A large number of aliphatic bisphosphites derived from dihydric alcools are known from the literature and are described, for example, in U. S. 3,342,767 or EP-A-0 635 511.

It is known, for example, from U. S. 5,516,920 that polypropylene can be protected against oxidative damage during processing by means of suitable stabiliser mixtures comprising certain aromatic phosphites or phosphonites and certain benzofuran-2-ones.

Those known stabiliser mixtures do not in every respect satisfy the high requirements to be met by a stabiliser mixture, especially as regards storage stability, water absorption, sensiti- vity to hydrolysis, stabilisation during processing, colour behaviour, volatility, migration be- haviour, compatibility and enhanced light stabilisation. There is therefore still a need for effective stabilisers for organic materials, especially polyolefins, that are sensitive to oxida- tive, thermal or light-induced degradation.

It has now been found that a stabiliser mixture comprising at least one monomeric or oligo- meric organic bisphosphite and at least one compound of the benzofuran-2-one type or a-tocopherol (vitamin E) is especially suitable as a stabiliser for organic materials, especial- ly polyolefins, that are sensitive to oxidative, thermal or light-induced degradation.

The present invention accordingly relates to compositions comprising a) an organic material subject to oxidative, thermal or light-induced degradation, b) at least one compound of formula A wherein n'is a number from 1 to 6, R'l, R'2, R'3 and R'4 are each independently of the others C4-C22alkyl, C7-Cgphenyl- alkyl; or Cs-C8cycloalkyl unsubstituted or substituted by C,-C4alkyl; or R, and R'2 together and/or R'3 and R'4 together are C2-Cgalkylene or a group of the formula R'5 and R'6 are each independently of the other c) (i) at least one compound of the benzofuran-2-one type or (ii) α-tocopherol.

Alkyl having from 4 to 22 carbon atoms is a branched or unbranched radical, such as, for example, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, 2-ethylbutyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, 1-methyl- pentyl, 1,3-dimethylbutyl, n-hexyl, 1-methylhexyl, n-heptyl, isoheptyl, 1,1,3, 3-tetramethyl- butyl, 1-methylheptyl, 3-methylheptyl, n-octyl, isooctyl, 2-ethylhexyl, 1,1,3-trimethylhexyl, 1,1,3,3-tetramethylpentyl, nonyl, isononyl, decyl, isodecyl, undecyl, isoundecyl, dodecyl, isododecyl, 1,1,3,3,5,5-hexamethylhexyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, hepta- decyl, octadecyl, icosyl or docosyl. One of the preferred definitions for R'"R'2, R'3 and R'4 is, for example, C6-C22alkyl, especially C6-C, 5alkyl, e. g. Ca-C, 2alkyl.

C7-C9Phenylalkyl is, for example, benzyl, a-methylbenzyl, a, a-dimethylbenzyl or 2-phenyl- ethyl. A preferred definition for R'1, R'z, R'3 and R'4 is, for example, benzyl.

C5-C8Cycloalkyl unsubstituted or substituted by C,-Caalkyl is, for example, cyclopentyl,<BR> methyicyclopentyl, dimethylcyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, methylcyclohexyl, dimethylcyclohexyl, trimethylcyclohexyl, tert-butylcyclohexyl, cycloheptyl or cyclooctyl. Preference is given to cyclohexyl and tert-butylcyclohexyl.

C2-CgAlkylene is a branched or unbranched radical, such as, for example, ethylene, propyl- ene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene, hexamethylene, heptamethylene, octa- methylene or nonamethylene. Preference is given to C2-C7alkylene, especially C2-C4alkyl- ene, e. g. propylene.

Of interest are compositions comprising as component (b) a compound of formula A where- in n'is from 1 to 4.

Likewise of interest are compositions comprising as component (b) a compound of formula A wherein R'1, R'2, R'3 and R'4 are each independently of the others C6-C22alkyl or C7-Cgphenylalkyl; or R', and R'2 together and/or R'3 and R'4 together are C2-C7alkylene, and R'5 and R'6 are each independently of the other Of special interest are compositions comprising as component (b) a compound of formula A wherein R'1, R'2, R'3 and R'4 are each independently of the others C6-C15alkyl or C7-Cgphenylalkyl; or R', and R'2 together and/or R'3 and R'4 together are C2-C4alkylene, and R'5 and R'6 each is Preference is given to compositions comprising as component (b) a compound of formula A wherein R'1, R'2, R'3 and R'4 are each independently of the others C8-C12alkyl, and R'5 and R'6 each is The compounds of formula A as component (b) in the composition according to the invention are known from the literature and the preparation thereof is described, for example, in U. S. 3,342,767 or EP-A-0 635 511.

Of interest are compositions comprising as component (c) (i) a compound of formula I wherein, when n is 1, R, is naphthyl, phenanthryl, anthryl, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthyl, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1- naphthyl, thienyl, benzo [b] thienyl, naphtho [2,3-b] thienyl, thianthrenyl, dibenzofuryl, chrom- enyl, xanthenyl, phenoxathiinyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridaz- inyl, indolizinyl, isoindolyl, indolyl, indazolyl, purinyl, quinolizinyl, isoquinolyl, quinolyl, phthal- azinyl, naphthyridinyl, quinoxalinyl, quinazolinyl, cinnolinyl, pteridinyl, carbazolyl, ß-carboli- nyl, phenanthridinyl, acridinyl, perimidinyl, phenanthrolinyl, phenazinyl, isothiazolyl, pheno- thiazinyl, isoxazolyl, furazanyl, biphenyl, terphenyl, fluorenyl or phenoxazinyl each unsubsti- tuted or substituted by C,-C4alkyl, C,-C4alkoxy, C1-C4alkylthio, hydroxy, halogen, amino, C,-C4alkylamino, phenylamino or by di (C1-C4alkyl) amino, or Ri is a radical of formula 11 and, when n is 2, R, is phenylene or naphthylene each unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C4alkyl or by hdroxy; -R12-X-R13-, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are each independently of the others hydrogen, chlorine, hydroxy, Cl-C25- alkyl, C7-Cgphenylalkyl; phenyl unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C4alkyl; C5-C8cycloalkyl unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C4alkyl; C1-C1 8alkoxy, C1-C18alkylthio, C1-C4alkylamino, di(C1-C4alkyl)amino, C3-C25alkenoyloxy;C3-C25-C1-C25alkanoylamino, alkanoyloxy interrupted by oxygen, sulfur or by N-R14 ; C6-C9cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, benzoyloxy, or benzoyloxy substituted by C1-C12alkyl ; or furthermore the radicals R2 and R3 or the radicals R3 and R4 or the radicals R4 and R5, together with the carbon atoms to which they are bonded, form a benzo ring, in addition R4 is- (CH2) P-COR, 5 or- (CH2) qOH or in addition, when R3, R5 and R6 are hydrogen, R4 is a radical of formula III wherein R, is defined as described above for when n = 1, R6 is hydrogen or a radical of formula IV wherein R4 is not a radical of formula III and R, is defined as described above for when 1,n= R7, R8, R9, R10 and R11 are each independently of the others hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, C1-C25alkyl ; C2-C25alkyl interrupted by oxygen, sulfur or by ; C,-C25alkoxy; C2-C25alkoxy interrupted by oxygen, sulfur or by ; C,-C25alkylthio, C3-C25- alkenyl, C3-C25alkenyloxy, C3-C25alkynyl, C3-C25alkynyloxy, C7-Cgphenylalkyl, C7-Cgphenyl- alkoxy; phenyl unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C4alkyl; phenoxy unsubstituted or substi- tuted by C1-C4alkyl; C5-C8cycloalkyl unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C4alkyl; C5-C8cyclo- alkoxy unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C4alkyl; C1-C4alkylamino, di (C1-C4alkyl) amino, C1-C25alkanoyl ; C3-C25alkanoyl interrupted by oxygen, sulfur or by alkanoyloxy; C3-C25alkanoyloxy interrupted by oxygen, sulfur or by alkanoylamino, C3-C25alkenoyl; C3-C25alkenoyl interrupted by oxygen, sulfur or by ; C3-C25alkenoyloxy; C3-C25alkenoyloxy interrupted by oxygen, sulfur or by ; C6-Cgcycloalkylcarbonyl, C6-Cgcycloalkylcarbonyloxy, benzol, or benzoyl substituted by C1-C12alkyl ; benzoyloxy, or benzoyloxy substituted by C1-C12alkyl ; , or furthermore in formula 11 the radicals R7 and R8 or the radicals Ra and R11, together with the carbon atoms to which they are bonded, form a benzo ring, R12 and R13 are each independently of the other phenylene or naphthylene each unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C4alkyl, R14 is hydrogen or C,-C8alkyl, R, 5 is hydroxy, r *)/ C-p-r M J, C,-Cealkoxy or-N 25 R16 and R17 are each independently of the other hydrogen, CF3, C1-C12alkyl or phenyl, or R16 and R17, together with the carbon atom to which they are bonded, form a C5-CBcycloalkylidene ring unsubstituted or substituted by from 1 to 3 C1-C4alkyl groups; R18 and R19 are each independently of the other hydrogen, C1-C4alkyl or phenyl, hydrogenorC1-C4alkyl,R20is R21 is hydrogen; phenyl unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C4alkyl; C1-C25alkyl; C2-C25alkyl interrupted by oxygen, sulfur or by ; C7-C9phenylalkyl unsubstituted or substi- tuted on the phenyl moiety by from 1 to 3 C,-C4alkyl groups; C7-C25phenylalkyl interrupted by oxygen, sulfur or by and unsubstituted or substituted on the phenyl moiety by from 1 to 3 C1-C4alkyl groups, or furthermore the radicals R20 and R21, together with the carbon atoms to which they are bonded, form a C5-C12cycloalkylene ring unsubstituted or substituted by from 1 to 3 C1-C4alkyl groups; R22 is hydrogen or C1-C4alkyl, R23 is hydrogen, C1-C25alkanoyl, C3-C25alkenoyl ; C3-C25alkanoyl interrupted by oxygen, sul- fur or by ; C2-C25alkanoyl substituted by a di (C1-C6alkyl) phosphonate group; furoyl,benzoyl,orbenzoylsubstitutedbyC1-C12alkyl;C6-C9cycloa lkylcarbonyl,thenoyl, R24 and R25 are each independently of the other hydrogen or Cl-C, 8alkyl, R26 is hydrogen or C,-C8alkyl, R27 is a direct bond, C1-C18alkylene ; C2-C18alkylene interrupted by oxygen, sulfur or by ;C7-C20phenylalkylidene,C5-C8cycloalky-C2-C20alkylidene, lene, C7-C8bicycloalkylene ; phenylene unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C4aikyl; ,/ra Rzs'shydroxy,-o'--M. Ci-dgatkoxyor-N L J a "25 R29 is oxygen,-NH-or R30 is phenyl,or R31 is hydrogen or C1-C18alkyl, M is an r-valent metai cation, X is a direct bond, oxygen, sulfur or-NR31-, n is 1 or 2, 0,1or2,pis q is 1,2,3,4,5 or 6, ris 1,2 or 3, and sis0,1 or 2.

Naphthyl, phenanthryl, anthryl, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthyl, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1-naphthyl, thienyl, benzo [b] thienyl, naphtho [2,3-b] thienyl, thianthrenyl, dibenzofuryl, chromenyl, xan- thenyl, phenoxathiinyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, indo- lizinyl, isoindolyl, indolyl, indazolyl, purinyl, quinolizinyl, isoquinolyl, quinolyl, phthalazinyl, naphthyridinyl, quinoxalinyl, quinazolinyl, cinnolinyl, pteridinyl, carbazolyl, P-carbolinyl, phe- nanthridinyl, acridinyl, perimidinyl, phenanthrolinyl, phenazinyl, isothiazolyl, phenothiazinyl, isoxazolyl, furazanyl, biphenyl, terphenyl, fluorenyl or phenoxazinyl each unsubstituted or substituted by C,-C4alkyl, C,-C4alkoxy, C,-C4alkylthio, hydroxy, halogen, amino, Ci-C4- alkylamino, phenylamino or by di (C1-C4alkyl) amino is, for example, 1-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl, 1-phenylamino-4-naphthyl, 1-methylnaphthyl, 2-methylnaphthyl, 1-methoxy-2-naphthyl, 2- methoxy-1-naphthyl, 1-dimethylamino-2-naphthyl, 1,2-dimethyl-4-naphthyl, 1,2-dimethyl-6- naphthyl, 1,2-dimethyl-7-naphthyl, 1,3-dimethyl-6-naphthyl, 1,4-dimethyl-6-naphthyl, 1,5- dimethyl-2-naphthyl, 1,6-dimethyl-2-naphthyl, 1-hydroxy-2-naphthyl, 2-hydroxy-1-naphthyl, 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthyl, 7-phenanthryl, 1-anthryl, 2-anthryl, 9-anthryl, 3-benzo [b] thienyl, 5-benzo [b] thienyl, 2-benzo [b] thienyl, 4-dibenzofuryl, 4,7-dibenzofuryl, 4-methyl-7-dibenzo- furyl, 2-xanthenyl, 8-methyl-2-xanthenyl, 3-xanthenyl, 2-phenoxathiinyl, 2,7-phenoxathiinyl, 2-pyrrolyl, 3-pyrrolyl, 5-methyl-3-pyrrolyl, 2-imidazolyl, 4-imidazolyl, 5-imidazolyl, 2-methyl- <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 4-imidazolyl, 2-ethyl-4-imidazolyl, 2-ethyl-5-imidazolyl, 3-pyrazolyl, 1-methyl-3-pyrazolyl, 1-propyl-4-pyrazolyl, 2-pyrazinyl, 5,6-dimethyl-2-pyrazinyl, 2-indolizinyl, 2-methyl-3-iso- indolyl, 2-methyl-1-isoindolyl, 1-methyl-2-indolyl, 1-methyl-3-indolyl, 1,5-dimethyl-2-indolyl, 1-methyl-3-indazolyl, 2,7-dimethyl-8-purinyl, 2-methoxy-7-methyl-8-purinyl, 2-quinolizinyl, <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 3-isoquinolyl, 6-isoquinolyl, 7-isoquinolyl, isoquinolyl, 3-methoxy-6-isoquinolyl, 2-quinolyl, 6-quinolyl, 7-quinolyl, 2-methoxy-3-quinolyl, 2-methoxy-6-quinolyl, 6-phthalazinyl, 7-phtha- lazinyl, 1-methoxy-6-phthalazinyl, 1,4-dimethoxy-6-phthalazinyl, 1,8-naphthyridin-2-yl, 2- quinoxalinyl, 6-quinoxalinyl, 2,3-dimethyl-6-quinoxalinyl, 2,3-dimethoxy-6-quinoxalinyl, <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 2-quinazolinyl, 7-quinazolinyl, 2-dimethylamino-6-quinazolinyl, 3-cinnolinyl, 6-cinnolinyl, 7-cinnolinyl, 3-methoxy-7-cinnolinyl, 2-pteridinyl, 6-pteridinyl, 7-pteridinyl, 6,7-dimethoxy-2- <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> pteridinyl, 2-carbazoiyl, 3-carbazolyl, 9-methyl-2-carbazolyl, 9-methyl-3-carbazolyl, ß-carb-<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> olin-3-yl, 1-methyl-p-carbolin-3-yl, 1-methyl-p-carbolin-6-yl, 3-phenanthridinyl, 2-acridinyl, 3-acridinyl, 2-perimidinyl, 1-methyl-5-perimidinyl, 5-phenanthrolinyl, 6-phenanthrolinyl, <BR> <BR> <BR> 1-phenazinyl, 2-phenazinyl, 3-isothiazolyl, 4-isothiazolyl, 5-isothiazolyl, 2-phenothiazinyl, 3-phenothiazinyl, 1 0-methyl-3-phenothiazinyl, 3-isoxazolyl, 4-isoxazolyl, 5-isoxazolyl, 4-methyl-3-furazanyl, 2-phenoxazinyl or 10-methyl-2-phenoxazinyl.

