganic flame retardants include, for example, aluminum trihydroxide (ATH), boehmite (AIOOH), magnesium dihydroxide (MDH), zinc borates, CaC0₃, (organically modified) layered silicates, (organically modified) layered double hydroxides, and mixtures thereof.

The above-mentioned additional flame retardant classes are advantageously contained in the composition of the invention in an amount from about 0.5% to about 45.0% by weight of the organic polymer substrate; for instance about 1.0% to about 40.0%; for example about 5.0% to about 35.0% by weight of the polymer or based on the total weight of the composition.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to a composition which additionally comprises as additional component so-called anti-dripping agents.

These anti-dripping agents reduce the melt flow of the thermoplastic polymer and inhibit the formation of drops at high temperatures. Various references, such as U.S. Patent Specification No. 4,263,201, describe the addition of anti-dripping agents to flame retardant compositions.

Suitable additives that inhibit the formation of drops at high temperatures include glass fibers, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), high temperature elastomers, carbon fibers, glass spheres and the like.

The addition of polysiloxanes of different structures has been proposed in various refer- ences; cf. U.S. Patent Specification Nos. 6,660, 787, 6, 727,302 or 6, 730, 720.

Stabilizers are preferably halogen-free and selected from the group consisting of ni- troxyl stabilizers, nitrone stabilizers, amine oxide stabilizers, benzofuranone stabilizers, phosphite and phosphonite stabilizers, quinone methide stabilizers and monoacrylate esters of 2,2'-alkylidenebisphenol stabilizers. As mentioned above, the composition according to the invention may additionally contain one or more conventional additives, for example selected from pigments, dyes, plasticizers, antioxidants, thixotropic agents, levelling assistants, basic co-stabilizers, metal passivators, metal oxides, organophosphorus compounds, further light stabilizers and mixtures thereof, especially pigments, phenolic antioxidants, calcium stearate, zinc stearate, UV absorbers of the 2-hydroxy-benzophenone, 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzotri- azole and/or 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1 ,3,5-triazine groups.

Preferred additional additives for the compositions as defined above are processing stabilizers, such as the above-mentioned phosphites and phenolic antioxidants, and light stabilizers, such as benzotriazoles. Preferred specific antioxidants include octade- cyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate (IRGANOX 1076), pentaerythritol- tetrakis[3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate] (IRGANOX 1010), tris(3,5-di- tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)isocyanurate (IRGANOX 31 14), 1 ,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6- tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)benzene (IRGANOX 1330), triethyleneglycol- bis[3-(3- tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)propionate] (IRGANOX 245), and Ν,Ν'- hexane-1 ,6-diyl-bis[3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionamide] (IRGANOX 1098). Specific processing stabilizers include tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite (IRGAFOS 168), 3,9-bis(2,4-di-tert-butylphenoxy)-2,4,8,10-tetraoxa-3,9-diphospha- spiro[5.5]undecane (IRGAFOS 126), 2,2',2"-nitrilo[triethyl-tris(3,3',5,5'-tetra-tert-butyl-

1 , 1'-biphenyl-2,2'-diyl)]phosphite (IRGAFOS 12), and tetrakis(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)- [1 , 1-biphenyl]-4,4'-diylbisphosphonite (IRGAFOS P-EPQ). Specific light stabilizers in- elude 2-(2H-benzotriazole-2-yl)-4,6-bis(1-methyl-1-phenylethyl)phenol (TINUVIN 234), 2-(5-chloro(2H)-benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-(methyl)-6-(tert-butyl)phenol (TINUVIN 326), 2- (2H-benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-(1 , 1 ,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol (TINUVIN 329), 2-(2H-ben- zotriazole-2-yl)-4-(tert-butyl)-6-(sec-butyl)phenol (TINUVIN 350), 2,2'-methylenebis(6-

(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-(1 , 1 ,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol) (TINUVIN 360), and 2-(4,6- diphenyl-1 ,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-5-[(hexyl)oxy]-phenol (TINUVIN 1577), 2-(2'-hydroxy-5'- methylphenyl)benzotriazole (TINUVIN P), 2-hydroxy-4-(octyloxy)benzophenone (CHI- MASSORB 81), 1 ,3-bis-[(2'-cyano-3',3'-diphenylacryloyl)oxy]-2,2-bis-{[(2'-cyano- 3',3"- diphenylacryloyl)oxy]methyl}-propane (UVINUL 3030, BASF), ethyl-2-cyano-3,3-di- phenylacrylate (UVINUL 3035, BASF), and (2-ethylhexyl)-2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate (UVINUL 3039, BASF).

The additives mentioned above are preferably contained in an amount of 0.01 to 10.0%, especially 0.05 to 5.0%, relative to the weight of the polymer substrate b).

According to a preferred embodiment, the composition additionally comprises at least one tetraalkylpiperidine or tetraalkylpiperazine derivative selected from the group that consists of 2,2,6, 6-tetraalkylpiperidine-1 -oxides, 1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetraalkylpiperidines, 1-alkoxy-2,2,6,6-tetraalkylpiperidines, 1-acyloxy-2,2,6,6-piperidines, 1-hydro- xy-2,2,6,6-tetraalkylpiperazines, 1-alkoxy-2,2,6,6-tetraalkylpiperazines and 1-acyloxy- 2,2,6,6-piperazines.

S

Wherein R R₄ represent C C₄alkyl, preferably methyl or ethyl. According to preferred embodiments, one of and R₂ and one of R₃ of R₄ represents ethyl and the other ones represent methyl or all of R R₄ represent methyl; and E represents hydrogen, CrC₂₀alkyl, C₅-C₆cycloalkyl or C₂-C₂oalkyl, C₅-C₆cycloalkyl or C₂-C₂oalkenyl with additional substituents; or represents the acyl group of a

CrC₂₀monocarboxylic or C₂-C₂₀dicarboxylic acid.

