Bleaching composition.

0002The invention relates to a bleaching composition and a novel amphoteric compound to serve as an activator for the composition.

( Statement of Prior Arts )

0003Since chlorine-containing bleaching agents have defects that textiles to which they are applicable are limited, that they cannot be used for bleaching colored or figured cloths and that they have a peculiar smell, oxygen-containing bleaching agents free of these defects are generally spread recently.

0004Among the oxygen-containing bleaching agents, sodium percarbonate and sodium perborate are particularly useful in virtue of its bleaching capacity and stability.

0005The oxygen-containing bleaching agents are used in combination with various bleaching activators, since their bleaching power is weaker than that of the chlorine-containing ones. Investigations have been made on various bleaching activators including, for examples, nitriles such as acetonitrile, malononitrile, phthalonitrile and benzoyliminodiacetonitrile; O-acetylated compounds such as glucose pentaacetate, octaacetylsucrose, triacetin, sorbitol hexaacetate, acetoxybenzenesulfonates, triacetylcyanuric acid and methyl chloroformate; N-acylated compounds such as N,N,Nʹ,Nʹ-tetraacetylethylenediamine and tetraacetyl­glycolyluril, N-benzoylimidazole, di-N-acetyldimethyl­glyoxime, 1-phenyl-3-acetylhydantoin, N,N-diacetyl­aniline, N-acetyldiglycolimide and diacetylmethylene­diformamide; acid anhydrides such as phthalic, succinic, benzoic, glutaric, alkylsulfuric and carboxylic/organic sulfonic acid anhydrides; sulfonyl oximes such as di(methanesulfonyl)dimethylglyoxime; acylated phosphoric acid salts such as diethylbenzoyl­phosphoric acid salts; phenyl sulfonate esters; organic phosphoric azides such as diphenylphosphinic azides; disulfones such as diphenyl disulfone; and other compounds such as N-sulfonylimidazole, cyanamide, halogenated triazines and N,N-dimethyl-N-octyl-N-10-­ carbophenoxydodecylammonium chloride. However, no sufficient bleaching power could be obtained even when such an activator was used in combination with the oxygen-containing bleaching agent.

( Summary of the Invention )

0006After intensive investigations made for the purpose of developing an oxygen-containing bleaching agent having a higher bleaching power, the inventors have found that the object can be attained by using a combination of a peroxide and an amphoteric organic per acid precursor. The present invention has been completed on the basis of this finding.

0007A bleaching composition of the invention comprises a peroxide and an amphoteric organic per acid precursor, preferably at a molar ratio of 99.9/0.1 to 20/80.

0008The organic per acid precursor is preferred to be an amphoteric compound having the formula (I): <chemistry id="chem0001" num="0001"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0001.tif" /></chemistry> wherein: X represents a group of the formula: <chemistry id="chem0002" num="0002"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0002.tif" /></chemistry> in which R₁ and R₂ each represents a substituted or unsubstituted, straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, an alkaryl group (in which the alkyl group has 1 to 24 carbon atoms) or the two R groups may form a heterocyclic ring having 4 to 6 carbon atoms, together with N, S or P, R₃ represents a substituted or unsubstituted, straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, an alkaryl group (in which the alkyl group has 1 to 16 carbon atoms) or a heterocyclic ring having 4 to 6 carbon atoms together with the two R groups bonded to N, S or P or -(C₂H₄O)_xH (in which x is a number of 1 to 20), Y represents a straight-chain or branched alkylene group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and Z represents an SO₃⁻ or CO₂⁻ group.

0009It is more preferable that in the formula (I) X is -N⁺R₁R₂R₃, R₁ is an alkyl having 1 to 22 carbon atoms or a hydroxyalkyl having 1 to 22 carbon atoms and R2 and R3 each are an alkyl having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, Y is an alkylene having 1 to 5 carbon atoms and Z is sulfonate or carboxylate.

0010The composition of the invention may further contain a conventional degergent component.

0011The invention provides an amphoteric compound having the formula (V): <chemistry id="chem0003" num="0003"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0003.tif" /></chemistry> in which R1 is an alkyl group having 1 to 22 carbon atoms, R2 and R3 each are a lower alkyl, n is an integer of 1 to 5, Z is -COO⁻, -COOM, -SO₃⁻ or -SO₃M and M is a cation.

0012The compound having the formula (V) in which R₁ is an alkyl having 1 to 16 carbon atoms and R₂ and R₃ each are an alkyl having 1 to 3 carbon atoms preferably provides the bleaching effect. In particular the compound having methyl for R₁ is useful from the practical point of view. In addition, the compound in which R₁ is an alkyl having 8 to 16 carbon atoms does not only provide the bleaching effect, but also the surface activity.

0013The compound having the formula (I) in which Z is -SO<maths id="math0001" num=""><math display="inline"><mrow><mfrac linethickness="0"><mrow><mtext>-</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>3</mtext></mrow></mfrac></mrow></math><img file="EP0284292A2_D0004.tif" /></maths> can be obtained, for example, by the following process:     a tertiary amine is reacted with a halocarboxylic acid in a solvent such as an alcohol or acetone at room temperature or under reflux of the solvent to obtain a quaternary amine (II): <chemistry id="chem0004" num="0004"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0005.tif" /></chemistry> wherein R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ each represents an alkyl group, <u style="single">n</u> represents an integer of 1 to 5 and X represents a halogen atom.

