Abstract: Brominated polystyrene (BPS) was prepared in the presence of Al-based complex catalyst by bromination of commercial grade polystyrene (PS) with element bromine in a halo-hydrocarbon solvent.The structure and properties of BPS were studied using IR, NMR，elemental analysis, and TG. The effects of the composition of complex catalysts and reaction conditions (reaction temperature and reaction time) on properties of BPS were discussed.  When the bromination was catalyzed with SbCl3-Al, a weight percent of bromine in BPS around 66%一69%was achieved, which loss only 5%of weight until 370℃.When blended with PET, the limited oxygen index of the latter increased from 21%to 26. 5%.

Key words: brominated polystyrene, flame retardant, complex catalyst