In the compounds that correspond to the partial formula a, one of the dotted lines in 4-position of the piperidine represents a bond to hydrogen or an N-substituent and the other one represents a bond to an O-substituent or a C-substituent.

In the alternative, both dotted lines in 4-position of the piperidine represent bonds to hydrogen, O-substituents or C-substituents or represent a double bond to oxygen.

In the compounds that correspond to the partial formula b, the nitrogen in 4-position of the piperazine is bonded to hydrogen or carbon-substituents.

Representative structural formulae are given below:

22

In these compounds E represents hydrogen, CrC₂₀alkyl, C₅-C₆cycloalkyl or

C₂-C₂oalkyl, C₅-C₆cycloalkyl or C₂-C₂oalkenyl with additional substituents; or represents the acyl group of a CrC₂₀monocarboxylic or C₂-C₂₀dicarboxylic acid; or, in the alternative, the group >N-0-E is replaced with the group >N-0.

Alkyl is straight or branched and is for example methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, sec- butyl, tert-butyl, n-hexyl, n-octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, n-nonyl, n-decyl, n-undecyl, n-dodecyl, n- tridecyl, n-tetradecyl, n-hexadecyl or n-octadecyl.

Cycloalkyl groups include cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl; typical cycloalkenyl groups include cyclohexenyl; while typical aralkyl groups include benzyl, a-methyl-benzyl, α,α-dimethylbenzyl or phenethyl.

E defined as the acyl group of a Ci-C₂₀monocarboxylic acid is preferably an acyl radical selected from the group consisting of -C(=0)-H,

enyl, -C(=O)-C₂-C₄alkenyl-C₆-C₁₀aryl, -C(=O)-C₆-C₁₀aryl, -C(=0)-0-C C₆alkyl,

-C(=O)-O-C₆-C₁₀aryl, -C(=0)-NH-C C₆alkyl, -C(=O)-NH-C₆-C₁₀aryl and

-C(=0)-N(C C₆alkyl)₂.

E defined as the acyl group of a C₂-C₂₀dicarboxylic acid is, for example, the diacyl radical derived from a monobasic organic acid having C radicals and two acid functions, e.g. a diacyl radical derived from an aliphatic, aromatic or cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acid.

Suitable aliphatic dicarboxylic acids have from 2 to 40 C-atoms, e.g. oxalic acid, malo- nic acid, dimethylmalonic acid, succinic acid, pimelic acid, adipic acid, trimethyladipic acid, sebacic acid, azelaic acid and dimeric acid (dimerization products of unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acids such as oleic acid), alkylated malonic and succinic acids, e.g. octadecylsuccinic acid. Suitable cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acids are, for example, 1 ,3-cyclobutanedicarboxylic acid, 1 ,3-cyclopentanedicarboxylic acid, 1 ,3- and 1 ,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, 1 ,3- and 1 ,4-(dicarboxymethyl)cyclohexane or 4,4'-dicyclohexyldicarboxylic acid.

Preferred members of this group include the acyl radical of oxalic acid, adipic acid, succinic acid, suberic acid, sebacic acid, phthalic acid dibutylmalonic acid, dibenzyl- malonic acid or butyl-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydropxybenzyl)-malonic acid, or bicyclohep- tenedicarboxylic acid, with succinates, sebacates, phthalates and isophthalates being specific examples.

If E is a divalent acyl radical of a dicarbamic acid, it is for example an acyl radical of hexamethylenedicarbamic acid or of 2,4-toluylenedicarbamic acid;

T is a straight or branched chain alkylene of 1 to 18 C-atoms, cycloalkylene of 5 to 18 C-atoms, cycloalkenylene of 5 to 18 C-atoms, a straight or branched chain alkylene of 1 to 4 C-atoms substituted by phenyl or by phenyl substituted by one or two alkyl groups of 1 to 4 C-atoms;

b is 1 , 2 or 3 with the proviso that b does not exceed the number of C-atoms in T, and when b is 2 or 3, each hydroxyl group is attached to a different C-atoms of T;

R is hydrogen or methyl; and

m is 1 to 4.

In the compounds mentioned above when the variable m is 1 ,

R₂ is hydrogen, d-Ci₈alkyl or said alkyl optionally interrupted by one or more oxygen atoms, C₂-Ci₂alkenyl, C₆-Ci₀aryl, C₇-Ci₈aralkyl, glycidyl, the monovalent acyl radical of an aliphatic.cycloaliphatic or aromatic carboxylic acid, or a carbamic acid, for example an acyl radical of an aliphatic carboxylic acid having 2-18 C-atoms, of a cycloaliphatic carboxylic acid having 5-12 C-atoms or of an aromatic carboxylic acid having 7-15 C- atoms, or represe

wherein x is 0 or 1 ,

wherein y is 2-4;

When m is 2,

R₂ is CrCi₂alkylene, C₄-Ci₂alkenylene, xylylene, a divalent acyl radical of an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, araliphatic or aromatic dicarboxylic acid or of a dicarbamic acid, for example an acyl radical of an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid having 2-18 C-atoms, of a cycloaliphatic or aromatic dicarboxylic acid having 8-14 C-atoms, or of an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic dicarbamic acid having 8-14 C-atoms;

Or represents groups of the partial formulae

Wherein

Di and D₂ are independently hydrogen, C C₈ alkyl, aryl or aralkyi including the 3,5-di-t- butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl radical;

D₃ is hydrogen, CrCi₈alkyl or CrC₂₀alkenyl; and

d is 0-20;