0014Then, the compound (II) is hydrolyzed in the presence of an alkaline catalyst such as KOH or NaOH in a solvent mixture such as a mixture of water with an alcohol to obtain an amphoteric compound (III): <chemistry id="chem0005" num="0005"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0006.tif" /></chemistry>

0015The compound (III) is reacted with thionyl chloride in dichloromethane or ethanol-free chloroform, i.e., in a solvent free from any compound reactive with an acyl chloride, such as water or an alcohol, to obtain an acyl chloride (IV): <chemistry id="chem0006" num="0006"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0007.tif" /></chemistry>

0016The obtained chloride (IV) is reacted with disodium p-phenolsulfonate in a solvent in which the compound (IV) is soluble or homogeneously dispersible, such as dimethoxyethane (DME), under reflux of the solvent to obtain an intended amphoteric compound (I): <chemistry id="chem0007" num="0007"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0008.tif" /></chemistry>

0017The compound having the formula (I) in which Z is -CO<maths id="math0002" num=""><math display="inline"><mrow><mfrac linethickness="0"><mrow><mtext>-</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>2</mtext></mrow></mfrac></mrow></math><img file="EP0284292A2_D0009.tif" /></maths> can be obtained, for example, by the following process: <chemistry id="chem0008" num="0008"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0010.tif" /></chemistry> wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, and R₄ stand for each an alkyl group, n is an integer of from 1 to 5 and Y stands for a halogen atom.

0018Then, the compound (II) is hydrolyzed with an alkali catalyst such as KOH or NaOH in a mixed solvent such as water/alcohol to obtain an amphoteric compound represented by the formula (III), as indicated below: <chemistry id="chem0009" num="0009"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0011.tif" /></chemistry>

0019The compound (III) is reacted with thionyl chloride in the presence of a solvent not containing a substance capable of reacting with an acid chloride, such as water or an alcohol, for example, in dichloromethane or chloroform subjected to an ethanol-removing treatment, to obtain an acid chloride of the formula (IV), as indicated below: <chemistry id="chem0010" num="0010"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0012.tif" /></chemistry>

0020Then, the acid chloride (IV) is reacted with p-hydroxybenzoic acid (typical instance) in tetra­hydrofuran (THF) as the solvent to obtain the intended amphoteric compound (I).

0021The amphoteric organic per acid precursor remarkably improves the bleaching power of the peroxide.

0022The peroxide in the present invention is preferably hydrogen peroxide or a peroxide capable of generating hydrogen peroxide in its aqueous solution.

0023The peroxides capable of generating hydrogen peroxide in an aqueous solution thereof include organic and inorganic hydrogen peroxide adducts such as sodium carbonate/hydrogen peroxide adduct, sodium tripolyphosphate/hydrogen peroxide adduct, sodium pyrophosphate/hydrogen peroxide adduct, urea/hydrogen peroxide adduct and 4Na₂SO₄·2H₂O₂·NaCl. They further include inorganic peroxides such as sodium perborate monohydrate, sodium perborate tetrahydrate, sodium peroxide and calcium peroxide. Among them, sodium carbonate/hydrogen peroxide adduct, sodium perborate monohydrate and sodium perborate tetrahydrate are particularly preferred.

0024The molar ratio of the peroxide to the organic per acid precursor used in the present invention is 99.9/0.1 to 20/80.

0025The bleaching composition of the present invention may contain known additives usually contained in bleaching compositions in addition to the above-­mentioned indispensable components. For example, the composition may contain a builder such as a water-­soluble inorganic builder, e.g., sulfate, carbonate, hicarbonate, silicate or phosphate or an organic builder, e.g., ethylenediaminetetraacetate, tartrate or citrate. Stabilizers for the peroxide or hydrogen peroxide adduct usable in the present invention include known magnesium salts such as magnesium sulfate, magnesium silicate, magnesium chloride, magnesium fluorosilicate, magnesium oxide and magnesium hydroxide, and silicates such as sodium silicate. If necessary, the bleaching composition may further contain an antiredeposition agent such as carboxy­methylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone or polyethylene glycol, as well as surfactant, enzyme, fluorescent brightener, dye, pigment, flavor, etc.

0026The bleaching detergent composition of the invention may comprises the following in addition to the above shown bleaching agents.

[1] Surfactants:

