Title of Invention

"A DETERGENT SURFACTANT COMPOSITION"

Abstract Mid-chain branched surfactants derived from mid-chain branched primary alkyl hydrophobic groups and hydrophilic groups. The present invention also relates to mixtures of mid-chain branched surfactants useful in laundry and cleaning compositions, especially granular and liquid detergent compositions,
Full Text FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a detergent surfactant composition comprising mixtures of longer alkyl chain mid-chain
branched surfactants derived from mid-chain branched primary alkyl hydrophobic groups and selected hydrophilic groups, said mixtures comprising mid-chain branched primary alkyl hydrophobic groups having an average of greater than 14.5 carbon atoms, preferably greater than about 15 carbon atoms, with preferred surfactants herein being mid-chain branched primary alkyl sulfate surfactants and mid-chain branched primary alkyl alkoxylated sulfate surfactants. Thus, the present invention relates to mixtures of mid-chain branched surfactants useful in laundry and cleaning compositions, especially granular and liquid detergent compositions. These longer alkyl chain surfactant mixtures are also suitable for formulation with other surfactants for the purpose of providing improved surfactant systems, especially for use in detergent compositions which will be used in laundry processes involving low water temperature wash conditions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional detersive surfactants comprise molecules having a water-solubilizing substituent (hydrophilic group) and an oleophilic substituent (hydrophobic group). Such surfactants typically comprise hydrophilic groups such as carboxylate, sulfate, sulfonate, amine oxide, polyoxyethylene, and the like, attached to an alkyl, alkenyl or alkaryl hydrophobe usually containing from about 10 to about 20 carbon atoms. Accordingly, the manufacturer of such surfactants must have access to a source of hydrophobe groups to which the desired hydrophile can be attached by chemical means. The earliest source of hydrophobe groups comprised the natural fats and oils, which were converted into soaps (i.e., carboxylate hydrophile) by saponification with base. Coconut oil and palm oil are still used to manufacture soap, as well as to manufacture the alkyl sulfate ("AS") class of surfactants. Other hydrophobes are available from petrochemicals,
including alkylaled benzene which is used to manufacture alkyl benzene sulfonatc surfactants ("LAS").
The literature asserts that certain branched hydrophobes can be used lo advantage in the manufacture of alkyl sulfate detersive surfactants; sec, for example, U.S. 3,480,556 to deWitt, ct al., November 25, 1969. However, it has been determined that the beta-branched surfactants described in the '556 patent are inferior with respect lo certain solubility parameters, as evidenced by their Krafft temperatures. It has further been determined that surfactants having branching towards the center of carbon chain of the hydrophobe have much lower Krafft temperatures. See: "The; Aqueous Phase Behavior of Surfactants", R.G. Laughlin, Academic Press, N.Y. (1994) p. 347. Accordingly, it has now been determined that such surfactants are preferred for use especially under cool or cold water washing conditions (e.g., 20°C-5°C).
Generally, alkyl sulfatcs are well known to those skilled in the art of detersive surfactants. Alky] sulfates were developed as a functional improvement over traditional soap surfactants and have been found to possess improved solubility and surfactant characteristics. Linear alkyl sulfates are the most commonly used of the alkyl sulfute surfactants and arc the easiest to obtain. For example, long-chain linear alkyl sulfates, such as tallow alkyl sulfate, have been used in laundry detergents. However, these have significant cleaning performance limitations, especially with the trend to lower wash temperatures.
Also, as noted hereinbefore, the 2-alkyl or "beta" branched alkyl sulfate are known. In addition to U.S. 3,480,556 discussed above, more recently EP 439,316, published July 31, 1991, and EP 684,300, published November 29, 1995, describe these beta-branched alkyl sulfntcs. Other reocnt .scientific papers in the nrcn of blanched alkyl sulfales include R. Varadnraj et al., J. Phys. Chein., Vol. 95, (1991), pp 1671-1676 which describes the surface tensions of a variety of "linear Guerbet" and "branched Guerbct"- class surfactants including alkyl sulfales. "Linear Gucrbet" types are essentially "Y-shaped", with 2-po.sition branching which is a long straight chain as in:wherein Z is, for example, OSO3Na. "Branched Guerbet" types are likewise 2-position branched, but also have additional branching substitution, as in:wherein Z is, for example, OS03Na. See also Varadaraj ct al,, J. Colloid and Interface Sci., Vol. 140, (1990), pp 31-34 relating to foaming data for surfactants which include C12 and C13 alkyl sulfutes containing 3 and 4 methyl branches, respectively (sec especially p. 32).
Known ulkyl sulfatcs also include:
1. Primary akyl sulfates derived from alcohols made by Oxo reaction on
propylone or n-butylene oligomcrs, for example ns described in U.S. Pntcnt
5,245,072 assigned to Mobil Corp.
2. Primary nlkyl sulfatcs derived from oleic-containing lipids, for example the
so-called "isostcaryl" types; sec EP 401,462 A, assigned to Henkel, published
December 12, 1990, which describes certain isostcnryl alcohols and cthoxylatcd
isostearyl alcohols and their sulfation to produce the corresponding alkyl sulfatcs
such as sodium isostearyl sulfatc.
3. Primary alkyl sulfates, for example the so-called "tridecyl" types derived
from oligomerizing propylene with an acid catalyst followed by Oxo reaction;
4. Primary alkyl sulfates derived from "Neodol" or "Dobanol" process alcohols:
these are Oxo products of linear internal olcfins or are Oxo products of linear alpha-
olefins. The olcfms me derived by clhylene oligomcrization to form nlphn-olcfins
which are used directly or are isomcri/ed to internal olcfins and metathesi/.ed to give internal olcfins of differering chain-lengths;
5. Primary alkyl sulfates derived from the use of "Ncodol" or "Dohanol" type
catalysts on internal olefins derived from feedstocks which differ from those
normally used to make "Ncodol" or "Dobanol" alcohols, the internal olcfins being
derived from dehydrogenation of paraffins from petroleum;
6. Primary alkyl sulfates derived from conventional (e.g., high-pressure, cobalt-
catalyzed) Oxo reaction on internal olefins, the internal olcfins being derived from
dehydrogenation of paraffins from petroleum;
7. Primary alkyl sulfates derived from conventional (e.g., high-pressure, cobalt-
cauilyzcd) Oxo reaction on alpha-olcfms;
8. Primary alkyl sulfates derived from natural linear fatty alcohols such as those
commercially available from Procter & Gamble Co.;
9. Primary alkyl sulfates derived from Ziegler alcohols such as those
commercially available from Alhcrmarlc;
JO. Primary alkyl sulfates derived from reaction of normal alcohols with a Gucrbet catalyst (the function of this well-known catalyst is to dchydrogcnate two moles of normal alcohol to the coircsponding aldehyde, condense them in an aldol condensation, and dehydrate the product which is an alpha, beta- unsaturated aldehyde which is then hydrogenaied to the 2-alkyl branched primary alcohol, all in one reaction "pot");
11. Primary alkyl sulfates derived from dimcrizalion of isobutylene to form
2,4,4l-trimcthyl-l-pcntene which on Oxo reaction to the aldehyde, aldol
dimcrization, dehydration and reduction gives alcohols;
12. Secondary alkyl sulfates derived from sulfuric acid addition to alpha- or
internal- olcfins;
13. Primary alkyl sulfates derived from oxidation of paraffins by steps of (a)
oxidizing the paraffin to form a fatly carboxylic acid; and (b) reducing the
carboxylie acid to the corresponding primary alcohol;
14. Secondary alkyl sul fates derived from direct oxidation of paraffins to form
secondary alcohols;
15. Primary or secondary alkyl sulfates derived from various plasticizer alcohols,
typically by Oxo reaction on an olefin, aldol condensation, dehydration and
hydrogenation (examples of suitable Oxo catalysts aie the conventional Co, or more
recently, Rh catalysts); and
16. Primary or Rcicondany alkyl sulfates other than of linear primary type, for
example phytol, farnesol, isolated from natural product sources.
