Description

The present invention relates to mixtures of sterically hindered amines of the formulae (1 ) and (2) as defined hereinafter, methods for stabilization of an organic material, and a process for the preparation of specific compounds of formula (1).

Sterically hindered amines are known to be efficient stabilizers for organic materials against the harmful effect of light and heat - especially for synthetic polymers like polyolefins. For example, agricultural films produced from polyolefins are stabilized by sterically hindered amine stabi lizers, since light transmission has got a major impact on the growth of crops and a sustainable light transmission depends on the long-term stability of the film.

There is still a need for further sterically hindered amine stabilizers and mixtures of these, which provide a further improvement of the long-term stabilization of organic materials.

The present invention relates in particular to an additive mixture comprising a compound of for mula (1)

and a compound of formula (2) wherein

Ri, F¾, F¾, R4, R’i, R’2, R’3 and R’4 are independently from each other hydrogen or C1-C18 alkyl, Xi and X’i are independently from each other C2-C12 alkylene or C3-C12 alkylene substituted by hydroxyl;

at least one of the radicals Zi, Z2, Z3, Z , Z and Z _% is C1-C18 alkyloxy or C5-C7 cycloalkyloxy and the remaining of the radicals Zi, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5 and Z _Q are independently from each other hydro gen, hydroxy, C1-C18 alkyloxy or C5-C7 cycloalkyloxy,

at least one of the radicals Yi, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5 and U _Q is a group of formula -CH2-CH=CH-R and the remaining of the radicals Yi, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5 and U _Q are independently from each other hydro gen or a group of formula -CH2-CH=CH-R, and

R is hydrogen, C1-C18 alkyl or C5-C7 cycloalkyl.

C1-C18 alkyl and preferably C1-C15 alkyl comprises linear and branched alkyl. Examples are me thyl, ethyl, /7-propyl, 1-methylethyl, /7-butyl, 2-methylpropyl, 1-methylpropyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, 1- methylbutyl, 2-methylbutyl, 3-methylbutyl, 1 ,1-dimethylpropyl, 1 -ethyl propyl, tert-butylmethyl, hexyl, 1-methylpentyl, heptyl, isoheptyl, 2-ethyl pentyl, 1-propylbutyl, octyl, isooctyl, 1-ethylhexyl, 2-ethylhexyl, 1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethylbutyl, 2,4,4-trimethylpentyl, nonyl, isononyl, neononyl, undecyl, lauryl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl.

More preferred is C1-C12 alkyl, especially CrCs alkyl, in particular C C alkyl. A preferred exam ple is butyl, especially /7-butyl.

C1-C18 alkyloxy comprises unsubstituted and substituted, i.e. by C1-C9 alkyl, alkyloxy. Examples are methyloxy, ethyloxy, propyloxy (= propoxy), butyloxy, hexyloxy, octyloxy and undecyloxy.

Preferred is C1-C12 alkyloxy. Preferred examples are methyloxy, ethyloxy, propyloxy, octyloxy and undecyloxy. Highly preferred is Ci-C alkyloxy, especially propyloxy. Preference is given to C1-C18 alkyloxy, wherein in case of C3-C18 alkyloxy both carbon atoms in a- and /^-position next to the oxygen are not branched. Examples are methyloxy, ethyloxy, n- propyloxy, /7-butyloxy, /7-pentyloxy, 3-methyl butyloxy, /7-hexyloxy, 3-methylpentyloxy,

4-methylpentyloxy, /7-heptyloxy, 3-methylhexyloxy, 4-methylhexyloxy, 5-methylhexyloxy, 3- ethyl pentyl oxy, 3,4-dimethylpentyloxy, /7-octyloxy, 3-methyl heptyloxy, 4-methylheptyloxy, 5- methylheptyloxy, 6-methylheptyloxy, 3-ethyl hexyl oxy, 4-ethyl hexyloxy, 3,4-dimethylhexyloxy, 3,5-dimethylhexyloxy, /7-nonyloxy, 3-methyloctyloxy, 4-methyloctyloxy, 5-methyloctyloxy, 6- methyloctyloxy, 7-methyloctyloxy, 3-ethylheptyloxy, 4-ethylheptyloxy, 5-ethylheptyloxy, 3,4-di- methylheptyloxy, 3,5-dimethylheptyloxy, 3,6-dimethylheptyloxy, 4,5-dimethylheptyloxy, 4,6-di- methylheptyloxy, 5,6-dimethylheptyloxy, /7-undecyloxy, /7-lauryloxy, /7-tridecyloxy, n- tetradecyloxy, /7-pentadecyloxy, /7-hexadecyloxy and /7-octadecyloxy.

Particular preference is given to C3-C18 alkyloxy, more preferably C3-C12 alkyloxy, especially C3- Cs alkyloxy, wherein both carbon atoms in a- and b-position next to the oxygen are not branched.

Highly preferred is linear C1-C12 alkyloxy, especially linear C1-C4 alkyloxy. Examples are methyloxy, ethyloxy, /7-propyloxy, /7-butyloxy, /7-pentyloxy, /7-hexyloxy, /7-heptyloxy, /7-octyloxy, /7-nonyloxy, /7-undecyloxy and /7-lauryloxy, especially /7-propyloxy.

C ₅ -C ₇ cycloalkyloxy is for example cyclopentyloxy, cyclohexyloxy or cycloheptyloxy, preferably cyclohexyloxy.

C ₅ -C ₇ cycloalkyl is for example cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or cycloheptyl, preferably cyclohexyl.

C2-C12 alkylene comprises unsubstituted and substituted, i.e. by one or more C1-C4 alkyl, al- kylene. Examples are ethylene, propylene, 1-methylethylene, butylene, pentylene, 2-methyl- butylene, hexamethylene and octamethylene.

Preferred is C2-C8 alkylene, in particular C2-C6 alkylene. Preferred examples are hexameth ylene, propylene and ethylene, especially hexamethylene.

C3-C12 alkylene substituted by hydroxyl comprises no further substituted and further substituted, i.e. by one or more C1-C4 alkyl, alkylene substituted by hydroxyl. Examples are 2-hydroxypropyl- ene, 2-hydroxy-butylene, 2,3-dihydroxybutylene, 2,5-hexamethylene and 2-hydroxy-2- methylpropylene. A preferred example is 2-hydroxypropylene.

Ri, F¾, R3, R4, R’i, R’2, R’3 and R’4 are preferably C1-C12 alkyl, especially C Cs alkyl, in particu lar C1-C4 alkyl. Highly preferred is butyl, especially n-butyl.

R is preferably C1-C4 alkyl, cyclohexyl or hydrogen, preferably C1-C4 alkyl or hydrogen, espe cially hydrogen. Xi and X’i are preferably C2-C8 alkylene, more preferably C2-C6 alkylene, especially hexame- theylene.

According to one embodiment all radicals Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5 and ZQ represent C1-C18 alkyloxy or C5-C7 cycloalkyloxy, especially C1-C18 alkyloxy.

It is preferred that only one to five radicals of the radicals Zi , Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5 and Z _Q are C1-C18 al kyloxy or C5-C7 cycloalkyloxy and the remaining of the radicals Zi, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5 and Z _Q are hy drogen or hydroxy. For example, five of these radicals are C1-C18 alkyloxy or C5-C7 cycloalkyloxy and the remaining one radical is hydrogen or hydroxy.

More preferably two to five, especially three to five, of the radicals Zi, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5 and Z _Q are C1-C18 alkyloxy or C5-C7 cycloalkyloxy and the remaining of the radicals Zi , Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5 and Z _Q are hydrogen or hydroxy.

Most preferably four to five, especially five, of the radicals Zi, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5 and Z _Q are C1-C18 al kyloxy or C5-C7 cycloalkyloxy and the remaining of the radicals Zi, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5 and Z _Q are hy drogen or hydroxy.

Alternatively, the degree of substitution by C1-C18 alkyloxy and C5-C7 cycloalkyloxy can also be expressed in percent (number of the sum of C1-C18 alkyloxy and C5-C7 cycloalkyloxy groups in relation to the full substitution by C1-C18 alkyloxy and C5-C7 cycloalkyloxy, which are six groups). This is, for example, useful to specify mean values for the degree of substitution in case of mix tures of compounds of formula (1 ). For such degree of substitution by C1-C18 alkyloxy and C5-C7 cycloalkyloxy 50 to 95%, especially 50 to 90% is preferred. More preferred is a degree of substi tution of 50 to 85%, especially 60 to 85%.

Zi, Z ₂ , Z ₃ , Z ₄ , Z ₅ and Z _Q in the meaning as C1-C18 alkyloxy are preferably C Cs alkyloxy, more preferably C1-C4 alkyloxy and especially propyloxy, like n-propyloxy.

Zi, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5 and Z _Q in the meaning as C1-C18 alkyloxy are more preferably a group of for mula -O-CFI2-CFI2-CFI2-R, wherein R is hydrogen or C1-C15 alkyl, preferably hydrogen.

Zi, Z2, Z3, Z , Z and Z _% in the meaning as C1-C18 alkyloxy or C5-C7 cycloalkyloxy are preferably C1-C18 alkyloxy.

According to a further embodiment all radicals Yi , Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5 and U _Q represent a group of for mula -CH ₂ -CH=CH-R.

It is preferred that only one to five radicals of the radicals Yi, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5 and U _Q are a group of formula -CFl2-CFI =CFI-R and the remaining of the radicals Yi, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5 and U _Q are hydrogen. For example, five of these radicals are a group of formula -CH2-CH=CH-R and the remaining one is hydrogen.

More preferably two to five, especially three to five, of the radicals Yi, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5 and Ub are a group of formula -CH2-CH=CH-R and the remaining of the radicals Yi, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5 and U _Q are hydrogen.

Most preferably four to five, especially five, of the radicals Yi, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5 and U _Q are a group of formula -CH2-CH=CH-R and the remaining of the radicals Yi, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5 and U _Q are hydro gen.

