The invention relates to flame retardants which comprise titanium phosphinates and/or titanyl phosphinates of the formulae (I) and (II) where R1 and R2 are identical or different and are unsubstituted or substituted linear or branched or cyclic C1-C10-alkyl groups or C6-C10-aryl, C7-C18-alkylaryl, or C7-C18-arylalkyl groups, and R3 is an unsubstituted or substituted linear or branched or cyclic C1-C10-alkylene group, C6-C10-arylene, C7-C18-alkylarylene, or C8-C18-arylalkylene group, and x is a number from 0 to 1.9. The invention also relates to molding compositions which comprise the inventive flame retardant.