Synthesis and degradation of polyurethanes containing phosphorus—Part III: Thermal degradation of a series of polyurethanes incorporating butylene phenylphosphonate structures

Abstract

The principal characteristics and products of thermal degradation of a series of polyurethanes incorporating a range of concentrations of phenyl phosphonate structures were examined. The products were carbon dioxide, tetrahydrofuran, dihydrofuran, aniline, p-toluidine, N-phenyl pyrrolidine, N-( p-tolyl)pyrrolidine, cyclobutylene phenylphosphonate, butanediol, methylene bis-(4-phenyl isocyanate), 4,4′-methylene dianiline and a polyurea, while carbodiimide structures were found in the residue. The evidence has been accounted for in terms of acceptable mechanisms.