Alternatively, the degree of substitution by a group of formula -CH2-CH=CH-R can also be ex pressed in percent (number of -CH2-CH=CH-R groups in relation to the full substitution by six - CH2-CH=CH-R groups). This is, for example, useful to specify mean values for the degree of substitution in case of mixtures of compounds of formula (2). For such degree of substitution by a group of formula -CFl2-CFI=CFI-R 40 to 95%, especially 40 to 90% is preferred. More pre ferred is a degree of substitution of 50 to 90%, especially 60 to 90%.

More preferably, one to five radicals of the radicals Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5 and Z _Q are C1-C18 alkyloxy or C5-C7 cycloalkyloxy and the remaining of the radicals Zi, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5 and Z _Q are hydrogen or hydroxy, and

one to five radicals of the radicals Yi, Y ₂ , Y ₃ , Y ₄ , Y ₅ and U _Q are a group of formula

-CFl ₂ -CFI=CFI-R and the remaining of the radicals Yi, Y ₂ , Y ₃ , Y ₄ , Y ₅ and U _Q are hydrogen.

In the formula -CFl2-CFI=CFI-R, the radical R is preferably hydrogen, C1-C15 alkyl or cyclohexyl, more preferably hydrogen or C1-C15 alkyl, especially hydrogen.

Of special interest are additive mixtures, wherein

Ri, R2, R3, R4, R’i, R’2, R’3 and R’ are C1-C12 alkyl,

Xi and X’i are C2-C8 alkylene,

one to five radicals of the radicals Zi, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5 and Z _Q are C1-C18 alkyloxy or C5-C7 cycloal- kyloxy and the remaining of the radicals Zi, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5 and Z _Q are hydrogen or hydroxy, espe cially hydrogen,

one to five radicals of the radicals Yi, Y ₂ , Y ₃ , Y ₄ , Y ₅ and U _Q are a group of formula

-CFl ₂ -CFI=CFI-R and the remaining of the radicals Yi, Y ₂ , Y ₃ , Y ₄ , Y ₅ and U _Q are hydrogen, and R is hydrogen or cyclohexyl. Zi, Z ₂ , Z ₃ , Z , Z and Z _% as C ₁ -C ₁₈ alkyloxy are preferably n-propy- loxy.

Of high importance are additive mixtures, wherein

Ri, R2, R3, R4, R’I , R’2, R’3 and R’4 are C1-C12 alkyl,

Xi and X’ _I are C2-C8 alkylene, one to five radicals of the radicals Z _\ , Z ₂ , Z ₃ , Z ₄ , Z ₅ and Ze are C ₁ -C ₁₈ alkyloxy and the remaining of the radicals Z^, Z ₂ , Z ₃ , Z ₄ , Z ₅ and Z _Q are hydrogen or hydroxy, especially hydrogen, one to five radicals of the radicals Yi, Y ₂ , Y ₃ , Y ₄ , Y ₅ and Ub are a group of formula

-CH ₂ -CH=CH-R and the remaining of the radicals Yi, Y ₂ , Y ₃ , Y ₄ , Y ₅ and Ub are hydrogen, and R is hydrogen. Z^, Z ₂ , Z ₃ , Z ₄ , Z ₅ and Z _Q as C ₁ -C ₁₈ alkyloxy are preferably n-propyloxy.

Most preferred as compounds of formula (1 ) are compounds of the following formula (1-A)

wherein for Z^, Z2, Z ₃ , Z4, Z5 and ZQ the definitions and preferences given hereinbefore apply. Most preferred as compounds of formula (2) are compounds of the following formula (2-A)

wherein for Yi, Y2, Y ₃ , Y4, Y5 and Ub the definitions and preferences given hereinbefore apply.

Highly preferred is a mixture of the compounds of formulae (1-A) and (2-A). The weight ratio of compound of formula (1 ) to compound of formula (2) is preferably 1 :99 to 99: 1 , especially 5:95 to 95:5. A weight ratio of 10:90 to 90: 10, especially 20:80 to 80:20, is highly preferred. Of special interest is a weight ratio of 30:70 to 70:30, especially 40:60 to 60:40.

The compounds of formula (1 ) or formula (2) can be prepared according to known methods, for example as given in WO 201 1/029744.

A further embodiment of this invention is a composition comprising

a) an organic material which is susceptible to oxidative, thermal or light-induced degradation; and

b) a mixture of the compounds of formulae (1 ) and (2).

For example, an organic material comprises natural, semi-natural and synthetic polymers, espe cially synthetic polymers.

Examples for polymers are:

1. Polymers of monoolefins and diolefins, for example polypropylene, polyisobutylene, polybut- 1-ene, poly-4-methylpent-1 -ene, polyvinylcyclohexane, 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 (H DPE-UHMW), medium density polyethylene (MDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), (VLDPE) and (U LDPE).

Polyolefins, i.e. the polymers of monoolefins exemplified in the preceding paragraph, preferably 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 usually have one or more than one ligand, typically oxides, halides, alcoholates, esters, ethers, amines, alkyls, alkenyls and/or aryls that may be either p- or s-coordinated. These metal complexes may be in the free form or fixed on substrates, typically on activated magnesium chloride, titanium(lll) 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, I la and/or Ilia of the Periodic Table. The activators may be modified conveniently with further ester, ether, amine or silyl ether groups. These catalyst systems are usually termed 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 mix tures 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/iso butylene copolymers, ethylene/but-1-ene copolymers, ethylene/hexene copolymers, eth- ylene/methylpentene copolymers, ethylene/heptene copolymers, ethylene/octene copolymers, ethylene/vinylcyclohexane copolymers, ethylene/cycloolefin copolymers (e.g. ethylene/nor- bornene like COC), ethylene/1 -olefins copolymers, where the 1 -olefin is generated in-situ; pro pylene/butadiene copolymers, isobutylene/isoprene copolymers, ethylene/vinylcyclohexene co polymers, ethylene/alkyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene/alkyl methacrylate copolymers, eth ylene/vinyl acetate copolymers or ethylene/acrylic acid copolymers and their salts (ionomers) as well as terpolymers of ethylene with propylene and a diene such as hexadiene, dicyclopentadi- ene or ethylidene-norbornene; and mixtures of such copolymers with one another and with poly mers 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 alternating or random polyalkylene/carbon monoxide copolymers and mixtures thereof with other polymers, for example polyamides.

4. Hydrocarbon resins (for example C5-C9) including hydrogenated modifications thereof (e.g. tackifiers) and mixtures of polyalkylenes and starch.

Homopolymers and copolymers from 1.-4. may have any stereostructure including syndiotactic, isotactic, hemi-isotactic or atactic; where atactic polymers are preferred. Stereoblock polymers are also included.

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

6. Aromatic homopolymers and copolymers derived from vinyl aromatic monomers including styrene, a-methylstyrene, all isomers of vinyl toluene, especially p-vinyltoluene, all isomers of ethyl styrene, propyl styrene, vinyl biphenyl, vinyl naphthalene, and vinyl anthracene, and mix tures thereof. Homopolymers and copolymers may have any stereostructure including syndio tactic, isotactic, hemi-isotactic or atactic; where atactic polymers are preferred. Stereoblock pol ymers are also included.

6a. Copolymers including aforementioned vinyl aromatic monomers and comonomers selected from ethylene, propylene, dienes, nitriles, acids, maleic anhydrides, maleimides, vinyl acetate and vinyl chloride or acrylic derivatives and mixtures thereof, for example styrene/butadiene, styrene/acrylonitrile, styrene/ethylene (interpolymers), styrene/alkyl methacrylate, styrene/buta diene/alkyl acrylate, styrene/butadiene/alkyl methacrylate, styrene/maleic anhydride, styrene/ac rylonitrile/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 terpoly- mer; and block copolymers of styrene such as styrene/butadiene/styrene, styrene/isoprene/sty- rene, styrene/ethylene/butylene/styrene or styrene/ethylene/propylene/styrene.

6b. Hydrogenated aromatic polymers derived from hydrogenation of polymers mentioned under

6.), especially including polycyclohexylethylene (PCHE) prepared by hydrogenating atactic poly styrene, often referred to as polyvinylcyclohexane (PVCH).

6c. Hydrogenated aromatic polymers derived from hydrogenation of polymers mentioned under 6a.

Homopolymers and copolymers may have any stereostructure including syndiotactic, isotactic, hemi-isotactic or atactic; where atactic polymers are preferred. Stereoblock polymers are also included.

7. Graft copolymers of vinyl aromatic monomers such as styrene or a-methylstyrene, for exam ple styrene on polybutadiene, styrene on polybutadiene-styrene or polybutadiene-acrylonitrile copolymers; styrene and acrylonitrile (or methacrylonitrile) on polybutadiene; styrene, acryloni trile and methyl methacrylate on polybutadiene; styrene and maleic anhydride on polybutadiene; styrene, acrylonitrile and maleic anhydride or maleimide on polybutadiene; styrene and malei- mide on polybutadiene; styrene and alkyl acrylates or methacrylates on polybutadiene; styrene and acrylonitrile on ethylene/propylene/diene terpolymers; styrene and acrylonitrile on polyalkyl acrylates 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 mix tures known as ABS, M BS, ASA or AES polymers.

8. Halogen-containing polymers such as polychloroprene, chlorinated rubbers, chlorinated and brominated copolymer of isobutylene-isoprene (halobutyl rubber), chlorinated or sulfochlorin- ated 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 fluoride, as well as copoly mers thereof such as vinyl chloride/vinylidene chloride, vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate or vinylidene chloride/vinyl acetate copolymers.

9. Polymers derived from a,b-unsaturated acids and derivatives thereof such as polyacrylates and polymethacrylates; polymethyl methacrylates, polyacrylamides and polyacrylonitriles, im pact-modified with butyl acrylate. 10. Copolymers of the monomers mentioned under 9. with each other or with other unsaturated monomers, for example acrylonitrile/ butadiene copolymers, acrylonitrile/alkyl acrylate copoly mers, acrylonitrile/alkoxyalkyl acrylate or acrylonitrile/vinyl halide copolymers or acrylonitrile/ al kyl methacrylate/butadiene terpolymers.

