Benzoylresorcinol-based phosphate esters are obtained by reacting a benzoylresorcinol compound with a chlorophosphate. The benzoylresorcinol-based phosphate esters can function as flame retardants and/or UV stabilizers for polycarbonates (PC), poly(phenylene oxide) (PPO), polyesters (e.g., PET and PBT), polycarbonate and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymer (PC/ABS) blends, poly(phenylene oxide) and high-impact polystyrene (PPO/HIPS) blends and other polymers. The benzoylresorcinol-based phosphate ester flame retardants may possess enhanced thermal stability compared to resorcinol based phosphate ester (RDP). Synthetic procedures and applications of the benzoylresorcinol-based phosphate esters compounds are provided.