Special preference is given to naphthyl, phenanthryl, anthryl, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthyl, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1-naphthyl, thienyl, benzo [b] thienyl, naphtho [2,3-b] thienyl, thianthrenyl, dibenzofuryl, chromenyl, xanthenyl, phenoxathiinyl, pyrrolyl, isoindolyl, indolyl, phenothia- zinyl, biphenyl, terphenyl, fluorenyl or phenoxazinyl each unsubstituted or substituted by C,-C4alkyl, C,-C4alkoxy, C,-C4alkylthio, hydroxy, phenylamino or by di (C1-C4alkyl) amino, such as, for example, 1-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl, 1-phenylamino-4-naphthyl, 1-methylnaphthyl, <BR> <BR> <BR> 2-methylnaphthyl, 1-methoxy-2-naphthyl, 2-methoxy-1-naphthyl, 1-dimethylamino-2-naphth- yl, 1,2-dimethyl-4-naphthyl, 1,2-dimethyl-6-naphthyl, 1,2-dimethyl-7-naphthyl, 1,3-dimethyl- 6-naphthyl, 1,4-dimethyl-6-naphthyl, 1,5-dimethyl-2-naphthyl, 1,6-dimethyl-2-naphthyl, 1-hydroxy-2-naphthyl, 2-hydroxy-1-naphthyl, 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthyl, 7-phenanthryl, 1-anthryl, 2-anthryl, 9-anthryl, 3-benzo [b] thienyl, 5-benzo [b] thienyl, 2-benzo [b] thienyl, 4-dibenzofuryl, 4,7-dibenzofuryl, 4-methyl-7-dibenzofuryl, 2-xanthenyl, 8-methyl-2-xanthe- nyl, 3-xanthenyl, 2-pyrrolyl, 3-pyrrolyl, 2-phenothiazinyl, 3-phenothiazinyl and 10-methyl-3- phenothiazinyl.

Halogen is, for example, chlorine, bromine or iodine. Preference is given to chlorine.

Alkanoyl having up to and including 25 carbon atoms is a branched or unbranched radical, such as, for example, formyl, acetyl, propionyl, butanoyl, pentanoyl, hexanoyl, heptanoyl, octanoyl, nonanoyl, decanoyl, undecanoyl, dodecanoyl, tridecanoyl, tetradecanoyl, penta- decanoyl, hexadecanoyl, heptadecanoyl, octadecanoyl, icosanoyl or docosanoyl. Prefe- rence is given to alkanoyl having from 2 to 18, especially from 2 to 12, e. g. from 2 to 6, car- bon atoms. Special preference is given to acetyl.

C2-C25AIkanoyl substituted by a di (C1-C6alkyl) phosphonate group is, for example, (CH3CH20) 2POCH2CO-, (CH30) 2POCH2CO-, (CH3CH2CH2CH20) 2POCH2CO-, (CH3CH20) 2POCH2CH2CO-, (CH30) 2POCH2CH2CO-, (CH3CH2CH2CH20) 2POCH2CH2CO-, (CH3CH20) 2PO (CH2) 4CO-, (CH3CH20) 2PO (CH2) 8CO-or (CH3CH20) 2PO (CH2) 17CO-.

Alkanoyloxy having up to and including 25 carbon atoms is a branched or unbranched radi- cal, such as, for example, formyloxy, acetoxy, propionyloxy, butanoyloxy, pentanoyloxy, he- xanoyloxy, heptanoyloxy, octanoyloxy, nonanoyloxy, decanoyloxy, undecanoyloxy, dodeca- noyloxy, tridecanoyloxy, tetradecanoyloxy, pentadecanoyloxy, hexadecanoyloxy, heptade- canoyloxy, octadecanoyloxy, icosanoyloxy or docosanoyloxy. Preference is given to alkano- yloxy having from 2 to 18, especially from 2 to 12, e. g. from 2 to 6, carbon atoms. Special preference is given to acetoxy.

Alkenoyl having from 3 to 25 carbon atoms is a branched or unbranched radical, such as, for example, propenoyl, 2-butenoyl, 3-butenoyl, isobutenoyl, n-2,4-pentadienoyl, 3-methyl- 2-butenoyl, n-2-octenoyl, n-2-dodecenoyl, isododecenoyl, oleoyl, n-2-octadecenoyl or n-4- octadecenoyl. Preference is given to alkenoyl having from 3 to 18, especially from 3 to 12, e. g. from 3 to 6, more especially 3 or 4, carbon atoms.

C3-C25AIkenoyl interrupted by oxygen, sulfur or by is, for example, CH30CH2CH2CH=CHCO-or CH30CH2CH20CH=CHCO-.

Alkenoyloxy having from 3 to 25 carbon atoms is a branched or unbranched radical, such as, for example, propenoyloxy, 2-butenoyloxy, 3-butenoyloxy, isobutenoyloxy, n-2,4-penta- dienoyloxy, 3-methyl-2-butenoyloxy, n-2-octenoyloxy, n-2-dodecenoyloxy, isododecenoyl- oxy, oleoyloxy, n-2-octadecenoyloxy or n-4-octadecenoyloxy. Preference is given to alkeno- yloxy having from 3 to 18, especially from 3 to 12, e. g. from 3 to 6, more especially 3 or 4, carbon atoms.

C3-C25AIkenoyloxy interrupted by oxygen, sulfur or by is, for example, CH30CH2CH2CH=CHCOO-or CH30CH2CH20CH=CHCOO-.

C3-C25AIkanoyl interrupted by oxygen, sulfur or by is, for example, CH3-O-CH2CO-, CH3-S-CH2CO-, CH3-NH-CH2CO-, CH3-N (CH3)-CH2CO-,<BR> <BR> CH3-O-CH2CH2-O-CH2CO-,CH3-(O-CH2CH2-) 20-CH2CO-, CH3-(O-CH2CH2-) 30-CH2CO-or<BR> <BR> CH3- (O-CH2CH2-) 40-CH2CO-.

C3-C25AIkanoyloxy interrupted by oxygen, sulfur or by is, for example, CH3-O-CH2COO-, CH3-S-CH2C00-, CH3-NH-CH2C00-, CH3-N (CH3)-CH2C00-, CH3-O-CH2CH2-O-CH2COO-,CH3-(O-CH2CH2-)2O-CH2COO-, CH3- (O-CH2CH2-) 30-CH2C00- or CH3- (O-CH2CH2-) 40-CH2COO-.

C6-CgCycloalkylcarbonyl is, for example, cyclohexylcarbonyl, cycloheptylcarbonyl or cyclo- octylcarbonyl. Preference is given to cyclohexylcarbonyi.

C6-C9Cycloalkylcarbonyloxy is, for example, cyclohexylcarbonyloxy, cycloheptylcarbonyloxy or cyclooctylcarbonyloxy. Preference is given to cyclohexylcarbonyloxy.

Benzoyl substituted by C1-C12alkyl, which benzoyl carries preferably from 1 to 3, especially 1 or 2, alkyl groups, is, for example, o-, m-or p-methylbenzoyl, 2,3-dimethylbenzoyl, 2,4-di- methylbenzoyl, 2,5-dimethylbenzoyl, 2,6-dimethylbenzoyl, 3,4-dimethylbenzoyl, 3,5-dime- thylbenzoyl, 2-methyl-6-ethylbenzoyl, 4-tert-butylbenzoyl, 2-ethylbenzoyl, 2,4,6-trimethyl- benzol, 2, 6-dimethyl-4-tert-butylbenzoyl or 3,5-di-tert-butylbenzoyl. Preferred substituents are C,-C8alkyl, especially C1-C4alkyl.

Benzoyloxy substituted by C1-C12alkyl, which benzoyloxy carries preferably from 1 to 3, es- pecially 1 or 2, alkyl groups, is, for example, o-, m-or p-methylbenzoyloxy, 2,3-dimethylben- zoyloxy, 2, 4-dimethylbenzoyloxy, 2,5-dimethylbenzoyloxy, 2,6-dimethylbenzoyloxy, 3,4-di- methylbenzoyloxy, 3,5-dimethylbenzoyloxy, 2-methyl-6-ethylbenzoyloxy, 4-tert-butylben- zoyloxy, 2-ethylbenzoyloxy, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyloxy, 2,6-dimethyl-4-tert-butylbenzoyloxy or 3,5-di-tert-butylbenzoyloxy. Preferred substituents are C,-C8alkyl, especially C,-C4-alkyl.

Alkyl having up to and including 25 carbon atoms is a branched or unbranched radical, such as, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, 2-ethylbutyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, 1-methylpentyl, 1,3-dimethylbutyl, n-hexyl, 1-methylhexyl, n-heptyl, isoheptyl, 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl, 1-methylheptyl, 3-methylheptyl, n-octyl, 2-ethyl- hexyl, 1,1,3-trimethylhexyl, 3-tetramethylpentyl, nonyl, decyi, undecyl, 1-methylunde- cyl, dodecyl, 1,1,3,3,5, 5-hexamethylhexyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, hep- tadecyl, octadecyl, icosyl or docosyl. One of the preferred definitions for R2 and R4 is, for example, C,-C,8alkyl. An especially preferred definition for R4 is C1-C4alkyl.

Alkenyl having from 3 to 25 carbon atoms is a branched or unbranched radical, such as, for example, propenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, isobutenyl, n-2,4-pentadienyl, 3-methyl-2-butenyl, n-2-octenyl, n-2-dodecenyl, isododecenyl, oleyl, n-2-octadecenyl or n-4-octadecenyl. Pref- erence is given to alkenyl having from 3 to 18, especially from 3 to 12, e. g. from 3 to 6, more especially 3 or 4, carbon atoms.

Alkenyloxy having from 3 to 25 carbon atoms is a branched or unbranched radical, such as, for example, propenyloxy, 2-butenyloxy, 3-butenyloxy, isobutenyloxy, n-2,4-pentadienyloxy, 3-methyl-2-butenyloxy, n-2-octenyloxy, n-2-dodecenyloxy, isododecenyloxy, oleyloxy, n-2- octadecenyloxy or n-4-octadecenyloxy. Preference is given to alkenyloxy having from 3 to 18, especially from 3 to 12, e. g. from 3 to 6, more especially 3 or 4, carbon atoms.

Alkynyl having from 3 to 25 carbon atoms is a branched or unbranched radical, such as, for example, propynyl (-CH2 C-CH), 2-butynyl, 3-butynyl, n-2-octynyl or n-2-dodecynyl.

Preference is given to alkynyl having from 3 to 18, especially from 3 to 12, e. g. from 3 to 6, more especially 3 or 4, carbon atoms.

Alkynyloxy having from 3 to 25 carbon atoms is a branched or unbranched radical, such as, for example, propynyloxy (-OCH2 C-CH), 2-butynyloxy, 3-butynyloxy, n-2-octynyl- oxy or n-2-dodecynyloxy. Preference is given to alkynyloxy having from 3 to 18, especially from 3 to 12, e. g. from 3 to 6, more especially 3 or 4, carbon atoms.

C2-C25AIkyl interrupted by oxygen, sulfur or by is, for example, CH3-O-CH2-, CH3-S-CH2-, CH3-NH-CH2-, CH3-N (CH3)-CH2-, CH3-0-CH2CH2-0-CH2-, CH3- (O-CH2CH2-) 20-CH2-, CH3- (O-CH2CH2-) 30-CH2- or CH3- (O-CH2CH2-) 40-CH2-.

C7-C9Phenylalkyl is, for example, benzyl, a-methyibenzyl, a, a-dimethylbenzyl or 2-phenyl- ethyl. Preference is given to benzyl and a, a-dimethylbenzyl.

C7-CgPhenylalkyl unsubstituted or substituted on the phenyl moiety by from 1 to 3 C1-C4al- kyl groups is, for example, benzyl, a-methylbenzyl, a, a-dimethylbenzyl, 2-phenylethyl, 2- methylbenzyl, 3-methylbenzyl, 4-methylbenzyl, 2,4-dimethylbenzyl, 2, 6-dimethylbenzyl or 4- tert-butylbenzyl. Preference is given to benzyl.