1 1. Polymers derived from unsaturated alcohols and amines or the acyl derivatives or acetals thereof, for example polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl stearate, polyvinyl benzoate, polyvinyl maleate, polyvinyl butyral, polyallyl phthalate or polyallyl melamine; as well as their co polymers with olefins mentioned in 1. above.

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

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

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

15. Polyurethanes derived from hydroxyl-terminated polyethers, polyesters or polybutadienes 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, polyamide 6, polyamide 6/6, 6/10, 6/9, 6/12, 4/6, 12/12, polyamide 1 1 , polyamide 12, aromatic polyamides starting from m-xylene diamine and adipic acid; polyamides prepared from hexamethylenedia- mine and isophthalic or/and terephthalic acid and with or without an elastomer as modifier, for example poly-2,4,4,-trimethylhexamethylene terephthalamide or poly-m-phenylene

isophthalamide; and also block copolymers of the aforementioned polyamides with polyolefins, olefin copolymers, ionomers or chemically bonded or grafted elastomers; or with polyethers, e.g. with polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol or polytetramethylene glycol; as well as poly amides or copolyamides modified with EPDM or ABS; and polyamides condensed during pro cessing (RIM polyamide systems).

17. Polyureas, polyimides, polyamide-imides, polyetherimides, polyesterimides, polyhydantoins and polybenzimidazoles.

18. Polyesters derived from dicarboxylic acids and diols and/or from hydroxycarboxylic acids or the corresponding lactones or lactides, for example polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, poly-1 , 4-dimethylolcyclohexane terephthalate, polyalkylene naphthalate and polyhydroxybenzoates as well as copolyether esters derived from hydroxyl-terminated polyeth ers, and also polyesters modified with polycarbonates or MBS. Copolyesters may comprise, for example - but are not limited to - polybutylenesuccinate/terephtalate, polybutyleneadipate/ter- ephthalate, polytetramethyleneadipate/terephthalate, polybutylensuccinate/adipate, polybutyl- ensuccinate/carbonate, poly-3-hydroxybutyrate/octanoate copolymer, poly-3-hydroxybutyr- ate/hexanoate/decanoate terpolymer. Furthermore, aliphatic polyesters may comprise, for ex ample - but are not limited to - the class of poly(hydroxyalkanoates), in particular, poly(propio- lactone), poly(butyrolactone), poly(pivalolactone), poly(valerolactone) and poly(caprolactone), polyethylenesuccinate, polypropylenesuccinate, polybutylenesuccinate, polyhexamethylenesuc- cinate, polyethyleneadipate, polypropyleneadipate, polybutyleneadipate, polyhexamethylenead- ipate, polyethyleneoxalate, polypropyleneoxalate, polybutyleneoxalate, polyhexamethyleneoxa- late, polyethylenesebacate, polypropylenesebacate, polybutylenesebacate and polylactic acid (PLA) as well as corresponding polyesters modified with polycarbonates or MBS. The term‘pol ylactic acid (PLA)’ designates a homo-polymer of preferably poly-L-lactide and any of its blends or alloys with other polymers; a co-polymer of lactic acid or lactide with other monomers, such as hydroxy-carboxylic acids, like for example glycolic acid, 3-hydroxy-butyric acid, 4-hydroxy- butyric acid, 4-hydroxy-valeric acid, 5-hydroxy-valeric acid, 6-hydroxy-caproic acid and cyclic forms thereof; the terms‘lactic acid’ or‘lactide’ include L-lactic acid, D-lactic acid, mixtures and dimers thereof, i.e. L-lactide, D-lactide, meso-lacide and any mixtures thereof.

19. Polycarbonates and polyester carbonates.

20. Polyketones.

21. Polysulfones, polyether sulfones and polyether ketones.

22. 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 resins and melamine/formaldehyde resins.

23. Drying and non-drying alkyd resins.

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

25. Crosslinkable acrylic resins derived from substituted acrylates, for example epoxy acrylates, urethane acrylates or polyester acrylates.

26. Alkyd resins, polyester resins and acrylate resins crosslinked with melamine resins, urea resins, isocyanates, isocyanurates, polyisocyanates or epoxy resins. 27. 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 accelera tors.

28. Natural polymers such as cellulose, rubber, gelatin and chemically modified homologous derivatives thereof, for example cellulose acetates, cellulose propionates and cellulose butyr ates, or the cellulose ethers such as methyl cellulose; as well as rosins and their derivatives.

29. Blends of the aforementioned polymers (polyblends), for example PP/EPDM, Polyam- ide/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.

A coating binder is for example an acid catalyzed two component system or an air drying sys tem.

A preferred polymer for component a) is a thermoplastic polymer or a coating binder.

In particular, component a) is a thermoplastic polymer. Of high relevance is the group of ther moplastic polyolefins, especially homo- or copolymers containing polymerized propylene or eth ylene. Especially preferred is polypropylene or polyethylene, very particular polyethylene.

Preferred as component a) are also biodegradable polymers of either natural or synthetic origin. Examples are polyethylensuccinate (Lunare SE (RTM, Nihon Shokubai)), polybutylensuccinate (Bionolle 1000 (RTM, Showa Highpolymer)), polybutylensuccinate/adipate (Bionolle 3000 (RTM, Showa Highpolymer)), polybutylensuccinate/carbonate (lupec (RTM, Mitsubishi Gas Chemi cals)), polybutylensuccinate/terephtalate (Biomax (RTM, Dupont), Ecoflex (RTM, BASF), EasterBio (RTM, Eastman Chemicals)), polycaprolactone (CelGreen PH (RTM, Daicel Kagaku), Tone (RTM, UCC)), poly(hydroxyalkanoates) (Nodax (RTM, Procter and Gamble), from

Metabolix), poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (Biogreen (RTM, Mitsubishi Gas Chemicals)), polylactic acid (NatureWorks (RTM, Cargill), LACEA (RTM, Mitsui Chemicals), Lacty (RTM, Shimadzu Seisa- kusho)), polyester amides or blends of these materials with natural or modified starch, polysac charides, lignin, wood flour, cellulose and chitin.

The employed amount of component b) in regard to component a) varies with the particular or ganic material and the selected application.

In general, the component b) of the present invention is employed from about 0.01 to about 10% by weight of the component a). An advantageous range is from 0.05 to 5%, in particular 0.05% to 3%. Especially preferred is 0.1 % to 1.5%. Another advantageous range is, in particular for improving flame retardancy, from 0.6% to 3%, especially from 0.7% to 1.5%.

The composition as described above comprising component a) and component b) may contain further additives.

Examples of further additives are given below:

1. Antioxidants

1.1. Alkylated monophenols, for example 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol, 2-tert-butyl-4,6-dime- thylphenol, 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-dimethylphenol, 2,6-dioctadecyl-4-methylphenol, 2,4,6-tricyclohexylphenol, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methox- ymethylphenol, nonylphenols which are linear or branched in the side chains, for example, 2,6- di-nonyl-4-methylphenol, 2,4-dimethyl-6-(T-methylundec-T-yl)phenol, 2,4-dimethyl-6-(1'- methylheptadec-T-yl)phenol, 2,4-dimethyl-6-(T-methyltridec-T-yl)phenol and mixtures thereof.

1.2. Alkylthiomethylphenols, for example 2,4-dioctylthiomethyl-6-tert-butylphenol, 2,4-dioctylthi- omethyl-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-methoxyphe- nol, 2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone, 2,5-di-tert-amylhydroquinone, 2,6-diphenyl-4-octadecyloxy- phenol, 2,6-di-tert-butylhydroquinone, 2,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole, 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hy- droxyanisole, 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl stearate, bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) adipate.

1.4. Tocopherols, for example a-tocopherol, b-tocopherol, g-tocopherol, d-tocopherol and mix tures thereof (vitamin E).

1.5. Hydroxylated thiodiphenyl 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-hydroxyphenyl)disul- fide.

1.6. Alkylidenebisphenols, for example 2,2'-methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol), 2,2'- methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-ethylphenol), 2,2'-methylenebis[4-methyl-6-(a-methylcyclohexyl)- 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-butylphe- nol), 2,2'-ethylidenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-isobutylphenol), 2,2'-methylenebis[6-(a-methylbenzyl)-4- nonylphenol], 2,2'-methylenebis[6-(a,a-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-hy- droxy-2-methylphenyl)butane, 2,6-bis(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)-4-methylpheno l,

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-dodecylmercaptobutane, ethylene glycol bis[3,3-bis(3'-tert-butyl-4'-hydroxy- phenyl)butyrate], bis(3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-phenyl)dicyclopentadiene , bis[2-(3'-tert-bu- tyl-2'-hydroxy-5'-methylbenzyl)-6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl] 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-dodecylmercaptobutane, 1 ,1 ,5,5-tetra-(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-2- methylphenyl)pentane.

1.7. 0-, N- and S-benzyl compounds, for example 3,5,3',5'-tetra-tert-butyl-4,4'-dihydroxydibenzyl 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-hy- droxy-2,6-dimethylbenzyl)dithioterephthalate, bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)sulfide, iso- octyl-3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylmercaptoacetate.

1.8. Hydroxybenzylated malonates, 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)malona te, di-do- decylmercaptoethyl-2,2-bis (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)malonate, bis[4-(1 ,1 ,3,3-tetra- methylbutyl)phenyl]-2,2-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzy l)malonate.

1.9. Aromatic hydroxybenzyl compounds, for example 1 ,3,5-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyben- zyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene, 1 ,4-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-2,3,5,6-tetramethy lben- zene, 2,4,6-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)phenol.

