Process for the production of brominated polyether polyols

A process for the production of a compound or a mixture of compounds according to general formula (I):

• wherein R1 and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, methyl, Cl and Br;
• R2, R3, R5 and R6 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, methyl, or ethyl;
• and n and m are independently 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10;
• the process comprising a step wherein a compound or a mixture of compounds of general formula (II):
• wherein R1, R4, m and n have the meaning as given above;
• is reacted with a mixture of water and methanol in a weight/weight ratio of 90/10, 80/20, 70/30, 60/40, 50/50, 40/60, 30/70, 20/80 or 10/90;
• or a mixture of water, methanol, and ethanol in a weight/weight/weight ratio of 30/60/10, 20/60/20, 20/70/10 or 10/70/20 to obtain the compound or the mixture of compounds of general structure (I);
• or
• comprising a step wherein a compound or a mixture of compounds of general formula (III):
• wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, m and n have the meaning as given above;
• is reacted with bromine, a bromide ion or a bromonium ion, to obtain the compound or a mixture of compounds of general structure (I);
• and obtaining the compound or the mixture of compounds of general structure (III) in a step wherein a compound or a mixture of compounds of general formula (VI):
• wherein R1 and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, methyl, Cl and Br;
• and n and m are independently 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10;
• is reacted with a mixture of water and methanol in a weight/weight ratio of 90/10, 80/20, 70/30, 60/40, 50/50, 40/60, 30/70, 20/80 or 10/90;
• or a mixture of water, methanol and ethanol in a weight/weight/weight ratio of 30/60/10, 20/60/20, 20/70/10 or 10/70/20.