When m is 3,

R₂ is a trivalent acyl radical of an aliphatic, unsaturated aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, or aromatic tricarboxylic acid;

When m is 4,

R₂ is a tetravalent acyl radical of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic or aromatic tetra- carboxylic acid including 1 ,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid, 1 ,2,3,4-but-2-enetetra- carboxylic , and 1 ,2,3,5- and 1 ,2,4,5-pentanetetracarboxylic acid;

In the compounds mentioned above when the variable p is 1 , 2 or 3,

R₃ is hydrogen, C Ci₂alkyl, C₅-C₇cycloalkyl, C₇-C₉aralkyl, C₂-Ci₈alkanoyl, C₃- C₅alkenoyl or benzoyl; When p is 1 ,

R₄ is hydrogen, d-Ci₈alkyl, C₅-C₇cycloalkyl, C₂-C₈alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by cyano, carbonyl or carbamide, or is aryl, aralkyl, or glycidyl, a group of the partial formula -CH₂-CH(OH)-Z or of the partial formulae -CO-Z or -CONH-Z, wherein Z is hy- drogen, methyl or

where h is 0 or 1 ;

R₃ and R₄ together, when p is 1 , represents alkylene of 4 to 6 C-atoms, or 2-oxo-polyal- kylene, or the cyclic acyl radical of an aliphatic or aromatic 1 ,2- or 1 ,3-dicarboxylic acid;

When p is 2,

R₄ is a direct bond or is CrCi₂alkylene, C₆-Ci₂arylene, xylylene, a -CH₂CH(OH)-CH₂- group or a group of the partial formula -CH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂-0-X-0-CH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂-, wherein X is C₂-Ci₀alkylene, C₆-Ci₅arylene or C₆-Ci₂cycloalkylene; or, provided that R₃ is other than alkanoyl, alkenoyl or benzoyl, R₄ additionally represents the divalent acyl radical of an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic dicarboxylic acid or dicarbamic acid, or represents the group -CO-; or

R₄ represents a group of the partial formula

where T₈ and T₉ are independently hydrogen, CrCi₈alkyl, or T₈ and T₉ together represent C₄-C₈alkylene or 3-oxapentamethylene, for instance T₈ and T₉ together are 3- oxapentamethylene; When p is 3,

R₄ is 2,4,6-triazinyl;

n is 1 or 2;

When n is 1 ,

R₅ and R'₅ are independently CrCi₂alkyl, C₂-Ci₂alkenyl, C₇-Ci₂aralkyl, or R₅ additionally represents hydrogen, or R₅ and R'₅ together are C₂-C₈alkylene or hydroxyalkylene or C₄-C₂₄acyloxyalkylene;

When n is 2,

R₅ and R'₅ together are a group of the partial formula (-CH₂)₂C(CH₂-)₂;

R₆ is hydrogen, C Ci₂alkyl, allyl, benzyl, glycidyl or C₂-C₆alkoxyalkyl; or

When n is 1 ,

R₇ is hydrogen, C Ci₂alkyl, C₃-C₅alkenyl, C₇-C₉aralkyl, C₅-C₇cycloalkyl, C₂-C₄hydroxy- alkyl, C₂-C₆alkoxyalkyl, C₆-Ci₀ aryl, glycidyl, a group of the partial formula

-(CH₂)_t-COO-Q or of the partial formula -(CH₂)_rO-CO-Q wherein t is 1 or 2, and Q is Ci-C₄alkyl or phenyl; or

when n is 2,

R₇ is C₂-Ci₂alkylene, C₆-Ci₂arylene, a group of the partial formula

-CH₂CH(OH)-CH₂-0-X-0-CH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂-,

Wherein X is C₂-Ci₀alkylene, C₆-Ci₅arylene or C₆-Ci₂cycloalkylene, or a group of the partial formula

-CH₂CH(OZ')CH₂-(OCH₂-CH(OZ')CH₂)₂-,

Wherein 71 is hydrogen, CrCi₈alkyl, allyl, benzyl, C₂-Ci₂alkanoyl or benzoyl;

is -N(R₈)- or -0-; E₇ is C C₃ alkylene, the group -CH₂-CH(R₉)-0- wherein R₉ is hydrogen, methyl or phenyl, the group -(CH₂)₃-NH- or a direct bond;

R₁₀ is hydrogen or C Ci₈ alkyl, R₈ is hydrogen, CrCi₈alkyl, C₅-C₇cycloalkyl, C₇- Ci₂aralkyl, cyanoethyl, C₆-Ci₀aryl, the group -CH₂-CH(R₉)-OH wherein R₉ has the meaning defined above; or represents groups of the partial formulae

Wherein G₄ is C₂-C₆alkylene or C₆-Ci₂arylene; or R₈ is a group of the partial formula -E₇-CO-NH-CH₂-OR₁₀;

Formula F denotes a recurring structural unit of a polymer where T₃ is ethylene or 1 ,2- propylene, is the repeating structural unit derived from an a-olefin copolymer with an alkyl acrylate or methacrylate; for example a copolymer of ethylene and ethyl acrylate, and where k is 2 to 100;

T₄ has the same meaning as R₄ when p is 1 or 2;

T₅ is methyl;

T₆ is methyl or ethyl, or T₅ and T₆ together are tetramethylene or pentamethylene, for instance T₅ and T₆ are each methyl;

M and Y are independently methylene or carbonyl, and T₄ is ethylene where n is 2;

T₇ is as defined as R₇, and T₇ is for example octamethylene where n is 2;

Tio and In are independently alkylene of 2 to 12 C-atoms; or Tn represents a group of the partial formula