1.10. Triazine compounds, for example 2,4-bis(octylmercapto)-6-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyani- lino)-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(3,5-di-tert- butyl-4-hydroxyphenoxy)-1 ,2,3-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(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxyphenylethyl)-1 ,3,5-triazine, 1 ,3,5-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl)-hexahy - dro-1 ,3,5-triazine, 1 ,3,5-tris(3,5-dicyclohexyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)isocyanurate.

1.11. Benzylphosphonates, for example dimethyl-2, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonate, diethyl-3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonate, dioctadecyl3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyben- zylphosphonate, 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. Acylaminophenols, for example 4-hydroxylauranilide, 4-hydroxystearanilide, octyl N-(3,5- di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)carbamate. 1.13. Esters of 6-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid with mono- or polyhydric alco hols, e.g. with methanol, ethanol, n-octanol, i-octanol, octadecanol, 1 ,6-hexanediol, 1 ,9-nonane- diol, ethylene glycol, 1 ,2-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, thiodiethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, tris(hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate, /V,/V-bis(hydroxyethyl)ox- amide, 3-thiaundecanol, 3-thiapentadecanol, tri methyl hexanediol, trimethylolpropane, 4-hy- droxymethyl-1-phospha-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane.

1.14. Esters of b-(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)propionic acid with mono- or polyhydric alcohols, for example 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, /V,/V-bis(hydroxy- ethyl)oxamide, 3-thiaundecanol, 3-thiapentadecanol, trimethylhexanediol, trimethylolpropane, 4- hydroxymethyl-1 -phospha-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane; 3,9-bis[2-{3-(3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy- 5-methylphenyl)propionyloxy}-1 ,1 -dimethylethyl]-2, 4,8,10-tetraoxaspiro[5.5]undecane.

1.15. Esters of 6-(3,5-dicyclohexyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid with mono- or polyhydric al cohols, for example with methanol, ethanol, octanol, octadecanol, 1 ,6-hexanediol, 1 ,9-nonane- diol, ethylene glycol, 1 ,2-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, thiodiethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, tris(hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate, /V,/V-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-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid with mono- or polyhydric alcohols, for example with methanol, ethanol, octanol, octadecanol, 1 ,6-hexanediol, 1 ,9-nonanediol, eth ylene glycol, 1 ,2-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, thiodiethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethy lene glycol, pentaerythritol, tris(hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate, /V,/V-bis(hydroxyethyl)oxamide, 3- thiaundecanol, 3-thiapentadecanol, trimethylhexanediol, trimethylolpropane, 4-hydroxymethyl-1 - phospha-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane.

1.17. Amides of 6-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid, for example /V,/V-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)hydra- zide, /V,/V-bis[2-(3-[3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl]propionylo xy)ethyl]oxamide (Naugard XL-1 , (RTM, supplied by Uniroyal).

1.18. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)

1.19. Aminic antioxidants, for example /V,/V-di-isopropyl-p-phenylenediamine, /V,/V-di-sec-butyl- p-phenylenediamine, /V,/V ^L bis(1 ,4-dimethylpentyl)-p-phenylenediamine, TV, 7V-bis( 1 -ethyl-3- methylpentyl)- 7-phenylenediamine, /V,/V-bis(1 -methylheptyl)-/?-phenylenediamine, /V,/V-dicyclo- hexyl- 7-phenylenediamine, /V,/V-diphenyl-/?-phenylenediamine, /V,/V-bis(2-naphthyl)-/?-phe- nylenediamine, /V-isopropyl-/V-phenyl- 7-phenylenediamine, N-{ 1 ,3-dimethylbutyl)-/V-phenyl-/?- phenylenediamine, /V-(1-methylheptyl)-/V-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, /V-cyclohexyl-/V-phenyl- 7-phenylenediamine, 4-(/?-toluenesulfamoyl)diphenylamine, /V,/V-dimethyl-/V,/V-di-sec ^, -butyl-/>- phenylenediamine, diphenylamine, /V-allyldiphenylamine, 4-isopropoxydiphenylamine, /V-phe- nyl-1 -naphthylamine, /V-(4-tert-octylphenyl)-1 -naphthylamine, /V-phenyl-2-naphthylamine, oc- tylated diphenylamine, for example /^-di-tert-octyldiphenylamine, 4-/7-butylaminophenol, 4-bu- tyrylaminophenol, 4-nonanoylaminophenol, 4-dodecanoylaminophenol, 4-octadecanoylamino- phenol, bis(4-methoxyphenyl)amine, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-dimethylaminomethylphenol, 2,4'-dia- minodiphenylmethane, 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane, /V,/V,/V\ V-tetramethyl-4,4'-diaminodiphe- nylmethane, 1 ,2-bis[(2-methylphenyl)amino]ethane, 1 ,2-bis(phenylamino)propane, (otolyl)bi- guanide, bis[4-(1 ',3'-dimethylbutyl)phenyl]amine, tert- octylated /V-phenyl-1 -naphthylamine, a mixture of mono- and dialkylated /e/?-butyl//e/?-octyldiphenylamines, a mixture of mono- and di- alkylated nonyldiphenylamines, a mixture of mono- and dialkylated dodecyldiphenylamines, a mixture of mono- and dialkylated isopropyl/isohexyldiphenylamines, a mixture of mono- and di alkylated tert-butyldiphenylamines, 2,3-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-4/-/-1 ,4-benzothiazine, phenothia- zine, a mixture of mono- and dialkylated tert-butyl/tert-octylphenothiazines, a mixture of mono- and dialkylated te/t-octyl-phenothiazines, /V-allylphenothiazine, /V,/V,/V,/V-tetraphenyl-1 ,4-dia- minobut-2-ene.

2. UV absorbers and light stabilizers

2.1. 2-(2'-Hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazoles, for example 2-(2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl)-benzotria- zole, 2-(3',5'-di-/e/?-butyl-2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(5'-te/?-butyl-2'-hydroxyphenyl)ben- zotriazole, 2-(2'-hydroxy-5'-(1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3',5'-di-/e/?-butyl- 2'-hydroxyphenyl)-5-chloro-benzotriazole, 2-(3'-/e/?-butyl-2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl)-5-chloro- benzotriazole, 2-(3'-sec-butyl-5'-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole , 2-(2'-hydroxy-4'-oc- tyloxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3',5'-di-/e/?-amyl-2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3',5'-bis-(a,a- dimethylbenzyl)-2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3'-ter/-butyl-2'-hydroxy-5'-(2-octyloxycarbon- ylethyl)phenyl)-5-chloro-benzotriazole, 2-(3'-te/t-butyl-5'-[2-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-carbonylethyl]-2'- hydroxyphenyl)-5-chloro-benzotriazole, 2-(3'-/er/-butyl-2'-hydroxy-5'-(2-methoxycarbon- ylethyl)phenyl)-5-chloro-benzotriazole, 2-(3'-te/t-butyl-2'-hydroxy-5'-(2-methoxycarbon- ylethyl)phenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3'-te/t-butyl-2'-hydroxy-5'-(2-octyloxycarbonylethyl)phen yl)ben- zotriazole, 2-(3'-/e/?-butyl-5'-[2-(2-ethylhexyloxy)carbonylethyl]-2'-hy droxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3'-dodecyl-2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3'-te/t-butyl-2'-hydroxy-5'-(2-/so-oc- tyloxycarbonylethyl)phenylbenzotriazole, 2,2'-methylene-bis[4-(1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-6-ben- zotriazole-2-ylphenol]; the transesterification product of 2-[3'-tert-butyl-5'-(2-methoxycarbon- ylethyl)-2'-hydroxyphenyl]-2/-/-benzotriazole with polyethylene glycol 300; where R’ = 3'-te/?-butyl-4'-hydroxy-5'-2/-/-benzotriazol-2-ylphenyl, 2-[2'-hydroxy-3'-(a,a-dime- thylbenzyl)-5'-(1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-phenyl]benzotriazole; 2-[2'-hydroxy-3'-(1 ,1 ,3,3-tetra- methylbutyl)-5'-(a,a-dimethylbenzyl)-phenyl]benzotriazole. 2.2. 2-Hydroxybenzophenones, for example the 4-hydroxy, 4-methoxy, 4-octyloxy, 4-decyloxy, 4-dodecyloxy, 4-benzyloxy, 4,2',4'-trihydroxy and 2'-hydroxy-4,4'-dimethoxy derivatives.

2.3. Esters of substituted and unsubstituted benzoic acids, for example 4-tert-butyl-phenyl salic ylate, phenyl salicylate, octylphenyl salicylate, dibenzoyl resorcinol, bis(4-tert-butylbenzoyl)res- orcinol, benzoyl resorcinol, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate, hexa- decyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate, octadecyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate, 2-me- thyl-4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate.

2.4. Acrylates, for example ethyl a-cyano-p,p-diphenylacrylate, isooctyl a-cyano-p,p-diphenylac- rylate, methyl a-carbomethoxycinnamate, methyl a-cyano-p-methyl-p-methoxycinnamate, butyl a-cyano-p-methyl-p-methoxy-cinnamate, methyl a-carbomethoxy-p-methoxycinnamate, N-(p- carbomethoxy-p-cyanovinyl)-2-methylindoline, neopentyl tetra(a-cyano-p,p-diphenylacrylate.

2.5. Nickel compounds, for example nickel complexes of 2,2'-thio-bis[4-(1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethyl- butyl)phenol], such as the 1 :1 or 1 :2 complex, with or without additional ligands such as /7-butyl- amine, triethanolamine or /V-cyclohexyldiethanolamine, nickel dibutyldithiocarbamate, nickel salts of the monoalkyl esters, e.g. the methyl or ethyl ester, of 4-hydroxy-3,5-di-/e/?-butylben- zylphosphonic acid, nickel complexes of ketoximes, e.g. of 2-hydroxy-4-methylphenylundecylke- toxime, nickel complexes of 1-phenyl-4-lauroyl-5-hydroxypyrazole, with or without additional lig ands.