0027<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li>(1) Straight-chain or branched alkylbenzenesulfonate salts having an alkyl group of 10-16 carbon atoms in average.</li><li>[2] Alkyl or alkenyl ether sulfate salts having a straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkenyl group of 10-20 carbon atoms in average, 0.5-8 mol in average of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide or butylene oxide in the molecule and an addition ratio of ethylene oxide/propylene oxide of 0.1/9.9-9.9/0.1 or ethylene oxide/butylene oxide of 0.1/9.9-9.9/0.1.</li><li>(3) Alkyl or alkenyl sulfate salts having an alkyl or alkenyl group of 10-20 carbon atoms in average.</li><li>(4) Olefinsulfonate salts having 10-20 carbon atoms in average in the molecule.</li><li>(5) Alkanesulfonate salts having 10-20 carbon atoms in average in the molecule.</li><li>(6) Saturated or unsaturated fatty acid salts having 10-24 carbon atoms in average in the molecule.</li><li>(7) Alkyl or alkenyl ether carboxylate salts having an alkyl or alkenyl group of 10-20 carbon atoms in average, 0.5-8 mol in average of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide or butylene oxide in the molecule and an addition ratio of ethylene oxide/propylene oxide of 0.1/9.9-9.9/0.1 or ethylene oxide/butylene oxide of 0.1/9.9 to 9.9/0.1.</li><li>(8) α-Sulfo fatty acid salts or esters of the general formula: <chemistry id="chem0011" num="0011"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0013.tif" /></chemistry> wherein Y represents an alkyl group having 1-3 carbon atoms or a counter-ion, Z represents a counter-ion and R represents an alkyl or alkenyl group having 10-20 carbon atoms. As the counter-ions of anionic surfactants, there may be mentioned, for example, ions of alkali metals such as sodium and potassium, alkaline earth metals such as calcium and magnesium, ammonium, alkanolamines containing 1-3 alkanol groups having 2 or 3 carbon atoms such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine and triisopropanolamine.</li><li>(9) Amino acid-type surfactants of the general formulae: <chemistry id="chem0012" num="0012"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0014.tif" /></chemistry> wherein R₁ represents an alkyl or alkenyl group having 8-24 carbon atoms, R₂ represents hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1-2 carbon atoms, R₃ represents an amino acid residue and X represents an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal ion. <chemistry id="chem0013" num="0013"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0015.tif" /></chemistry> wherein R₁, R₂ and X have the same meanings as above and <u style="single">n</u> represents an integer of 1-5. <chemistry id="chem0014" num="0014"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0016.tif" /></chemistry> wherein R₁ has the same meaning as above and <u style="single">m</u> represents an integer of 1-8. <chemistry id="chem0015" num="0015"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0017.tif" /></chemistry> wherein R₁, R₃ and X have the same meaning as above and R₄ represents hydrogen, or an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group having 1-2 carbon atoms. <chemistry id="chem0016" num="0016"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0018.tif" /></chemistry> wherein R₂, R₃ and X have the same meaning as above and R₅ represents a β-hydroxyalkyl or β-hydroxyalkenyl group having 6-28 carbon atoms. <chemistry id="chem0017" num="0017"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0019.tif" /></chemistry> wherein R₃, R₅ and X have the same meaning as above.</li><li>(10) Phosphate ester surfactants: <ul id="ul0002" list-style="none"><li>No. 1 Acid alkyl (or alkenyl) phosphates:       (RʹO)_nʹ-<img file="EP0284292A2_D0020.tif" />-(OH)_mʹ wherein Rʹ represents an alkyl or alkenyl group having 8-24 carbon atoms, nʹ+mʹ represents 3 and nʹ represents a number of 1-2.</li><li>No. 2 Alkyl (or alkenyl) phosphates:       (RʹO)_nʺ-<img file="EP0284292A2_D0021.tif" />-(OH)_mʺ wherein Rʹ has the same meaning as above, nʺ+mʺ represents a number of 3 and nʺ represents a number of 1-3.</li><li>No. 3 Alkyl (or alkenyl) phosphate salts:       (RʹO)_nʺ-<img file="EP0284292A2_D0022.tif" />-(OM)_mʺ wherein Rʹ, nʺ and mʺ have the same meaning as above and M represents Na, K or Ca.</li></ul></li><li>(11) Sulfonic acid-type amphoteric surfactants of the general formulae: <chemistry id="chem0018" num="0018"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0023.tif" /></chemistry> wherein R₁₁ represents an alkyl or alkenyl group having 8-24 carbon atoms, R₁₂ represents an alkylene group having 1-4 carbon atoms, R₁₃ represents an alkyl group having 1-5 carbon atoms, R₁₄ represents an alkylene or hydro­xyalkylene group having 1-4 carbon atoms. <chemistry id="chem0019" num="0019"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0024.tif" /></chemistry> wherein R₁₁ and R₁₄ have the same meaning as above and R₁₅ and R₁₆ each represent an alkyl or alkenyl group having 8-24 or 1-5 carbon atoms. <chemistry id="chem0020" num="0020"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0025.tif" /></chemistry> wherein R₁₁ and R₁₄ have the same meaning as above and n1 represents an integer of 1-20.</li><li>(12) Betaine-type, amphoteric surfactants of the general formulae: <chemistry id="chem0021" num="0021"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0026.tif" /></chemistry> wherein R₂₁ represents an alkyl, alkenyl, β-hydroxyalkyl or β-hydroxyalkenyl group having 8-24 carbon atoms, R₂₂ represents an alkyl group having 1-4 carbon atoms and R₂₃ represents an alkylene or hydroxyalkylene group having 1-6 carbon atoms. <chemistry id="chem0022" num="0022"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0027.tif" /></chemistry> wherein R₂₁ and R₂₃ have the same meaning as above and n2 represents an integer of 1-20. <chemistry id="chem0023" num="0023"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0028.tif" /></chemistry> wherein R₂₁ and R₂₃ have the same meaning as above and R₂₄ represents a carboxyalkyl or hydroxyalkyl group having 2-5 carbon atoms.</li><li>(13) Polyoxyethylene alkyl or alkenyl ethers having an alkyl or alkenyl group of 10-20 carbon atoms in average and 1-30 mol of ethylene oxide added.</li><li>(14) Polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ethers having an alkyl group of 6-12 carbon atoms in average and 1-25 mol of ethylene oxide added.</li><li>(15) Polyoxypropylene alkyl or alkenyl ethers having an alkyl or alkenyl group of 10-20 carbon atoms in average and 1-20 mol of propylene oxide added.</li><li>(16) Polyoxybutylene alkyl or alkenyl ethers having an alkyl or alkenyl group of 10-20 carbon atoms in average and 1-20 mol of butylene oxide added.</li><li>(17) Nonionic surfactants having an alkyl or alkenyl group of 10-20 carbon atoms in average and 1-30 mol in total of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide added or ethylene oxide and butylene oxide added (ratio of ethylene oxide to propylene oxide or butylene oxide being 0.1/9.9 to 9.9/0.1).</li><li>(18) Higher fatty acid alkanolamines or alkylene oxide adducts thereof of the general formula: <chemistry id="chem0024" num="0024"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0029.tif" /></chemistry> wherein Rʹ₁₁ represents an alkyl or alkenyl group having 10-20 carbon atoms, Rʹ₁₂ represents H or CH₃, n3 represents an integer of 1-3 and m3 represents an integer of 0-3.</li><li>(19) Sucrose/fatty acid esters comprising fatty acids having 10-20 carbon atoms in average and sucrose.</li><li>(20) Fatty acid/glycerol monoesters comprising fatty acids having 10-20 carbon atoms in average and glycerol.</li><li>(21) Alkylamine oxides of the general formula: <chemistry id="chem0025" num="0025"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0030.tif" /></chemistry> wherein Rʹ₁₃ represents an alkyl or alkenyl group having 10-20 carbon atoms and Rʹ₁₄ and Rʹ₁₅ each represent an alkyl group having 1-3 carbon atoms.</li><li>(22) Cationic surfactants of the general formulae: <chemistry id="chem0026" num="0026"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0031.tif" /></chemistry> wherein at least one of Rʹ₁, Rʹ₂, Rʹ₃ and Rʹ₄ represents an alkyl or alkenyl group having 8-24 carbon atoms and the remainder represents an alkyl group having 1-5 carbon atoms and Xʹ represents a halogen. <chemistry id="chem0027" num="0027"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0032.tif" /></chemistry> wherein Rʹ₁, Rʹ₂, Rʹ₃ and Xʹ have the same meaning as above. <chemistry id="chem0028" num="0028"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0033.tif" /></chemistry> wherein Rʹ₁, Rʹ₂ and Xʹ have the same meaning as above, Rʹ₅ represents an alkylene group having 2-3 carbon atoms and n4 represents an integer of 1-20.</li></ul>

