Process to produce tetrabromobisphenol with the reduced formation of alkyl bromide by-products

A process to produce alkylidene bis(dibromophenol), comprising the steps of:

• (a) combining from about 2.5 to about 4 parts by mass of aqueous alcohol with 1 part by mass of alkylidenediphenol;
• wherein alcohol is from about 40% to about 60% by mass of said aqueous alcohol, and wherein said alcohol is propanol, butanol, or pentanol;
• (b) adding bromine to said alkylidenediphenol and said aqueous alcohol to form a reaction mixture, while cooling said reaction mixture to a first temperature during said addition of bromine, and maintaining said first temperature in said reaction mixture until the alkylidenediphenol is substantially brominated, said first temperature ranging between about 15.degree. C. to about 25.degree. C.;
• (c) heating said reaction mixture to a second temperature, said second temperature below the reflux temperature of said reaction mixture and also between about 50.degree. C. to about 70.degree. C., and maintaining said second temperature within said reaction mixture for a time period of at least about 30 minutes;
• and
• (d) recovering and drying the alkylidene bis(dibromophenol) from the reaction mixture.