Phosphorus‐containing polyurethans of the formula
were prepared by interfacial polymerization of 1,4‐butanebischloroformate and p‐xylylene‐α, α‐bischloroformate with bis(m‐aminophenyl)alkylphosphine oxides. The polymers had number average molecular weights up to 8600. A test of the stability to alkali of one of the polymers (RCH3, X1,4‐C6H4) showed it to be as resistant as nonphosphorus analogs, and a film of this polymer exhibited self‐extinguishing properties. Thermal degradation of the phosphorus polymers, which began at approximately 230°C, occurred by an initial first‐order process, releasing chiefly carbon dioxide. The energies of activation for the maximum rates of weight loss were 31–37 kcal/mole.