N ·_\ N

N piperazinyl, or represents groups of the partial formulae

NR(CH₂) - N(CH₂) - N[(CH₂) N] H where Rn is as defined as R₃ or additionally represents a group of the partial formula CH R

R

N— O— E

C¾R a, b and c are independently 2 or 3, and f is 0 or 1 , for instance a and c are each 3, b is 2 and f is 1 ; and

e is 2, 3 or 4, for example 4;

Ti₃ is the same as R₂ with the proviso that T₁₃ is other than hydrogen when n is 1 ;

Ei and E₂, being different, each are -CO- or -N(E₅)- where E₅ is hydrogen, C Ci₂alkyl or C₄-C₂₄alkoxycarbonylalkyl, for instance Ei is -CO- and E₂ is -N(E₅)-;

E₃ is hydrogen, CrC₃₀alkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, said phenyl or said naphthyl substituted by chlorine or by C C₄alkyl, or C₇-Ci₂phenylalkyl, or said phenylalkyl substituted by C C₄alkyl of 1 to 4 C-atoms;

E₄ is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 30 C-atoms, phenyl, naphthyl or phenylalkyl of 7 to 12 C- atoms, or

E₃ and E₄ together are polymethylene of 4 to 17 C-atoms, or said polymethylene substituted by up to four C C₄alkyl groups, for example methyl;

E₆ is an aliphatic or aromatic tetravalent radical;

R₂ of formula (N) is a previously defined when m is 1 ;

Gi a direct bond, C Ci₂ alkylene, phenylene or -NH-G'-NH wherein G' is C Ci₂ al- kylene.

Suitable tetraalkylpiperidine or tetralkylpiperazine derivatives are, for example, com- pounds of the formulae 1-12:

30

wherein

EL E₂, E₃ and E₄ are independently C C₄alkyl, or Ei and E₂ are independently

Ci-C₄alkyl and E₃ and E₄ taken together are pentamethylene, or Ei and E₂; and E₃ and E₄ each taken together are pentamethylene;

Ri is CrCi₈alkyl, C₅-Ci₂cycloalkyl, a bicyclic or tricyclic hydrocarbon radical of 7 to 12 carbon atoms, C₇-Ci₅phenylalkyl, C₆-Ci₀aryl or said aryl substituted by one to three C C₈alkyl;

R₂ is hydrogen or a linear or branched chain C Ci₂ alkyl;

R₃ is alkylene of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or R₃ is -CO-, -CO-R₄-, -CONR₂-, or

-CO-NR₂-R₄-; R₄ is Ci-C₈ alkylene;

R₅ is hydrogen, linear or branched chain CrCi₂alkyl, or represents a group of the partial formula

Or, when R₄ is ethylene, two R₅ methyl substituents can be linked by a direct bond with the triazine bridging group -N(R₅)-R₄-N(R₅)- forming a piperazin-1 ,4-diyl group;

R₆ is C₂-C₈alkylene or repres mula

with the proviso that Y is other than -OH when R₆ is the structure depicted above;

A is -O- or -NR₇- where R₇ is hydrogen, straight or branched chain CrCi₂alkyl; or R₇ a group of the partial formula

T is phenoxy, phenoxy substituted by one or two CrC₈alkyl or C C₈alkoxy or -N(R₂)2 with the stipulation that R₂ is other than hydrogen; or T is a group of the partial formula

X is -NH₂, -NCO, -OH, -O-glycidyl, or -NHNH₂, and

Y is -OH, -NH₂, -NHR₂ where R₂ is other than hydrogen; or Y is -NCO, -COOH, oxiranyl, -O-glycidyl, or -Si(OR₂)₃;

Or the combination R₃-Y- is -CH₂CH(OH)R₂ where R₂ is alkyl or said alkyl interrupted by one to four oxygen atoms, or R₃-Y- is -CH₂OR₂; or Wherein the hindered amine compound is a mixture of N,N',N"'-tris{2,4-bis[(1-hydro- carbyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)alkylamino]-s-triazin-6-yl}-3,3'-ethylene- diiminodipropylamine; N,N',N"-tris{2,4-bis[(1-hydrocarbyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl- piperidin-4-yl)alkylamino]-s-triazin-6-yl}-3,3'-ethylenediiminodipropylamine, and bridged derivatives as described by formulae

R₁ NH-CH2CH2CH2NR2CH2CH2NR3CH2CH2CH₂NH R4 (13)

T-E₁-T₁ (14)

T-E_! (15)

Where in the tetraamine (13)

and R₂ are the s-triazine moiety E; and one of R₃ and R₄ is the s-triazine moiety E with the other ones of R₃ or R₄ being hydrogen;

E is

OR OR

R is methyl, propyl, cyclohexyl or octyl, for instance cyclohexyl;

R₅ is CrCi₂alkyl, for example n-butyl;

where in the compound of formula (14) and (15), when R is propyl, cyclohexyl or octyl,

T and Ti are each a tetraamine substituted by R R₄ as is defined for formula 13, where

(1) One of the s-triazine moieties E in each tetraamine is replaced by the group Ei which forms a bridge between two tetraamines T and T^

Ei is a group of the partial formula

(2) The group Ei can have both termini in the same tetraamine T as in formula 15, where two of the E moieties of the tetraamine are replaced by one Ei group; or

(3) All three s-triazine substituents of tetraamine T can be Ei such that one Ei links T and ΤΊ and a second Ei has both termini in tetraamine T;

L is propanediyl, cyclohexanediyl or octanediyl;

Where in the compound (16)

