The invention is directed to a phosphonate composition having flame
retardant properties. The phosphonate composition of the invention has
the general formula: ##STR00001## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are
independently C.sub.1 C.sub.4 alkyl, R.sub.3 is H or C.sub.1 C.sub.4
alkyl, and R.sub.4 is linear or branched C9 C22 alkyl, C9 C22 cycloalkyl,
C9 C22 aryl or C9 C22 aralkyl and n=0 or 1. The invention is also
directed to a method of producing the phosphonate composition having
flame retardant properties.