Beyond such known alkyl sulfates, however, is a vast array of other possible alkyl sulfate compounds and mixtures whose physical properties may or may not make them useful as laundry detergent surfactants. (I)-(XI) display just some of the possible variations (the salts are depicted only as the common sodium salts).
(Formula Removed)
These structures are also useful to illustrate terminology in this field: thus, (1) is a "linear" alkyl sulfate. (I) is also a "primary" alkyl sulfate, in contrast with (VII) which is a "secondary" alkyl sulfate. (II) is also a "primary" alkyl'sulfate -but it is "branched". The branching is exclusively in the "2-pnsition" as in the so-called "linear Gucrbet" alkyl sulfates: carbon-counting by convention starts with Cl, which is the carbon atom covalcntly attached to the sulfate moiety. (III) can be used to represent any one of a scries of branched alkyl sulfates which, when c is an integer having the value 1 or greater, have only "non-2-position branching".7
According to conventional wisdom, at least for linear surfactant compounds, the hydrocarbon portion needs to have at least 12 carbon atoms, preferably more, to acquire good delergency. The indices a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,i,j,k,l,m,n,o,p,q can, in principle, be adjusted to accommodate this need. Compound (Vlll) is the alkyl sulfate derived from a naturally occurring branched alcohol, pliytol. Compound (IX) is a highly branched alkyl sulfate, which can, for example, be made by sulfating an alcohol derived from dimcrizing isobutylene and performing an Oxo reaction'on the product, Compound (X), when q = 14, is an isostcaryl alkyl sulfate; another so-called "isostearyl" alkyl sulfate has the general stnicturc (III) -such compounds can be made by sulfating an alcohol derived from a monomeric
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by product of the dimerization of oleic acid having 18 carbon atoms, i.e., d+e=14 in (III). Compound (XI) is a "neo" alkyl sulfate. (XII) and (XIII) arc substructures depicting "vicinal" (XII) and "gemma)" or "gem" (XIII) dimethyl branching, respectively, Such substructures can, in principle, occur in alkyl sulfalcs and other surfnctants. Conventional nlkyl sulfates can, moreover, be either saturated or unsaturatcd. Sodium olcyl sulfate, for example, is an unsaturated alkyl sulfate. Unsaturatcd alkyl sulfatcs such as oleyl sulfale can be relatively expensive and/or relatively incompatible with detergent formulations, especially those containing bleach.
In addition to the above structural variations, complex, highly branched primary alkyl sulfate mixtures having quaternary carbon atoms in the hydrophobe arc producible, for example by sulfation of Oxo alcohol made via acid-catalyzed polygas reaction; moreover sicrcoisomcrism, possible in many branched alkyl sulfatcs, further multiplies the number of species; and commercial alkyl sulfates can contain impurities including the corresponding alcohols, inorganic salts such as sodium sulfatc, hydrocarbons, and cyclic byproducts of their synthesis.
One known material is sodium isostcaryl sulfate which is a mixture of methyl and/or ethyl blanches distributed along an otherwise linear alkyl backbone wherein the total number of cnrbons in the entire molecule are about 18. This isostcaryl "mixture" is prepared in low yield from natural source feedstocks (i.e. tall oil, soy, etc.) via a process which results in branching which occurs in an uncontrolled manner, and which can vary depending upon the source of the feedstock. EP 401,462., assigned to Hcnkcl, published December 32, 1990 describes certain isostearyl alcohols and cthoxylatcd isostcaryl alcohols and their sulfation to produce the corresponding alkyl sulfates such as "sodium isoslcaryl sulfate" (CAS 34-181-82-8, sometimes referred to ns "sodium isoocladccyl sulfate").
Again, while R.G, Laughlin in "The Aqueous Phase Behavior of Surfactants", Academic Press, N.Y. (1994) p. 347 describes the observation thai as branching moves a way from the 2-alkyl position towards the center of the alkyl hydrophobe there is a lowering of Krafn temperatures (for n 15% solution), such notability observations luuch nulling about the suifactnncy of these compounds or thcir utility for incorporation into detergent compositions. In fact, both commercial pmcticc and the published literature arc equivocal on the desirability of branching in the mid-chain region. This includes the above-noted patent publications describing the beta-branched alkyl sulfates as the desired branching, as well as Finger ct al., "I )elcrgenl alcohols - the effect of alcohol structure and molecular weight on suilaelanl ptoperties", J. Amur. Oil Chemists' Society, Vol. 44, p. 525 (1967) or Technical Bulletin, Shell Chemical Co., SC: 364-80. These references assert, with respect to delcterious structural changes possible in a lcohol sulfalcs that "moving a C113 has a small effect". Data ptcsenlcd in a table shows n decrease in cotton detui'cticy of 29% and a decrcase in foaming of 77% relative to unbianchcd primary alcuhol sulfatel fate at the C13 chainlength. Moreover JP' 721232 describes a deiergency negative for the replacement of C11 linear primary alkyl sulfatc with branched primary alkyl sulfnte of unspecified branching.
In addition, K.R. Wonnulh and S. Zushma, Langmuir, Vol. 7, (1991), pp 2048-2053 describes technical studies on a number of branched alkyl sulfatcs, especially UK- "branched Gueibel" type, derived from the highly branched "Exxal" alcohols made by Exxon. 'Phase studies establish a lipophi0le ranking that is a hydrophobe tanking, as follows: highly branched a double tail > mclhyl branched > linear. Asscrtedly, branched suifaclants mix oil and water less effectively than linear surfactants. The efficiency ranking is linear > doublo tail >> mclliyl branched a highly blanched, Mom these results, it is not immediately evident which direction to take in the development of further improvements in brajichcd alkyl sulfates.