G, Gi and G₂ are each tetraamines substituted by R R₄ as defined for formula I, except that G and G₂ each have one of the s-triazine moieties E replaced by Ei , and Gi has two of the triazine moieties E replaced by Ei , so that there is a bridge between G and Gi and a second bridge between Gi and G₂;

which mixture is prepared by reacting two to four equivalents of 2,4-bis[(1-hydrocarbyl- oxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)butylamino]-6-chloro-s-triazine with one equivalent of N , N'-bis(3-aminopropyl)ethylenediamine;

Or the hindered amine is a compound of the formula

In which the index n ranges from 1 to 15; Ri2 is C₂-Ci₂alkylene, C₄-Ci₂alkenylene, C₅-C₇cycloalkylene, C₅-C₇cycloalkylene-di(Cr C₄alkylene), CrC₄alkylene-di(C₅-C₇cycloalkylene), phenylene-di(C C₄alkylene) or

C₄-Ci₂alkylene interrupted by 1 ,4-piperazinediyl, -O- or >N-X^ with X_! being C Ci₂acyl or

(Ci-Ci₂alkoxy)carbonyl or having one of the definitions of R₁₄ given below other than hydrogen; or R₁₂ is a group of the partial formulae:

X₂

With X₂ being CrCi₈alkyl, C₅-Ci₂cycloalkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 Ci-C₄alkyl; phenyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 C C₄alkyl or Ci-C₄alkoxy; C₇-C₉phenylalkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted on the phenyl by 1 , 2 or 3 Ci-C₄alkyl; and

The radicals X₃ being independently of one another C₂-Ci₂alkylene;

Ri₃, Ri₄ and R₁₅, which are identical or different, are hydrogen, d-Ci₈alkyl,

C₅-Ci₂cycloalkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 C C₄alkyl;

C₃-Ci₈alkenyl, phenyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 C C₄alkyl or Ci-C₄alkoxy; C₇-C₉phenylalkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted on the phenyl by 1 , 2 or 3 Ci-C₄alkyl; tetrahydrofurfuryl or

C₂-C₄alkyl which is substituted in the 2, 3 or 4 position by -OH, C C₈alkoxy, di(CrC₄alkyl)amino or a group of the partial formula:

with Y bein -0-, -CH₂-, -CH₂CH₂- or >N-CH₃, or -N(R₁₄)(R₁₅) is additionally the group

The radicals A are independently of one another -ORi₃, -N(R₁₄)(Ris) or a group of the partial formula:

H₃C CH₃

Wherein

X is -O- or >N-R₁₆;

Ri 6 is hydrogen, d-Ci₈alkyl, C₃-Ci₈alkenyl, C₅-Ci₂cycloalkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 CrC₄alkyl; C₇-C₉phenylalkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted on the phenyl by 1 , 2 or 3 C C₄alkyl; tetrahydrofurfuryl, a group of the partial formula:

or C₂-C₄alkyl which is substituted in the 2, 3 or 4 position by -OH, C C₈alkoxy, di(C C₄alkyl)amino or the group of the partial formula ,

Rii has one of the definitions given for R₁₆; and

the radicals B have independently of one another one of the definitions given for A.

The tetraalkylpiperidine and tetraalkylpiperazine compounds are known in the art, also known as N-alkoxy hindered amines and NOR-hindered amines or NOR-hindered amine light stabilizers or NOR-HALS, such as the ones disclosed in U.S. Pat. Spec. Nos. 5,004, 770, 5,204,473, 5,096,950, 5,300,544, 5, 112,890, 5, 124,378, 5, 145,893, 5,216, 156, 5,844,026, 6, 117,995 or 6,271 ,377.

U.S. Pat. Spec. No. 6,271,377, and Published U.S. Application Nos. 09/505,529, filed Feb. 17, 2000, and 09/794, 710, filed Feb. 27, 2001 disclose hindered hydroxyalkoxy- amine stabilizers. Hindered hydroxyalkoxyamine stabilizers are also known as N-hy- droxyalkoxy hindered amines, or NOR-ol-HALS.

Representative structures are the following:

Wherein the definitions of R and R' include N-, O- or C-substituents.

When the group E is -0-C(0)-CrCi₈alkyl, the compounds are hydroxylamine esters.

The hydroxylamines are reacted with an acid derivative to form the final hydroxylamine ester. Such esterification processes are known and described in the literature.

The preparation of particularly suitable compounds is described in the International Patent Application WO 01/90113.

According to a preferred embodiment, the tetraalkylpipendine derivative is selected from the group of 2,2,6, 6-tetra the formula

1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetraal la

1-alkoxy-2,2,6,6-tetraalk

1-acyloxy-2,2,6,6-piperid

Wherein

One of R_a and R represents Hydrogen or an N-substituent and the other one represents an O-substituent or a C-substituent; or

Both R_a and R represent hydrogen, O-substituents or C-substituents;

R represents CrC₂₀alkyl, C₅-C₆cycloalkyl or C₂-C₂oalkyl, C₅-C₆cycloalkyl or C₂-C₂oalkenyl with additional substituents;

Ac represents the acyl group of a CrC₂₀monocarboxylic or CrC₂₀dicarboxylic acid; and

R R₄ each represent C C₄alkyl; and

R₅ and R₆, independently of one another, represent hydrogen or a substituent se- lected from the group consisting of C C₄-alkyl, CrC₃alkylphenyl and phenyl; and

R₅ and R₆ together represent oxo.