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)sebacate, 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-hydroxyethyl)-2, 2,6,6- tetramethyl-4-hydroxypiperidine and succinic acid, linear or cyclic condensates of L/,LL bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)hexamethylenediamine and 4-/e/?-octylamino-2,6-dichloro- 1 ,3,5-triazine, tris(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)nitrilotriacetate, tetrakis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4- piperidyl)-1 ,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylate, 1 ,1 '-(1 ,2-ethanediyl)-bis(3,3,5,5-tetramethylpiperazi- none), 4-benzoyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, 4-stearyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, bis(1 ,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidyl)-2-/7-butyl-2-(2-hydroxy-3,5-d i-te/?-butylbenzyl)malonate, 3-/7- octyl-7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-1 ,3,8-triazaspiro[4.5]decane-2,4-dione, bis(1 -octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetra- methylpiperidyl)sebacate, bis(1 -octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl)succinate, linear or cyclic condensates of /V,/V-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)hexamethylenediami ne and 4-morpho- lino-2,6-dichloro-1 ,3,5-triazine, the condensate of 2-chloro-4,6-bis(4-n-butylamino-2,2,6,6-tetra- methylpiperidyl)-1 ,3,5-triazine and 1 ,2-bis(3-aminopropylamino)ethane, the condensate of 2- chloro-4,6-di-(4-/7-butylamino-1 ,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidyl)-1 ,3,5-triazine and 1 ,2-bis(3-ami- nopropylamino)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)pyrrolidine-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 condensate of /V,/V-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)hexa- methylenediamine and 4-cyclohexylamino-2,6-dichloro-1 ,3,5-triazine, a condensate of 1 ,2-bis(3- aminopropylamino)ethane and 2,4,6-trichloro-1 ,3,5-triazine as well as 4-butylamino-2,2,6,6-tet- ramethylpiperidine (CAS Reg. No. [136504-96-6]); a condensate of 1 ,6-hexanediamine and

2.4.6-trichloro-1 ,3,5-triazine as well as L/,/V-dibutylamine and 4-butylamino-2,2,6,6-tetra- methylpiperidine (CAS Reg. No. [192268-64-7]); /V-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)-/7-do- decylsuccinimide, N-{ 1 ,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl)-/7-dodecylsuccinimide, 2-undecyl- 7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-1 -oxa-3,8-diaza-4-oxo-spiro[4,5]decane, a reaction product of 7,7,9, 9-tetra- methyl-2-cycloundecyl-1-oxa-3,8-diaza-4-oxospiro-[4,5]decane and epichlorohydrin, 1 ,1- bis(1 ,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyloxycarbonyl)-2-(4-methoxyphe nyl)ethene, /V,/V-bis-formyl- /V,/V-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)hexamethylenediami ne, a diester of 4-methoxymeth- ylenemalonic acid with 1 ,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-hydroxypiperidine, poly[methylpropyl-3-oxy-4- (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)]siloxane, a reaction product of maleic acid anhydride-a-olefin copolymer with 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-aminopiperidine or 1 ,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-aminopiperi- dine, 2,4-bis[/V-(1-cyclohexyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-4- yl)-/V-butylamino]-6-(2-hydroxy- ethyl)amino-1 ,3,5-triazine, 1 -(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropoxy)-4-octadecanoyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetra - methylpiperidine, 5-(2-ethylhexanoyl)oxymethyl-3,3,5-trimethyl-2-morpholinone, Sanduvor (RTM, Clariant; CAS Reg. No. 106917-31 -1], Adk Stab La-81 (CAS Reg. No. 705257-84-7), Hostavin® NOW (available from Clariant AG), Flamestab® NOR 1 16 (CAS Reg. No. 191680- 81-6), Tinuvin® NOR 371 (mixture of oligomeric compounds which are the formal condensation products of N,N'-bis-(2, 2,6, 6-tetramethyl-1 -propoxy-piperidin-4-yl)-hexane1 ,6-diamine and 2,4- dichloro-6-{n-butyl-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-propoxy-piperidin -4-y-l)-amino}-[1 ,3,5]triazine, end- capped with 2-chloro-4,6-bis-(di-n-butylamino)-[1 ,3,5]triazine), 5-(2-ethylhexanoyl)oxymethyl-

3.3.5-trimethyl-2-morpholinone, the reaction product of 2,4-bis[(1-cyclohexyloxy-2,2,6,6-piperi- dine-4-yl)butylamino]-6-chloro-s-triazine with /V,/V-bis(3-aminopropyl)ethylenediamine), 1 ,3,5- tris(/V-cyclohexyl-/V-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperazine-3-one-4 -yl)amino)-s-triazine, 1 ,3,5-tris(/V-cy- clohexyl-/V-(1 ,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperazine-3-one-4-yl)amino)-s-triazine.

2.7. Oxamides, for example 4,4'-dioctyloxyoxanilide, 2,2'-diethoxyoxanilide, 2,2'-dioctyloxy-5,5'- di-/e/?-butoxanilide, 2,2'-didodecyloxy-5,5'-di-/e/?-butoxanilide, 2-ethoxy-2'-ethyloxanilide, N,N- bis(3-dimethylaminopropyl)oxamide, 2-ethoxy-5-/e/t-butyl-2'-ethoxanilide and its mixture with 2- ethoxy-2'-ethyl-5,4'-di-te/t-butoxanilide, mixtures of o- and 7-methoxy-disubstituted oxanilides and mixtures of o- and 7-ethoxy-disubstituted oxanilides.

2.8. 2-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)-1 ,3,5-triazines, for example 2,4,6-tris(2-hydroxy-4-octyloxyphenyl)-

1.3.5-triazine, 2-(2-hydroxy-4-octyloxyphenyl)-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1 ,3,5-triazine, 2-(2,4- dihydroxyphenyl)-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1 ,3,5-triazine, 2,4-bis(2-hydroxy-4-propyloxy- phenyl)-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-dimethylphenyl) -

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-butyloxypropoxy)phenyl]-4,6-bis(2,4-d imethyl)-1 ,3,5-triazine, 2-[2-hy- droxy-4-(2-hydroxy-3-octyloxypropyloxy)phenyl]-4,6-bis(2,4-d imethyl)-1 ,3,5-triazine, 2-[4- (dodecyloxy/tridecyloxy-2-hydroxypropoxy)-2-hydroxyphenyl]-4 ,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1 ,3,5- triazine, 2-[2-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxy-3-dodecyloxypropoxy)phenyl]-4,6-bi s(2,4-dimethylphenyl)- 1 ,3,5-triazine, 2-(2-hydroxy-4-hexyloxy)phenyl-4,6-diphenyl-1 ,3,5-triazine, 2-(2-hydroxy-4-meth- oxyphenyl)-4,6-diphenyl-1 ,3,5-triazine, 2,4,6-tris[2-hydroxy-4-(3-butoxy-2-hydroxypropoxy)phe- nyl]-1 ,3,5-triazine, 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-6-phenyl-1 ,3,5-triazine, 2-{2-hy- droxy-4-[3-(2-ethylhexyl-1-oxy)-2-hydroxypropyloxy]phenyl}-4 ,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1 ,3,5- triazine, 2,4-bis(4-[2-ethylhexyloxy]-2-hydroxyphenyl)-6-(4-methoxyphe nyl)-1 ,3,5-triazine.

3. Metal deactivators, for example /V,/V-diphenyloxamide, /V-salicylal-/V-salicyloyl hydrazine, /V,/V-bis(salicyloyl)hydrazine, /V,/V-bis(3,5-di-te/?-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl)hydrazi ne, 3- salicyloylamino-1 ,2,4-triazole, bis(benzylidene)oxalyl dihydrazide, oxanilide, isophthaloyl dihy- drazide, sebacoyl bisphenylhydrazide, /V,/V-diacetyladipoyl dihydrazide, /V,/V-bis(salicyloyl)ox- alyl dihydrazide, /V,/V-bis(salicyloyl)thiopropionyl dihydrazide.

4. Phosphites and phosphonites, for example triphenyl phosphite, diphenylalkyl phosphites, phenyldialkyl phosphites, tris(nonylphenyl) phosphite, trilauryl phosphite, trioctadecyl phosphite, distearylpentaerythritol diphosphite, tris(2,4-di-te/?-butylphenyl) phosphite, diisodecyl pentae- rythritol diphosphite, bis(2,4-di-ter/-butylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(2,4-di- cumylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(2,6-di-ter/-butyl-4-methylphenyl)pentaerythritol di phosphite, diisodecyloxypentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(2,4-di-te/?-butyl-6-methylphenyl)pentae- rythritol diphosphite, bis(2,4,6-tris(te/?-butylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, tristearyl sorbitol triphosphite, tetrakis(2,4-di-te/?-butylphenyl) 4,4'-biphenylene diphosphonite, 6-isooctyloxy-

2.4.8.10-tetra-tert-butyl-12/ -dibenz[d,g]-1 ,3,2-dioxaphosphocin, bis(2,4-di-/e/t-butyl-6- methylphenyl)methyl phosphite, bis(2,4-di-/e/?-butyl-6-methylphenyl)ethyl phosphite, 6-fluoro-

2.4.8.10-tetra-/e/t-butyl-12-methyl-dibenz[d,g]-1 ,3,2-dioxaphosphocin, 2,2',2"-nitrilo[triethyl- tris(3, 3', 5, 5'-tetra-tert-butyl-1 ,1 '-biphenyl-2, 2'-diyl)phosphite], 2-ethylhexyl(3,3',5,5'-tetra-/e/t-bu- tyl-1 ,1 '-biphenyl-2, 2'-diyl)phosphite, 5-butyl-5-ethyl-2-(2,4,6-tri-/e/t-butylphenoxy)-1 ,3,2-dioxa- phosphirane.