Thus, going beyond simple technical theories of how to achieve cleaning supeiioi'ity of one puie surfactant compound versus another, the developer and formulator of surfactants for laundry detergents must consider a wide variety of possibilities with limited (sonic-times inconsistent) infcum-'Jlion, and then .strive to provide overall improvements in one or more of a whole array of criteria, including
performance in the presence of complex mixture.s of.surfnctanl.s, trends; to low wash
tcmpenituies, fomiulation changes including builders, enzymes and bleaches, various changes in consumer habits and practices, and the need for biodcgradability. In the context provided by these preliminary remarks, the development of improved alkyl sulfatcs for use in laundry detergents and cleaning products is
clearly a complex challenge. The present invention relates to improvements in such alky! sulfate surfactant compositions,
As will be seen from the disclosures hereinafter, it has now unexpectedly been determined that certain relatively long-chain alkyl sulfate compositions containing mid-chain branching are preferred for use in laundry products, especially under cool or cold water washing conditions (e.g., 20°C-5°C). Preferred arc the combination of two or more of these mid-chain branched primary alkyl sulfate surfactants which provide a surfactant mixture that is higher in surfactancy and has better low temperature water solubility than any single branched alkyl-sulfate. The mixtures as produced comprise the mid-chain branching desirable for use In the surfactant mixtures of the present invention or the surfactant mixtures disclosed
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herein can be formulated by mixing the desired amounts of individual mid-chain branched surfactants. Such superior mixtures me not limited to combinations with other mid-chain branched surfactants but (preferably) they can be suitably combined with one or more other traditional detergent surfactants (e.g., other primary alkyl sulfates; linear alkyl benzene sulfonatcs; alkyl cthoxylatcd sulfatcs; nonionic surfactants; etc.) to provide improved surfactant systems.
These mid-chain branched surfactants are obtainable in relatively high purity making their commercialization cost effective for the formulator. Suitable product mixtures can be obtained from processes which utilize fossil-fuel sources. (The
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terms "derived from fossil fuels" or "fossil-fuel derived" herein are used to distinguish coal, natural gas, petroleum oil and other petrochemical derived, "synthetic" surfactants from those derived from living natural resources such as livestock or plants such us coconut palms).
One such'process is designed to provide branched reaction products which are primarily (85%, or greater) ulpha-olefin1;, and which are then converted Into hydrophobes in on Oxo-reaction sequence. Such branched alpha-olefins contain from about 11 to about 18 (avg.) total carbon atoms and comprise a linear chain having an average length in the 10-18 region. The branching is predominantly mono-methyl, but some di-methyl and some ethyl branching may occur. Advantageously, such process results in little (1%, or less) geminal branching, i.e., little, if any, "quaternary" carbon substitution. Moreover, little (less than about 20%) vicinal branching occurs. Of course, some (ca. 20%) of the overall feedstock used in the subsequent Oxo-process may remain unbranchcd. Typically, and preferably from the standpoint of cleaning performance and biodcgradability, this process provides alphn-olefins with: an average number of branches (longest chain basis) in the 0,4-2.5 range; of the branched material, there are essentially no
branches on carbons 1, 2 or on the terminal (omega) carbon of the longest chain of the branched material.
Following the formation and purification of the branched-chain alpha-olefm, the feedstock is subjected to an Oxo carbonylation process. In this Oxo-step, a catalyst (e.g., conventional cobalt carbonyl) which does not move the double bond from its initial position is used. This avoids the formation of vinylidenc intermediates (which ultimately yield less favorable surfactants) and ullow.s the carbonylation to proceed at the #1 and #2 carbon atoms.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide mid chain branched primary alkyl sulfate surfactants with greater than 14.5 carbon atoms useful in cleaning compositions. It is also an object of the present invention to provide mixtures of the mid-chain branched primary alkyl surfactants which are fomiulatablc with other surfactants to provide cleaning compositions having one or more advantages, including greater surfactancy at low use temperatures, increased resistance to water hardness, pivatcr efficacy in surfactant systems, improved removal of greasy or body soils from fabrics, improved compatibility with detergent enzymes, and the like.
BACKGROUND ART
U.S. 3,480,556 to deWitt, et a)., November 25, 1969, EP 439,316, published by Lever July 31, 1991, and EP 684,300, published by Lever November 29, 1995, describe beta-branched alkyl sulfatcs. EP 439,316 describes certain laundry detergents containing a specific commercial C14/C15 branched primary alkyl sulfate, namely L1AL 145 sulfatc. This is believed to have 61% branching in the 2-position; 30% of this involves branching with a hydrocarbon chain having four or more carbon atoms. U.S. 3,480,556 describes mixtures of from 10 to 90 parts of a straight chain primary alkyl sulfatc and from 90 to 10 parts of a beta branched (2-position branched) primary alcohol sulfatc of formula; R2
K'CHCJIjOSOjX
wherein the total number of carbon atoms ranges from 12 to 20 and Rl is a straight chain alkyl radical containing 9 to 17 carbon atoms and R2 is a straight chain alkyl radical containing 1 to 9 carbon atoms (67% 2-methyl and 33% 2-elhyl branching is exemplified).
As noted hereinbefore, R.G. Laughlin in "The Aqueous Phase Behavior of Surfactants", Academic Press, N.Y, (1994) p. 347 describes the observation that as branching moves away from the 2-alkyl position towards the center of the alkyl hydrophobe there is a lowering of Krufft temperatures. See also Finger et al.,
"Detergent alcohols - the effect of alcohol structure and molecular weight on surfactant properties", J. Amcr. Oil Chemists' Society, Vol. 44, p. 525 (1967) and Technical Bulletin, Shell Chemical Co,, SC: 364-80.
EP 342,917 A, Unilever, published Nov. 23, 1989 describes laundry detergents containing a surfactant system in which the major nnionic surfactant is an alkyl sulfatc having an assertcdly "wide range" of alkyl chain lengths (the experimental appears to involve mixing coconut and tallow chain length surfactants).
U.S. Patent 4,102,823 and GB 1,399,966 describe other laundry compositions containing conventional alkyl sulfatcs,
G.B. Patent 1,299,966, Malheson et al., published July 2, 1975, discloses a detergent composition in which the surfactant system is comprised of a mixture of sodium tallow alkyl sulfutc arid nonlonic surfactants.