According to a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises as Component b) at least one tetraalkylpiperidine derivative II a, II b, II c or II d,

Wherein

One of R_a and R represents

Hydrogen or an N-substituent and the other one represents an O-substituent or a C-substituent; or

Both R_a and R represent hydrogen, O-substituents or C-substituents;

R represents CrC₈alkyl, C₅-C₆cycloalkyl or C₂-C₈alkyl, C₅-C₆cycloalkyl or C₂-C₈alkenyl with additional substituents;

Ac represents the acyl group of a CrC₈carboxylic acid; and

R R₄ are each methyl; and

R₅ and R₆ each represent hydrogen.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the composition comprises as Component b) at least one tetraalkylpiperidine derivative II a, II b, II c or II d,

Wherein

One of R_a and R_b represents

Both R_a and R represent O-substituents or C-substituents;

R represents CrC₈alkyl, C₅-C₆cycloalkyl or C₂-C₈alkyl, C₅-C₆cycloalkyl or C₂-C₈alkenyl substituted by hydroxy; Ac represents the acyl group of a CrC₈carboxylic acid; and

R R₄ are each methyl; and

R₅ and R₆ each represent hydrogen.

According to a preferred embodiment, Component b) consists of at least one tetraalkylpiperidine derivative II c or II d selected from the group consisting of

1-Cyclohexyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-octadecylaminopiperidine,

bis(1-Octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)sebacate (Tinuvin NOR 371®), 2,4-bis[(1-Cyclohexyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)butylamino]-6-(2-hy- droxyethylamino)-s-triazine,

bis(1-Cyclohexyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) adipate,

2,4-bis[(1-Cyclohexyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)butylamino]-6-chloro- s-triazine,

1-(2-Hydroxy-2-methylpropoxy)-4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, 1-(2-Hydroxy-2-methylpropoxy)-4-oxo-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine,

1-(2-Hydroxy-2-methylpropoxy)-4-octadecanoyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl- piperidine,

bis(1-(2-Hydroxy-2-methylpropoxy)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) sebacate, bis(1-(2-Hydroxy-2-methylpropoxy)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) adipate, 2,4-bis{N-[1-(2-Hydroxy-2-methylpropoxy)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl]-N- butylamino}-6-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-s-triazine,

The reaction product of 2,4-bis[(1-cyclohexyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4- yl)butylamino]-6-chloro-s-triazine with N,N'-bis(3-aminopropyl)ethylenediamine), 2,4-bis[(1-Cyclohexyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)butylamino]-6-(2-hy- droxyethylamino-s-triazine,

The oligomeric compound which is the condensation product of 4,4'-hexame- thylenebis(amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine) and 2,4-dichloro-6-[(1-cyclo- hexyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)butylamino]-s-triazine end-capped with 2-chloro-4,6-bis(dibutylamino)-s-triazine,

The compound of the formula (Irgatec CR 76®)

And the compound of the formula

in which n is from 1 to 15 (Flamestab NOR 116®).

The above mentioned compounds are partly items of commerce. Representative compounds are marketed by BASF SE under the following trade names Flamestab NOR 1 16®, Tinuvin NOR 371® or Irgatec CR 76®.

The incorporation of the components defined above into the polymer component is car- ried out by known methods, such as dry blending in the form of a powder, or wet mixing in the form of solutions, dispersions or suspensions for example in an inert solvent, water or oil. The additive components a) and b) and optional further additives may be incorporated, for example, before or after molding or also by applying the dissolved or dispersed additive or additive mixture to the polymer material, with or without subsequent evaporation of the solvent or the suspension/dispersion agent. They may be added directly into the processing apparatus (e.g. extruders, internal mixers, etc.), e.g. as a dry mixture or powder, or as a solution or dispersion or suspension or melt. The addition of the additive components to the polymer substrate can be carried out in customary mixing machines in which the polymer is melted and mixed with the additives. Suitable machines are known to those skilled in the art. They are predominantly mixers, kneaders and extruders.

The process is preferably carried out in an extruder by introducing the additive during processing.

Particularly preferred processing machines are single-screw extruders, contra-rotating and co-rotating twin-screw extruders, planetary-gear extruders, ring extruders or co- kneaders. It is also possible to use processing machines provided with at least one gas removal compartment to which a vacuum can be applied.

Suitable extruders and kneaders are described, for example, in Handbuch der Kunststoffextrusion, Vol. 1 Grundlagen, Editors F. Hensen, W. Knappe, H. Potente, 1989, pp. 3-7, I SBN:3-446-14339-4 (Vol. 2 Extrusionsanlagen 1986, ISBN 3-446- 14329-7).

For example, the screw length is 1 - 60 screw diameters, preferably 35-48 screw diameters. The rotational speed of the screw is preferably 10 - 600 rotations per minute (rpm), preferably 25 - 300 rpm.

The maximum throughput is dependent on the screw diameter, the rotational speed and the driving force. The process of the present invention can also be carried out at a level lower than maximum throughput by varying the parameters mentioned or employing weighing machines delivering dosage amounts.

If a plurality of components is added, these can be premixed or added individually.

The additive component a) and optional further additives can also be sprayed onto the polymer substrate b). The additive mixture dilutes other additives, for example the con- ventional additives indicated above, or their melts so that they can be sprayed also together with these additives onto the polymer substrate. Addition by spraying during the deactivation of the polymerisation catalysts is particularly advantageous; in this case, the steam evolved may be used for deactivation of the catalyst. In the case of spherically polymerised polyolefins it may, for example, be advantageous to apply the addi- tives of the invention, optionally together with other additives, by spraying.

The additive components a) and optional further additives can also be added to the polymer in the form of a master batch ("concentrate") which contains the components in a concentration of, for example, about 1.0% to about 40.0% and preferably 2.0% to about 20.0% by weight incorporated in a polymer. The polymer is not necessarily of identical structure than the polymer where the additives are added finally. In such op- erations, the polymer can be used in the form of powder, granules, solutions, and suspensions or in the form of lattices.

