Abstract: In a fungicidal and bactericidal composition comprising an organic copper salt, the compounds are either of general formula Cu2+-2R? with a ratio 1:2 between the copper portion and the organic radical, whereby this radical has either the form Ot?—CO—CH(SH)—CH3 or the form Ot?—CO(CH2)2—CO—CH3 or the compounds are of general formula Cu2+—R2? with a ratio 1:1 between the copper and the organic radical; in this case, the radical has the form (a). The copper-organic composition exists as chelate or as Co a complex, whereby the copper ions are spatially shielded so that, in a slow release process, they are transferred to plants to be treated.

Abstract: Novel vanadium(IV) oxide bis(dialkyldithiocarbamates) of the formula ##STR1## which R and R.sup.1 denote identical or different, branched or straight-chain, saturated or unsaturated alkyl radicals having 1-18 carbon atoms or cycloalkyl radicals having 4-7 carbon atoms, with the proviso that R.sup.1 is not identical to R when R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl, cyclobutyl or cyclohexyl, are prepared by a process comprising reacting 2 mols of an alkali metal dialkyldithiocarbamate of the formula ##STR2## in which R and R.sup.1 are as defined above and Me represents sodium, potassium or ammonium, with 1 mol of vanadium(IV) oxide sulfate pentahydrate in methanol or water as a solvent. The novel vanadium dithiocarbamates can be used as additives for permanent gear lubricating oils or hydraulic fluids to prolong the life of such oils.

Abstract: Novel tungsten hexa(dialkyldithiocarbamates) of the general formula I ##STR1## in which R and R.sup.1 can be identical or different, branched or straight-chain, saturated or unsaturated alkyl radicals having 1-18 carbon atoms are prepared by a process in which 6 mols of an alkali metal dialkyldithiocarbamate of the general formula II ##STR2## in which R and R.sup.1 are as signified above and Me can be sodium, potassium or ammonium, are reacted with 1 mol of tungsten hexachloride in a solvent which is inert with respect to the reaction. The alkali metal chloride or ammonium chloride formed is separated off and the tungsten hexa(dialkyldithiocarbamate) is isolated. The tungsten hexa(dialkyldithiocarbamates) of the invention can be used as additives for prolonging the life of hydraulic oils or permanent gear lubrication oils.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing briquettes from brown coal includes drying brown coal, which is preferably in fine granular form. The dried brown coal is then heated at a first rate up to a temperature in a range of from about 300.degree. to about 320.degree. C. The brown coal is subsequently heated at a second rate, which is less than the first rate, to a temperature in the range of from about 350.degree. to about 400.degree. C. The brown coal is thereafter pressed into briquettes.