Abstract: A composition comprising(a) a 3-isothiazolone compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R and R.sup.1 are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen or R is a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) alkyl group and R.sup.1 is a halogen or R and R.sup.1 may be joined to form an unsaturated 5- or 6-membered carbocyclic ring; Y is hydrogen, a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.18) alkyl group, an unsubstituted or halo-substituted alkenyl or alkynyl of 2 to 8 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl or substituted cycloalkyl of 3 to 12 carbon atoms, an aralkyl or halo-, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) alkyl-, or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) alkoxy-substituted aralkyl of up to 10 carbon atoms, or an aryl or halo-, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) alkyl-, or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) alkoxy-substituted aryl group of up to 10 carbon atoms; and(b) an amount of a metal bromate salt sufficient to stabilize said composition;wherein said composition if free of metal nitrate salt is disclosed. Methods of use of the above compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing a 3-isothiazolone of the formula ##STR1## wherein R and R.sup.1 are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen or R is a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) alkyl group and R.sup.1 is a halogen; Y is hydrogen, a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.18) alkyl group, an unsubstituted or halo-substituted (C.sub.2 -C.sub.8) alkenyl or alkynyl, a cycloalkyl or substituted (C.sub.3 -C.sub.12) cycloalkyl, an aralkyl or halo-, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) alkyl-, or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) alkoxy-substituted aralkyl of to 10 carbon atoms, or an aryl or halo-, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) alkyl-, or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) alkoxy-substituted aryl aryl group of up to 10 carbon atoms; comprising(a) reacting a disulfide ester with an amine to generate a disulfide amide;(b) contacting the disulfide amide with a halogenating agent in order to cyclize the amide to form the isothiazolone.HX;(c) neutralizing the isothiazolone.