Pearlescent pigments coated with mixed inorganic/organic layers and method for the production thereof

Pearlescent pigments comprising a coating and a platelet-shaped transparent substrate, wherein the coating comprises at least one mixed inorganic/organic layer having an average thickness of at least 10 nm, said mixed layer comprising at least in part an inorganic network having one or more inorganic oxide component(s) and at least one organic component, and the organic component is, at least in part, at least one of an organic oligomer and a polymer which is covalently bonded, at least in part, to the inorganic network via one or more organic network formers, wherein the inorganic network and the organic oligomers and/or polymers of the mixed inorganic/organic layer exhibit interpenetration, and wherein said organic component is in a range of from 4% to 85% by weight, based on the weight of the entire mixed inorganic/organic layer,

• wherein the at least partial covalent bonding of the inorganic oxide component and organic oligomer and/or polymer takes place, at least in part, via one or more organic network formers, said organic network former having the general formula (I)
• R1nR2mR3oSiX(4-n-m-o) (I)
• in which X is a hydrolyzable group, following the hydrolysis of which a covalent bond can form between the organic network formers and the inorganic network,
• and R1 is a reactive organic group, which can be covalently bonded to the at least one of an organic oligomer and a polymer,
• R2 and R3 are independently an organic group, which can be covalently bonded to the at least one of an organic oligomer and a polymer, provided that
• n, m and o are integers, where n+m+o=1 to 3 and n=1 to 3, m=0 to 2 and o=0 to 2.