Methyl- substituted sulfatcs include the known "isostearyl" sulfatcs; these are typically mixtures of isomcric sulfates having a total of 18 carbon ntoms. For example, HP 401,462 A, assigned to Henkel, published December 12, 1990, describes certain isostearyl alcohols and ethoxylated isostearyl alcohols and their sulfation to produce the corresponding alkyl sulfates such as sodium isostearyl sulfate. Sec also K.R, Wormuth and S. Zushma, Langmuir, Vol. 7, (1991), pp 2048-2053 (technical studies on a number of branched alkyl sulfates, especially the "branched Guerbet" type); R. Varadaraj ct al., J. Phys. Chem., Vol. 95, (1991), pp 1671-1676 (which describes the surface tensions of a variety of "linear Guerbct" and "branched Guerbet"- class surfactants including alkyl sulfates); Varadaraj et al., J. Colloid and Interface Sci., Vol. 140, (1990), pp 31-34 (relating to foaming data for surfactants which include C12 and C13 alkyl sulfates containing 3 and 4 methyl bianchcs, respectively); and Vnrndnraj ct al., Lnngmuir, Vol. 6 (1990), pp 1376-1378 (which describes the micropolarity of aqueous miccllar solutions of surfactants including branched alkyl sulfates).
"Linear Guerbet" alcohols are available from Henkel, e.g., EUTANOL G-16.
Primary akyl sulfates derived from alcohols made by Oxo reaction on propylenc or n-bulylcnc oligomers arc described in U.S. Patent 5,245,072 assigned to Mobil Corp. See also: U.S. Patent 5,284,989, assigned to Mobil Oil Corp. (a
method for producing substantially linear hydrocarbons by oligomcri/.inp, n lower
olefin at elevated temperatures with constrained intermediate pore siliceous acidic zeolite). and U.S. Patents 5,026,933 and 4,870,038, both to Mobil Oil Corp. (a process for producing substantially linear hydrocarbons by oligomerimig a lower olefin at elevated temperatures with siliceous acidic ZSM-23 zeolite).
See also; Surfactant Science Series, Marcel Dekker, N.Y. (various volumes include those entillcd "Anionic Surfactants" and "Surfactant Biodegradation", the latter by R.I). Swisher, Second Edition, publ. 1987 as Vol. 18; sec especially p.20-24 "Hydrophobic groups and their sources"; pp 28-29 "Alcohols" , pp 34-35 "Primary Alkyl Sulfatcs" and pp 35-36 "Secondary Alkyl Sulfatcs"); and literature on "higher" or "detergent" alcohols from which alkyl sulfates are typically made, including: CEI1 Marketing Rcseaich Report "Detergent Alcohols" by R.I'. Modlcr ct al., Chemical Economics Handbook, 1993, 609.5000 - 609.5002; Kirk Othmer's Fncyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 4th Edition, Wiley, N.Y., J99A, "Alcohols, Higher Aliphatic" in Vol. 1, pp 865-913 and references therein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to detergent surfactant compositions comprising at least about 0.5%, preferably at least about 5%, more preferably at least about 10%, most preferably at least about 20%, by weight of longer alkyl chain, mid-chain branched surfactant compounds of the formula:
(Formula Removed)wherein:
(a) Ab is a hydrophobic C9 to C22 (total carbons in the moiety), preferably from about C12 to about Cl 8, mid-chain branched alkyl moiety having: (1) a longest linear carbon chain attached to the - X - B moiety in the range of from 8 to 21 carbon atoms; (2) one or more C1 - C3 alkyl moieties branching from this longest linear carbon chain; (3) nt least one of the branching nlkyl moieties is attached directly to a carbon of the longest linear carbon chain at a position within the range of position 2 carbon (counting from carbon #1 which is attached to the - X - B moiety) to position ω - 2 carbon (the terminal carbon minus 2 carbons, i.e., the third carbon from the end of the longest linear carbon chain); and (4) the surfactant composition has an average total number of carbon atoms in the Ab-X moiety in the above formula within the range of greater than 14.5 to about 17.5 (preferably from about 15 to about 17);
b) B is a hydophilic moiety selected from sulfates, sulfonates, amine oxides,
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polyoxyalkylcnc (such as polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene), alkoxylatcd sulfatcs, polyhydroxy moieties, phosphate esters, glycerol sulfonates, polygluconates, polyphosphate esters, phosphonates, sulfosuccinates, sulfosuccaminates, polyalkoxylatcd carboxylates, glucarnides, taurinatcs,
sarcosinates, glycinates, isethionates, dialkanolamidcs, monoalkanolamides, monoalkanolamidc sulfatcs, diglycolainidcs, diglycolamide sulfates, glyccrol esters, glycerol ester su]fates, glycerol ethers, glycerol ether sulfates, polyglycero) ethers, polyglycero) ether sulfates, sorbitan esters, polyalkoxylated sorbitan esters, ammonioalkancsulfonates, amidopropyl betaincs, alkylatcd quats, alkyated/polyhydroxyalkylated quats, alkylated quats, alkylated/polyhydroxylated oxypropyl quats, imidnzolines, 2-yl-succinates, sulfonatcd alkyl esters, and sulfonated fatty acids [it is to be noted that more than one hydrophobic moiety may be attached to B, for example as in (Ab-X)2~B to give dimethyl quats];-and
(c) X is selected from -CH?.- and -C(O)-.
Also preferred are compositions wherein in the above formula the A^ moiety does not have any quaternary substituted carbon atoms (i.e., 4 carbon atoms directly attached to one carbon atom).
Preferred surfactant compositions herein comprise longer alkyl chain, mid-chain branched surfactant compounds of the above formula wherein the AD moiety is a branched primary alkyl moiety having the formula:
(Formula Removed)wherein the total number of carbon atoms in the branched primary alkyl moiety of this formula (including the 11, R1, and R^ branching) is from 13 to 19; R, Rl, and R2 are each independently selected from hydrogen and C1-C3 alkyl (preferably methyl), provided R, R1, and R2 arc not nil hydrogen and, when 7. is 0, at least R or R' is not hydrogen; w is an integer from 0 to 13; x is an integer from 0 to 13; y is an integer from 0 to 13; z. is an integer from 0 to ) 3; and w + x + y +z is from 7 to 13. Also preferred surfactant compositions herein comprise longer'alkyl chain, mid-chain branched surfactant compounds of the above formula wherein the A^ moiety is a branched primary alkyl moiety having the formula selected from:
(Formula Removed)or mixtures thereof; wherein a, b, d, and e are integers, a+b is from 10 to 16, d+c is
from 8 to 14 mid, whercin further
when a + b = 10, a is an integer from 2 to 9 and b is an integer from 1 to 8;

when a + b = 11, a is an integer From 2 to 10 and b is an integer from 1 to 9; when a + b = 12, a is an integer from 2 to 11 and b is an integer from 1 to 10; when a + b = 13, a is an integer from 2 to 12 and b is an integer from 1 to 11; . when a + b = 14, a is an integer from 2 to 13 and b is an integer from 1 to 12; when a + b = 15, u is an integer from 2 to 14 and b is an integer from 1 to 13; when a + b = 16, a is an integer from 2 to 15 and b is an integer from 1 to 14; when d + c = 8, d is an integer from 2 to 7 and e is an integer from 1 to 6; when d + e = 9, d is an integer from 2 to 8 and e is an integer from 1 to 7; .when d + c = 10, d is an integer from 2 to 9 and c is an integer from 1 to.8; when d + c = 11, d is an integer from 2 to 10 and c is an integer from 1 to 9; when d + c = 12, d is an integer from 2 to 11 and e is an integer from 1 to 10; when d +• c.= 13, d is an integer from 2 to 12 and e is nn integer from 1 to 11; when d + e =14, d is an integer from 2 to 13 and e is an integer from 1 to 12.