C7-C25Phenylalkyl interrupted by oxygen, sulfur or by and unsubstituted or substituted on the phenyl moiety by from 1 to 3 C1-C4alkyl groups is a branched or un- branched radical, such as, for example, phenoxymethyl, 2-methyl-phenoxymethyl, 3-methyl- phenoxymethyl, 4-methyl-phenoxymethyl, 2,4-dimethyl-phenoxymethyl, 2,3-dimethyl-phe- noxymethyl, phenylthiomethyl, N-methyl-N-phenyl-aminomethyl, N-ethyl-N-phenyl-amino- 4-tert-butyl-phenoxyethoxy-methyl,2,4-di-tert-butyl-phe-meth yl,4-tert-butyl-phenoxymethyl, noxymethyl, 2,4-di-tert-butyl-phenoxyethoxymethyl, phenoxyethoxyethoxyethoxymethyl, benzyloxymethyl, benzyloxyethoxymethyl, N-benzyl-N-ethyl-aminomethyl or N-benzyl-N- isopropyl-aminomethyl.

C7-CgPhenylalkoxy is, for example, benzyloxy, a-methylbenzyloxy, a, a-dimethylbenzyloxy or 2-phenylethoxy. Preference is given to benzyloxy.

Phenyl substituted by C1-C4alkyl, which contains preferably from 1 to 3, especially 1 or 2, alkyl groups, is, for example, o-, m-or p-methylphenyl, 2,3-dimethylphenyl, 2,4-dimethyl- phenyl, 2,5-dimethylphenyl, 2,6-dimethylphenyl, 3,4-dimethylphenyl, 3,5-dimethylphenyl, 2-methyl-6-ethylphenyl, 4-tert-butylphenyl, 2-ethylphenyl or 2, 6-diethylphenyl.

Phenoxy substituted by C1-C4alkyl, which contains preferably from 1 to 3, especially 1 or 2, alkyl groups, is, for example, o-, m-or p-methylphenoxy, 2,3-dimethylphenoxy, 2,4-dime- thylphenoxy, 2,5-dimethylphenoxy, 2,6-dimethylphenoxy, 3,4-dimethylphenoxy, 3,5-di- methylphenoxy, 2-methyl-6-ethylphenoxy, 4-tert-butylphenoxy, 2-ethylphenoxy or 2,6-di- ethylphenoxy.

C5-C8Cycloalkyl unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C4alkyl is, for example, cyclopentyl, methylcyclopentyl, dimethylcyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, methylcyclohexyl, dimethylcyclohexyl, trimethylcyclohexyl, tert-butylcyclohexyl, cycloheptyl or cyclooctyl. Preference is given to cyclohexyl and tert-butylcyclohexyl.

Cs-CBCycloalkoxy unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C4alkyl is, for example, cyclopentyloxy, methylcyclopentyloxy, dimethylcyclopentyloxy, cyclohexyloxy, methylcyclohexyloxy, dimeth- ylcyclohexyloxy, trimethylcyclohexyloxy, tert-butylcyclohexyloxy, cycloheptyloxy or cyclooct- yloxy. Preference is given to cyclohexyloxy and tert-butylcyclohexyloxy.

Alkoxy having up to and including 25 carbon atoms is a branched or unbranched radical, such as, for example, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, isobutoxy, pentyl- oxy, isopentyloxy, hexyloxy, heptyloxy, octyloxy, decyloxy, tetradecyloxy, hexadecyloxy or octadecyloxy. Preference is given to alkoxy having from 1 to 12, especially from 1 to 8, e. g. from 1 to 6, carbon atoms.

C2-C25Alkoxy interrupted by oxygen, sulfur or by is, for example, CH3-0-CH2CH20-, CH3-S-CH2CH20-, CH3-NH-CH2CH20-, CH3-N (CH3)-CH2CH20-,<BR> CH3-0-CH2CH2-0-CH2CH20-, CH3- (O-CH2CH2-) 20-CH2CH20-,<BR> CH3- (O-CH2CH2-) 30-CH2CH20- or CH3- (O-CH2CH2-) 40-CH2CH20-.

Alkylthio having up to and including 25 carbon atoms is a branched or unbranched radical, such as, for example, methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, isopropylthio, n-butylthio, isobutyl- thio, pentylthio, isopentylthio, hexylthio, heptylthio, octylthio, decylthio, tetradecylthio, hexa- decylthio or octadecylthio. Preference is given to alkylthio having from 1 to 12, especially from 1 to 8, e. g. from 1 to 6, carbon atoms.

Alkylamino having up to and including 4 carbon atoms is a branched or unbranched radical, such as, for example, methylamino, ethylamino, propylamino, isopropylamino, n-butyl- amino, isobutylamino or tert-butylamino.

Di (C1-C4alkyl) amino means also that the two radicals are each independently of the other branched or unbranched, for example, dimethylamino, methylethylamino, diethylamino, methyl-n-propylamino, methylisopropylamino, methyl-n-butylamino, methylisobutylamino,<BR> ethylisopropylamino, ethyl-n-butylamino, ethylisobutylamino, ethyl-tert-butylamino, diethyl- amino, diisopropylamino, isopropyl-n-butylamino, isopropylisobutylamino, di-n-butylamino or di-isobutylamino. Alkanoylamino having up to and including 25 carbon atoms is a branched or unbranched radical, such as, for example, formylamino, acetylamino, propionylamino, butanoylamino, pentanoylamino, hexanoylamino, heptanoylamino, octanoylamino, nonanoylamino, decan- oylamino, undecanoylamino, dodecanoylamino, tridecanoylamino, tetradecanoylamino, pentadecanoylamino, hexadecanoylamino, heptadecanoylamino, octadecanoylamino, ico- sanoylamino or docosanoylamino. Preference is given to alkanoylamino having from 2 to 18, especially from 2 to 12, e. g. from 2 to 6, carbon atoms.

C1-C18Alkylene is a branched or unbranched radical, such as, for example, methylene, ethy- lene, propylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene, hexamethylene, hepta- methylene, octamethylene, decamethylene, dodecamethylene or octadecamethylene. Pref- erence is given to C1-C12alkylene, especially C1-C8alkylene.

A C5-C12cycloalkylene ring unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C4alkyl, which contains prefe- rably from 1 to 3, especially 1 or 2, branched or unbranched alkyl group radicals, is, for example, cyclopentylene, methylcyclopentylene, dimethylcyclopentylene, cyclohexylene, methylcyclohexylene, dimethylcyclohexylene, trimethylcyclohexylene, tert-butylcyclohexy- lene, cycloheptylene, cyclooctylene or cyclodecylene. Preference is given to cyclohexylene and tert-butylcyclohexylene.

C2-C18Alkylene interrupted by oxygen, sulfur or by is, for example, -CH2-O-CH2-,-CH2-S-CH2-,-CH2-NH-CH2-,-CH2-N(CH3)-CH2-,-CH2-O -CH2CH2-O-CH2-,<BR> -CH2- (O-CH2CH2-) 20-CH2-,-CH2- (O-CH2CH2-) 30-CH2-,-CH2- (O-CH2CH2-) 40-CH2- or<BR> -CH2CH2-S-CH2CH2-.<BR> <BR> <P>C2-C18Alkenylene is, for example, vinylene, methylvinylene, octenylethylene or dodecenyl- ethylene. Preference is given to C2-C8alkenylene.

Alkylidene having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms is, for example, ethylidene, propylidene, buty- lidene, pentylidene, 4-methylpentylidene, heptylidene, nonylidene, tridecylidene, nonadecy- lidene, 1-methylethylidene, 1-ethylpropylidene or 1-ethylpentylidene. Preference is given to C2-C8alkylidene.

Phenylalkylidene having from 7 to 20 carbon atoms is, for example, benzylidene, 2-phenyl- ethylidene or 1-phenyl-2-hexylidene. Preference is given to C7-Cgphenylalkylidene.

C5-C8Cycloalkylene is a saturated hydrocarbon group having two free valences and at least one ring unit and is, for example, cyclopentylene, cyclohexylene, cycloheptylene or cyclo- octylene. Preference is given to cyclohexylene.

C7-CsBicycloalkylene is, for example, bicycloheptylene or bicyclooctylene.

Phenylene or naphthylene each unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C4alkyl is, for example, 1,2-, 1,3- or 1,4-phenylene or 1,2-, 1,3-, 1,4-, 1,6-, 1,7-, 2,6- or 2,7-naphthylene. Preference is given to 1,4-phenylene.

A C5-C8cycloalkylidene ring unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C4alkyl, which contains pre- ferably from 1 to 3, especially 1 or 2, branched or unbranched alkyl group radicals, is, for example, cyclopentylidene, methylcyclopentylidene, dimethylcyclopentylidene, cyclohexyli- dene, methylcyclohexylidene, dimethylcyclohexylidene, trimethylcyclohexylidene, tert-butyl- cyclohexylidene, cycloheptylidene or cyclooctylidene. Preference is given to cyclohexyli- dene and tert-butylcyclohexylidene.

A mono-, di-or tri-valent metal cation is preferably an alkali metal cation, alkaline earth me- tal cation or aluminium cation, for example Na+, K+, Mg++, Ca++ or AI+++.

Of interest are compositions comprising as component (c) (i) at least one compound of for- mula I wherein, when n is 1, R, is phenyl unsubstituted or substituted in the para-position by C1-C18alkylthio or by di (C1-C4alkyl) amino; mono-to penta-substituted alkylphenyl having an overall total of a maximum of 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl substituents, of which there are from 1 to 5; naphthyl, biphenyl, terphenyl, phenanthryl, anthryl, fluorenyl, carbazolyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, phenothiazinyl or 5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthyl each unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C4alkyi, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4alkylthio, hydroxy or by amino.

Preference is given to compositions comprising as component (c) (i) at least one compound of formula I wherein, when n is 2, -R12-X-R13-,R1is R12 and R13 each is phenylene, X is oxygen or-NR31-, and R31 is C1-C4alkyl.

Preference is given also to compositions comprising as component (c) (i) at least one compound of formula I wherein, when n is 1, R, is naphthyl, phenanthryl, thienyl, dibenzofuryl, carbazolyl or fluorenyl each unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C4alkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4alkylthio, hydroxy, halogen, amino, Ci-C4- alkylamino or by di (C,-C4alkyl) amino or is a radical of formula 11 R7, R8, R9, R10 and R11 are each independently of the others hydrogen, chlorine, bromine, hydroxy, C1-C18alkyl ; C2-C18alkyl interrupted by oxygen or by sulfur; C1-C18alkoxy ; C2-C18alkoxy interrupted by oxygen or by sulfur; C1-C18alkylthio, C3-C12alkenyloxy, C3-C12- alkynyloxy, C7-Cgphenylalkyl, C7-Cgphenylalkoxy; phenyl unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C4alkyl; phenoxy, cyclohexyl, C5-C8cycloalkoxy, C,-C4alkylamino, di (C1-C4alkyl) amino, interruptedbyoxygenorbysulfur;C1-C12alkanoyloxy;C1-C12alkano yl;C3-C12alkanoyl C3-C12alkanoyloxy interrupted by oxygen or by sulfur; C1-C12alkanoylamino, C3-C12alkenoyl, C3-C12alkenoyloxy, cyclohexylcarbonyl, cyclohexylcarbonyloxy, benzoyl, or benzoyl sub- stituted by C1-C4alkyl; benzoyloxy, or benzoyloxy substituted by C1-C4alkyl ; , or furthermore in formula 11 the radicals R7 and R8 or the radicals R8 and R11, together with the carbon atoms to which they are bonded, form a benzo ring, R, 5 is hydroxy, C1-C12alkoxy or Ris and R19 are each independently of the other hydrogen or Ci-C4a ! kyt, hydrogen,R20is R21 is hydrogen, phenyl, C1-C18alkyl ; C2-C, 8alkyl interrupted by oxygen or by sulfur; C7-C9phenylalkyl ; C7-CBphenylalkyl interrupted by oxygen or by sulfur and unsubstituted or substituted on the phenyl moiety by from 1 to 3 C1-C4alkyl groups, or furthermore the radicals R2o and R21, together with the carbon atoms to which they are bonded, form a cyclohexylene ring unsubstituted or substituted by from 1 to 3 C1-C4alkyl groups, R22 is hydrogen or C1-C4alkyl, R23 is hydrogen, C1-C18alkanoyl, C3-C18alkenoyl ; C3-C12alkanoyl interrupted by oxygen or by sulfur; C2-C12alkanoyl substituted by a di (C,-C6alkyl) phosphonate group; C6-C9cycloalkyl- carbonyl, benzoyl, R24 and R25 are each independently of the other hydrogen or C1-C12alkyl, R26R26is hydrogen C1-C4alkyl, R27 is C2-C8alkylidene,C7-C12phenylalkylidene,C2-C8alkenylene, phenylene,C5-C8cycloalkyleneor R28 is hydroxy, C1-C12alkoxy or R29 is oxygen or-NH-, R30 is C1-C18alkyl or phenyl, and sis1 or2.

Preference is given also to compositions comprising as component (c) (i) at least one compound of formula I wherein, when n is 1, R, is phenanthryl, thienyl, dibenzofuryl; carbazolyl unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C4alkyl ; or fluorenyl; or Ri is a radical of formula 11 R79 R8, R9, Rio and R11 are each independently of the others hydrogen, chlorine, hydroxy, C1-C18alkylthio,C3-C4alkenyloxy,C3-C4alkynyloxy,phenyl,C1-C1 8alkyl,C1-C18allkoxy, benzol, benzoyloxy or R2o is hydrogen, R21 is hydrogen, phenyl or C1-C18alkyl, or furthermore the radicals R2o and R21, together with the carbon atoms to which they are bonded, form a cyclohexylene ring unsubstituted or substituted by from 1 to 3 C1-C4alkyl groups, R22 is hydrogen or C1-C4alkyl, and R23 is hydrogen, C1-C12alkanoyl or benzol.

Special preference is given to compositions comprising as component (c) (i) at least one compound of formula I wherein, when n is 1, R7, R8, R9, Rlo and RI, are each independently of the others hydrogen, C1-C12alkyl, C1-C4alkylthio or phenyl.