0028The composition probably contains at least one of the above surfactants in an amount of at least 10 wt. %.

0029As preferred surfactants, there may be mentioned above surfactants 1), 2), 3), 4), 5), 6), 11)-No. 2, 12)-No. 1, 13), 14), 15), 16), 17) and 18).

[2] Divalent metal ion sequestering agents:

0030The composition may contain 0-50 wt. % of one or more builder components selected from the group consisting of alkali metal salts or alkanolamine salts of the following compounds: <ul id="ul0003" list-style="none"><li>1) Salts of phosphoric acids such as orthophosphoric acid, pyrophosphoric acid, tripolyphosphoric acid, meta­phosphoric acid, hexametaphosphoric acid and phytic acid.</li><li>2) Salts of phosphonic acids such as ethane-1,1-­diphosphonic acid, ethane-1,1,2-triphosphonic acid, ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonic acid and its derivatives, ethane-hydroxy-1,1,2-triphosphonic acid, ethane-1,2-­dicarboxy-1,2-diphosphonic acid and methanehydroxyphos­phonic acid.</li><li>3) Salts of phosphono carboxylic acids such as 2-phospho­nobutane-1,2-dicarboxylic acids, 1-phosphonobutane-2,3,4-­tricarboxylic acids and α-methylphosphonosuccinic acid.</li><li>4) Salts of amino acids such as aspartic acid, glutamic acid and glycine.</li><li>5) Salts of aminopolyacetic acids such as nitrilotri­ acetic acid, iminodiacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetra­acetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetatic acid, glycol ether diaminetetraacetic acid, hydroxyethylimino­diacetic acid, triethylenetetraminehexaacetic acid and dienkolic acid.</li><li>6) High-molecular electrolytes such as polyacrylic acid, polyaconitic acid, polyitaconic acid, polycitraconic acid, polyfumaric acid, polymaleic acid, polymesaconic acid, poly-α-hydroxyacrylic acid, polyvinylphosphonic acid, sulfonated polymaleic acid, maleic anhydride/diisobutylene copolymer, maleic anhydride/styrene copolymer, maleic anhydride/methyl vinyl ether copolymer, maleic anhydride/­ethylene copolymer, maleic anhydride/ethylene cross-linked copolymer, maleic anhydride/vinyl acetate copolymer, maleic anhydride/acrylonitrile copolymer, maleic anhydride/acrylate ester copolymer, maleic anhydride/­butadiene copolymer, maleic anhydride/isoprene copolymer, poly-β-keto carboxylic acid derived from maleic anhydride and carbon monoxide, itaconic acid/ethylene copolymer, itaconic acid/aconitic acid copolymer, itaconic acid/­maleic acid copolymer, itaconic acid/acrylic acid copolymer, malonic acid/methylene copolymer, mesaconic acid/fumaric acid copolymer, ethylene glycol/ethylene terephthalate copolymer, vinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acetate copolymer, 1-butene-2,3,4-tricarboxylic acid/­ itaconic acid/acrylic acid copolymer, quaternary ammonium group-containing polyester polyaldehyde carboxylic acids, cis-isomer of epoxysuccinic acid, poly[N,N-bis(carboxy­methyl)acrylamide], poly(hydroxy carboxylic acid), starch succinate, starch maleate, starch terephthalate , starch phos­phate ester, dicarboxystarch, dicarboxymethylstarch and cellulose succinate esters.</li><li>7) Non-dissociating high-molecular compounds such as polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrro­lidone and cold water-soluble, urethanated polyvinyl alcohol.</li><li>8) Salts of dicarboxylic acids such as oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid and decane-1,10-­dicarboxylic acid; salts of diglycolic acid, thiodiglycolic acid, oxalacetic acid, hydroxydisuccinic acid, carboxy­methylhydroxysuccinic acid and carboxymethyltartronic acid; salts of hydroxy carboxylic acids such as glycolic acid, malic acid, hydroxypivalic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, lactic acid, gluconic acid, mucic acid, glucuronic acid and dialdehydostarch oxide; salts of itaconic acid, methylsuccinic acid, 3-methylglutaric acid, 2,2-dimethylmalonic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, glutamic acid, 1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid, aconitic acid, 3-butene-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid, butane-1,2,3,4-tetracarboxylic acid, ethanetetracarboxy­lic acid, ethenetetracarboxylic acid, n-alkenyl­aconitic acid, 1,2,3,4-cyclopentanetetracarboxylic acid, phthalic acid, trimesic acid, hemimellitic acid, pyromellitic acid, benzenehexacarboxylic acid, tetrahydrofuran-1,2,3,4-tetracarboxylic acid and tetrahydrofuran-2,2,5,5-tetracarboxylic acid; salts of sulfonated carboxylic acids such as sulfoitaconic acid, sulfotricarballylic acid, cysteic acid, sulfoacetic acid and sulfosuccinic acid; carboxymethylated sucrose, lactose and raffinose, carboxymethylated pentaerythritol, carboxy­methylated gluconic acid, condensates of polyhydric alcohols or saccharides with maleic anhydride or succinic anhydride, condensates of hydroxy carboxylic acids with maleic anhydride or succinic anhydride, and organic acid salts such as CMOS and Builder M.</li><li>9) Aluminosilicates: <ul id="ul0004" list-style="none"><li>No. 1 Crystalline aluminosilicates of the formula:       xʹ(Mʹ₂O or MʺO)·Aℓ₂O₃·yʹ(SiO₂)·wʹ(H₂O) wherein Mʹ represents an alkali metal atom, Mʺ represents an alkaline earth metal atom exchangeable with calcium, and xʹ, yʹ and wʹ represent mole numbers of the respec­tive components and generally, they are as follows: 0.7 ≦ xʹ ≦ 1.5, 0.8 ≦ yʹ ≦ 6 and wʹ being a positive number.</li><li>No. 2 Detergent builders having the following general formula are particularly preferred:       Na₂O·Aℓ₂O₃·nSiO₂·wH₂O wherein <u style="single">n</u> represents a number of 1.8-3.0 and <u style="single">w</u> represents a number of 1-6.</li><li>No. 3 Amorphous aluminosilicates of the formula:       x(M₂O)·Aℓ₂O₃·y(SiO₂)·w(H₂O) wherein M represents sodium and/or potassium atom, and x, y and w represent mole numbers of the respective components within the following ranges:       0.7 ≦ x ≦ 1.2       1.6 ≦ y ≦ 2.8 w: any positive number including 0.</li><li>No. 4 Amorphous aluminosilicates of the formula:       X(M₂O)·Aℓ₂O₃·Y(SiO₂)·Z(P₂O₅)·ω(H₂O) wherein M represents Na or K and X, Y, Z and ω represent mole numbers of the respective components within the following ranges:       0.20 ≦ X ≦ 1.10       0.20 ≦ Y ≦ 4.00       0.001 ≦ Z ≦ 0.80 ω : any positive number including 0.</li></ul></li></ul>

