Abstract: The biocidal activity of THP (tetrakis hydroxymethyl phosphonium) compounds is synergistically enhanced by using them in conjunction with wetting agents.

Abstract: Chlorine dioxide is used to stabilize hydrogen peroxide in bleach liquor at alkaline pH. This is thought to be aided by the destruction of enzymes (especially catalase) produced by bacteria. The method is useful for the reprocessing of pulps, especially when a de-inking stage is involved.

Abstract: Phosphonium salts such as THP and aldehydes such as formaldehyde exhibit synergistic biocidal activity.

Abstract: A method for protecting growing plants against fungal or microbial plant pathogens which comprises applying thereto, or to the medium on which they are growing or to be grown, a composition comprising a water soluble tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium salt.

Abstract: Solutions of organophosphorus biocides which also contain dissolved oxygen are deactivated by adding a catalytic amount of activated carbon.

Abstract: A method of treating surfaces colonized or colonizable by bryophites or lichens which comprises applying thereto sufficient of a water soluble tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium salt to kill, or inhibit the growth thereon of said bryophytes or lichens.

Abstract: The growth of microbiological contaminants in industrial cooling and process waters and in aqueous based products, susceptible to microbiological spoilage on storage, is inhibited by the presence of a phosphorus compound having a hydroxy alkyl group directly attached to the phosphorus atom, such as tetrakis hydroxy methyl phosphonium sulphate.

Abstract: The invention provides bleaching and detergent compositions containing a diacyl peroxide of general formula ROOR.sup.1 in which R represents a phthaloyl radical and R.sup.1 a radical such that ROOR.sup.1, ROOR and R.sup.1 OOR.sup.1 are all soluble in mildly alkaline aqueous solutions. The compositions, optionally containing a persalt such as sodium perborate, preferably in a mole ratio of one mole per mole of diacyl peroxide, are particularly suitable for washing or bleaching at a temperature of from 30.degree.- 60.degree. C. The invention also provides diacyl peroxide compositions desensitized to impact or abrasion by intimate contact with a diluent, e.g. magnesium sulphate, lauric acid or sodium tripolyphosphate and protected against destructive interaction with other components of the bleaching on detergent composition during storage. Preferred diacyl peroxides include diphthaloyl peroxide, especially for colored fabrics.

Abstract: The present invention provides bleaching or detergent compositions containing a cycloaliphatic peroxyacid of general formula: ##STR1## WHEREIN O .ltoreq.m .ltoreq.5,O .ltoreq.n .ltoreq.5 andN+m.gtoreq. 1,And mono or diethylenically unsaturated derivatives thereof, and processes for washing/bleaching using such peroxyacids, preferably at a temperature of from 30 to 60.degree. C. The peroxyacids can be generated in situ by hydrolysis or perhydrolysis of the corresponding diacyl peroxide. The peroxyacid and diacyl peroxide can be desensitized by intimate contact with a diluent e.g. lauric acid or magnesium sulphate and coated to reduce destructive interaction with other components of the detergent or bleaching composition.