The following phosphites are especially preferred:

Tris(2,4-di-te/?-butylphenyl) phosphite (Irgafos 168 (RTM, Ciba Inc.), tris(nonylphenyl) phos phite,

5. Hydroxylamines, for example /V,/V-dibenzylhydroxylamine, L/,N-diethylhydroxylamine, N,N- dioctylhydroxylamine, /V,/V-dilaurylhydroxylamine, L/,/V-ditetradecylhydroxylamine, /V,/V-dihexa- decylhydroxylamine, /,/V-dioctadecylhydroxylamine, /V-hexadecyl-/V-octadecylhydroxylamine, /V-heptadecyl-/V-octadecylhydroxylamine, /,/V-dialkylhydroxylamine derived from hydrogenated tallow amine.

6. Nitrones, for example, /V-benzyl-a-phenylnitrone, /V-ethyl-a-methylnitrone, /V-octyl-a-heptylnit- rone, /V-lauryl-a-undecylnitrone, /V-tetradecyl-a-tridecylnnitrone, /V-hexadecyl-a-pentadecylnit- rone, /V-octadecyl-a-heptadecylnitrone, /V-hexadecyl-«-heptadecylnitrone, /V-octadecyl-«-penta- decylnitrone, /V-heptadecyl-«-heptadecylnitrone, /V-octadecyl-a-hexadecylnitrone, nitrone de- rived from L/,/V-dialkylhydroxylamine derived from hydrogenated tallow amine. 7. Thiosynergists, for example dilauryl thiodipropionate, dimistryl thiodipropionate, distearyl thi- odipropionate or distearyl disulfide.

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

9. Polyamide stabilizers, for example copper salts in combination with iodides and/or phospho rus compounds and salts of divalent manganese.

10. Basic co-stabilizers, for example melamine, polyvinylpyrrolidone, dicyandiamide, triallyl cy- anurate, 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 zinc pyrocatecholate.

11. Nucleating agents, for example inorganic substances, such as talcum, metal oxides, such as titanium dioxide or magnesium oxide, phosphates, carbonates or sulfates of, preferably, al kaline earth metals; organic compounds, such as mono- or polycarboxylic acids and the salts thereof, e.g. 4-/e/?-butylbenzoic acid, adipic acid, diphenylacetic acid, sodium succinate or so dium benzoate; polymeric compounds, such as ionic copolymers (ionomers), or Irgaclear XT 386 (RTM, Ciba). Especially preferred are 1 ,3:2,4-bis(3’,4’-dimethylbenzylidene)sorbitol,

1 ,3:2,4-di(paramethyldibenzylidene)sorbitol, and 1 ,3:2,4-di(benzylidene)sorbitol.

12. Fillers and reinforcing agents, for example calcium carbonate, silicates, glass fibres, glass beads, asbestos, talc, kaolin, mica, barium sulfate, metal oxides and hydroxides, carbon black, graphite, wood flour and flours or fibers of other natural products, synthetic fibers.

13. Other additives, for example pigments, such as carbon black, titanium dioxide in its rutile or anatase forms, color pigments; plasticisers; lubricants; emulsifiers; rheology additives; antislip / antiblock additives; catalysts; flow-control agents; optical brighteners; antistatic agents and blowing agents.

14. Benzofuranones and indolinones, for example those disclosed in U.S. 4,325,863;

U.S. 4,338,244; U.S. 5,175,312; U.S. 5,216,052; U.S. 5,252,643; DE-A-4316611 ;

DE-A-4316622; DE-A-4316876; EP-A-0589839, EP-A-0591 102; EP-A-1291384 or 3-[4-(2-ace- toxyethoxy)phenyl]-5,7-di-/er/-butylbenzofuran-2-one, 5,7-di-/er/-butyl-3-[4-(2-stearoyloxyeth- oxy)phenyl]benzofuran-2-one, 3,3'-bis[5,7-di-te/?-butyl-3-(4-[2-hydroxyethoxy]phenyl)benz ofu- ran-2-one], 5,7-di-/e/?-butyl-3-(4-ethoxyphenyl)benzofuran-2-one, 3-(4-acetoxy-3,5-dime- thylphenyl)-5,7-di-/e/?-butylbenzofuran-2-one, 3-(3,5-dimethyl-4-pivaloyloxyphenyl)-5,7-di-/e/t- butylbenzofuran-2-one, 3-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)-5,7-di-te/?-butylbenzofuran-2-one, 3-(2,3- dimethylphenyl)-5,7-di-te/?-butylbenzofuran-2-one, 3-(2-acetyl-5-isooctylphenyl)-5-isooctylben- zofuran-2-one.

15. Terpene derivatives, for example those disclosed in WO 2003/08001 1 , those mentioned in the comprehensive list of Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, John Wiley & Sons, 4 ^th edition (1994), Vol. 23, p. 833-882.

16. Flame retardants

16.1 phosphorus containing flame retardants, for example tetraphenyl resorcinol diphosphite (Fyrolflex RDP, RTM, Akzo Nobel), tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium sulphide, triphenyl phosphate, diethyl-N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-aminomethyl phosphonate, hydroxyalkyl esters of phosphorus acids, ammonium polyphosphate (APP), resorcinol diphosphate oligomer (RDP), phosphazene flame retardants or ethylenediamine diphosphate (EDAP).

16.2 nitrogen containing flame retardants, for example melamine-based flame retardants, isocy- anurates, polyisocyanurate, esters of isocyanuric acid, like tris-(2-hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate, tris(hydroxymethyl)isocyanurate, tris(3-hydroxy-/7-propyl)isocyanurate, triglycidyl isocyanurate, melamine cyanurate, melamine borate, melamine phosphate, melamine pyrophosphate, mela mine polyphosphate, melamine ammonium polyphosphate, melamine ammonium pyrophos phate, dimelamine phosphate, dimelamine pyrophosphate, benzoguanamine, allantoin, glyco- luril, urea cyanurate, a condensation product of melamine from the series melem, melam, melon and/or a higher condensed compound or a reaction product of melamine with phosphoric acid or a mixture thereof.

16.3 organohalogen flame retardants, for example polybrominated diphenyl oxide (DE-60F, Great Lakes), decabromodiphenyl oxide (DBDPO; Saytex 102E (RTM, Albemarle)), tris[3- bromo-2,2-bis(bromomethyl)propyl] phosphate (PB 370, (RTM, FMC Corp.)), tris(2,3-dibromo- propyl)phosphate, tris(2,3-dichloropropyl)phosphate, chlorendic acid, tetrachlorophthalic acid, tetrabromophthalic acid, poly-p-chloroethyl triphosphonate mixture, tetrabromobisphenol A- bis(2,3-dibromopropyl ether) (PE68), brominated epoxy resin, ethylene-bis(tetrabromoph- thalimide) (Saytex BT-93 (RTM, Albemarle)), bis(hexachlorocyclopentadieno) cyclooctane (Declorane Plus (RTM, Oxychem)), chlorinated paraffins, octabromodiphenyl ether, hexachloro- cyclopentadiene derivatives, 1 ,2-bis(tribromophenoxy)ethane (FF680), tetrabromobisphenol A (Saytex RB100 (RTM, Albemarle)), ethylene bis-(dibromonorbornanedicarboximide) (Saytex BN-451 (RTM, Albemarle)), bis-(hexachlorocycloentadeno)cyclooctane, PTFE, tris (2,3-dibro- mopropyl) isocyanurate or ethylene-bis-tetrabromophthalimide.

The halogenated flame retardants mentioned above are routinely combined with an inorganic oxide synergist.

16.4 inorganic flame retardants, for example aluminium trihydroxide (ATH), boehmite (AIOOH), magnesium dihydroxide (M DH), zinc borates, CaC0 ₃ , organically modified layered silicates, organically modified layered double hydroxides, and mixtures thereof. In regard to the synergis tic combination with halogenated flame retardants, the most common inorganic oxide synergists are zinc oxides, antimony oxides like Sb2C>3 or Sb20 or boron compounds.

Preferred is a further additive selected from the group of antioxidants, UV absorbers, hindered amine light stabilizers, nickel compounds, metal deactivators, phosphites and phosphonites, hy- droxylamines, thiosynergists, nucleating agents, peroxide scavengers, fillers or reinforcing agents and terpene derivatives.

Especially preferred is a composition which comprises components a), b), a metal oxide and a phenolic antioxidant selected from the lists 1 .1 -1 .18 as provided above. An especially preferred metal oxide in such a combination is zinc oxide.

Particularly preferred is a composition which comprises components a), b) and a phenolic anti oxidant selected from the lists 1.1 -1 .18 as provided above.

Very preferred phenolic antioxidants in these compositions are esters of /?-(3,5-di-/e/?-butyl-4- hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid with mono- or polyhydric alcohols (i.e. list 1 .13.). Especially pre ferred are tetrakis-[3-(3,5-di-/e/?-butyl-4-hydroxy-phenyl)-propionylox ymethyl]-methane and 3- (3,5-di-/e/?-butyl-4-hydroxy-phenyl)-propionic acid octadecyl ester.

Preferred is a composition which comprises components a), b), a phenolic antioxidant selected from the lists 1.1 -1.18 as provided above, a phosphite stabilizer selected from the list 4 as pro vided above and a basic costabilizer selected from the list 10 as provided above. Especially pre ferred is the composition, wherein said basic costabilizer is calcium stearate.

Preferred is further a composition comprising a flame retardant selected from the group consist ing of phosphorus containing flame retardants, nitrogen containing flame retardants, organo hal ogen flame-retardants and inorganic flame retardants, for example as those given in the above lists 16.1 to 16.4.

More preferred are the following flame retardants:

tris(tribromoneopentyl)phosphate, resorcinol-bis-diphenylphosphate, pentaerythritol-di-methyl phosphonate, guanidine phenylphosphonate, melamine phenylphosphonate, dimethylaluminium phosphinate, methyl-ethylaluminiumphosphinate, diethylaluminiumphosphinate, poly-[2,4-(piper- azine-1 ,4-yl)-6-morpholine-4-yl)-1 ,3,5-triazine] and ammonium polyphosphate.