The present invention preferably further encompasses detergent composition.':, tor example those' useful for laundering fabrics, washing dishes, or cleaning hard surfaces, comprising:
(a) from about 0.001% to about 99% of a detergent surfactant compositions
comprising longer alkyl chain, mid-chain branched surfactant compounds according
to the present invention; and
(b) from about 1% to about 99.999% of detergent composition adjuct
ingredients.
All percentages, ratios and proportions herein arc by weight, unless otherwi.se specified, All temperatures are in degrees Celsius (° C) unless otherwise specified. All documents cited are in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference.
According to the present invention there is provided a detergent surfactant composition comprising:
(A) upto 99% by weight of detergent surfactant composition having
(i) at least 0.5%, preferably at least 5%, more preferably at least 10%, most
preferably at least 20%, by weight of longer alkyl chain, mid-chain branched surfactant compounds of the formula:
(Formula Removed)wherein:
a) Ab is a hydrophobic C9 to C22, total carbons in the moiety, preferably from
C12 to C18, mid-chain branched alkyl moiety having: (1) a longest linear carbon chain
attached to the - X - B moiety in the ranee of from 8 to 21 carbon atoms; (2) one or more C| -
C3 alkyl moieties branching from this longest linear carbon chain; (3) at least one of the
branching alkyl moieties is attached directly to a carbon of the longest linear carbon chain at
a position within the range of position 2 carbon, counting from carbon #1 which is attached
to the - X - B moiety, to position co - 2 carbon, the terminal carbon minus 2 carbons; and (4)
the surfactant composition has an average total number of carbon atoms in the Ab-X moiety
in the above formula within the range of greater than 14.5 to 17.5, preferably from 15 to 17;
b) B is a hydophilic moiety selected from sulfates, sulfonates, amine oxides,
polyoxyalkylene, preferably polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene, alkoxylated sulfates,
polyhydroxy moieties, phosphate esters, glyccrol sulfonates, polygluconates, polyphosphate
esters, phosphonates, sulfosuccinates, sulfosuccaminates, polyalkoxylated carboxylates,
glucamides, taurinates, sarcosinates, glycinates, isethionates, dialkanolamides,
monoalkanolamides, monoalkanolamide sulfates, diglycolamides, digiycolamide sulfates,
glyccrol esters, glyccrol ester sulfates, glycerol ethers, glycerol ether sulfates, polyglycerol
ethers, polyglycerol ether sulfates, sorbitan esters, polyalkoxylated sorbitan esters,
ammonioalkanesulfonates, amidopropyl betaines, alkylated quats,
alkyated/polyhydroxyalkylated quats, alkylated quats, alkylated/polyhydroxylated oxypropyl
quats, imidazolines, 2-yl-succinates, sulfonated alkyl esters, and sulfonated fatty acids; and
(c) X is selected from -CH2- and -C(O)-; and
(ii) a non-anionic or other anionic surfactant, optionally a cationic surfactant; and
(B) optionally, upto 99.999% of other conventional adjunct material.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to surfactant mixtures comprising mid-chain branched surfactant compounds as described herein before. In such compositions, certain points of branching (e.g., the location along the chain of the R,R1, and/or R2 moieties in the aboveformula) are preferred over other points of branching along the backbone of the surfactant. The formula below illustrates the mid-chain branching range, and more preferred mid-chain branching range for mono-methyl branched alkyl Ab moieties useful according to the present invention.
(Formula Removed)It should be noted that for the mono-methyl substituted surfactants these ranges exclude the two terminal carbon atoms of the chain and the carbon atom immediately adjacent to the -X - B group.
The formula below illustrates the mid-chain branching range, preferred mid-chain branching range, and more preferred mid-chain branching range for di-melhyl substituted alkyl Ab moieties useful according to the present invention.
(Formula Removed)The preferred branched surfactant compositions useful in cleaning compositions according to the present invention are described in more detail hereinafter.
(1) Mid:chnin Branched Primary Alkyl Sulfatc Surfactants
The present invention branched surfactant compositions may comprise two or more mid-chain branched primary alkyl sulfatc surfactants having the formula
(Formula Removed)The surfactant mixtures of the present invention comprise molecules having a linear primary alkyl sulfatc chain backbone (i.e., the longest linear carbon chain which includes the sulfated carbon atom), These alkyl chain backbones comprise from 12 to 19 carbon atoms; and further the molecules comprise a branched primary alkyl moiety having at least a total of 14, but not moie than 20, carbon atoms. In addition, the surfactant mixture has an average total number of carbon atoms for the branched primary alkyl moieties within the range of from greater than 14.5 to about 17.5. Thus, the present invention mixtures comprise at least one branched primary
alky) sulfate surfactant compound having a longest linear carbon chain of not less than 12 carbon atoms or more than 19 carbon atoms, and the total number of carbon atoms including branching must be at least 14, and further the average total number of carbon atoms for the branched primary alkyl chains is within the range of greater than 14.5 to about 17.5.
For example, a C) 6 total carbon primary alkyl sulfate surfactant having 13 carbon atoms in the backbone must have 1, 2, or 3 branching units (i.e., R, R! and/or R3) whereby total number of carbon atoms in the molecule is at least 16. In this example, the Cl6 total carbon requirement may be satisfied equally byjjaving, for example, one propyl branching unit or three methyl branching units.
R, Rl, and R^ are each independently selected from hydrogen and C1-C3
->' »-
nlkyl (preferably hydrogen or C1-C2. nlkyl, more preferably hydrogen or methyl, and most preferably methyl), provided R, R.1, and R.2 are not all hydrogen. Further, when z is 1, at least R or R' is not hydrogen.