Of special interest are compositions comprising as component (c) (i) at least one compound of formula I wherein R2, R3, R4 and R5 are each independently of the others hydrogen, chlorine, C1-C18alkyl, benzyl, phenyl, C1-C18alkylthio,C1-C18alkanoyloxy,C1-C18-C1-C18alkoxy, alkanoyiamino, C3-C18alkenoyloxy or benzoyloxy; or furthermore the radicals R2 and R3 or the radicals R3 and R4 or the radicals R4 and R5, together with the carbon atoms to which they are bonded, form a benzo ring, in addition R4is- (CH2) p-COR15 or-(CH2) qOH or in addition, when R3, R5 and R6 are hydrogen, R4 is a radical of formula III, /R24 hydroxy,C1-C12alkoxyor-N ,R15is <BR> R25 R16 and R17 are methyl groups or, together with the carbon atom to which they are bonded, form a Cg-Cecycioatkyiidene ring unsubstituted or substituted by from 1 to 3 C1-C4alkyl groups, R24 and R25 are each independently of the other hydrogen or C1-C12alkyl, p is 1 or 2, and q is 2,3,4,5 or 6.

Also of special interest are compositions comprising as component (c) (i) at least one com- pound of formula I wherein at least two of the radicals R2, R3, R4 and RS are hydrogen.

Of special interest are, especially, compositions comprising as component (c) (i) at least one compound of formula I wherein R3 and R5 are hydrogen.

Of special interest are, more especially, compositions comprising as component (c) (i) at least one compound of formula I wherein R2 is C1-C4alkyl, R3 is hydrogen, R4 is C1-C4alkyl or in addition, when R6 is hydrogen, R4 is a radical of formula III, R5 is hydrogen, and R, 6 and R17, together with the carbon atom to which they are bonded, form a cyclohexyli- dene ring.

The following compounds are examples of the benzofuran-2-one type that are especially suitable as component (c) (i) in the composition according to the invention: 3- [4- (2-acetoxy- ethoxy) phenyl]-5, 7-di-tert-butyl-benzofuran-2-one; 5,7-di-tert-butyl-3- [4- (2-stearoyloxyeth- oxy) phenyl]-benzofuran-2-one; 3,3'-bis [5,7-di-tert-butyl-3- (4- [2-hydroxyethoxy] phenyl)-ben- zofuran-2-one]; 5,7-di-tert-butyl-3- (4-ethoxyphenyl) benzofuran-2-one; 3- (4-acetoxy-3,5-di- methylphenyl)-5, 7-di-tert-butyl-benzofuran-2-one; 3- (3, 5-dimethyl-4-pivaloyloxyphenyl)-5,7- di-tert-butyl-benzofuran-2-one; 5,7-di-tert-butyl- 3- (3, 4-dimethylphenyl)-benzofuran-2-one; 5, 7-di-tert-butyl-3-(2,3-dimethylphenyl)-benzofur- an-2-one.

Also of special interest are, especially, compositions comprising as component (c) (i) at least one compound of formula V wherein R2 is hydrogen or C1-C6alkyl, R3 is hydrogen, R4 is hydrogen or C1-C6alkyl, R5 is hydrogen, R7, R8, R9, Rlo and Roll are each independently of the others hydrogen, C1-C4alkyl, C1-C4- alkoxy or , with the proviso that at least two of the radicals R7, R8, Rg, Rio and R11 are hydrogen, R2o, R2, and R22 are hydrogen, and R23 is C2-C4alkanoyl.

Very special preference is given to compositions comprising as component (c) (i) at least one compound of formula Va or Vb or a mixture of both compounds of formulae Va and Vb.

The compounds of the benzofuran-2-one type as component (c) (i) in the composition ac- cording to the invention are known from the literature and the preparation thereof is des- cribed, for example, in U. S. 5,516,920.

The mixture of components (b) and (c) is suitable for stabilising organic materials against oxidative, thermal or light-induced degradation. Special attention is drawn to their excellent action as antioxidants in the stabilisation of organic materials.

1. Polymers of monoolefins and diolefins, for example polypropylene, polyisobutylene, po- lybut-1-ene, poly-4-methylpent-1-ene, polyisoprene or polybutadiene, as well as polymers of cycloolefins, for instance of cyclopentene or norbornene, polyethylene (which optionally can be crosslinked), for example high density polyethylene (HDPE), high density and high molecular weight polyethylene (HDPE-HMW), high density and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (HDPE-UHMW), medium density polyethylene (MDPE), low density polyethy- lene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), (VLDPE) and (ULDPE).

Polyolefins, i. e. the polymers of monoolefins exemplified in the preceding paragraph, prefe- rably polyethylene and polypropylene, can be prepared by different, and especially by the following,methods: a) radical polymerisation (normally under high pressure and at elevated temperature). b) catalytic polymerisation using a catalyst that normally contains one or more than one metal of groups IVb, Vb, Vlb or VIII of the Periodic Table. These metals usual- ly have one or more than one ligand, typically oxides, halides, alcoholates, esters, ethers, amines, alkyls, alkenyls and/or aryls that may be either z-or a-coordinated.

These metal complexes may be in the free form or fixed on substrates, typically on activated magnesium chloride, titanium (III) chloride, alumina or silicon oxide.

These catalysts may be soluble or insoluble in the polymerisation medium. The catalysts can be used by themselves in the polymerisation or further activators may be used, typically metal alkyls, metal hydrides, metal alkyl halides, metal alkyl oxides or metal alkyloxanes, said metals being elements of groups la, Ila and/or Illa of the Periodic Table. The activators may be modified conveniently with further ester, ether, amine or silyl ether groups. These catalyst systems are usually ter- med Phillips, Standard Oil Indiana, Ziegler (-Natta), TNZ (DuPont), metallocene or single site catalysts (SSC).

2. Mixtures of the polymers mentioned under 1), for example mixtures of polypropylene with polyisobutylene, polypropylene with polyethylene (for example PP/HDPE, PP/LDPE) and mixtures of different types of polyethylene (for example LDPE/HDPE).

3. Copolymers of monoolefins and diolefins with each other or with other vinyl monomers, for example ethylene/propylene copolymers, linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and mixtures thereof with low density polyethylene (LDPE), propylene/but-1-ene copolymers, propylene/isobutylene copolymers, ethylene/but-1-ene copolymers, ethylene/hexene copo- lymers, ethylene/methylpentene copolymers, ethylene/heptene copolymers, ethylene/oc- tene copolymers, propylene/butadiene copolymers, isobutylene/isoprene copolymers, ethy- lene/alkyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene/alkyl methacrylate copolymers, ethylene/vinyl ace- tate copolymers and their copolymers with carbon monoxide or ethylene/acrylic acid copo- lymers and their salts (ionomers) as well as terpolymers of ethylene with propylene and a diene such as hexadiene, dicyclopentadiene or ethylidene-norbornene; and mixtures of such copolymers with one another and with polymers mentioned in 1) above, for example polypropylene/ethylene-propylene copolymers, LDPE/ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA), LDPE/ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers (EAA), LLDPE/EVA, LLDPE/EAA and alter- nating or random polyalkylene/carbon monoxide copolymers and mixtures thereof with other polymers, for example polyamides.

4. Hydrocarbon resins (for example Cs-Cg) including hydrogenated modifications thereof (e. g. tackifiers) and mixtures of polyalkylenes and starch.

5. Polystyrene, poly (p-methylstyrene), poly (a-methylstyrene).

6. Copolymers of styrene or a-methylstyrene with dienes or acrylic derivatives, for example styrene/butadiene, styrene/acrylonitrile, styrene/alkyl methacrylate, styrene/butadiene/alkyl acrylate, styrene/butadiene/alkyl methacrylate, styrene/maleic anhydride, styrene/acryloni- trile/methyl acrylate; mixtures of high impact strength of styrene copolymers and another polymer, for example a polyacrylate, a diene polymer or an ethylene/propylene/diene terpo- lymer; and block copolymers of styrene such as styrene/butadiene/styrene, styrene/iso- prene/styrene, styrene/ethylene/butylene/styrene or styrene/ethylene/propylene/styrene.

7. Graft copolymers of styrene or a-methylstyrene, for example styrene on polybutadiene, styrene on polybutadiene-styrene or polybutadiene-acrylonitrile copolymers; styrene and acrylonitrile (or methacrylonitrile) on polybutadiene; styrene, acrylonitrile and methyl meth- acrylate on polybutadiene; styrene and maleic anhydride on polybutadiene; styrene, acrylo- nitrile and maleic anhydride or maleimide on polybutadiene; styrene and maleimide on poly- butadiene; styrene and alkyl acrylates or methacrylates on polybutadiene; styrene and acry- lonitrile on ethylene/propylene/diene terpolymers; styrene and acrylonitrile on polyalkyl acry- lates or polyalkyl methacrylates, styrene and acrylonitrile on acrylate/butadiene copolymers, as well as mixtures thereof with the copolymers listed under 6), for example the copolymer mixtures known as ABS, MBS, ASA or AES polymers.

8. Halogen-containing polymers such as polychloroprene, chlorinated rubbers, chlorinated and brominated copolymer of isobutylene-isoprene (halobutyl rubber), chlorinated or sulfo- chlorinated polyethylene, copolymers of ethylene and chlorinated ethylene, epichlorohydrin homo-and copolymers, especially polymers of halogen-containing vinyl compounds, for example polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene fluo- ride, as well as copolymers thereof such as vinyl chloride/vinylidene chloride, vinyl chloride/- vinyl acetate or vinylidene chloride/vinyl acetate copolymers.

9. Polymers derived from a, ß-unsaturated acids and derivatives thereof such as polyacry- lates and polymethacrylates; polymethyl methacrylates, polyacrylamides and polyacryloni- triles, impact-modified with butyl acrylate.

10. Copolymers of the monomers mentioned under 9) with each other or with other unsatu- rated monomers, for example acrylonitrile/butadiene copolymers, acrylonitrile/alkyl acrylate copolymers, acrylonitrile/alkoxyalkyl acrylate or acrylonitrile/vinyl halide copolymers or acry- lonitrile/alkyl methacrylate/butadiene terpolymers.

11. Polymers derived from unsaturated alcools and amines or the acyl derivatives or ace- tals thereof, for example polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl stearate, polyvinyl benzoate, polyvinyl maleate, polyvinyl butyral, polyallyl phthalate or polyallyl melamine; as well as their copolymers with olefins mentioned in 1) above.

12. Homopolymers and copolymers of cyclic ethers such as polyalkylene glycols, polyethy- lene oxide, polypropylene oxide or copolymers thereof with bisglycidyl ethers.

13. Polyacetals such as polyoxymethylene and those polyoxymethylenes which contain ethylene oxide as a comonomer; polyacetals modified with thermoplastic polyurethanes, acrylates or MBS.

14. Polyphenylene oxides and sulfides, and mixtures of polyphenylene oxides with styrene polymers or polyamides.

15. Polyurethanes derived from hydroxyl-terminated polyethers, polyesters or polybutadi- enes on the one hand and aliphatic or aromatic polyisocyanates on the other, as well as precursors thereof.

16. Polyamides and copolyamides derived from diamines and dicarboxylic acids and/or from aminocarboxylic acids or the corresponding lactams, for example polyamide 4, poly- amide 6, polyamide 6/6,6/10,6/9,6/12,4/6,12/12, polyamide 11, polyamide 12, aromatic polyamides starting from m-xylene diamine and adipic acid; polyamides prepared from hexamethylenediamine and isophthalic or/and terephthalic acid and with or without an ela- stomer as modifier, for example poly-2,4,4,-trimethylhexamethylene terephthalamide or po- ly-m-phenylene isophthalamide; and also block copolymers of the aforementioned poly- amides with polyolefins, olefin copolymers, ionomers or chemically bonded or grafted ela- stomers; or with polyethers, e. g. with polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol or polytetra- methylene glycol; as well as polyamides or copolyamides modified with EPDM or ABS; and polyamides condensed during processing (RIM polyamide systems).

17. Polyureas, polyimides, polyamide-imides, polyetherimids, polyesterimids, polyhydanto- ins and polybenzimidazoles.

18. Polyesters derived from dicarboxylic acids and diols and/or from hydroxycarboxylic acids or the corresponding lactones, for example polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, poly-1,4-dimethylolcyclohexane terephthalate and polyhydroxybenzoates, as well as block copolyether esters derived from hydroxyl-terminated polyethers; and also polyesters modified with polycarbonates or MBS.

19. Polycarbonates and polyester carbonates.

20. Polysulfones, polyether sulfones and polyether ketones.

21. Crosslinked polymers derived from aldehydes on the one hand and phenols, ureas and melamines on the other hand, such as phenol/formaldehyde resins, urea/formaldehyde re- sins and melamine/formaldehyde resins.

22. Drying and non-drying alkyd resins.

23. Unsaturated polyester resins derived from copolyesters of saturated and unsaturated dicarboxylic acids with polyhydric alcools and vinyl compounds as crosslinking agents, and also halogen-containing modifications thereof of low flammability.

24. Crosslinkable acrylic resins derived from substituted acrylates, for example epoxy acry- lates, urethane acrylates or polyester acrylates.

25. Alkyd resins, polyester resins and acrylate resins crosslinked with melamine resins, urea resins, isocyanates, isocyanurates, poiyisocyanates or epoxy resins.

26. Crosslinked epoxy resins derived from aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, heterocyclic or aromatic glycidyl compounds, e. g. products of diglycidyl ethers of bisphenol A and bisphenol F, which are crosslinked with customary hardeners such as anhydrides or amines, with or without accelerators.

27. Natural polymers such as cellulose, rubber, gelatin and chemically modified homolo- gous derivatives thereof, for example cellulose acetates, cellulose propionates and cellu- lose butyrates, or the cellulose ethers such as methyl cellulose; as well as rosins and their derivatives.

28. Blends of the aforementioned polymers (polyblends), for example PP/EPDM, Poly- amide/EPDM or ABS, PVC/EVA, PVC/ABS, PVC/MBS, PC/ABS, PBTP/ABS, PC/ASA, PC/PBT, PVC/CPE, PVC/acrylates, POM/thermoplastic PUR, PC/thermoplastic PUR, POM/acrylate, POM/MBS, PPO/HIPS, PPO/PA 6.6 and copolymers, PA/HDPE, PA/PP, PA/PPO, PBT/PC/ABS or PBT/PET/PC.

