Benzoxazolyl optical brightners in and for thermoplastic compositions

A transparent pigmented thermoplastic resin composition comprising:

• (a) a thermoplastic resin present at a level of at least 80 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition, wherein said thermoplastic resin is selected from the group consisting of aromatic polycarbonate resins and polyester resins;
• (b) a brightener compound of the formula ##STR14## wherein each R.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy alkyl, and cyanoalkyl;
• moieties;
• wherein R.sup.2 represents hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and halogen;
• wherein R.sup.3 represents hydrogen, chlorine, or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms;
• wherein each R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are independently selected from the hydrogen and alkyl moieties, said compound being present at a level sufficient to achieve a significant decrease in the yellowness value of the composition;
• (c) a bluing pigment in an amount which does not substantially affect the optical brightness of the composition, wherein said bluing pigment ranges from about 5 to about 400 ppm;
• and
• (d) a phosphorous heat stabilizer compound, wherein the amount of heat stabilizer is not sufficient to significantly decrease the hydrolytic stability of the composition.