Abstract: An antimicrobial composition comprising 3-phenyl propanol or 2-methyl 3-phenylpropanol, or mixtures thereof, alone or in combination with an organic acid or salt thereof, or an alcohol, or mixtures thereof. Methods of preserving products and end-use applications for use of the inventive antimicrobial compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Low VOC multifunctional additive blends provide, in addition to coalescence, increased hardness, hardness development, scrub resistance, block resistance, dirt pickup resistance, wet adhesion, and corrosion (flash rust) resistance, among other properties, to waterborne coatings or other waterborne polymer film-forming compositions, and are comprised of known low volatile coalescents in combination with certain high volatile components some of which were not known nor heretofore utilized as coalescents. The inventive blends have been found to act synergistically to provide coalescence and unexpected improvement in properties of waterborne polymer formulations, while still providing a low VOC content to the formulations.

Abstract: Single ingredient, multifunctional additives for use in a wide variety of products comprise aromatic alcohols including without limitation 3-phenylpropanol, 2-phenylethanol, 2-methyl-3-phenylpropanol, methyl benzene ethanol, methyl benzene propanol, or 4-phenyl-1-butanol, or mixtures thereof. The multifunctional aromatic alcohols provide unexpected improvements in processing and in end use product properties of a wide variety of products and are useful at a wide range of pH.

Abstract: Antimicrobial compounds for use in boosting the efficacy of known antimicrobial, preservative or biocidal compositions. Methods of boosting antimicrobial activity of known compositions, even at low use concentrations, is achieved through adding a booster compound to the known antimicrobial, preservative or biocidal compositions. Use of boosted antimicrobial compositions in end-use applications or products is also described.

Abstract: An antimicrobial composition comprising 3-phenyl propanol or 2-methyl 3-phenylpropanol, or mixtures thereof, alone or in combination with an organic acid or salt thereof, or an alcohol, or mixtures thereof. Methods of preserving products and end-use applications for use of the inventive antimicrobial compositions are also provided.