29. Naturally occurring and synthetic organic materials which are pure monomeric com- pounds or mixtures of such compounds, for example mineral oils, animal and vegetable fats, oil and waxes, or oils, fats and waxes based on synthetic esters (e. g. phthalates, adi- pates, phosphates or trimellitates) and also mixtures of synthetic esters with mineral oils in any weight ratios, typically those used as spinning compositions, as well as aqueous emul- sions of such materials.

30. Aqueous mulsions of natural or synthetic rubber, e. g. natural latex or latices of carbo- xylated styrene/butadiene copolymers.

Preferred organic materials are polymers, for example synthetic polymers, especially ther- moplastic polymers. Especially preferred organic materials are polyolefins, polyurethanes and styrene copolymers, for example those mentioned above under points 1 to 3 and under points 6,7 and 15, especially polyethylene and polypropylene and also ABS and styrene- butadiene copolymers.

Preferred organic materials are polyolefins, especially polyethylene or polypropylene and copolymers thereof with mono-and diolefins.

Special emphasis should be given to the action of the mixture of components (b) and (c) against oxidative and thermal degradation of polyolefins such as occurs in the processing of thermoplastics. Components (b) and (c) according to the invention are therefore excel- lent for use as processing stabilisers.

Preferably, component (b) is added to the organic material to be stabilised in an amount of from 0.01 to 10 %, for example from 0.01 to 5 %, preferably from 0.025 to 3 %, especially from 0.025 to 1 %, based on the weight of the organic material to be stabilised.

Advantageously, component (c) (i) is added to the organic material to be stabilised in an amount of from 0.0005 to 5 %, especially from 0.001 to 2 %, for example from 0.01 to 2 %, based on the weight of the organic material to be stabilised.

Advantageously, component (c) (ii) is added to the organic material to be stabilised in an amount of from 0.005 to 2 %, especially from 0.01 to 2 %, for example from 0.01 to 1 %, based on the weight of the organic material to be stabilised.

In addition to components (b) and (c), the compositions according to the invention may comprise further co-stabilisers (additives), such as, for example, the following: 1. Antioxidants 1.1. Alkvlated monoshenols, for example 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol, 2-tert-butyl-4,6- dimethylphenol, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-ethylphenol, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-n-butylphenol, 2,6-di-tert- butyl-4-isobutylphenol, 2,6-dicyclopentyl-4-methylphenol, 2-(a-methylcyclohexyl)-4,6-di- methylphenol, 2,6-dioctadecyl-4-methylphenol, 2,4,6-tricyclohexylphenol, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4- methoxymethylphenol, nonylphenols which are linear or branched in the side chains, for example, 2,6-di-nonyl-4-methylphenol, 2,4-dimethyl-6- (1'-methylundec-1'-yl) phenol, 2,4- anddimethyl-6-(1'-methylheptadec-1'-yl)phenol,2,4-dimethyl-6 -(1'-methyltridec-1'-yl)phenol mixtures thereof.

1.2. AlkvithiomethylPhenols, for example 2,4-dioctylthiomethyl-6-tert-butylphenol, 2,4-dioc- thlthiomethyl-6-methylphenol, 2,4-dioctylthiomethyl-6-ethylphenol, 2,6-di-dodecylthiomethyl- 4-nonylphenol.

1.3. Hydroquinones and alkylated hydroquinones, for example 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methoxy- phenol, 2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone, 2,5-di-tert-amylhydroquinone, 2,6-diphenyl-4-octade- cyloxyphenol, 2,6-di-tert-butylhydroquinone, 2,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole, 3,5-di-tert- butyl-4-hydroxyanisole, 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl stearate, bis- (3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxyphenyl) adipate.

1.4. Tocopherols, for example a-tocopherol, ß-tocopherol, y-tocopherol, 6-tocopherol and mixtures thereof (Vitamin E).

1.5. Hvdroxvlated thiodiphenvl ethers, for example 2,2'-thiobis (6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol), 2,2'-thiobis (4-octylphenol), 4,4'-thiobis (6-tert-butyl-3-methylphenol), 4,4'-thiobis (6-tert-butyl- 2-methylphenol), 4,4'-thiobis- (3, 6-di-sec-amylphenol), 4,4'-bis (2,6-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphe- nyl)disulfide.

1.6. Alkviidenebisphenols, for example 2,2'-methylenebis (6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol), 2,2'- methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-ethylphenol),2,2'-methylenebis[4 -methyl-6-(α-methylcyclohe- xyl) phenol], 2,2'-methylenebis (4-methyl-6-cyclohexylphenol), 2,2'-methylenebis (6-nonyl-4- methylphenol), 2,2'-methylenebis (4,6-di-tert-butylphenol), 2,2'-ethylidenebis (4,6-di-tert-bu- tylphenol), 2,2'-ethylidenebis (6-tert-butyl-4-isobutylphenol), 2, 2'-methylenebis[6-(α-methyl- benzyl)-4-nonylphenol], 2, 2'-methylenebis[6-(α,α-dimethylbenzyl)-4-nonylphenol], 4,4'- methylenebis (2,6-di-tert-butylphenol), 4,4'-methylenebis (6-tert-butyl-2-methylphenol), 1,1- bis (5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl) butane, 2,6-bis (3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-hydroxy- benzyl)-4-methylphenol, 1,1,3-tris (5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl) butane, 1,1-bis (5- tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-2-methyl-phenyl)-3-n-dodecylmercaptobut ane, ethylene glycol bis [3,3- bis (3'-tert-butyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl) butyrate], bis (3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-phenyl) di- cyclopentadiene, bis [2- (3'-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxy-5'-methylbenzyl)-6-tert-butyl-4-me thylphe- nyl] terephthalate, 1,1-bis- (3, 5-dimethyl-2-hydroxyphenyl) butane, 2,2-bis- (3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxyphenyl) propane, 2,2-bis- (5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy2-methylphenyl)-4-n-dodecylmercap- tobutane, 1,1,5,5-tetra- (5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl) pentane.

1.7. O-. N-and S-benzyl compounds, for example 3,5,3', 5'-tetra-tert-butyl-4,4'-dihydroxydi- benzyl ether, octadecyl-4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzylmercaptoacetate, tridecyl-4-hydroxy- 3,5-di-tert-butylbenzylmercaptoacetate, tris (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) amine, bis (4- tert-butyl-3-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylbenzyl)dithioterephthalate, bis (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy- benzyl) sulfide, isooctyl-3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylmercaptoacetate.

1.8. Hvdroxvbenzy) ated matonates. for example dioctadecyl-2,2-bis- (3, 5-di-tert-butyl-2-hy- droxybenzyl)-malonate, di-octadecyl-2- (3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methylbenzyl)-malonate, di- dodecylmercaptoethyl-2, 2-bis- (3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) malonate, bis [4- (1,1,3,3-te- tramethylbutyl) phenyl]-2,2-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) malonate.

1.9. Aromatic hvdroxvbenzv) compounds, for example 1,3,5-tris- (3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy- benzyl)-2,4, 6-trimethylbenzene, 1,4-bis 5,6-tetrame- thylbenzene, 2,4,6-tris (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) phenol.

1.10. Triazine Compound, for example 2,4-bis (octylmercapto)-6- (3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hy- droxyanilino)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-octylmercapto-4,6-bis (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanilino)- 1,3,5-triazine, 2-octylmercapto-4,6-bis (3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenoxy)-1, 3,5-triazine, 2,4,6-tris 3-triazine, 1,3,5-tris- (3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxybenzyl)isocyanurate, 1,3,5-tris (4-tert-butyl-3-hydroxy-2, 6-dimethylbenzyl) isocyanu- rate, 2,4,6-tris 5-triazine, 1,3,5-tris (3,5-di-tert- butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl)-hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine, 1,3,5-tris (3,5-dicyclohexyl-4- hydroxybenzyl) isocyanurate.

1.11. BenzvlphosPhonates, for example dimethyl-2, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphospho- nate, diethyl-3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonate, dioctadecyl3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxybenzylphosphonate, dioctadecyl-5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-3-methylbenzylphosphonate , the calcium salt of the monoethyl ester of 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonic acid.

1.12. Acvlaminophenols, for example 4-hydroxylauranilide, 4-hydroxystearanilide, octyl N- (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) carbamate.

1.13. Esters of ti- (3. 5-di-tert-butvl-4-hydroxvahenyl) propionic acid with mono-or polyhydric alcools, e. g. with methanol, ethanol, n-octanol, i-octanol, octadecanol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,9- nonanediol, ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, thiodiethylene glycol, diethy- lene glycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, tris (hydroxyethyl) isocyanurate, N, N'-bis (hy- droxyethyl) oxamide, 3-thiaundecanol, 3-thiapentadecanol, trimethylhexanediol, trimethylol- propane, 4-hydroxymethyl-1-phospha-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo [2.2.2] octane.

1.14. Esters of - (5-tert-butvl-4-hydroxv-3-methylphenyl) proDionic acid with mono-or poly- hydric alcools, e. g. with methanol, ethanol, n-octanol, i-octanol, octadecanol, 1,6-hexane- diol, 1,9-nonanediol, ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, thiodiethylene gly- col, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, tris (hydroxyethyl) isocyanurate, N, N'-bis (hydroxyethyl) oxamide, 3-thiaundecanol, 3-thiapentadecanol, trimethylhexanediol, trimethylolpropane, 4-hydroxymethyl-1-phospha-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo [2.2.2] octane.

1.15. Esters of ß-(3,5-dicyclohexyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid with mono-or polyhydric alcools, e. g. with methanol, ethanol, octanol, octadecanol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,9-nonanediol, ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, thiodiethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, tris (hydroxyethyl) isocyanurate, N, N'-bis (hydroxyethyl) ox- amide, 3-thiaundecanol, 3-thiapentadecanol, trimethylhexanediol, trimethylolpropane, 4-hy- droxymethyl-1-phospha-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo [2.2.2] octane.

1.16. Esters of 3.5-di-tert-butyl-4-hvdroxvPhenyl acetic acid with mono-or polyhydric alco- hols, e. g. with methanol, ethanol, octanol, octadecanol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,9-nonanediol, ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, thiodiethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, tris (hydroxyethyl) isocyanurate, N, N'-bis (hydroxyethyl) ox- amide, 3-thiaundecanol, 3-thiapentadecanol, trimethylhexanediol, trimethylolpropane, 4-hy- droxymethyl-1-phospha-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo [2.2.2] octane.

1.17. Amides of ß-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid e. g. N, N'-bis (3,5-di-tert- butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl) hexamethylenediamide, N, N'-bis (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy- phenylpropionyl) trimethylenediamide, N, N'-bis (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl)- hydrazide, N, N'-bis [2- (3- [3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl] propionyloxy) ethyl] oxamide (Nau- gard@XL-1 supplie by Uniroyal).

1.18. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) 1.19. Aminic antioxidants, for example N, N'-di-isopropyl-p-phenylenediamine, N, N'-di-sec- butyl-p-phenylenediamine, N, N'-bis (1,4-dimethylpentyl)-p-phenylenediamine, N, N'-bis (1- ethyl-3-methylpentyl)-p-phenylenediamine, N, N'-bis (1-methylheptyl)-p-phenylenediamine, N, N'-dicyclohexyl-p-phenylenediamine, N, N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N, N'-bis (2-naph- <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> thyl)-p-phenylenediamine, N-isopropyl-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N- (1, 3-dimethylbu- tyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N- (1-methylheptyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N- cyclohexyl-N'-phenyl-p-phenlenediamine, 4-(p-toluenesulfamoyl) diphenylamine,(p-toluenesulfamoyl) diphenylamine, N, N'-di- methyl-N, N'-di-sec-butyl-p-phenylenediamine, diphenylamine, N-allyldiphenylamine, 4-iso- propoxydiphenylamine, N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine, N- (4-tert-octylphenyl)-1-naphthylamine, N-phenyl-2-naphthylamine, octylated diphenylamine, for example p, p'-di-tert-octyldiphenyl- amine, 4-n-butylaminophenol, 4-butyrylaminophenol, 4-nonanoylaminophenol, 4-dodeca- noylaminophenol, 4-octadecanoylaminophenol, bis (4-methoxyphenyl) amine, 2, 6-di-tert- butyl-4-dimethylaminomethylphenol, 2,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane, 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl- methane, N, N, N', N'-tetramethyl-4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane, 1,2-bis [(2-methylphenyl)- amino] ethane, 1,2-bis (phenylamino) propane, (o-tolyl) biguanide, bis [4- (1', 3'-dimethylbutyl)- phenyl] amine, tert-octylated N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine, a mixture of mono-and dialkylated tert-butyl/tert-octyldiphenylamines, a mixture of mono-and dialkylated nonyldiphenyl- amines, a mixture of mono-and dialkylated dodecyldiphenylamines, a mixture of mono-and dialkylated isopropyl/isohexyldiphenylamines, a mixture of mono-und dialkylated tert-butyl- diphenylamines, phenothiazine, a mixture of mono-und dialkylated tert-butyl/tert-octylphenothiazines, a mixture of mono-und dialky- lated tert-octyl-phenothiazines, N-allylphenothiazin, N, N, N', N'-tetraphenyl-1,4-diaminobut-2- ene, N, N-bis (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperid-4-yl-hexamethylenediamine, bis (2,2,6,6-tetra- methylpiperid-4-yl) sebacate, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-one, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperi- din-4-ol.

