Bis-phenol phosphates as clarifiers for polyolefin resins

An .alpha.-olefin polymer composition having improved clarity comprising a polymer of an .alpha.-olefin having two to six carbon atoms and an amount to improve clarity of at least one bis-phenol phosphate having the formula:

• ##STR109## wherein:
• R is selected from the group consisting of a carbon-to-carbon bond;
• thio sulfur --S--;
• and alkylidene ##STR110## in which R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl having from one to about eighteen carbon atoms, and cycloalkyl, including cycloalkylidene in which R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are taken together as part of a cycloalkylene ring, having from three to about twelve carbon atoms;
• R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl having from one to about eighteen carbon atoms;
• and cycloalkyl having from three to about twelve carbon atoms;
• M is a metal atom selected from the group consisting of alkali metal atoms and alkaline earth metal atoms;
• and
• n is the valence of the metal atom M, ranging from one to two.

A stabilizer composition for improving the clarity of polymers of .alpha.-olefins having two to six carbon atoms, comprising a heat or light stabilizer for .alpha.-olefin polymers and a bis-phenol phosphate having the formula:

• ##STR111## wherein:
• R is selected from the group consisting of a carbon-to-carbon bond;
• thio sulfur --S--;
• and alkylidene ##STR112## in which R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl having from one to about eighteen carbon atoms, and cycloalkyl, including cycloalkylidene in which R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are taken together as part of a cycloalkylene ring, having from three to about twelve carbon atoms;
• R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl having from one to about eighteen carbon atoms;
• and cycloalkyl having from three to about twelve carbon atoms;
• M is a metal atom selected from the group consisting of alkali metal atoms and alkaline earth metal atoms;
• and
• n is the valence of the metal atom M, ranging from one to two.