Abstract: A coloring composition comprising: (i) at least 0.0001 wt % of a water-soluble dye compound containing one or more sulfonate and/or carboxylate groups; (ii) at least 0.1 wt % urea; (iii) from 0.1 to 2.5 wt % of a thiol; (iv) less than 0.5 wt % ammonia; and (v) less than 0.5 wt % sulfite ions.

Abstract: A method of treating a material, the method comprising the steps of: (i) contacting the material with a coloring composition comprising a dye compound; and (ii) contacting the material with a composition comprising a quaternary ammonium salt.

Abstract: A depilatory composition comprising a source of cyanate ion, an organic acid or a salt thereof and a peroxide compound; and methods of removing hair from the skin using such compositions.

Abstract: A method of treating a material, the method comprising applying to the material a composition comprising at least 10 wt % of ammonium carbonate, ammonium carbamate or a mixture thereof; and a source of hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: Flame-retardant composition containing a first component selected from phosphorous acid or a salt of phosphorous acid and a second component selected from an isocyanic acid, an isocyanic acid precursor, a cyanate salt, a thiocyanate salt or isothiocyanic acid precursor, dicyandiamide, cyanamide or carbodiimide precursor.

Abstract: A method of removing colour from hair that has been oxidatively dyed, the method comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the hair with a composition comprising a sulfur-containing nucleophile or a precursor thereof; (b) contacting the hair with an acidic composition; and (c) contacting the hair with an oxidising composition; wherein there is no rinsing step between step (a) and step (b).

Abstract: A method of treating a material to improve flame retardancy, the method comprising applying to the material urea, phosphorous acid or a salt thereof, and a base comprising a monovalent metallic cation.

Abstract: A depilatory composition comprising a source of cyanate ion, an organic acid or a salt thereof and a peroxide compound; and methods of removing hair from the skin using such compositions.

Abstract: A method of colouring a material, the method comprising the steps of: a)applying to the material a composition comprising a sulphur-containing nucleophile; and b)applying to the material a composition comprising a dye compound selected from a dye class other than the class of reactive dyes.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of removing color from dyed hair, the method comprising applying to the hair a color removal composition comprising a sulfur-containing nucleophile or a precursor thereof.

Abstract: wherein D is a chromophore; L is a linking group selected from SO2, NHCO, and NHSO2; Q is a hydrogen or halogen atom; and R is selected from C1-C4 alkyl, (CH2)nCOOH, (CH2)nCONH2, (CH2)nSO3H, (CH2)nCOOM, (CH2)nPO3H, (CH2)nOH, (CH2)nSSO3?, (CH2)nNR12, (CH2)nN+R1H2, (CH2)nNHCOR1, PhSSO3?, PhSO3H, PhPO3H, PhNR12, PhN+R13, (CH2)2CH(SH)R1(CH2)3COOH, and n is an integer in the range of 1 to 4 wherein within the same molecule each n is not necessarily the same integer; M is a cation of an alkaline earth metal, alkali metal, NH4+ or NR13+; and R1 is C1-C4 alkyl.

Abstract: A method of colouring a material, the method comprising the steps of: a)applying to the material a composition comprising a sulphur-containing nucleophile; and b)applying to the material a composition comprising a dye compound selected from a dye class other than the class of reactive dyes.

Abstract: A method of treating a material, the method comprising applying to the material a composition comprising at least 10 wt % of ammonium carbonate, ammonium carbamate or a mixture thereof; and a source of hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: wherein D is a chromophore; L is a linking group selected from SO2, NHCO, and NHSO2; Q is a hydrogen or halogen atom; and R is selected from C1-C4 alkyl, (CH2)nCOOH, (CH2)nCONH2, (CH2)nSO3H, (CH2)nCOOM, (CH2)nPO3H, (CH2)nOH, (CH2)nSSO3?, (CH2)nNR12, (CH2)nN+R1H2, (CH2)nNHCOR1, PhSSO3?, PhSO3H, PhPO3H, PhNR12, PhN+R13, (CH2)2CH(SH)R1(CH2)3COOH, and n is an integer in the range of 1 to 4 wherein within the same molecule each n is not necessarily the same integer; M is a cation of an alkaline earth metal, alkali metal, NH4+ or NR13+; and R1 is C1-C4 alkyl.

Abstract: A flame-retardant composition comprising a first component selected from a phosphorous-containing acid or a salt of a phosphorous-containing acid and a second compound selected from an isocyanic acid, an isocyanic acid precursor, a cyanate salt, a thiocyanate salt or isothiocyanate precursor, dicyandiamide, cyanamide or carbodiimide precursor.