Selective oligomer production

Abstract

To prepare halophosphazene oligomer enriched in cyclic trimer, a two-stage process is used. In the first stage halogen halide and ammonia are concurrently introduced into an agitated liquid reaction medium in which halophosphazene oligomer is soluble, these materials being proportioned so as to form a reaction system composed of a dilute slurry of finely divided ammonium halide particles. In the second stage phosphorus trihalide and halogen are concurrently introduced into the slurried reaction system from the first stage heated to a temperature of about 80.degree. to about 180.degree. C. In the process the quantities of the reactants introduced into the reaction medium are proportioned such that the ammonium halide:phosphorus trihalide molar ratio is between about 1:1 and about 3:1, and the phosphorus trihalide:halogen molar ratio is kept above about 0.5:1 and below about 2:1 until all of the phosphorus trihalide has been introduced, and thereafter the halogen is introduced in an amount sufficient to give a total phosphorus trihalide:halogen molar ratio above about 0.5:1 but below about 1:1.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.