Tetrabromobisphenol A diglycidyl ether is an epoxy resin consisting of tetrabromobisphenol A with ether linkages to two epichlorohydrin groups. An alternative structural comparison is as brominated form of bisphenol A diglycidyl ether. It is a brominated aromatic chemical used principally for giving flame retardant properties to materials. It is TSCA and REACH registered and has the molecular formula C21H20Br4O4. The IUPAC name is 2-{[2,6-dibromo-4-(2-{3,5-dibromo-4-[(oxiran-2-yl)methoxy]phenyl}propan-2-yl)phenoxy]methyl}oxirane.
Synthesis A method of synthesis is to take tetrabromobisphenol A and react with epichlorohydrin using a base to form the halohydrin. This species is then further reacted with sodium hydroxide to form the diglycidyl ether. Higher molecular weight epoxy resins with bromine atoms along the chain maybe synthesized by reacting standard epoxy resin with tetrabromobisphenol A in a technique called advancement.
Uses Its primary use is as a flame retardant in various materials including composites. It finds extensive use in electronic applications including printed circuit boards and general packaging for electronic materials.
Toxicity The toxicity has been studied extensively, and even dusts containing the material have been studied for safer reuse and recovery. The material and its analogs have likewise had their toxicological properties studied. It is used as a control in studies evaluating the use of non-halogenated flame retardants.
Further reading Bruins, Paul F. (1968). Epoxy resin technology. New York: Interscience Publishers. ISBN 0-470-11390-1. OCLC 182890. Flick, Ernest W. (1993). Epoxy resins, curing agents, compounds, and modifiers : an industrial guide. Park Ridge, NJ: Elsevier Science. ISBN 978-0-8155-1708-5. OCLC 915134542. Lee, Henry (1967). Handbook of epoxy resins. Kris Neville ([2nd, expanded work] ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-036997-6. OCLC 311631322.
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