Although for the purposes of the present invention surfactant compositions the above formula does not include molecules wherein the units R, R^, and R^ are all hydrogen (i.e., linear non-branched primary alkyl sulfates), it is to be recognized that the present invention compositions may still further comprise some amount of linear, non-branched primary alkyl sulfate. Further, this linear non-branched primary alkyl sulfate surfactant may be present as the result of the process used to manufacture the surfactant mixture having the requisite one or more mid-chain branched primary alkyl sulfates according to the present invention, or for purposes of formulating detergent compositions some amount of linear non-branched primary ulkyl sulfate may be admixed into the final product formulation.
Further it is to be similarly recognized that non-sulfated mid-chain branched alcohol may comprise some amount of the present invention compositions. Such materials may be present as the result of incomplete sulfation of the alcohol used to prepare the alkyl sulfate surfactant, or these alcohols may be separately added to the present invention detergent compositions along with a mid-chain branched alkyl sulfate surfactant according to the present invention.
M is hydrogen or a salt forming cation depending upon the method of synthesis. Examples of salt forming cations are lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, qualciuniy alkyl amines having the formula
(Formula Removed)wherein R-*, R4, R5 and R^ are independently hydrogen, C1-C22 alkylenc,C4-C22 branched alkylene, C1-C8 alkanol, C1-C22 alkcnylene, C4-C22 branched alkenylenc, and mixtures thereof. Preferred cations are ammonium (R-\ R4, R$ and R6 equal hydrogen), sodium, potassium, mono-, di-, and trialkanol ammonium, and mixtures thereof. The monoulkanol ammonium compounds of the present invention have R3 equal to C1-C6 alkanol, R4, R5 and R6 equal to hydrogen; dialkanol ammonium compounds of the present invention have R3 and R4 equal to C1-C6 alkanol, R5 and R6 equal to hydrogen; trialkaiiol ammonium compounds of the present invention have R3, R4 and R5equal to C1-C6 alkanol, R6 equa1. to hydrogen. Preferred alkanol ammonium salts of the present invention arc the mono* , di- and tri- quaternary ammonium compounds having the formulas:
H3N+CH2CH20H, Il2N+(CH2CH2OH)2, HN+(CIl2CH2OH)3. Prcfeircd M is sodium, potassium and the C2 alknnol ammonium suits listed above; most preferred is sodium.
Further regarding the above formula, w is an integer from 0 to 13; x is an integer from 0 to 13; y is an integer from 0 to 13; z is an integer of at least 1; and w + x + y + z is an integer from 8 to 14.
The preferred surfactant mixtures of the present invention have at least 0.001%, more preferably at least 5%, most preferably at least 20% by weight, of the mixture one or more branched primary alkyl sulfates having the formula
(Formula Removed)wherein the total number of carbon atoms, including branching, is from 15 to 18, and wherein further for this surfactant mixture the average total number of carbon atoms in the branched primary alkyl moieties having the above formula is within the range of greater than 14.5 to about 17.5; R1 and R2 are each independently hydrogen or C1-C'3 alkyl; M is a water soluble cation; x is from 0 to 11; y is from 0 to 11; z is at least 2; nnd x + y •) z is from 9 to 13; provided Rl and R^ are not both hydrogen, More preferred are compositions having at least 5% of the mixture comprising one or more mid-chain branched primary alkyl sulfates wherein x + y is equal to 9 and ?. is at least 2.
Preferably, the mixtures of surfactant comprise at least 5% of a mid chain branched primary alkyl sulfate having Rl and R2 independently hydrogen, methyl, provided R! und R2are not both hydrogen; x + y is equal to 8, 9, or 10 nnd z is at least 2. More prtrferably the mixtures of surfactant comprise at least 20% of a mid chain branched primary alkyl sulfate having R1 and R2 independently hydrogen,
methyl, provided R1 and R2 are not both hydrogen; x + y is equal to 8,9, or 10 and z is at least 2.
Preferred detergent compositions according to the present invention, for example one useful for laundering fabrics, comprise from about 0.001% to about 99% of a mixture of mid-chain branched primary alkyl sulfatc surfactants, said mixture comprising at least about 5 % by weight of two or more mid-chain branched
alkyl sulfatcs having the formula: (Formula Removed)
or mixtures thereof; wherein M represents one or more cations; a, b, d, and e arc integers, a+b is from 10 to 16, d+c is from 8 to 14 and wherein further when a + b = 10, a is an integer from 2 to 9 and b is an integer from 1 to 8; when a + b = 11, a is an integer from 2 to 10 and b is an integer from 1 to 9; when a+ b = 12, a is an integer from 2 to 11 and b is an integer from 1 to 10; when a + b = 13, a, is an integer from 2 to 12 mid b is an integer from 1 to 11; when a + b ~ 14, a is an integer from 2 to 13 and b is an integer from 1 to 12; when n + b - 15, a is an integer from 2 to M and b is an integer from 1 to 13; when a + b = 16, a is an integer from 2 to 15 and b is an integer from 1 to 14; when d + c = 8, d is an integer from 2 to 7 and e is an integer from 1 to 6; when d + e = 9, d is an integer from 2 to 8 and e is an integer from 1 to 7; when d + e=10, d is an integer from 2 to 9 and e is an integer from 1 to 8; when d + e = 11, d is an integer from 2 to 10 and e is an integer from 1 to 9; when d + c = 12, d is an integer from 2 to 11 and e is an integer from 1 to 10; when d + e = 13, d is an integer from 2 to 12 and e is an integer from 1 to 11; when d + e = 14, d is an integer from 2 to 13 and e is an integer from 1 to 12; wherein further for this surfactant mixture the average total number of carbon atoms in the branched primary alkyl moieties having the above formulas is within the range of greater than 14.5 to about 17,5.
Further, the present invention surfactant composition may comprise a mixture of branched primary alkyl sulfntcs havinp. the formula
(Formula Removed)wherein the total number of carbon atoms per molecule, including branching, is from 14 to 20, and wherein further for this surfactant mixture the average total number of carbon atoms in the branched primary alky I moieties having the above formula is within the range of greater than 14.5 to about 17.5; R, K1, and R.2 are each independently selected from hydrogen nnd C1-O3 alkyl, provided R, R1, and R2 arc not all hydrogen; M is a water soluble cation; w is an integer from 0 to 13; x is an integer from 0 to 13; y is an integer from 0 to 13; z is an integer of at least 1; and w + K + y + 7. is from 8 to 14; provided that when R2 is a C1-C3 alkyl the ratio of surfactants having z equal to 1 to surfactants having z of 2 or greater is at least about 1:1, preferably at least about 1:5, more preferably at least about 1:10, and most preferably at least about 1:100. Also preferred are surfactant compositions, when R2 is a C1-C3 alkyl, comprising less than about 20%, preferably less than 10%, more preferably less than 5%,'most preferably less than 1%, of branched primary alkyl sulfates having the above formula wherein z equals 1.
