Abstract: A process is provided for preparing dilute aqueous copper zirconium ammonium carbonate solutions containing less than about 0.5% Cu and 1.5% ZrO.sub.2, having a Cu:Zr atomic ratio within the range from about 0.5:1 to 1:1 and having an enhanced resistance to gelation and the formation of precipitates, upon storage at atmospheric temperatures, which comprises mixing aqueous solutions of ammonium copper carbonate and ammonium zirconyl carbonate in proportions selected to form copper zirconium ammonium carbonate in solution in water in a concentration within the range from about 0.1% to about 0.5% Cu, and an amount sufficient to inhibit gelation and precipitation of a vicinal diol compound having the general formula:R.sub.1 --CHOH--CHOH--R.sub.2wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.

Abstract: Stable aqueous copper zirconium complex salt solutions are provided for enhancing the resistance to rot of cotton fabrics, comprising a copper zirconium ammonium carbonate complex salt and a vicinal diol compound having the formula R.sub.1 CHOHCHOHR.sub.2, wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acid groups and salts thereof and organic radicals having at least two carbon atoms and at least one hydroxyl group, and if only one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 be carboxylic acid or salt, the organic radical has at least two hydroxyl groups.