2. UV absorbers and liaht stabilisers 2.1.2- (2'-HvdroxvPhenyl) benzotriazoles, for example 2-(2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl)-benzo- <BR> <BR> <BR> triazole, 2- (3', 5'-di-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxyphenyl) benzotriazole, 2- (5'-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxyphe- nyl) benzotriazole, 2- (2'-hydroxy-5'- (1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl) phenyl) benzotriazole, 2- (3', 5'- <BR> <BR> <BR> di-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxyphenyl)-5-chloro-benzotriazole, 2- (3'-tert-butyl- 2'-hydroxy-5'-methyl-<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> phenyl)-5-chloro-benzotriazole, 2- (3'-sec-butyl-5'-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxyphenyl) benzotriazole, 2- (2'-hydroxy-4'-octyloxyphenyl) benzotriazole, 2- (3', 5'-di-tert-amyl-2'-hydroxyphenyl) benzo- <BR> <BR> <BR> triazole, 2- (3', 5'-bis- (a, a-dimethylbenzyl)-2'-hydroxyphenyl) benzotriazole, 2- (3'-tert-butyl-2'-<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> hydroxy-5'- (2-octyloxycarbonylethyl) phenyl)-5-chloro-benzotriazole, 2- (3'-tert-butyl-5'- [2- (2-<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> ethylhexyloxy)-carbonylethyl]-2'-hydroxyphenyl)-5-chloro-ben zotriazole, 2- (3'-tert-butyl-2'-<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> hydroxy-5'- (2-methoxycarbonyl ethyl) phenyl)-5-chloro-benzotriazole, 2- (3'-tert-butyl-2'-<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> hydroxy-5'- (2-methoxycarbonylethyl) phenyl) benzotriazole, 2- (3'-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxy-5'- (2-<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> octyloxycarbonylethyl) phenyl) benzotriazole, 2- (3'-tert-butyl-5'- [2- (2-ethylhexyloxy) carbonyl- ethyl]-2'-hydroxyphenyl) benzotriazole, 2- (3'-dodecyl-2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl) benzotri- azole, 2- (3'-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxy-5'- (2-isooctyloxycarbonylethyl) phenylbenzotriazole, 2,2'- methylene-bis [4- (1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-6-benzotriazole-2-ylphenol]; the transesterifica- tion product of 2- [3'-tert-butyl-5'- (2-methoxycarbonylethyl)-2'-hydroxyphenyl]-2H-benzotri- azole with polyethylene glycol 300; [R-CH2CH2-COO-CHZCH2 where R = 3'-tert- 2 <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> butyl-4'-hydroxy-5'-2H-benzotriazol-2-ylphenyl,2-[2'-hydroxy -3'-(α,α-dimethylbenzyl)-5'- 2- [2'-hydroxy-3'- (1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)- 5'(α,α-dimethylenzyl)-phenyl]benzotriazole.

2.2.2-Hvdroxvbenzophenones, for example the 4-hydroxy, 4-methoxy, 4-octyloxy, 4-decyl- oxy, 4-dodecyloxy, 4-benzyloxy, 4,2', 4'-trihydroxy and 2'-hydroxy-4,4'-dimethoxy derivatives.

2.3. Esters of substituted and unsubstituted benzoic acids, as for example 4-tertbutyl-phe- nyl salicylate, phenyl salicylate, octylphenyl salicylate, dibenzoyl resorcinol, bis (4-tert-butyl- benzoyl) resorcinol, benzoyl resorcinol, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy- benzoate, hexadecyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate, octadecyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hy- droxybenzoate, 2-methyl-4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate.

2.4. Acrylates, for example ethyl a-cyano-ß, ß-diphenylacrylate, isooctyl a-cyano-ß, ß-diphe- nylacrylate, methyl a-carbomethoxycinnamate, methyl a-cyano-p-methyl-p-methoxy-cinna- mate, butyl a-cyano-ß-methyl-p-methoxy-cinnamate, methyl a-carbomethoxy-p-methoxycin- namate and N- (-carbomethoxy-p-cyanovinyl)-2-methylindoline.

2.5. Nickel compounds, for example nickel complexes of 3,3-tetrame- thylbutyl) phenol], such as the 1: 1 or 1: 2 complex, with or without additional ligands such as n-butylamine, triethanolamine or N-cyclohexyidiethanolamine, nickel dibutyldithiocarba- mate, nickel salts of the monoalkyl esters, e. g. the methyl or ethyl ester, of 4-hydroxy-3,5- di-tert-butylbenzylphosphonic acid, nickel complexes of ketoximes, e. g. of 2-hydroxy-4- methylphenyl undecylketoxime, nickel complexes of 1-phenyl-4-lauroyl-5-hydroxypyrazole, with or without additional ligands.

2.6. Sterically hindered amines, for example bis (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) sebacate, bis (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) succinate, bis (1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl) seba- cate, bis (1-octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) sebacate, bis (1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4- piperidyl) n-butyl-3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylmalonate, the condensate of 1- (2-hy- droxyethyl)-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-hydroxypiperidine and succinic acid, linear or cyclic con- densates of N, N'-bis (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) hexamethylenediamine and 4-tert-octyl- 5-triazine, tris (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) nitrilotriacetate, tetra- kis 3,4-butane-tetracarboxylate, 1,1'- (1, 2-ethanediyl)- bis 6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, 4-stearyloxy- 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, bis (1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidyl)-2-n-butyl-2- (2-hydroxy- 8-triazaspiro [4.5] decan- 2,4-dione, bis (1-octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl) sebacate, bis (1-octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetra- methylpiperidyl) succinate, linear or cyclic condensates of N, N'-bis- (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4- piperidyl) hexamethylenediamine and 4-morpholino-2, 6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazine, the conden- sate of 2-chloro-4,6-bis (4-n-butylamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl)-1,3,5-triazine and 1,2- bis (3-aminopropylamino) ethane, the condensate of 2-chloro-4,6-di- (4-n-butylamino- 5-triazine and 1,2-bis- (3-aminopropylamino) ethane, 8- acetyl-3-dodecyl-7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-1,3,8-triazaspiro [4.5] decane-2,4-dione, 3-dodecyl-1- (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) pyrrolidin-2,5-dione, 3-dodecyl-1- (1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4- piperidyl) pyrrolidine-2, 5-dione, a mixture of 4-hexadecyloxy-and 4-stearyloxy-2,2,6,6- tetramethylpiperidine, a condensation product of N, N'-bis (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)- hexamethylenediamine and 4-cyclohexylamino-2, 6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazine, a condensation product of 1,2-bis (3-aminopropylamino) ethane and 5-triazine as well as 4-butylamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (CAS Reg. No. [136504-96-6]); N- (2,2,6,6-tetra- <BR> <BR> <BR> methyl-4-piperidyl)-n-dodecylsuccinimid, N- (1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl)-n-dodecyl- succinimid, 2-undecyl-7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-1-oxa-3, 8-diaza-4-oxo-spiro [4,5] decane, a reac- tion product of [4,5] decane und epichlorohydrin, 1,1-bis (1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyloxycarbonyl)-2- (4-methoxy- phenyl) ethene, N, N'-bis-formyl-N, N'-bis (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) hexamethylenedi- amine, diester of 4-methoxy-methylene-malonic acid with 1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-hydroxy- piperidine, poly [methylpropyl-3-oxy-4- (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)] siloxane, reaction product of maleic acid anhydride-a-olefin-copolymer with 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-aminopiperi- dine or 1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-aminopiperidine.

2.7. Oxamides, for example 4,4'-dioctyloxyoxanilide, 2,2'-diethoxyoxanilide, 2,2'-dioctyloxy- 5,5'-di-tert-butoxanilide, 2,2'-didodecyloxy-5, 5'-di-tert-butoxanilide, 2-ethoxy-2'-ethyloxani- lide, N, N'-bis (3-dimethylaminopropyl) oxamide, 2-ethoxy-5-tert-butyl-2'-ethoxanilide and its mixture with 2-ethoxy-2'-ethyl-5,4'-di-tert-butoxanilide, mixtures of o-and p-methoxy-disub- stituted oxanilides and mixtures of o-and p-ethoxy-disubstituted oxanilides.

2.8.2- (2-Hvdroxvphenyl)-1, 3. 5-triazines, for example 2,4,6-tris (2-hydroxy-4-octyloxyphe- nyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2- (2-hydroxy-4-octyloxyphenyl)-4,6-bis 5-tri- azine, 2- (2, 4-dihydroxyphenyl)-4, 6-bis 5-triazine, 2,4-bis (2-hydroxy- 4-propyloxyphenyl)-6-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1, 3,5-triazine, 2- (2-hydroxy-4-octyloxyphenyl)- 4,6-bis (4-methylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2- (2-hydroxy-4-dodecyloxyphenyl)-4,6-bis (2,4-di- methylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2- (2-hydroxy-4-tridecyloxyphenyl)-4,6-bis (2,4-dimethylphenyl)- 1,3,5-triazine, 2-[2-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxy-3-butyloxy-propoxy)phenyl]-4,6-bis (2,4-dimethyl)- 1,3,5-triazine, 2- [2-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxy-3-octyloxy-propyloxy) phenyl]-4, 6-bis (2, 4-dimethyl)- 1,3,5-triazine, 2- [4- (dodecyloxy/tridecyloxy-2-hydroxypropoxy)-2-hydroxy-phenyl]- 4,6-bis- (2, 4-dimethylphenyl)-1, 3,5-triazine, 2- [2-hydroxy-4- (2-hydroxy-3-dodecyloxy-propoxy) phe- nyl]-4,6-bis 5-triazine, 2-(2-hydroxy-4-hexyloxy)phenyl-4, 6-diphe- nyl-1,3,5-triazine, 2- (2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-4, 6-diphenyl-1,3,5-triazine, 2,4,6-tris [2- <BR> <BR> <BR> hydroxy-4- (3-butoxy-2-hydroxy-propoxy) phenyl]-1,3,5-triazine, 2- (2-hydroxyphenyl)-4- (4- methoxyphenyl)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-triazine, 2- {2-hydroxy-4- [3- (2-ethylhexyl-1-oxy)-2-hydroxy- propyloxy] phenyl}-4,6-bis 5-triazine.

3. Metal deactivators, for example N, N'-diphenyloxamide, N-salicylal-N'-salicyloyl hydrazine, N, N'-bis (salicyloyl) hydrazine, N, N'-bis (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl) hydr- azine, 3-salicyloylamino-1,2,4-triazole, bis (benzylidene) oxalyl dihydrazide, oxanilide, isoph- thaloyl dihydrazide, sebacoyl bisphenylhydrazide, N, N'-diacetyladipoyl dihydrazide, N, N'- bis (salicyloyl) oxalyl dihydrazide, N, N'-bis (salicyloyl) thiopropionyl dihydrazide.

4. Phosphites and phosphonites, for example triphenyl phosphite, diphenyl alkyl phos- phites, phenyl dialkyl phosphites, tris (nonylphenyl) phosphite, trilauryl phosphite, trioctade- cyl phosphite, distearyl pentaerythritol diphosphite, tris (2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite, diisodecyl pentaerythritol diphosphite, bis (2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) pentaerythritol diphos- phite, bis (2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl)-pentaerythritol diphosphite, diisodecyloxypenta- erythritol diphosphite, bis (2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl) pentaerythritol diphosphite, bis- (2,4,6-tris (tert-butylphenyl) pentaerythritol diphosphite, tristearyl sorbitol triphosphite, tetra- kis (2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) 4,4'-biphenylene diphosphonite, 6-isooctyloxy-2,4,8,10-tetra-tert- butyl-12H-dibenz [d, g]-1,3,2-dioxaphosphocin, bis (2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl) methyl phosphite, bis (2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl) ethyl phosphite, 6-fluoro-2,4,8,10-tetra-tert- butyl-1 2-methyl-dibenz [d, g]-1,3,2-dioxaphosphocin, 2,2', 2"-nitrilo [triethyltris (3,3', 5,5'-tetra- tert-butyl-1, 1'-biphenyl-2, 2'-diyl) phosphite], 2-ethylhexyl (3,3', 5,5'-tetra-tert-butyl-1,1'-biphe- nyl-2, 2'-diyl) phosphite, 5-butyl-5-ethyl-2- (2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenoxy)-1,3,2-dioxaphosphi- rane.

5. Hvdroxvlamines, for example, N, N-dibenzylhydroxylamine, N, N-diethylhydroxylamine, N, N-dioctylhydroxylamine, N, N-dilaurylhydroxylamine, N, N-ditetradecylhydroxylamine, N, N- dihexadecylhydroxylamine, N, N-dioctadecylhydroxylamine, N-hexadecyl-N-octadecylhy- droxylamine, N-heptadecyl-N-octadecylhydroxylamine, N, N-dialkylhydroxylamine derived from hydrogenated tallow amine.

6. Nitrones, for example, N-benzyl-alpha-phenyl-nitrone, N-ethyl-alpha-methyl-nitrone, N- octyl-alpha-heptyl-nitrone, N-lauryl-alpha-undecyl-nitrone, N-tetradecyl-alpha-tridcyl-nitrone,<BR> N-hexadecyl-alpha-pentadecyl-nitrone, N-octadecyl-alpha-heptadecyl-nitrone, N-hexadecyl-<BR> alpha-heptadecyl-nitrone, N-ocatadecyl-alpha-pentadecyl-nitrone, N-heptadecyl-alpha-hep- tadecyl-nitrone, N-octadecyl-alpha-hexadecyl-nitrone, nitrone derived from N, N-dialkyl- hydroxylamine derived from hydrogenated tallow amine.

7. Thiosvneraists, for example, dilauryl thiodipropionate or distearyl thiodipropionate.

8. Peroxide scavengers, for example esters of P-thiodipropionic acid, for example the lauryl, stearyl, myristyl or tridecyl esters, mercaptobenzimidazole or the zinc salt of 2-mercapto- benzimidazole, zinc dibutyldithiocarbamate, dioctadecyl disulfide, pentaerythritol tetrakis (p- dodecylmercapto) propionate.

9. Basic co-stabilisers, for example, melamine, polyvinylpyrrolidone, dicyandiamide, triallyl cyanurate, urea derivatives, hydrazine derivatives, amines, polyamides, polyurethanes, alkali metal salts and alkaline earth metal salts of higher fatty acids for example calcium stearate, zinc stearate, magnesium behenate, magnesium stearate, sodium ricinoleate and potassium palmitate, antimony pyrocatecholate or zink pyrocatecholate.

10. Nucleatinq agents, for example, inorganic substances such as talcum, metal oxides such as titanium dioxide or magnesium oxide, phosphates, carbonates or sulfates of, pre- ferably, alkaline earth metals; organic compounds such as mono-or polycarboxylic acids and the salts thereof, e. g. 4-tert-butylbenzoic acid, adipic acid, diphenylacetic acid, sodium succinate or sodium benzoate; polymeric compounds such as ionic copolymers (ionomers).

Especially preferred are 1,3: 2,4-bis (3', 4'-dimethylbenzylidene) sorbitol, 1,3: 2,4-di (parame- thyidibenzylidene) sorbitol, und 1,3: 2,4-di (benzylidene) sorbitol.