The optional further additive in the stabilized compositions of the invention may be contained from 0.01 % to 5%, preferably from 0.025% to 2%, and especially from 0.1 % to 1 % by weight of the stabilized composition.

In case of a flame retardant as optional further additive, the flame retardant is advantageously contained in the composition of the invention in an amount from 0.5% to 60.0% by weight of the organic material; for instance from 1.0% to 40.0%; for example from 5.0% to 35.0% by weight of the organic material.

The component b) as well as an optional further additive of the invention may readily be incor porated into the organic material as component a) by conventional techniques, at any conven ient stage prior to the manufacture of shaped articles therefrom.

The component b) as well as an optional further additive can judiciously be incorporated by one of the following methods:

- as emulsion or dispersion (e.g. to latices or emulsion polymers)

- as a dry mixture during the blending

- by direct introduction into the processing apparatus (e.g. extruders, internal mixers)

- as solution in an organic solvent

- as melt.

The organic material as component a) can be in the form of a solid, solution, suspension or emulsion.

Incorporation of the component b) as well as an optional further additive is in case of thermo plastic polymers as component a) performed best in a thermal compounding step. Thorough blending of the component a), component b) as well as an optional further additive is followed by an extrusion of the physical blend at elevated temperature. Typically an extruder with suita ble screw configuration is used for this step.

The additives can also be added to the polymer as component a) in the form of a masterbatch (‘concentrate’), which contains the component b) as well as an optional further additive incorpo rated in a further polymer of the masterbatch. The concentration for the additives is, for exam ple, from 1 % to 50%, in particular 2.5% to 30% by weight of the masterbatch. Said further mas terbatch polymer must not be necessarily of identical structure than the polymer as component a). The masterbatch polymer can be produced in a different manner to that of the polymer as component a). The masterbatch can be in the form of a powder, granules, solutions, suspen sions or in the form of latices.

In case of a polymer as component a), the polymer compositions of this invention can be em ployed in various forms and / or processed to give various final products, for example as to ob tain films, fibres, tapes, moulding compositions, profiles or as binders for coating materials, ad hesives or putties.

In more detail, the final product respectively article can be any type of polymeric article, which needs stabilization in natural sunlight and/or humidity at low, ambient or elevated temperature. For example, the polymer component may be used to manufacture polymeric films, sheets, bags, bottles, pipes, cables, styrofoam cups, plates, utensils, blister packages, boxes, package wrappings, plastic fibers, tapes, agricultural articles such as twines, cover films, mulch films, small tunnel films, films or silage, silobags, stretched bale wraps, banana bags, direct covers, nonwoven, pots for agricultural use, geotextiles, landfill covers, industrial covers, waste covers, temporary scaffolding sheets, building films, silt fences, poultry curtains, films for building tem porary shelter constructions, disposable diapers, disposable garments or the like.

The polymeric articles may be manufactured by any process available to those of ordinary skill in the art including, but not limited to, extrusion, extrusion blowing, film casting, film blowing, cal endering, injection molding, blow molding, compression molding, thermoforming, spinning, blow extrusion or rotational casting.

For the production of the desired polymeric article out of the polymer compositions of this inven tion, any appropriate equipment can be used, depending on the final form of the article, for ex ample a blow extruder in the case of films, an extrusion machine in the case of sheets or an in jection molding machine.

The mixtures of the compounds of formulae (1 ) and (2), as well as the compounds of formula (2), are excellent stabilizers against the harmful effect of light and heat and oxidation in different applications like, but not limited, to agriculture, with or without the use of pesticides. The mix tures are also excellent flame retardants.

A further embodiment of this invention is a method for stabilization of an organic material sus ceptible to oxidative, thermal or light-induced degradation, which comprises the incorporation therein or applying thereto the additive mixture of formulae (1 ) and (2).

Preferred is also the use of the additive mixture of formulae (1 ) and (2) for stabilization of an or ganic material susceptible to oxidative, thermal or light-induced degradation.

As to the compounds of formulae (1 ) and (2) the definitions and preferences given hereinbefore apply.

A further embodiment of this invention is a method for improving flame retardancy of an organic material, which comprises the incorporation therein or applying thereto the additive mixture of formulae (1 ) and (2). Preferred is also the use of the additive mixture of formulae (1 ) and (2) for improving the flame retardancy of an organic material.

As to the compounds of formulae (1 ) and (2) the definitions and preferences given hereinbefore apply.

A further embodiment of this invention is a method for stabilization of an organic material sus ceptible to oxidative, thermal or light-induced degradation, which comprises the incorporation therein or applying thereto a compound of formula (2).

Preferred is also the use of the compound of formula (2) for stabilization of an organic material susceptible to oxidative, thermal or light-induced degradation.

As to the compound of formula (2) the definitions and preferences given hereinbefore apply. Another aspect of this invention is a process for the preparation of a compound of formula (1’)

comprising subjecting a compound of formula (2)

to an oxidation reaction, followed by a hydrogenation reaction,

wherein

Ri, F¾, R ₃ , R ₄ , R’I , R’2, R’3 and R’4 are independently from each other hydrogen or C1-C18 alkyl, Xi and X’ ₁ are independently from each other C ₂ -C ₁₂ alkylene or C ₃ -Ci ₂ alkylene substituted by hydroxyl;

one to five radicals of the radicals Z^, Z ₂ , Z ₃ , Z ₄ , Z ₅ and Z _Q are a group of formula

-O-CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -R and the remaining of the radicals Z^, Z ₂ , Z ₃ , Z ₄ , Z ₅ and Z _Q are hydrogen or hydroxy, especially hydrogen,

one to five radicals of the radicals Yi, Y ₂ , Y ₃ , Y ₄ , Y ₅ and Ub are a group of formula

-CH ₂ -CH=CH-R and the remaining of the radicals Yi, Y ₂ , Y ₃ , Y ₄ , Y ₅ and U _Q are hydrogen, and R is hydrogen or C ₁ -C ₁₅ alkyl. R is preferably hydrogen. Preferences given hereinbefore shall apply to the compounds of formulae (1’) and (2) of the above preparation process, as applicable. Highly preferred for these compounds are those of formulae (1-A) and (2-A), wherein the substituents are defined as given for the above prepara tion process, and for which substituents in addition applicable preferences given hereinbefore shall apply.

Compounds of formula (2), which are used for the preparation of compounds of formula (1’) can, for example, be prepared by reacting a corresponding compound of formula (3)

wherein R’i, R’2, R’3, R’4 and X’i are defined as given above for formula (2),

with an allyl halide of formula

Hal-CH ₂ -CH=CH-R (4), wherein Hal is halogen, preferably chlorine or especially bromine, and R is as defined above.

The reaction may, for example, be carried out in presence of an organic solvent, like xylene, tol uene, mesitylene or ethylbenzene, especially xylene or toluene. A base is usually added, like sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium hydroxide or sodium phosphate, preferably so dium carbonate or potassium carbonate. It is preferred to carry out the reaction at a temperature of 130°C to 180°C, especially 130°C to 160°C. Instead of an allyl halide of formula (4) also cor responding allyl alcohols or ally carbonates could be used.

The allyl halide is, as a rule, used in sub-stochiometric amounts, since for the preparation of the compounds of formula (T) there are used compounds of formula (2), wherein only one to five of the radicals Yi, Y ₂ , Y3, Y4, Y5 and U _Q are a group of formula -CH ₂ -CH=CH-R. For example, for the preparation of compounds of formula (2), wherein five of the radicals Yi , Y ₂ , Y3, Y4, Y5 and Ub are a group of formula -CH ₂ -CH=CH-R, an amount of about 5/6 of the stochiometric amount of the allyl halide may be used. The allyl halide may preferably be used in amounts, which are 40 to 95%, especially 40 to 90% of the stochiometric amount. More preferred is an amount of 50 to 90%, especially 60 to 90% of the stochiometric amount.

The compound of formula (3) can be prepared according to known methods or in analogy to known methods, for example as described in WO 201 1/029744, Example 1.

If desired, the compounds of formula (2) may be isolated, for example by removing the organic solvent under reduced pressure.

For a further reaction it is preferred to use the reaction mixture without isolation, as obtained af ter the above reaction of compound of formula (3) with the allyl halide of formula (4).

For the preparation of the compound of formula (T) the compound of formula (2) is subjected to an oxidation reaction, followed by a hydrogenation reaction.

Oxidation is usually carried out with peracetic acid. Alternatively also hydrogen peroxide, meta- chloroperoxybenzoic acid or tert-butyl hydroperoxide may be used. The reaction may, for exam ple, be carried out in presence of an organic solvent, like xylene, toluene, mesitylene or ethylbenzene, especially xylene or toluene. Also, dichloromethane may be used. A base, like sodium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium hydroxide or so dium phosphate, especially sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate, is usually used. It is pre ferred to carry out the reaction at a temperature of 0°C to 40°C, especially 0°C to 30°C. Accord ing to the oxidation step groups of formula -CFl2-CFI=CFI-R should be converted to groups of for mula -0-CH ₂ -CH=CH-R.

If desired, the resulting intermediates may be isolated, for example by removing the organic sol vent under reduced pressure. For a further reaction it is preferred to use the reaction mixture without isolation, as obtained after the above oxidation step.

Flydrogenation is usually carried out with hydrogen. As catalyst it is preferred to use palladium. Alternative catalysts could be Pt, Rh, Ru or Ni. The catalyst loading could be 0.05 to 2 weight- %. The reaction may, for example, be carried out in presence of an organic solvent, like xylene, toluene, mesitylene, ethylbenzene, methanol, especially toluene or xylene. It is also possible to use water. It is preferred to carry out the reaction at a temperature of 50°C to 90°C, especially 60°C to 80°C. The hydrogen pressure could be 10 to 50 bar.

The resulting compounds of formula (T) may be isolated, for example by removing the organic solvent under reduced pressure.

