Process for the preparation of halogenated aryl phosphonates

Abstract

A process for preparing halogen-substituted aryl phosphonates represented by formula (I): wherein each Hal independently represents halogen; k is 1 or 2; n is an integer between 1 and 5, inclusive; m is an integer between 1 and 3, inclusive; and R is a straight or branched C1-C5 alkyl group which may be optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms, which process comprises reacting under heating a compound represented by the following formula: wherein X is a leaving group, with trialkyl phosphite of the formula (RO)3P, wherein the product of Formula I is produced and maintained in a liquid form and functions as an indigenous reaction liquid medium for suspending or dissolving the reactants, wherein the temperature of the reaction mixture is not less than the melting temperature of said compound of Formula I during at least a portion of the reaction time, and recovering the product of Formula I in a liquid form.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.