11. Fillers and reinforcing agents, for example, calcium carbonate, silicates, glass fibres, glass bulbs, asbestos, talc, kaolin, mica, barium sulfate, metal oxides and hydroxides, car- bon black, graphite, wood flour and flours or fibers of other natural products, synthetic fi- bers.

12. Triarytphosphines. for example triphenylphosphine.

13. Other additives, for example, plasticisers, lubricants, emulsifiers, pigments, rheology additives, catalysts, flow-control agents, optical brighteners, flameproofing agents, antistatic agents and blowing agents.

The co-stabilisers are added, for example, in concentrations of from 0.01 to 10 %, based on the total weight of the organic material to be stabilised.

The fillers and reinforcing agents (point 11 of the list), such as, for example, talc, calcium carbonate, mica or kaolin, are added to the polyolefins, for example, in concentrations of from 0.01 to 40 %, based on the total weight of the polyolefins to be stabilised.

The fillers and reinforcing agents (point 11 of the list), such as, for example, metal hydr- oxides, especially aluminium hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide, are added to the polyole- fins, for example, in concentrations of from 0.01 to 60 %, based on the total weight of the polyolefins to be stabilised.

Carbon black, as filler, is added to the polyolefins advantageously in concentrations of from 0.01 to 5 %, based on the total weight of the polyolefins to be stabilised.

Glass fibres, as reinforcing agents, are added to the polyolefins advantageously in concen- trations of from 0.01 to 20 %, based on the total weight of the polyolefins to be stabilised.

Further preferred compositions also comprise, besides components (a) to (c), further addi- tives, especially phenolic antioxidants, light-stabilisers or processing stabilisers.

Also of interest as yet further additives in the compositions according to the invention are alkaline earth metal salts of higher fatty acids, such as, for example, calcium stearate.

Especially preferred additives are phenolic antioxidants (point 1.1 to 1.17 of the list) and peroxide-destroying compounds (point 8 of the list).

Especially preferred phenolic antioxidants are: , C 11 HO > CH2CH2CNH (CH2) 3 _ H3C C H C H. C 2 H, C 3 \/CH3 C H3c 0 HO > CH2CH2COCr8H37 (2) I rganox91076, H3C- C \ , C Hic H 3C -C HO 4 CH2 CH2COCHC (3) Irganox 1010, 4 , C 4 Hic H3c 0 - Ho-''rganox'245. H3C 2 L. je \ zCH3 C - HO CH2 CHZ C-O- (CH2) 3 (5) Irganox259, H3c-, c H3c/CH 3 HIC H3c 0 H3C 11 , C HO X CH2CH2C° (CH2) 2-SHO CHi--CHi-U-O- (CH,),--S /sCH3 2 -C' /CH, 2 HsC \ C/CHs ONO-wCHs R _-CH2 3114, y C/\ Ho'\ ""CHg HsC \ C/CHs O N O-wCHs R _- (CH2) 2 O-C-CH2 R R CCH3 O H C/\ R H3C \/CH3 CL HIC X, CH3 4cCH R--CH2 OH (9) Irganox1330, R f _ R i CHs H3c CH3 H3C CH3(CH3)3C 0 C cHg HO CH2POCH2CH3 (10) Irganox@1222 (CH3)3C OCH2CH3 and (CH3)3C O HO Ca2+ (11) Irganox91425. (CH3) 3C OCH2CH3 2 Irganox#1010,Irganox#245,Irganox#259,Irganox#1035,Irga-Irgan ox#1098,Irganox#1076, noxe3114, Irganox@3125, Irganox@1330, IrganoxS1222 and Irganox 1425 are protected tradenames of Ciba Spezialitatenchemie AG.

As a conventional stabiliser combination for the processing of polymeric organic materials, such as, for example, polyolefins, into corresponding moulded articles, the combination of a phenolic antioxidant with a secondary antioxidant based on an organic phosphite or phos- phonite is recommended. Depending on the substrate and process, however, many poly- olefin processors are obliged to operate processes in the high-temperature range above approx. 280°C. Thanks to the inclusion of a processing stabiliser mixture of components (b) and (c) according to the invention, which processing stabiliser mixture is particularly sui- table for high-temperature applications, especially in the temperature range above 300°C, technical materials and moulded articles for instance based on HD polyethylene, such as, for example, pipes and their technical variants (fittings), can be manufactured with a higher output and fewer rejects. A further advantage of that stabiliser mixture is also that it can be used in a very small amount, which results in a reduction in the overall antioxidant concen- tration compared with conventional stabiliser mixtures. For instance the use of a low con- centration of a stabiliser of the benzofuran-2-one type [component (c) (i)] allows the overall stabiliser concentration to be reduced by approximately a third in, for example, polyolefins, which at the same time represents an economic advantage.

Components (b) and (c), and also where applicable further additives, are incorporated into the polyolefin according to known methods, for example before or during the shaping, or alternatively by applying a solution or dispersion of the stabiliser mixture to the polyolefin, if necessary with subsequent evaporation of the solvent. The stabiliser mixture of compo- nents (b) and (c), and where applicable further additives, may also be added to the mate- rials to be stabilised in the form of a master batch that contains the mixture in a concen- tration of, for example, from 2.5 to 25 % by weight.

The stabiliser mixture of components (b) and (c), and where applicable further additives, may also be added before or during polymerisation or before crosslinking.

The stabiliser mixture of components (b) and (c), and where applicable further additives, may be incorporated into the polyolefin to be stabilised in pure form or encapsulated in waxes, oils or polymers.

The stabiliser mixture of components (b) and (c), and where applicable further additives, may also be sprayed onto the polyolefin to be stabilised. The mixture can be used to dilute other additives (e. g. the above-mentioned conventional additives) or melts thereof, so that it is also possible for the mixture to be sprayed together with those additives onto the polymer to be stabilised. Addition by spraying during the deactivation of the polymerisation catalysts is especially advantageous, it being possible, for example, for the vapour used for the deac- tivation to be utilised for the spraying.

For example, where the polyolefins are polymerised in the form of beads, it may be advan- tageous for the stabiliser mixture of components (b) and (c), and where applicable other additives, to be applied by spraying.

The materials stabilised in that manner may be used in an extremely wide variety of forms, e. g. in the form of films, fibres, tapes, moulding compounds or profiles, or as binders for surface-coatings, especially powder coatings, adhesives or cements.

The polyolefins stabilised in that manner may likewise be used in an extremely wide variety of forms, especially in the form of thick-layer polyolefin moulded articles that are in lasting contact with extracting media, such as, for example, pipes for liquids or gases, films, fibres, geomembranes, tapes, profiles or tanks.

The preferred thick-layer polyolefin moulded articles have a layer thickness of from 1 to 50 mm, especially from 1 to 30 mm, e. g. from 2 to 10 mm.

The invention relates also to compositions comprising a functional fluid, preferably from the series of lubricants, hydraulic fluids and metal-working fluids and also fuels for powering engines of the 4-stroke, Otto, 2-stroke, diesel, Wankel and orbital types, and at least one each of components (b) and (c).

Components (b) and (c) may preferably be used in lubricants and fuels as multi-functional stabilisers, that is to say they combine in themselves antioxidative, friction-reducing, extreme-pressure-protection and wear-protection action and also anti-corrosion properties.

Preferred lubricants and fuels and related products are engine oils, turbine oils, gear oils, hydraulic fluids, diesel or Otto fuels, metal-working fluids and lubricating greases.

Especially preferred lubricants are mineral oils, synthetic oils or mixtures thereof.

Products known per se are used as functional fluids from the series of lubricants, hydraulic fluids and metal-working fluids.

The lubricants and hydraulic fluids that come into consideration will be familiar to the person skilled in the art and are described in the relevant specialist literature, such as, for example, in Dieter Klamann,"Schmierstoffe und verwandte Produkte" [Lubricants and related pro- ducts] (Verlag Chemie, Weinheim, 1982), in Schewe-Kobek,"Das Schmiermittel-Taschen- buch" [The lubricant handbook] (Dr. Alfred Huthig-Verlag, Heidelberg, 1974) and in"Ull- manns Enzyklopädie der technischen Chemie" [Ullmann's Encyclopaedia of Industrial Che- mistry], Vol. 13, pages 85-94 (Verlag Chemie, Weinheim, 1977).

The lubricants are especially oils and greases, for example based on a mineral oil. Oils are preferred.

A further group of lubricants that may be used are vegetable or animal oils, greases, tallows and waxes or mixtures thereof with one another or mixtures with the mentioned mineral or synthetic oils.

Vegetable and animal oils, greases, tallows and waxes are, for example, palm-kernel oil, palm oil, olive oil, rapeseed oil, rape oil, linseed oil, groundnut oil, soybean oil, cottonseed oil, sunflower oil, pumpkin seed oil, coconut oil, maize oil, castor oil, tree nut oil and mix- tures thereof, fish oils, tallows obtained from slaughtered animals, such as beef tallow, neatsfoot oil and bone oil, and modified, epoxidised and sulfoxidised forms thereof, for example epoxidised soybean oil.

The mineral oils are based especially on hydrocarbon compounds.

Examples of synthetic lubricants include lubricants based on aliphatic or aromatic carboxy esters, polymeric esters, polyalkylene oxides, phosphoric acid esters, poly-alpha-olefins or silicones, a diester of a divalent acid with a monohydric alcool, such as, for example, di- octyl sebacate or dinonyl adipate, a triester of trimethylolpropane with a monovalent acid or with a mixture of such acids, such as, for example, trimethylolpropane tripelargonate, tri- methylolpropane tricaprylate or mixtures thereof, a tetraester of pentaerythritol with a mono- valent acid or with a mixture of such acids, such as, for example, pentaerythritoi tetracapry- late, or a complex ester of monovalent and divalent acids with polyhydric alcools, for example a complex ester of trimethylolpropane with caprylic and sebacic acid, or a mixture thereof. Apart from mineral oils there are especially suitable, for example, poly-alpha-ole- fins, ester-based lubricants, phosphates, glycols, polyglycols and polyalkylene glycols, and also mixtures thereof with water. Metal-working fluids and hydraulic fluids may be prepared on the basis of the same sub- stances as those described above for the lubricants, such fluids frequently being mulsions of such substances in water or other liquids.

Lubricant and fuel compositions according to the invention are used, for example, in inter- nal combustion engines, e. g. in motorised vehicles equipped with, for example, engines of the Otto, diesel, two-stroke, Wankel or orbital type.

Components (b) and (c) are readily soluble in lubricants and fuels, metal-working fluids and hydraulic fluids and are therefore especially suitable as additives for lubricants and fuels, metal-working fluids and hydraulic fluids.

As additives in lubricants, components (b) and (c) are effective even in very small amounts. They are mixed in with the lubricants advantageously in an amount of from 0.01 to 5 % by weight, preferably in an amount of from 0.05 to 3 % by weight and very especially in an amount of from 0.1 to 2 % by weight, in each case based on the lubricant.

Components (b) and (c) may be mixed in with the lubricants and fuels in a manner known perse. Components (b) and (c) are readily soluble, for example, in oils. It is also possible to prepare a so-called master batch, which may be diluted, as a function of use, with the appropriate lubricant or fuel to the concentrations suitable for use. In such cases concen- trations above 1 % by weight are possible.

The lubricants and fuels, metal-working fluids and hydraulic fluids may additionally com- prise other additives that are added in order to improve their basic properties still further; such additives include: further antioxidants, metal passivators, rust inhibitors, viscosity in- dex improvers, pour-point depressants, dispersants, detergents, coefficient of friction redu- cers, further extreme-pressure additives and anti-wear additives. Such further additives are added advantageously in an amount of from 0.01 to 5 % by weight.

A number of such compounds can be found, for example, in the above list"1. Antioxidants", especially points 1.1 to 1.19. In addition, further additives may be mentioned by way of example: Examples of further antioxidants: Aliphatic or aromatic phosphites, esters of thiodipropionic acid or thiodiacetic acid or salts of dithiocarbamic or dithiophosphoric acid, 7,11-tri- thiatridecane and 10,14-tetrathiahexadecane.

Examples of metal deactivators, e. g. for copper, are: a) Benzotriazoles and derivatives thereof, e. g. 2-mercaptobenzotriazole, 2,5-dimercapto- benzotriazole, 4-or 5-alkylbenzotriazoles (e. g. tolutriazole) and derivatives thereof, 4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzotriazole, Mannich bases of benzotriazole or tolutriazole, such as 1- [di (2-ethylhexyl) aminomethyl] tolutriazole and 1- [di (2-ethylhexyl) aminomethyl] benzotriazole; alkoxyalkylbenzotriazoles, such as 1- (no- nyloxymethyl) benzotriazole, 1- (1-butoxyethyl) benzotriazole and 1- (l-cyclohexyloxybu- tyl) tolutriazole. b) 1,2,4-Triazoles and derivatives thereof, e. g. 3-alkyl- (or-aryl-) 1,2,4-triazoles, Mannich bases of 1,2,4-triazoles, such as 1- [di (2-ethylhexyl) aminomethyl]-1, alkoxy- alkyl-1,2,4-triazoles, such as 1- (1-butoxyethyl)-1,2,4-triazole; acylated 3-amino-1,2,4- triazoles. c) Imidazole derivatives, e. g. 4,4'-methylenebis (2-undecyl-5-methyl) imidazole and bis [ (N- methyl) imidazol-2-yl] carbinol-octyl ether. d) Sulfur-containing heterocyclic compounds, e. g. 2-mercaptobenzothiazole, 2,5-dimer- capto-1,3,4-thiadiazole, 2,5-dimercaptobenzothiadiazole and derivatives thereof; 3,5- bis [di (2-ethylhexyl) aminomethyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazolin-2-one. e) Amino compounds, e. g. salicylidene-propylenediamine, salicylaminoguanidine and salts thereof.