Examples Synthesis and preparation examples

Example 1 : Synthesis of compound of formula (1-A), wherein 70 mole-% of Zi, Z ₂ , Z ₃ , Z , Z and Z _Q are n-propyloxy and the remaining of these radicals are hydrogen or hydroxy. In the following this compound is referred to as compound (101). a) Synthesis of compound of formula (2-A), wherein 80 mole-% of Yi, Y ₂ , Y ₃ , Y ₄ , Y ₅ and U _Q are an allyl group and the remaining of these radicals are hydrogen. In the following this compound is referred to as compound (201 ).

In a one liter autoclave equipped with a mechanical stirrer 0.94 mol of Na2CC>3 and 0.14 mol of the compound of formula (301 )

dissolved in xylene to reach 45 weight-% concentration are added, then 0.79 mol of allyl bro mide are added. The mixture is heated at 145°C for 7 hours, cooled down to 60°C and washed with 26.7 mol of water at 85°C. A second washing is performed with 0.05 mol of Na2CC>3 dis solved in 11.1 mol of water. The organic phase is directly used in the following step without any further purification. Conversion: 80%. b) Oxidation of compound of formula (201 )

The reaction mixture as obtained according to the above step a) is diluted to 32 weight-% con centration with xylene and is placed in a glass reactor equipped with a mechanical stirrer, ther mocouple and a dropping funnel. 1.13 mol of Na2C03 are added. The suspension is cooled down to 0°C and 0.86 mol of peracetic acid solution (35 weight-% in water) is slowly added over 3 hours. Afterwards, 16.7 mol of water are added and the mixture is warmed up and stirred at 75°C for 1 hour. The organic phase is separated, washed with 0.07 mol of Na2CC>3 and 5.56 mol of water. The organic phase is directly used in the following step without any further purification. Conversion: 93% c) Final synthesis of compound (101 )

From the reaction mixture as obtained according to the above step b) solvent is removed to get a final concentration between 45 and 60 weight-%. The solution is loaded in a one liter auto clave together with 0.14 mmol of Pd/C (5 weight-%) The overall mixture is heated at 70°C under 30 bar hydrogen for 4 hours.

The solution is cooled to room temperature, filtered to remove the catalyst and dried under re duced pressure. A slightly pinkish solid is obtained. Conversion: 98%. Softening range: 1 10- 150°C.

Example 2: Synthesis of compound of formula (2-A), wherein all of Yi, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5 and U _Q are an allyl group. In the following this compound is referred to as compound (202).

Synthesis is carried out according to Example 1 a), but using 1 .29 mol of allyl bromide (instead of 0.79 mol of allyl bromide).

Compound (202) is isolated removing the solvent under reduced pressure to get a solid.

Example 3: Synthesis of compound of formula (2-A), wherein 50 mole-% of Yi, Y ₂ , Y ₃ , Y ₄ , Y ₅ and U _Q are an allyl group and the remaining of these radicals are hydrogen. In the following this compound is referred to as compound (203).

Synthesis is carried out according to Example 1 a), but adjusting the amount of allyl bromide used accordingly.

Example 4: Preparation of mixtures

Compounds (101 ), (201 ), (202) and (203) are isolated as given in Example 2 above. The mix tures given in the following Application Example 1 , Table 1 , are prepared by homogenously mix ing the solids of the corresponding compounds in the indicated weight ratio.

Alternatively, it is also possible to mix directly the reaction mixtures of the compounds to be mixed, and then to remove the solvent under reduced pressure to get solid mixtures.

Application Examples

Application Example 1 : Stabilization of LDPE (low density polyethylene) multi-layer films.

Masterbatch formulations are prepared, containing 10% by weight in total of the light stabi lizers) indicated in Table 1 below, 0.4% by weight of tris{2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl} phosphite and 0.1 % by weight of octadecyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate as process stabi lizers, and the rest of polyethylene powder (Polimeri Europa Riblene ^® FC 30, characterized by a density of 0.922 g/cm ³ and a melt flow index (190°C/2.16Kg) of 0.27 g/10min). The masterbatch formulations are mixed in a turbo-mixer. Each masterbatch formulation is extruded at a maxi mum temperature of 200°C in a lab-scale OMC twin-screw extruder (0 19mm, L/D=25). 360 g of the granules so obtained for each masterbatch formulation are mixed with 30 g of a polyeth ylene masterbatch containing 0.4% by weight of tris{2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl} phosphite and 0.1 % by weight of octadecyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate as process stabilizers and with 5610 g of the above indicated virgin polyethylene in pellets, in a Rhonrad ^® slow mixer for 10 minutes, resulting in the final formulation that contains 0.6% in total of the light stabi lizers) indicated in Table 1 below . Then, each final formulation is blown in a lab-scale Collin ^® 5- layer blow-extruder (0 20-25-30mm, L/D 25), at a maximum temperature of 210°C, to give a 5- layer film of overall 150 pm thickness (45-5-50-5-45 pm), having the same formulation in all lay ers. The following formulations are prepared:

Table 1 :

Application Example 2

Film specimens for each formulation are exposed in a Q-Panel QUV/se piece of equipment (QUV, as per ASTM G154, 1.55 W/m2 at 340 nm, cycle 6) for accelerated light weathering. Such specimens are taken at defined intervals and evaluated for embrittlement. The longer the time to embrittlement the better the stabilizing effect from the sterically hindered stabilizers in the different formulations. The results are reported in Table 2 below. It can be observed that for mulation 2, based on compound (201) object of the present invention, is better than formulation 1C and that formulations 4, 5 and 6, based on mixtures with compound (201 ) or its homologues, are better than formulation 3C.

Table 2:

6 8490

Higher times to embrittlement are desired.

Application Example 3

This test is aimed at combining light irradiation and use of agrochemicals known to have a detri mental effect on the light stability performance of the light stabilizers contained in them. To achieve such a purpose, an agrochemical treatment is carried out on the prepared films before artificial weathering. Specimens of the films for each formulation are mounted on a small experi mental greenhouse (geographical coordinates: Lat. 44°25’40”N Long.1 1 °16’39”E), inside of which a treatment with metam sodium, a sulfur-based fumigant used in agricultural practice, is carried out. After the treatment the small greenhouse is covered with a single piece of opaque film to block the direct exposure of the sample to sunlight, in order to minimize in turn the effects of solar irradiation and hence the possible differences on samples exposed in subsequent test series. The experimental conditions are closely monitored, so as to obtain the desired level of contamination from sulfur in the film samples, measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma.

After the agrochemical treatment, the film specimens for each formulation are exposed in an At las Weather-O-Meter (WOM, as per ASTM G155, 0.35 W/m2 at 340 nm, dry cycle), for acceler ated light weathering. Specimens of the required formulations are taken at defined intervals of time after exposure and undergo carbonyl increment evaluation. The carbonyl increment is measured by means of a Perkin-Elmer® Spectrum 100 FT-IR spectrophotometer, as a measure of the oxidation degree of the polymer, so low levels of carbonyl are desired. The results are re ported in table 3. It can be observed that formulation 2, based on compound (201 ) object of the present invention, is better than formulation 1 C and that formulations 4, 5 and 6, based on mix tures with compound (201 ) or its homologues, are better than formulation 3C.

Table 3:

Low carbonyl increment is desired.

Application Example 4

An agrochemical treatment is carried out, as described in Application Example 3. After the agro chemical treatment, the film specimens for each formulation are exposed in an Atlas Weather- O-Meter (WOM , as per ASTM G155, 0.35 W/m2 at 340 nm, dry cycle), for accelerated light weathering. Specimens of the required formulations are taken at defined intervals of time after exposure and undergo the evaluation of the mechanical properties. The residual elongation at break is measured, by means of a Zwick® Z1.0 constant velocity tensiometer (as per modified ISO 527), in order to evaluate the decay of the mechanical properties of the plastic film, as a consequence of the polymer degradation after its oxidation.

The results are reported in Table 4.

Table 4:

High values are desired.

Application Example 5

Like Application Example 3, this test is aimed at combining light irradiation and use of agro chemicals. In this test too, an agrochemical treatment is carried out on the prepared films before artificial weathering. Specimens of the films for each formulation are mounted outdoor in an ex perimental cabinet (geographical coordinates: Lat. 44°25’40”N Long.1 1 °16’39”E), inside of which some burners of the type used in common agricultural practice are placed to allow subli mation of elemental sulfur, a widely used fungicide. The so-called“sulfur burning” is carried out so as to burn a specific weighted amount of sulfur. The amount of burnt sulfur is regulated and the weathering conditions closely monitored, so as to obtain the desired level of contamination from sulfur in the film samples, measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma.

After the agrochemical treatment, the film specimens for each formulation are exposed in an At las Weather-O-Meter (WOM, as per ASTM G155, 0.35 W/m2 at 340 nm, dry cycle), for acceler ated light weathering. Specimens of the required formulations are taken at defined intervals of time after exposure and undergo carbonyl increment evaluation The carbonyl increment is measured by means of a Perkin-Elmer ^® Spectrum 100 FT-IR spectrophotometer, as a measure of the oxidation degree of the polymer. The results are reported in Table 4 below. It can be ob served that formulation 5, based on mixture between compound (201 ) and compound (101 ), ob ject of the present invention, is better than formulation 3C, showing a better light stabilization, when in presence of agrochemical treatment.

Table 5:

Low carbonyl increment is desired. Application Example 6

An agrochemical treatment is carried out, as described in Application Example 5. After the agro chemical treatment, the film specimens for each formulation are exposed in an Atlas Weather- O-Meter (WOM, as per ASTM G155, 0.35 W/m2 at 340 nm, dry cycle), for accelerated light weathering. Specimens of the required formulations are taken at defined intervals of time after exposure and undergo the evaluation of the mechanical properties, as described in Application Example 4. The results are reported in Table 6 below.

Table 6:

High values are desired.