Abstract: The invention relates to novel zinc and aluminium phthalocyanine compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein MePc is the zinc or aluminium phthalocyanine ring system, M is hydrogen or a salt-forming cation, R.sub.1 is hydrogen or a group of the formula --NH--CN or NH--SO.sub.2 R.sub.3 or the salts thereof, wherein R.sub.3 is alkyl, aryl or a heterocyclic ring system, R.sub.2 is a neutral, non-solubilizing substituent, n is 1 to 4 and each of m and q is 0 to 3 and p is 0 to 4. These compounds are prepared by starting from the corresponding sulfohalides. The novel compounds are used as photoactivators, especially for bleaching and removing stains from textiles and for combating microorganisms in or on organic or inorganic substrates. The invention also relates to bleaching, detergent and soaking and microbicidal compositions which contain the novel phthalocyanine compounds.

Abstract: A process for combating micro-organisms in or on organic or inorganic substrates and for protecting the said substrates against attack by micro-organisms, which comprises treating the substrates with a water-soluble phthalocyanine derivative, in the presence of oxygen and water and while irradiating with light in the infra-red and/or visible range, antimicrobical agents containing water-soluble phthalocyanine compounds as well as new phthalocyanine compounds are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel zinc and aluminium phthalocyanine compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein MePc is the zinc or aluminium phthalocyanine ring system, M is hydrogen or a salt-forming cation, P.sub.1 is hydrogen or a group of the formula --NH--CN or NH--SO.sub.2 R.sub.3 or the salts thereof, wherein R.sub.3 is alkyl, aryl or a heterocyclic ring system, R.sub.2 is a neutral, non-solubilizing substituent, n is 1 to 4 and each of m and q is 0 to 3 and p is 0 to 4. These compounds are prepared by starting from the corresponding sulfohalides. The novel compounds are used as photoactivators, especially for bleaching and removing stains from textiles and for combating microorganisms in or on organic or inorganic substrates. The invention also relates to bleaching, detergent and soaking and microbicidal compositions which contain the novel phthalocyanine compounds.

Abstract: A process is proposed for bleaching textiles or removing stains from textiles and for combating micro-organisms in or on organic or inorganic substrates, or for protecting the latter against attack by micro-organisms, by treating the textiles or the substrates to be freed of or protected from micro-organisms with a water-soluble zinc phthalocyanine or aluminium phthalocyanine, in the presence of water and under irradiation with light, in which process a sulfonated zinc phthalocyanine or aluminium phthalocyanine which is further substituted by neutral groups which do not confer solubility in water, for example by halogen atoms or pseudo-halogens, or a mixture of these phthalocyanine compounds, is used as the water-soluble zinc phthalocyanine or aluminium phthalocyanine.

Abstract: A process is proposed for bleaching textiles or removing stains from textiles and for combating micro-organisms in or on organic or inorganic substrates, or for protecting the latter against attack by micro-organisms, by treating the textiles or the substrates to be freed of or protected from micro-organisms with a water-soluble zinc phthalocyanine or aluminium phthalocyanine, in the presence of water and under irradiation with light, in which process a sulfonated zinc phthalocyanine or aluminium phthalocyanine which is further substituted by neutral groups which do not confer solubility in water, for example by halogen atoms or pseudo-halogens, or a mixture of these phthalocyanine compounds, is used as the water-soluble zinc phthalocyanine or aluminium phthalocyanine.

Abstract: A process for combating micro-organisms in or on organic or inorganic substrates and for protecting the said substrates against attack by micro-organisms, which comprises treating the substrates with a water-soluble phthalocyanine derivative, in the presence of oxygen and water and while irradiating with light in the infra-red and/or visible range, antimicrobical agents containing water-soluble phthalocyanine compounds as well as new phthalocyanine compounds are described.

Abstract: Synergistic microbicidal compositions consisting of a halogenated o-hydroxydiphenyl ether and an anionic surfactant in a mixture ratio of 1:2 to 1:30 and optionally a solvent as well as a method of controlling microorganisms an organic and inorganic materials by treating said materials with the above mentioned compositions are described.