Preferred mono-methyl branched primary alkyl sulfates arc .selected from the group consisting of: 3-methyl penladccanol sulfate, 4-methyl pentadecanol sulfatc, 5-methyl pcntadecanol sulfate, 6-mcthyl pentadccanol sulfate, 7-mcthyl pcntadecanol sulfate, 8-mcthyl pentadccanol sulfate, 9-methyl pentadccanol sulfatc, 10-melhyl pcntadecanol sulfate, 11-methyl pcntadecanol sulfate, 12-methyl pentadccanol sulfate, 13-methyl pcntadecanol sulfatc, 3-methyl hcxadecanol sulfate, 4-methyl hcxadecanol sulfate, 5-methyl hexadecanol sulfate, 6-methyl hcxadecanol sulfate, 7-mcthyl hexadecanol .sulfatc, 8-methyl hexadecanol sulfatc, 9-methyl hexadecanol sulfate, 10-mcthyl hexadecanol sulfate, 11-methyl hcxadccano) sulfatc, 12-methyl hcxadecanol sulfate, 13-mcthyl hexadecanol sulfate, 14-mclhyl hexadecanol sulfntc, nnd mixtures thereof.
Preferred di-methyl branched primary alkyl sulfates are selected from the group consisting of: 2,3-mcthyl tetradecanol sulfate, 2,4-methyl tctradecanol sulfate. 2.5-methyl tctradecanoJ sulfate, 2.6 methyl Ictradecanol sulfhtc, 2,7-melhyl tetiadccanol sulfatc, 2,8-methyl tctradecanol sulfatc, 2,9-methyl tetradccano) sulfate, 2,10-methyl tctradecanol sulfate, 2,11-methyl tetradecanol sulfatc, 2,12-mcthyl tctradecanol sulfate, 2,3-methyl pcntadecanol sulfate, 2,4-melhyl penladccanol sulfatc, 2,5-methyl pentadecanol sulfate, 2,6-mcthyI pentadccanol sulfate, 2,7-methyl pcntiuleoanol sulfate, 2,8-methyl pcntadecmiol sulfnte, 2,9-methyl penladccanol sulfatc, 2,10-methyl pentadccanol sulfate, 2,11-methyl pentadccanol sulfate, 2,12-methyl pcntadecanol sulfate, 2,13-methyl pentadecanol sulfatc, and mixtures thereof.
The following branched primary1 alkyl sulfates comprising 16 carbon atoms and having one branching unit are examples of preferred branched surfactants useful in the present invention compositions:
5-mcthylpentadccylsulfate having the formula:
(Formula Removed)metbylpentadecylsulfate having the formula
(Formula Removed)methylpcntadecylsulfatc having the formula
(Formula Removed)8-methylpcntadecylsulfate having the formula
(Formula Removed)9-methylpenladecylsuIfalc having the formula
C1I3 10-methylpcntadi-cylsulfatc having the formula
(Formula Removed)wherein M is preferably sodium.
The following branched primaiy alkyl sulfates comprising 17 carbon atoms and having two branching units are examples of preferred branched surfactants according to the present invention:
2,5-dimethylpentadccylsulfate having the formul'a:
(Formula Removed)CH3 2,6-dimtMhylpcniadecyIsulfatf having tlic formula(Formula Removed)
2,7-dimcthylpentadccylsulfate having the formula
(Formula Removed)2,8-dimcthylpcntadecylsulfate having the formuln
(Formula Removed)2,9-dimethylpcntadecylsulfate having the formula
(Formula Removed)dimcthylpentadccylsulfate having the formula
(Formula Removed)wherein M is preferably sodium.
(2) Mid-chain Branched Primary Alkyl Polyoxyalkvlene Surfactants
The present invention branched surfactant compositions may comprise one or mem1; mid-cluiin bi.'inched primary nlkyl polyoxyalkyJcnu suiTactantK having the formula
(Formula Removed)The surfactant mixtures of the present invention comprise molecules having a linear primary polyoxyalkylenc chain backbone (i.e., the longest linear carbon chain which includes the alkoxylated carbon atom). These alkyl chain backbones comprise from 12 to 19 cnrbon atoms; and further the molecules comprise a branched primary alkyl moiety having at least a total of 14, but not more than 20, carbon atoms. In addition, the surfactant mixture has an average total number of carbon atoms for the branched primary alkyl moieties within the range of from greater than 14.5 to about 17.5. Thus, the present invention mixtures comprise at least one polyoxyalkylcnc compound having a longest linear carbon chain of not less than 12 carbon atoms or more than 19 carbon atoms, and the total number of carbon atoms including branching must be, at least 14, and further the average total number of carbon atoms for the branched primary alkyl chains is within the range of greater than 14.5 to about 17.5.
For example, a f l6 total cnrhon (in the nlkyl chain) primary polyoxyalkylcnc surfactant having 15 carbon atoms in the backbone must have a methyl branching unit (either R, R1 or R2 is methyl) whereby the total number of carbon atoms in the molecule is 16.
R, R' , and R2 are each independently selected from hydrogen and C1-C3 alkyl (preferably hydrogen or C1-C2 alkyl, more preferably hydrogen or methyl, and most preferably methyl), provided R, R1, and R2 are not all hydrogen. Further, when 7. is 1, at least R or R1 is not hydrogen.
Although for the purposes of the present invention surfactant compositions the above formula does not include molecules wherein the units R, R1, and R2 are all hydrogen (i.e., linear non-branched primary polyoxyalkylenes), it is to be recognized that the present invention compositions may still further comprise some amount of linear, non-branched primary polyoxyalkylcne. Further, this linear non-branched primary polyoxyalkylenc surfactant may be present as the result of the process used to manufacture the surfactant mixture having the requisite mid-chain branched primary polyoxyalkylenes according to the. present invention, or for pin poses of formulating detergent compositions some amount of linear" non-branched primary polyoxyalkylene ma bye admixed into the final product
formulation.
i,
Further it is to be similarly recognized that non-alkoxylated mid-chain branched alcohol may comprise some amount of the present invention polyoxyulkylene-containing compositions. Such materials may be- present as the result of incomplete alkoxylation of the alcohol used to prepare the polyoxyalkylene

surfactant, or these alcohols may be separately added to the present invention detergent compositions along with n mid-chain branched polyoxyalkylcne surfactant according to the present invention.
further regarding the above formula, \v is an integer from 0 to 13; x is an integer from 0 to 13; y is tin integer fium 0 to ] 3; /. is mi integer of at least 1; and w H x + y + 7. is an integer from 8 to 14.
EO/PO are alkoxy moieties, preferably selected from etlioxy, propoxy, and mixed ethoxy/propoxy groups, moio preferably ethoxy, whciein m if; at least about 1, preferably within the range of from about 3 to about 30, more preferably from about 5 to about 20, and most prefciably from about 5 to about 15. The (liO/l'O),n moiety may be either a distribution with average degree of alkoxylation (e.g., ethoxylation and/or propoxylation) corresponding to m, or it may be a single specific chain with alkoxylation (e.g., ethoxylation and/or propoxylation) of exactly the number of units corresponding to m.
