Tricyclic phosphorous triamides

Abstract

Polycyclic phosphorous triamides of the formula ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, alike or different, are alkylene of 2 to about 6 carbons; R.sup.3 and R.sup.4, alike or different, are alkyl of 1 to about 8 carbons, cycloalkyl of 5 to about 8 carbons, or aralkyl where the aryl group is of 6 to about 12 carbons and the alkyl is of 1 to about 8 carbons; or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are joined together to form an alkylene group of 2 to about 6 carbons which may be interrupted by 1. a ##STR2## group where Q is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to about 18 carbons, or 2. ONE OR TWO --O-- linkages; There are at least 2 carbons between each two hetero atoms in the outer ring system, and when the triamide is tricyclic, at least one of the chains between the nitrogens linked to phosphorus contains at least three atoms Are useful as flame retardants for cotton.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.