[3] Alkalis or inorganic electrolytes:

0031The composition may contain also 1-50 wt.%, prefe­rably 5-30 wt.%, of one or more alkali metal salts selected from the following compounds as the alkali or inorganic electrolyte: silicates, carbonates and sulfates. Further, the composition may contain organic alkalis such as triethanolamine, diethanolamine, monoethanolamine and triisopropanolamine.

[4] Antiredeposition agents:

0032The composition may contain 0.1-5 % of one or more of the following compounds as antiredeposition agent(s): polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl­pyrrolidone and carboxymethylcellulose.

[5] Enzymes (enzymes which exhibits the essential enzy­matic effects thereof in the deterging step):

0033As the enzymes, the following enzymes may be men­tioned (classified with respect to their enzymatic reactivities): Hydrolases, hydrases, oxido-reductases, desmolases, trans­ferases and isomerases. All of these enzymes may be used in the present invention. Particularly preferred enzymes are hydrolases such as proteases, esterases, carbohydrolases and nucleases.

0034Examples of proteases are pepsin, trypsin, chymo­trypsin, collagenase, keratinase, elastase, subtilisin, BPN, papain, bromelin, carboxypeptidases A and B, amino­peptidase and aspergillopeptidases A and B.

0035Examples of esterases are gastric lipase, pancreatic lipase, vegetable lipases, phospholipases, cholinesterases and phosphotases.

0036Carbohydrolases include alkali cellulases, maltase, saccharase, amylase, pectinase, lysozyme, α-­glucosidase and β-glucosidase.

[6] Bluing agents and fluorescent dyes:

0037Various bluing agents and fluorescent dyes may be incorporated in the composition, if necessary. For example, compounds of the following structures are recommended: <chemistry id="chem0029" num="0029"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0034.tif" /></chemistry> and bluing agents of the general formulae: <chemistry id="chem0030" num="0030"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0035.tif" /></chemistry> wherein D represents a residue of blue or purple, monoazo, disazo or anthraquinone dye, X and Y each represent hydroxyl group, amino group, an aliphatic amino group which may be substituted with hydroxyl, sulfonic acid, carboxylic acid or alkoxy group, or an aromatic or ali­cyclic amino group which may be substituted with a halogen atom or hydroxyl, sulfonic acid, carboxylic acid, lower alkyl or lower alkoxyl group, R represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group but excluding cases wherein (1) R represents a hydrogen atom and both X and Y repre­sent a hydroxyl group or an alkanolamine at the same time and (2) R represents a hydrogen atom, one of X and Y represents a hydroxyl group and the other represents an alkanolamine group, and <u style="single">n</u> represents an integer of at least 2, and <chemistry id="chem0031" num="0031"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0036.tif" /></chemistry> wherein D represents a residue of a blue or purple, azo or anthraquinone dye, and X and Y may be the same or different and represent an alkanolamine residue or a hydroxyl group.

[7] Caking-preventing agents:

0038The following caking-preventing agents may be incor­porated in powdery detergent composition: p-toluenesulfo­nate salts, xylenesulfonate salts, acetate salts, sulfo­succinate salts, talc, finely pulverized silica, clay, calcium silicates (such as Micro-Cell of Johns-Manvill Co.), calcium carbonate and magnesium oxide.

[8] Antioxidants:

0039The antioxidants include, for example, tert-butyl­hydroxytoluene, 4,4ʹ-butylidenebis(6-tert-butyl-3-­methylphenol), 2,2ʹ-butylidenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-­methylphenol), monostyrenated cresol, distyrenated cresol, monostyrenated phenol, distyrenated phenol and 1,1ʹ-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane.

