Abstract: o-Benzylphenol is prepared by reacting phenol with dibenzyl ether in the presence of .gamma.-aluminum oxide as a condensation agent.o-Benzylphenol is used, inter alia, as such or, after chlorination, in the form of chlorobenzylphenols, as a microbicidal agent.

Abstract: In the homogeneous coating of a titanium dioxide pigment with an organic polymer in which an aqueous solution of a polymer containing carboxyl groups is added to a dispersion of titanium dioxide in water, the polymer is applied to the pigment, the coated pigment is separated off from the aqueous medium, washed, dried and, optionally ground, the improvement which comprises employing as the polymer a polymer of the formula ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 each independently is hydrogen or methyl,R.sub.2 is hydrogen, or alkyl or cycloalkyl containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms,M is sodium or potassium,R.sub.3 is hydrogen, alkyl or cycloalkyl containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, or hydroxyalkyl containing from 2 to 6 carbon atoms,m=0.2 to 1.5, andn=0 to 0.5,the polymer being added to the titanium dioxide dispersion in the form of a weakly alkaline aqueous solution in about 0.05 to 2.5% by weight based on the titanium dioxide.

Abstract: A plastic composition degradable under the influence of weather or light, comprising a plastic material and finely divided titanium dioxide with a specific surface of more than about 20 m.sup.2 /g. Preferably the titanium dioxide is obtained by hydrolyzing titanium sulfate in aqueous solution, has a predominantly anatase structure, a lightening power of less than about 400, a specific surface of about 60 to 400 m.sup.2 /g and is present in about 0.5 to 5% by weight of the composition, and the plastic material is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyamides and ABS-polymers.

Abstract: A chalking-resistant titanium dioxide pigment is produced by mixing the pigment with a vinyl polymer, in form of an aqueous latex, applying the polymer to the pigment in quantities of about 0.1 to 30% by weight based on the final pigment and the mixture containing at least about 30% of water by weight. The polymer is then coagulated, the aqueous phase separated and the pigment-plus-polymer dried. Due to some apparent complexing, the polymer cannot be quantitatively dissolved away from the pigment. The pigment produces chalking-resistant lacquers, paints and coating compositions.

Abstract: Degradable polymers are obtained by either mixing a conventional thermoplastic polymer and a transition metal containing polymeric product in which the transition metal is bound in complex form through 1,3-dicarbonyl groups attached to the polymeric product or using the polymeric product as polymer alone. These polymers are degradable under the effect of natural weathering, ultraviolet rays and/or sunlight.