The initial rates of air oxidation of eight aromatic phosphites were measured at 200°C in hydrocarbon solvents. The phosphites were oxidized to the corresponding phosphates, and, in every case, a small amount of the corresponding substituted phenol was also detected. The phenolic compounds likely arose from hydrolysis of the phosphites by water generated during oxidation. In general, alkyl substitution caused a decrease in the rate of oxidation. Phosphite 7 [bis(2,4‐dicumylphenyl) pentaerythritol diphosphite] and, to a lesser extent, phosphite 6 [bis(2,6‐di‐t‐butyl‐4‐methylphenyl) pentaerythritol diphosphite] had a combination of high rate of oxidation and good resistance towards hydrolysis in the bulk state, a combination that is not usual with most commercially available phosphites (1).

The highly active process stabilizer bis(2,4‐dicumylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite (P1) was compared in a series of polyolefin formulations with tris(2,4‐di‐t‐butylphenyl) phosphite (P2). Because of its high activity, there was less polymer degradation during processing with P1 as compared to P2. As a result, improvements in color and other physical properties were observed for the polymers, not only during processing, but also after treatment with gamma radiation.