Incorporation can take place prior to or during the shaping operation. The materials containing the additives of the invention described herein preferably are used for the production of molded articles, for example roto-molded articles, injection molded articles, profiles and the like, and especially a fibre, spun melt non-woven, film or foam.

The process is carried out in a known manner by analogous methods, such as the ones described in U.S. Patent Specification No. 5,084,546.

A further embodiment of the invention relates to a mixture, which comprises

A compound of the formula

Wherein

One of R and R₂ represents hydrogen or a substituent selected from the group consisting of CrC₂₀alkyl, hydroxy-C₂-C₈alkyl, C₂-C₂oalkenyl, C₆- C₂₀aryl, CrCi₂alkyl-C₆-C₂₀aryl, C₆-C₂oaryl-CrC₄alkyl, mono- or bicyclic C₅-

C₂₀cycloalkyl, mono- or bicyclic CrCi₂alkyl-C₅-C₂₀cycloalkyl, and mono- or bicyclic C₅-C₂₀cycloalkyl-CrC₄alkyl; or

Both R and R₂ independently of one another represent substituents selected from the group consisting of CrC₂₀alkyl, hydroxy-C₂-C₈alkyl, C₂- C₂₀alkenyl, C₆-C₂₀aryl, CrCi₂alkyl-C₆-C₂₀aryl, C₆-C₂₀aryl-CrC₄alkyl, mono- or bicyclic C₅-C₂₀cycloalkyl, mono- or bicyclic CrCi₂alkyl-C₅-C₂₀cycloalkyl, and mono- or bicyclic C₅-C₂₀cycloalkyl-CrC₄alkyl; or

and R₂ together represent C₂-C₅alkylene; and

R represents hydroge rtial formula

Wherein R^ and R₂' are defined as R^ and R₂ and salts of these compounds;

In combination with an additional flame retardant, particularly a flame retardant selected from the group consisting of phosphorus containing flame retardants, nitrogen containing flame retardants, halogenated flame retardants and inorganic flame retar- dants. The mixture defined above is admixed in concentrations of 0.05 - 30.0 wt.%, preferably 0.1 - 20.0 wt.% for component a) and 0.1 - 60.0 wt.%, preferably 0.5 - 40 wt.% for component c).

The preferred ratio of components a) : c) is in the range 40 : 1 - 1 : 10, preferably 20 : 1 - 1 : 5.

A further embodiment of the invention relates to a process for imparting flame retar- dancy to a polymer substrate, which process comprises adding to the polymer substrate b) the above defined phosphinic acid hydrazide (I).

The following examples illustrate the invention, but are not meant to limit the scope thereof in any manner:

Materials and Methods

Moplen® HF500 N: Commercial polypropylene (Basell, Germany).

Tinuvin® NOR 371 : Commercial product (BASF SE, Germany).

Diphenylphosphinic acid hydrazide and bis(diphenylphosphinyl)hydrazide are prepared according to the method of E. Steininger, Monatshefte fur Chemie 1996, 97(2), 383- 390. Chlorodiphenylphosphine oxide was obtained as a commercial product (Aldrich Product No. 230235, Aldrich, Germany).

Test methods to assess flame retardancy:

UL 94 test described in Flammability of Plastic Materials for Parts in Devices and Ap- pliances, 5th edition, October 29, 1996. Ratings according to the UL 94-V-test are compiled in the following Table (times are indicated for one specimen):

Processing and flame testing:

Commercial polypropylene (MOPLEN HF500 N) is melt compounded in a Brabender mixing chamber at a temperature of 230°C under addition of basic-level stabilization (0.3% IRGANOX B225 + 0.05% Ca-stearate, IRGANOX B225 is a 1 :1-mixture of IR- GAFOS 168 and IRGANOX 1010) and the additives listed in Table 1.

Test specimen (UL-bars 1.6 mm) are prepared by compression molding in a hot press (Fontjne TP200, pmax = 50 kN, 230° C). The test samples are investigated for flame retardancy in accordance with UL94-V (Underwriter's Laboratories) test after conditioning for 48 h at 23°C and 50% relative humidity.

From results it can be concluded that the formulations according to the present inven- tion provide polymers with excellent flame retardant and self-extinguishing properties.

Table: UL94 V test results obtained with PP-homopolymer containing different flame retardant aditives

Cumulated burning time out of four UL94-V tests

Claims

A composition, which comprises

a) A compound of the formula

One of R† and R₂ represents hydrogen or a substituent selected from the group consisting of CrC₂₀alkyl, hydroxy-C₂-C₈alkyl, C₂-C₂oalkenyl, C₆- C₂₀aryl, CrCi₂alkyl-C₆-C₂₀aryl, C₆-C₂oaryl-CrC₄alkyl, mono- or bicyclic C₅- C₂₀cycloalkyl, mono- or bicyclic CrCi₂alkyl-C₅-C₂₀cycloalkyl, and mono- or bicyclic C₅-C₂₀cycloalkyl-CrC₄alkyl; or

and R₂ together represent C₂-C₅alkylene; and

R represents hydrogen or a group of the partial formula

Wherein R^ and R₂' are defined as R^ and R₂, and salts of these compounds; and

b) A polymer substrate.

2. A composition according to claim 1 , which comprises as Component a) a compound of the formula

Wherein

R and R₂ independently of one another represent substituents selected from the group consisting of CrC₂₀alkyl, hydroxy-C₂-C₈alkyl, C₂-C₂₀alkenyl, C₆-C₂₀aryl, C Ci₂alkyl-C6-C₂oaryl, C6-C2oaryl-Ci-C₄alkyl, mono- or bicyclic C₅-C₂ocycloalkyl, mono- or bicyclic CrCi₂alkyl-C5-C₂ocycloalkyl, and mono- or bicyclic C₅-C₂₀cyclo- alkyl-C C₄alkyl;

And and R₂' are defined as R^ and R₂.