Examples of rust inhibitors are: a) Organic acids, their esters, metal salts, amine salts and anhydrides, e. g. alkyl-and alkenyl-succinic acids and their partial esters with alcohols, diols or hydroxycarboxylic acids, partial amides of alkyl-and alkenyl-succinic acids, 4-nonylphenoxyacetic acid, alkoxy-and alkoxyethoxy-carboxylic acids, such as dodecyloxyacetic acid, dodecyloxy- (ethoxy) acetic acid and amine salts thereof, and also N-oleoyl-sarcosine, sorbitan mo- nooleate, lead naphthenate, alkenylsuccinic acid anhydrides, e. g. dodecenylsuccinic acid anhydride, 2- (2-carboxyethyl)-1-dodecyl-3-methylglycerol and salts thereof, espe- cially sodium and triethanolamine salts thereof. b) Nitrogen-containing compounds, e. g.: i. Primary, secondary or tertiary, aliphatic or cycloaliphatic amines and amine salts of organic and inorganic acids, e. g. oil-soluble alkytammonium carboxylates, and 1- [N, N- bis (2-hydroxyethyl) amino]-3- (4-nonylphenoxy) propan-2-ol. ii. Heterocyclic compounds, e. g.: substituted imidazolines and oxazolines, e. g. 2-hepta- decenyl-1- (2-hydroxyethyl)-imidazoline. c) Phosphorus-containing compounds, e. g.: Amine salts of phosphoric acid partial esters or phosphonic acid partial esters, zinc di- alkyldithiophosphates. d) Sulfur-containing compounds, e. g.: Barium dinonyl naphthalene sulfonates, calcium petroleum sulfonates, alkylthio-substi- tuted aliphatic carboxylic acids, esters of aliphatic 2-sulfocarboxylic acids and salts thereof. e) Glycerol derivatives, e. g.: Glycerol monooleate, 1- (alkylphenoxy)-3- (2-hydroxyethyl) glycerols, 1- (alkylphenoxy)-3- (2,3-dihydroxypropyl) glycerols, 2-carboxyalkyl-1, 3-dialkylglycerols.

Examples of viscosity index improvers are: <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> Polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, vinylpyrrolidone/methacrylate copolymers, polyvinylpyrrol- idones, polybutenes, olefin copolymers, styrene/acrylate copolymers, polyethers.

Examples of pour-point deoressants are: Poly (meth) acrylates, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer, alkylpolystyrenes, fumarate copoly- mers, alkylated naphthalene derivatives.

Examples of dispersants/surfactants are: Polybutenylsuccinic acid amides or imides, polybutenylphosphonic acid derivatives, basic magnesium, calcium and barium sulfonates and phenolates.

Examples of extreme-pressure and anti-wear additives are: Sulfur-and/or phosphorus-and/or halogen-containing compounds, such as, for example, chlorinated paraffins, sulfurated olefins or vegetable oils (soybean/rape oil), alkyl-or aryl-di- or-tri-sulfides, zinc dialkyldithiophosphates, zinc dithiocarbamates such as zinc diamyldi- thiocarbamate, molybdenum dithioates such as molybdenum dithiocarbamates, triaryl phos- phates such as tritolyl phosphate, tricresyl phosphate, phenyl phosphate isopropyl ester, amine salts of mono-or di-alkylphosphoric acids such as the amine salts of mono-/di-hexyl phosphate, amine salts of alkylphosphonic acids such as the amine salt of methylphospho- nic acid, triaryl phosphites such as tris [nonylphenyl] phosphite, dialkyl phosphites such as dioctyl phosphite, triaryl monothiophosphates such as triphenyl thionophosphate or tris [iso- nonylphenyl] thionophosphate or tert-butylated triphenyl thionophosphate, substituted tri- alkyl mono-or di-thiophosphates such as diisopropoxyphosphinothioyl) thio] propionate or butylene-1,3-bis [(diisobutoxyphosphinothioyl) propionate, trithiophosphates such as trithio- phosphoric acid S, S, S-tris (isooctyl-2-acetates), amine salts of 3-hydroxy-1,3-thiaphosphe- tane-3-oxide, benzotriazoles or derivatives thereof such as bis (2-ethylhexyl) aminomethyl- tolutriazole, dithiocarbamates such as methylene-bis-dibutyidithiocarbamate, derivatives of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole such as 1- [N, N-bis (2-ethylhexyl) aminomethyl]-2-mercapto-1 H- 1,3-benzothiazole, derivatives of 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole such as 2,5-bis (tert-no- nyidithio)-1,3,4-thiadiazole.

Examples of coefficient of friction reducers are: Lard oil, oleic acid, tallow, rape oil, sulfurated fats, amines. Further examples are given in EP-A-0 565 487.

Examples of special additives for use in water/oil metal-working fluids and hydraulic fluids are: Emulsifiers: petroleum sulfonates, amines, such as polyoxyethylated fatty amines, non-ionic surface-active substances; buffers: alkanolamines; biocides: triazines, thiazolinones, tris-nitromethane, morpholine, sodium pyridenethol; speed improvers: calcium and barium sulfonates; Examples of fuel additives: Fuel additives are described in Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Vol 12, 1994 and in this instance are essentially petrol and diesel additives: Petrol: dyes, especially azo dyes; Antioxidants: aminic, especially para-phenylenediamines, or phenolic, e. g. 2,6-di-tert-butyl- phenol, as described above; Metal deactivators: especially N, N'-disalicylidene-1,2-propane, benzotriazole, EDTA; Rust inhibitors: for example carboxylic acids, sulfonates, amines or amine salts; Dispersants: e. g. esters, high-molecular-weight amines, Mannich bases, succinimides, borated succinimides; Detergents: for example fatty acid amides, nonpolymeric amines, polybutene succinimides, polyether amines, low-molecular-weight amines, sulfonates, salicylic acid derivatives; Demulsifiers: for example long-chai alcools or phenols containing poly-ethylene or -butytene groups; Antiknock agents: tetralkyl lead, manganese methylcyclopentadienyltricarbonyl; Oxygen compounds: esters of vegetable oils, ethers, alcools for improving burn behaviour; Diesel: ignition improvers (cetane improvers), e. g. alkyl nitrates, ether nitrates, alkyl diglycol nitrates, organic peroxides; Stabilisers for, especially. cracked diesel: amines and other N-containing compounds that act as radical traps.

Especially preferred further additives in lubricants are aminic antioxidants, especially mix- tures of mono-and di-alkylated tert-butyl-/tert-octyl-diphenylamines.

The present invention relates also to the use of components (b) and (c) for stabilising orga- nic materials, especially as additives in lubricants and fuels, hydraulic fluids or metal-wor- king fluids, preferably in hydraulic oils and gear oils. The use according to the invention in- cludes protection of the metal components to be lubricated against mechanical attrition (wear protection) and corrosion protection activity and also antioxidation activity-with res- pect both to the lubricant and to the metal components.

The present invention accordingly relates also to a method for improving the properties, during use, of organic materials, especially lubricants and fuels, metal-working fluids and hydraulic fluids, wherein components (b) and (c) are added to those materials.

It is also possible to prepare concentrates comprising an oleophilic solvent and at least one each of components (b) and (c).

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is likewise the use of components (b) and (c) as stabilisers, especially processing stabilisers (thermostabilisers), for organic materials against oxidative, thermal or light-induced degradation.

The present invention relates also to a stabiliser mixture comprising (a) at least one com- <BR> <BR> <BR> pound of formula A and (ß) (i) at least one compound of the benzofuran-2-one type or (ß) (ii)a-tocopherol.

The present invention relates likewise to a stabiliser mixture comprising, in addition, (y) at least one compound from the group of phenolic antioxidants.

Preference is given also to stabiliser mixtures wherein the weight ratio of components (a): (ß) is from 100: 0.01 to 100.

Preference is given likewise to stabiliser mixtures wherein the weight ratio of components (a): (ß): (y) is from 100: 1: 0.01 to 0.01: 1: 100, especially from 5: 1: 0.1 to 0.01: 1: 10.

The stabiliser mixtures according to the invention, which comprise components (b) and (c) and where applicable further additives, are distinguished by an outstandingly good stability towards hydrolysis and an advantageous colour behaviour, that is to say little discoloration of the organic materials, especially polyolefins, during processing.

The present invention relates also to a method for stabilising organic materials against oxi- dative, thermal or light-induced degradation wherein at least one each of components (b) and (c) are incorporated therein or applied thereto.

The preferred components (b) and (c) for use as stabilisers, the method of stabilisation and the stabiliser mixture are the same as those described for the compositions comprising an organic material.

The following Examples illustrate the invention further. Parts or percentages relate to weight.

Example 1: Preparation of tetra-isodecyl-dipropylene glycol bisphosphite [compound (P1)].

310.3 g (1.0 mol) of triphenyl phosphite, 67.1 g (0.5 mol) of dipropylene glycol (mixture of isomers), 316.6 g (2.0 mol) of isodecanol (mixture of isomers) and 2.7 g (0.05 mol) of sodium methylate are placed in a reaction apparatus well flushed with dried nitrogen and equipped with a stirring mechanism, thermometer, distillation head and receiver flask, heated up to 110°C within one hour and stirred at 110°C for 3 hours. After cooling to 80°C, the major portion of the liberated phenol is distille off in vacuo while slowly increasing the temperature to 150°C and the remainder of the phenol is drawn off within one hour at 150°C and approx. 0.1 mbar using an oil pump. 2 g of filtration aid are added to the residue and the mixture is filtered. 376 g of a light-yellow liquid [compound (P1)] having a refractive index nD20 of 1.4620 are obtained. Analysis, calculated: 7.53 % P. Analysis, found: 7.59 %.

The compound (P1) is a mixture of isomers of monomeric and oligomeric compounds having main components of formulae P'1, P'2 and P'3: wherein R'"R'2, R'3 and R'4 are Example 2: Stabilisation of polypropylene during multiple extrusion.

1.5 kg of polypropylene powder (Polychim@A 10 TB), which has been pre-stabilised using 0.051 % Irganox@1010 (compound of formula 3), (having a melt index of 3.2 measured at 230°C using 2.16 kg), are mixed with 0.050 % zinc stearate and the stabilisers given in Table 1. That mixture is extruded in an extruder having a cylinder diameter of 20 mm and a length of 400 mm at 100 revolutions per minute, the maximum extruder temperature being set at 280°C. The extrudate is drawn through a water bath for the purpose of cooling and is then granulated. That granulate is extruded repeatedly. After 5 extrusions, the melt index is measured (at 180°C using 2.16 kg). A large increase in the melt index indicates extensive chain degradation, that is to say poor stabilisation. The results are given in Table 1. Test plates 44 mm by 20 mm in size and 2 mm thick are pressed from the granulate of the indi- vidual formulations (Examples 2a and 2b) using a table press. The Yellowness Index (YI) of those test plates is determined according to ASTM D 1925-70. Low YI values indicate little discoloration; high Yl values indicate severe discoloration. The less discoloration there is, the more effective is the stabiliser or stabiliser mixture. The results are given in Table 1.

Table 1: Examples Stabilisers Melt Index Yellowness after 5 extrusions Index Example 2aa) 0.051 % Irgafos1 68C) 2. 92 2. 3 0. 018 % HP 136 d) compoundP1e)0.051% Example 2bb) 2.21 0.0 HP136d)0.018% For footnotes a) to e) see the end of Table 3.

Example 3: Stabilisation of polypropylene during multiple extrusion.

1.5 kg of polypropylene powder (PolychimA 10 TB) are mixed with 0.050 % zinc stearate and the stabilisers given in Table 2. That mixture is extruded in an extruder having a cylin- der diameter of 20 mm and a length of 400 mm at 100 revolutions per minute, the maxi- mum extruder temperature being set at 280°C. The extrudate is drawn through a water bath for the purpose of cooling and is then granulated. That granulate is extruded repeated- ly. After 5 extrusions, the melt index is measured (at 180°C using 2.16 kg). A large increase in the melt index indicates extensive chain degradation, that is to say poor stabilisation. The results are given in Table 2. Test plates 44 mm by 20 mm in size and 2 mm thick are pressed from the granulate of the individual formulations (Examples 3a and 3b) using a table press. The Yellowness Index (YI) of those test plates is determined according to ASTM D 1925-70. Low YI values indicate little discoloration; high YI values indicate severe discoloration. The less discoloration there is, the more effective is the stabiliser or stabiliser mixture. The results are given in Table 2.

Table 2: Examples indexYellownessMelt after 5 extrusions Index 0.03 % Irgafos# 168c) Example5.326.0 0.02 % compound 101f) Example 3bb) 0 03 % compound P1 e) 20. 3 3. 0 0. 02 lo compound 101 For footnotes a), b), c), e) and f) see the end of Table 3.

Example 4: Stabilisation of polyethylene during multiple extrusion.

1.5 kg of polyethylene powder (LLDPE Dowlex@2045 E), which has been pre-stabilised using 0.0168 % Irganox@1076 (compound of formula 2), (having a melt index of 3.2 mea- sured at 230°C using 2.16 kg), are mixed with 0.050 % zinc stearate and the stabilisers gi- ven in Table 3. That mixture is extruded in an extruder having a cylinder diameter of 20 mm and a length of 400 mm at 100 revolutions per minute, the maximum extruder temperature being set at 280°C. The extrudate is drawn through a water bath for the purpose of cooling and is then granulated. That granulate is extruded repeatedly. After 5 extrusions, test plates 44 mm by 20 mm in size and 2 mm thick are pressed from the granulate of the individual formulations (Examples 4a and 4b) using a table press. The Yellowness Index (YI) of those test plates is determined according to ASTM D 1925-70. Low YI values indicate little disco- loration; high YI values indicate severe discoloration. The less discoloration there is, the more effective is the stabiliser or stabiliser mixture. The results are given in Table 3.

Table 3: Examples Stabilisers Yellowness Index 0.068 % TNPPg) 25.6Example4aa) compound101f)0.0075% 0.0680.068% compound P1e) 15.5Example4bb) 0.0075 % compound 101f) a) Example for comparison. b) Example according to the invention. c) Irgafos@168 (Ciba Spezialitätenchemie AG) is tris (2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite. d) HP 136 (Ciba Spezialitätenchemie AG) is a mixture of approx. 85 parts by weight of the compound of formula Va and approx. 15 parts by weight of the compound of formula Vb e) The preparation of compound P1 is disclosed in Example 1. f) Compound 101 is a compound of formula Vc g) TNPP is tris (nonylphenyl) phosphite.