[9] Stabilizer for the peroxide and an adduct to hydrogen peroxide

0040A stabilizer may be used in the bleaching detergent composition, including a magnesium salt such as magnesium sulfate, magnesium silicate, magnesium chloride, magnesium silicofluoride, magnesium oxide and magnesium hydroxide and a silicate such as sodium silicate.

[Examples]

0041The following examples will further illustrate the present invention, which by no means limit the invention.

Example

Preparation of

0042<chemistry id="chem0032" num="0032"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0037.tif" /></chemistry>

004362.8 g of dimethyloctylamine was dissolved in 300 mℓ of ethanol in a 1-ℓ two-necked flask provided with a condenser tube. 78.0 g of ethyl bromobutyrate was added dropwise to the solution. After the completion of the addition, the temperature was elevated in an oil bath (90°C) and the reaction was continued until the starting amine became no more detectable under reflux of ethanol under examination according to TLC. Then, ethanol was distilled off to obtain 140.5 g of a quaternary salt of the following formula (II-a): <chemistry id="chem0033" num="0033"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0038.tif" /></chemistry> yield: 99.8%.

004440.8 g of the compound (II-a) was dissolved in 4 ℓ of a solvent mixture of ethanol/water (1:3) and hydrolysis was conducted at room temperature for 3 or 4 days while the pH was kept at 12 to 12.5 with KOH. After confirming that the starting quaternary salt had been spent according to TLC, the reaction mixture was neutralized with 20 % sulfuric acid and the solvent was distilled off while a salt formed was filtered off. A remaining oily substance was desalted with dichloromethane to obtain 28.0 g of an amphoteric surfactant of the following formula (III-a): <chemistry id="chem0034" num="0034"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0039.tif" /></chemistry> yield: 99.4%.

004546.5 g of the compound (III-a) was dissolved in 250 mℓ of dichloromethane in a 500-mℓ two-necked flask. 20 mℓ of thionyl chloride was added dropwise to the solution at room temperature and the reaction was conducted under reflux for 1 h. The solvent and excess thionyl chloride were distilled off to obtain 57.0 g of a compound of the following formula (IV-a) as an orange oily substance: <chemistry id="chem0035" num="0035"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0040.tif" /></chemistry> yield: 100%.

004650.0 g of the acyl chloride (IV-a) was dissolved in 400 mℓ of dimethoxyethane (DME) which had been dehydrated with lithium aluminum hydride and distilled. Disodium p-phenolsulfonate prepared by a process which will be described hereinbelow was added to the solution and the suspension thus obtained was reacted under reflux for 2 h. DME was removed by decantation. Acetone was added thereto and the mixture was stirred at room temperature. An acetone-soluble matter was removed by filtration to obtain a mixture of sodium chloride with the compound (I-a). By recrystallization from ethanol/acetone, 26.8 g of white platy crystals were obtained. yield: 40.0%.     m.p. 217 ∼ 227°C     IR (KBr, cm⁻¹) 2932, 2860, 1758, 1491, 1197, 1152, 1122, 1029, 1011, 687, 567     ¹H-NMR (CD₃OD solvent, TMS internal standard, δ) 1.0 (3H, t), 1.3 ∼ 1.5 (12H, m), 2.1 ∼ 2.2 (2H, m), 2.7 (2H, t), 3.05 (6H, s), 3.35 ∼ 3.45 (2H, m), 7.2 (2H, d), 7.85 (2H, d)

Preparation of disodium p-phenolsulfonate

:

0047278.4 g of sodium p-phenolsulfonate dihydrate was dissolved in 200 mℓ of water. 52 g of sodium hydroxide was added to the solution and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 h. Disodium p-phenolsulfonate thus crystallized out was separated by filtration. The filtrate was further subjected to the recrystallization. The crystals were dehydrated with a Dean-Stark reflux condenser using toluene as the solvent and then refluxed through a molecular sieve to thoroughly dehydrate them. 228 g of disodium p-phenolsulfone was obtained. yield: 87.4%.

Example 2

Preparation of

0048<chemistry id="chem0036" num="0036"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0041.tif" /></chemistry>

0049The compound (I-b) was prepared in the same manner as that of Example 1 except that dimethyl­octylamine was replaced with dimethyldodecylamine. The yield obtained after the 4-stage reaction was 53.8%.     m.p. 213 ∼ 216°C IR (KBr, cm⁻¹) 2920, 2854, 1755, 1497, 1470, 1221, 1191, 1122, 1032, 1011, 693, 567     ¹H-NMR (CD₃OD, TMS internal standard, δ) 0.9 (3H, t), 1.2 ∼ 1.45 (20H, m), 1.7 ∼ 1.9 (2H, m), 2.05 ∼ 2.2 (2H, m), 2.73 (2H, t), 3.09 (6H, s), 3.3 ∼ 3.45 (2H, m), 7.15 (2H, d), 8.87 (2H, d)

Example 3

Preparation of

0051<chemistry id="chem0037" num="0037"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0042.tif" /></chemistry>

005252 g of ethyl bromoacetate was dissolved in 250 mℓ of acetone in a 1,000-mℓ three-necked flask. Dry gaseous trimethylamine carried by N₂ gas was bubbled through the solution under stirring with a magnetic stirrer. After two equivalents of trimethyl­amine per equivalent of ethyl bromoacetate was bubbled over a period of 3 h, the flask was closed and the mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. White crystals thus formed were separated by filtration to obtain 57.9 g of a compound of the following formula (II-c): <chemistry id="chem0038" num="0038"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0043.tif" /></chemistry> yield: 85.4%.