3. A composition according to claim 1 , which comprises as Component a) a compound of the formula

Wherein

A composition according to claim 1 , which comprises as Component a) a compound (I), wherein

R represents hydrogen or a group of the partial formula (A),

Wherein R^ and R₂' are defined as R^ and R₂, and salts of these compounds.

R represents hydrogen or a group of the partial formula (A),

Wherein R^ and R₂' are defined as R^ and R₂, and salts of these compounds.

A composition according to claim 1 , which comprises

a) A compound (I) according to claim 1 , wherein

Both R and R₂ independently of one another represent substituents selected from the group consisting of CrC₈alkyl and phenyl; and R represents hydrogen or a group of the partial formula (A), wherein and R₂' are defined as and R₂, and salts of these compounds; and b) A thermoplastic polymer substrate.

A composition according to claim 1 , which comprises as an optional component additional flame retardants and additives selected from the group consisting of polymer stabilizers, tetraalkylpiperidine and tetraalkylpiperazine derivatives.

A composition according to claim 1 , which comprises as an additional flame re- tardant a nitrogen containing compound selected from the group consisting of melamine polyphosphate, ammonium polyphosphate, melamine ammonium phosphate, melamine ammonium polyphosphate, melamine ammonium pyrophosphate, a condensation product of melamine with phosphoric acid and other reaction products of melamine with phosphoric acid and mixtures thereof.

A composition according to claim 7, which additionally comprises tetraalkylpiperidine or tetraalkylpiperazine derivatives selected from the group that consists of 2,2,6,6-tetraalkylpiperidine-1-oxides, 1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetraal- kylpiperidines, 1-alkoxy-2,2,6,6-tetraalkylpiperidines, 1-acyloxy-2,2,6,6-piperid- ines, 1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetraalkylpiperazines, 1-alkoxy-2,2,6,6-tetraalkyl- piperazines and 1-acyloxy-2,2,6,6-piperazines.

A composition according to claim 1 , which additionally comprises at least one tetraalkylpiperidine derivative selected from the group that consists of 2,2,6,6- tetraalkylpiperidine-1 -oxi

1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetraal ula

1-alkoxy-2,2,6,6-tetraalkylpiperidines of the formula 1-acyloxy-2,2,6,6-piperid

Wherein

One of R_a and R represents

Both R_a and R represent hydrogen, O-substituents or C-substituents;

R represents CrC₂₀alkyl, C₅-C₆cycloalkyl or C₂-C₂oalkyl, C₅-C₆cycloalkyl or

C₂-C₂oalkenyl with additional substituents;

Ac represents the acyl group of a CrC₂₀carboxylic acid; and

R R₄ each represent C C₄alkyl; and

R₅ and R₆, independently of one another, represent hydrogen or a substituent selected from the group consisting of C C₄-alkyl, CrC₃alkylphenyl and phenyl; and

R₅ and R₆ together represent oxo.

1. A composition according to claim 10, which additionally comprises at least one tetraalkylpiperidine derivative II a, II b, II c or II d,

Wherein

One of R_a and R represents

Both R_a and R_b represent hydrogen, O-substituents or C-substituents;

R represents CrC₈alkyl, C₅-C₆cycloalkyl or C₂-C₈alkyl, C₅-C₆cycloalkyl or

C₂-C₈alkenyl with additional substituents;

Ac represents the acyl group of a CrC₈carboxylic acid; and R R₄ are each methyl; and

R₅ and R₆ each represent hydrogen.

12. A composition according to claim 10, which additionally comprises at least one tetraalkylpiperidine derivative II a, II b, II c or II d,

Wherein

One of R_a and R represents

Both R_a and R represent O-substituents or C-substituents;

R represents d-C₈alkyl, C₅-C₆cycloalkyl or C₂-C₈alkyl, C₅-C₆cycloalkyl or

C₂-C₈alkenyl substituted by hydroxy;

Ac represents the acyl group of a CrC₈carboxylic acid; and

R R₄ are each methyl; and

R₅ and R₆ each represent hydrogen.

13. A composition according to claim 10, which additionally comprises at least one tetraalkylpiperidine derivative II c or II d selected from the group consisting of

1-Cyclohexyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-octadecylaminopiperidine,

bis(1-Octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) sebacate,

2,4-bis[(1-Cyclohexyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)butylamino]-6-(2-hy- droxyethylamino-s-triazine,

bis(1-Cyclohexyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) adipate,

bis(1-(2-Hydroxy-2-methylpropoxy)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) sebacate, bis(1-(2-Hydroxy-2-methylpropoxy)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) adipate, 2,4-bis{N-[1-(2-Hydroxy-2-methylpropoxy)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl]-N- butylamino}-6-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-s-triazine, The reaction product of 2,4-bis[(1-cyclohexyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4- yl)butylamino]-6-chloro-s-triazine with N,N'-bis(3-aminopropyl)ethylenediamine),

2,4-bis[(1-Cyclohexyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)butylamino]-6-(2-hy- droxyethylamino)-s-triazine,

The oligomeric compound which is the condensation product of 4,4'-hexa- methylenebis(amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine) and 2,4-dichloro-6-[(1 -cyclo- hexyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)butylamino]-s-triazine end-capped with 2-chloro-4,6-bis(dibutylamino)-s-triazine,

The compound of the formula

And the compound of the formula

in which n is from 1 to 15.

A composition according to claim 1 , which comprises a further polymer substrate.

15. A process for imparting flame retardancy to a polymer substrate, which process comprises adding to the polymer substrate b) the compound (I) according to claim 1.