Solvent and catalyst-free synthesis of polyphosphates

Direct, efficient, solvent and catalyst-free synthesis of a series of polyphosphates was accomplished. The reaction involved a gas–liquid interfacial polycondensation between alkyl(aryl)phosphoric dichlorides and aromatic diols. The polyphosphates were characterized by IR, 1H NMR, inherent viscosity, thermal analysis, X-ray diffractions and molar mass. Yields in the range 75–90% and inherent viscosities in the range 0.24–0.45 dl g−1 were obtained. Polyphosphates were stable up to 170–250 °C, depending on phosphoric dichloride type. The X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that almost all the polymers were amorphous.