Flame retardant liquid solution, polyurethane foam-forming compositions, polyurethane foam and articles made therefrom

A flame retardant liquid solution comprising a brominated flame retardant solute and a hydroxyl-functional phosphonate solvent of the general formula (I):

• where each R is independently the same or different, linear or branched alkyl group of from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, linear or branched alkenyl group of from 2 to about 10 carbon atoms, cycloalkenyl group of from about 5 to about 10 carbon atoms, and cycloalkyl group of from about 5 to about 10 carbon atoms, and wherein each R group can be optionally joined to each other in order to form a substituted or unsubstituted ring of from 4 to about 7 carbon atoms;
• R1 is a linear or branched divalent alkylene group containing from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms;
• R2 is a linear or branched divalent alkylene group containing from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms;
• and,
• X is a heteroatom group;
• and,
• the subscript y is an integer of from 0 to 10, and the subscripts a and b are each independently zero or 1, and,
• provided that when y≥1 then a+b≥1;
• and,
• wherein the solvent of the general formula (I) has a viscosity of less than 1,000 cps.