Mechanism of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Fire Retardation by Wilkinson's Salt

Authors

Sunil J. Sirdesai, Marquette University
Charles Wilkie, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Publication Date

2-20-1989

Publisher

Wiley

Source Publication

Journal of Applied Polymer Science

Source ISSN

0021-8995

Abstract

The reaction of Wilkinson's salt, CIRh(PP₃₎₃, and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) has been studied. Char formation is observed, and some 30% of the reaction product is nonvolatile at 600°C. In order to understand the pathway of this reaction, the reaction of dimethylglutarate (DMG) and CIRh(PP₃)₃ has been studied. A pathway is proposed in which the initial step is the oxidative addition of the rhodium species into a carbon—oxygen bond of the DMG molecule. Six different products have been isolated from this reaction and can be seen to result from the oxidative insertion. This pathway also seems to apply to the PMMA reaction and leads to an interpretation of the results of this reaction and permits one to understand the role of this, and similar, compounds as flame retardants.

Comments

Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol. 37, No. 6 (February 20, 1989): 1595-1603. DOI.

Recommended Citation

Sirdesai, Sunil J. and Wilkie, Charles, "Mechanism of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Fire Retardation by Wilkinson's Salt" (1989). Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications. 774.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/chem_fac/774