005350.65 g of the compound (II-c) was dissolved in 1 ℓ of a solvent mixture of ethanol/water (1:1) and hydrolysis was conducted at room temperature for 3 or 4 days while the pH was kept at 12 to 12.5 with KOH. After confirming that the starting quaternary salt had been spent according to TLC, the reaction mixture was neutralized with 20% sulfuric acid and the solvent was distilled off while a salt formed was filtered off. A remaining oily substance was desalted with methanol to obtain 32.7 g of an amphoteric compound of the following formula (III-c): <chemistry id="chem0039" num="0039"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0044.tif" /></chemistry> yield: 99.0%.

0054Thereafter, the same procedure as that of Example 1 was repeated to obtain the compound of the formula (I-c). The yield obtained after the 4-stage reaction was 42.5%.     IR (KBr, cm⁻¹) 3034, 1749, 1593, 1494, 1194, 1071, 1029, 1011, 699, 567     ¹H-NMR (D₂O, DSS internal standard, δ) 0.9 ∼ 2.5 (4H, m), 2.7 (2H, t), 3.1 (9H, t), 7.2 (2H, d), 7.9 (2H, d)

Example 4

Synthesis of

0055<chemistry id="chem0040" num="0040"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0045.tif" /></chemistry>

0056In a three-necked flask having a capacity of 1000 mℓ, 52 g of ethyl bromobutyrate was dissolved in 250 cc of acetone, and the solution was bubbled by dry trimethylamine by using gaseous N₂ as a carrier gas under stirring with a magnetic stirrer. Trimethylamine was passed through the solution in an amount of 2 equivalents to ethyl bromobutyrate over a period of 3 hours. Then, the flask was sealed and the reaction liquid was stirred at room temperature overnight. The formed white crystal was recovered by filtration to obtain 57.9 g of (II-d) in a yield of 85.4%: <chemistry id="chem0041" num="0041"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0046.tif" /></chemistry>

0057Then, 50.65 g of (II-d) was dissolved in 1 ℓ of a mixed solvent of ethanol/water (1/1) and hydrolysis was conducted at room temperature for 3 to 4 days while maintaining the pH value at 12 to 12.5 with KOH. After consumption of the starting quaternary salt was confirmed by TLC, the reaction liquid was neutralized with 20% sulfuric acid, and the solvent was removed by distillation while performing the filtering operation when a salt was formed. The salt was removed from the remaining oily substance by using methanol to obtain 32.7 g of a substance of the following formula (III-d) in a yield of 99.0%: <chemistry id="chem0042" num="0042"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0047.tif" /></chemistry>

0058In a two-necked flask having a capacity of 2000 mℓ, 220.3 g of (III-d) was dissolved in 300 g of chloroform, and 361.6 g of thionyl chloride was dropped to the solution at room temperature. A reaction was carried out under reflux for 1 hour. Removal of the solvent and excessive thionyl chloride by distillation gave 369.4 g of (IV-d) in the form of an orange oily substance (the yield was 121.6%): <chemistry id="chem0043" num="0043"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0048.tif" /></chemistry>

0059In a three-necked flask having a capacity of 5000 mℓ, 209.7 g of p-hydroxybenzoic acid was dissolved in 2100 g of THF and 477.1 g of dimethyloctylamine was added to the solution. 369.4 g of the acid chloride obtained above was added dropwise to the solution at room temperature with stirring. After termination of the dropwise addition, the reaction liquid was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour and filtered, and the obtained crystal was washed with acetone and acetic acid to obtain 22.8 g of a crude hydrochloride of (I-d) in a yield of 48.2%: <chemistry id="chem0044" num="0044"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0049.tif" /></chemistry>

Physical Properties of (I-d)

0060Melting point:     250 to 253°C IR (KBr, cm⁻¹):     3010, 2830, 2570, 1758, 1704, 1611, 1419, 1383, 1227, 1167, 1116, 1098, 909, 867 ¹H-NMR (CD₃OD solvent, TMS internal standard δ):     1.95 - 2.5 (2H, m), 2.8 (2H, t), 3.2 (9H, s), 3.5 (2H, t), 7.25 (2H, d), 8.1 (2H, d)

Example 5

Synthesis of

0061<chemistry id="chem0045" num="0045"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0050.tif" /></chemistry>

0062In a three-necked flask having a capacity of 5000 mℓ, 194.4 g of salicyclic acid was dissolved in 1500 g of THF and 442.4 g of dimethyloctylamine was added to the solution. 339.1 g of the acid chloride (IV-d) obtained according to the process of Example 4 was added dropwise to the solution at room temperature. After termination of the dropwise addition, the reaction liquid was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour and filtered. The obtained crystal was washed with acetone to obtain 269.1 g of a hydrochloride of the formula (I-e) in a yield of 63.3%): <chemistry id="chem0046" num="0046"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0051.tif" /></chemistry>

Physical Properties of (I-e)

0063Melting point:     167 to 171°C IR (KBr, cm⁻¹):     3016, 2740, 2578, 1764, 1710, 1611, 1491, 1455, 1416, 1389, 1272, 1245, 1203, 1155, 1119, 1083, 792, 747 ¹H-NMR CD₃OD, TMS internal standard δ)     1.8 - 2.5 (2H, m), 2.75 (2H, t), 3.2 (9H, s) 3.5 (2H, t), 7.1 - 8.2 (4H, m)

Example 6

0064The obtained compounds (I-a), (I-b), (I-d) and (I-e) were examined in the test on the bleaching action. Results of evaluation of the bleaching effect according to the method described below are shown in Table 1.

Bleaching Method:

0065Hydrogen peroxide was added to 300 mℓ of water at 20°C so that the effective oxygen concentration was 0.05% and 1 g of sodium carbonate was added. The compounds (I-a), (I-b), (I-d) and (I-e) were added to the respective solutions in an equimolar amount to hydrogen peroxide. A black tea-stained fabric prepared according to the method described below was immersed in the solution for 30 minutes. The fabric was washed with water and dried, and the bleaching ratio was calculated according to the formula described below. Sodium hypochlorite was a comparative sample was evaluated at an effective chlorine concentration of 0.06%.

Bleaching Ratio of Black Tea-stained Fabric:

0066<maths id="math0003" num=""><img file="EP0284292A2_D0052.tif" /></maths>

0067The reflectance was measured by using NDR-101DP supplied by Nippon Denshoku Kogyo K.K. and a 460 nm filter.

Black Tea-stained Fabric:

0068<tables id="tabl0001" num="0001"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0053.tif" /></tables>

0069In 3 ℓ of deionized water, 80 g of black tea (Yellow Package supplied by Nitto Kocha) was boiled for about 15 minutes, and the liquid was filtered through a paste-free bleached cotton cloth, and a cotton fabric of shirting #2003 was immersed in the liquid and boiled for about 15 minutes. The fabric was taken out, allowed to stand still for about 2 hours and spontaneously dried. Then, the fabric was washed with water until the washing became colorless. The fabric was dehydrated, pressed and cut into a size of 10 cm x 10 cm, and the obtained test piece was subjected to the test.

Example 7

0070A bleaching composition as shown in Table 2 was prepared from each activator obtained in Examples 1 and 2.

0071The bleaching effect of the composition was examined to obtain the results shown in Tables 2 and 3 [Bleaching effects obtained by immersion bleaching method (Table 2)]

0072Sodium percarbonate was dissolved in 300 mℓ of water at 20°C to obtain a solution having an available oxygen concentration of 0.05%. The activator was added to the solution in an amount equimolar to hydrogen peroxide. Five sheets (8 cm x 8 cm) of a cloth stained with black tea prepared as will be described below were immersed therein for 30 min, washed with water and dried. The bleaching rate was determined according to the following equation. The available oxygen concentration of comparative magnesium monoperphthalate hexahydrate was 0.05% and available chlorine concentration of comparative sodium hypochlorite was 0.06%.

Bleaching rate of cloth stained with black tea:

0073<maths id="math0004" num=""><img file="EP0284292A2_D0054.tif" /></maths>

0074The reflectivity was determined with NDR-101DP (a product of Nippon Denshoku Denko Co., Ltd.) using a 460 nm filter.

Cloth stained with black tea:

007580 g of black tea leaves (yellow packages of Nitto Black Tea) were boiled in 3 ℓ of ion-exchanged water for about 15 min and then filtered through a desized, bleached cotton cloth. A cotton shirting # 2003 was immersed in the filtrate under boiling for about 15 min. The mixture was left to stand without heating for 2 h and then spontaneously dried. The cloth was washed with water until the wash water was no more colored, then dehydrated and pressed. The cloth was cut into test pieces having a size of 8 cm x 8 cm, which were examined in the tests. <tables id="tabl0002" num="0002"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0055.tif" /></tables><ul id="ul0005" list-style="none"><li>1) tetraacetylethylenediamine (a product of Hoechst)</li><li>2) a product of INTEROX</li><li>3) solution having an available oxygen concentration of 0.05%</li><li>4) solution having an available chlorine concentration of 0.06%</li></ul>

[Bleaching effects of a bleaching composition used in combination with a detergent (Table 3)]

0076Five sheets (8 cm x 8 cm) of the cloth stained with black tea prepared as described above were washed with a wash solution containing 0.133% of a commercially available heavy duty detergent and the detergent composition 7, 8, 9, 10 or 12 shown in Table 2 in such an amount that the available oxygen concentration would be 0.0033% with a turgotometer at 20°C for 10 min. They were then washed with water and dried. The bleaching rates of them were determined by the above-mentioned method. In case of the comparative sample 11, the bleaching agent was added to the detergent of the above-mentioned concentration in such an amount that the available chlorine concentration would be 0.014% and the bleaching rate was determined in the same manner as that described above. <tables id="tabl0003" num="0003"><img file="EP0284292A2_D0056.tif" /></tables>

Example 8

0077The three bleaching compositions, containing no phosporus, a small amount of phosphorus and a considerable amount of phosphorus, respectively, were obtained in the below shown formulations. Percent is based on weight.

0078The composition containing no phosphorus was obtained from 14% of sodium linear dodecylbenzene sulfonate, 6% of polyoxyethylene(10 moles of EO) C12 to C13 alkyl ether, 2% of sodium salt of hardened beef tallow aliphatic acid, 5% of sodium silicate of 2 go, 10% of sodium carbonate, 25% of zeolite of the 4A type, 10% of sodium percarbonate, 10% of the amphoteric compound (I-a), 2% of polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 6,000, 2% of protease, 4% of water and the balance of sodium sulfate.

0079The compound having a small amount of phosphorus was obtained from 10% of sodium linear dodecylbenzene sulfonate, 2% of sodium dodecylsulfate, 8% of polyoxyethylene(7.7 moles of EO) C12 to C13 alkyl ether, 2% of sodium salt of hardened beef tallow aliphatic acid, 5% of sodium silicate of 1 go, 10% of sodium carbonate, 20% of zeolite of the 4A type, 15% of sodium pyrophosphate, 10% of sodium perborate, 5% of the amphoteric compound (I-e), 1% of polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 11,000, 1% of sodium sulfite, 2% of protease, 4% of water and the balance of sodium sulfate.

0080The compound containing a considerable amount of phosphorus was obtained from 20% of polyoxyethylene(8.6 moles of EO) beef tallow alcohol ether, 2% of sodium salt of hardened beef tallow aliphatic acid, 30% of sodium tripolyphosphate, 10% of sodium perborate, 5% of the amphoteric compound (I-c), 5% of sodium silicate of 2 go, 10% of sodium carbonate, 1% of sodium sulfite, 2% of polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 6,000, 2% of protease, 6% of water and the balance of sodium sulfate.