The preferred surfactant mixtures of the present invention have at least 0.001%, more preferably at least 5%, most preferably at least 20% by weight, of the mixture one or more mid-chain branched primary alkyl polyoxyalkylenes having the formula
(Formula Removed)wherein the total number of carbon atoms, including branching, is from 15 to 18, and wherein further for this surfactant mixture the average total number of carbon atoms in the branched primary alkyl moieties having the above formula is within the range of greater than 14.5 to about 17.5; R1 arid R^ are each independently hydrogen or C1-C3 alkyl; x is from 0 to 11; y is from 0 to 11; z is at least 2; and x + y + z is from 9 to 13; provided R1 and R2 arc not both hydrogen; and EO/PO are olkoxy moieties selected from ethoxy, propoxy, and mixed ethoxy/propoxy groups, more preferably ethoxy, wherein m is at least about 1, preferably within the range of from about 3 to about 30, more preferably from about 5 to about 20, and most preferably from about 5 to about 15. More preferred are compositions having at least 5% of the mixture comprising one or more mid-chain branched primary polyoxyalkylenes wherein z is at least 2.
Preferably, the mixtures of surfactant comprise at least 5%, preferably at least about 20%, of a mid chain branched primary alkyl polyoxyalkylcne having R1 and R2 independently hydrogen or methyl, provided R1 and R2 me not both hydrogen; x + y is equal to 8, 9 or 10 and z is at least 2.
I'letcned detergent compositions according to the present invention, lor example one useful for laundering fabrics, eomprise from about 0,001% to about 99% of a mixture of mid-chain branched primary alkyl polyoxyalkylene surfactants, said mixture comprising at least about 5 % by weight of one or more mid-chain branched alkyl polyoxyylkylcnes having (he formula;
(Formula Removed)or mixtures thereof; wherein a, b, d, and e are integers, n-i-b is iron) 10 to 16, d+e is from 8 to 14 and wherein further
when a + b = 10, a is an integer from 2 to 9 and b is an integer from 1 to 8; when a + b =—11, a is an integer from 2 to 10 and b is an integer from 1 to 9; when a + b = 12, a is an integer from 2 to 11 and b is an integer from 1 to 10; when a + b = 13, a is an integer from 2 to 12 and b is an integer from 1 to 11; when a + b = 14, a is an integer from 2 to 13 and b is an integer from 1 lo 12; when a + b = 15, a is an integer from 2 to 14 and b is an integer from 1 to 13; when a + b = 16, a is an integer from 2 to 15 and b is an integer from 1 to 14; when d + c = 8, d is an integer from 2 to 7 and c is an integer from 1 to 6; when d + e = 9, d is an integer from 2 to 8 and c is an integer from 1 to 7; when d + c = 10, d is an integer from 2 to 9 and e is an integer from 1 to 8; when d + c = 11, d is an integci from 2 to 10 and c is an integer from 1 to 9; when d + e = 12, d is an integer from 2 to 11 and c is an integer from 1 to 10; when d + e = 13, d is an integer from 2 to 12 and e is an integer from 1 to 11; when d + c = 14, d is an integer from 2 lo 13 and e is an integer from 1 to 12; and wherein further for this surfactant mixture the average total number of carbon atoms in the branched primary alkyl moieties having the above formulas is within the range of greater than 14.5 to about 17.5; and EO/PO are alkoxy moieties selected from ethoxy, propoxy, and mixed ethoxy/propoxy groups, wherein in is at least about 1, preferably within the range of from about 3 to about 30, more preferably from about 5 to about 20, and most preferably from about 5 to about 15.
Further, the present invention surfactant composition may comprise a mixtuie of branched primary alkyl polyoxyalkylcncs having the formula(Formula Removed)wherein the total number of carbon atoms per molecule, including branching, is from 14 to 20, and wherein further for this surfactant mixture the average total number of carbon atoms in the branched primary alkyl moieties having the above formula is within the range of greater than 14.5 to about 17.5; R, Rl, and R2 are each independently selected from hydrogen and C1-C3 alkyl, provided R, R1, and R2 arc not all hydrogen; w is an integer from 0 to 13; x is an integer from 0 to 13; y is an integer from 0 to 13; z is an integer of at least 1; w + x + y + 7. is from 8 to 14; BO/TO are alkoxy moieties, preferably selected from cthoxy, propoxy, and mixed cthoxy/propoxy groups, wherein m is at least about 1, preferably withiiUhe range of from about 3 to about 30, more preferably from nbout 5 to about 20, and most preferably from about 5 to about 15; provided that when R^ is Cj-Cg alkyl the ratio of surfactants having 7. equal to 2 or greater to surfactants having z of 1 is at least about 1:1,preferably at least about 1.5:1, more preferably at least about 3:1, and most preferably at least about 4:1. Also preferred are surfactant compositions when R2 is C1-C3 alkyl comprising less than about 50%, preferably less than about 40%, more preferably less than about 25%, most preferably less than about 20%, of branched primary alkyl polyoxyalkylene having the above fonnula wherein z. equals
1.
Preferred mono-methyl branched primary alkyl ethoxylates arc selected from the group consisting of: 3-mclhyl pcntadecanol cthoxylatc, 4-mcthyl pcntadccanol cthoxylate, 5-mcthyl pentadecanol ethoxylate, 6-methyl pentadecanol cthoxylate, 7-methyl pentadecanol ethoxylatc, 8-methyl pentadecanol ethoxylate, 9-methyl pentadecanol elhoxylatc, 10-mcthyl pcntadccanol cthoxylatc, 11-methyl pentadecanol cthoxylatc, 12-mcthyl pentadecanol elhoxylatc, 13-mctFiyl pentadecanol ethoxylate, 3-methyl hcxadecanol ethoxylatc, 4-mcthyl hexadecanol ethoxylate, 5-methyl hcxadecanol ethoxylate, 6-methyl hexadecanol cthoxylate, 7-methyl hcxadecanol ethoxylate, 8-mcthyl hcxadecanol ethoxylatc, 9-mcthyl hcxadecanol ethoxylate, 10-mcthyl hcxadecanol cthoxylatc, 11-methyl hexadecanol ethoxylaie, 12-methyl hexadecanol cthoxylatc, 13-methyl hexadecanol cthoxylate, 14-methyl hexadecanol cthoxylate, nnd mixtures thereof, wherein the compounds arc cthoxylatcd with an average degree of ethoxylation of from about 5 to about 15,
Preferred di-melhyl branched primary alkyl ethoxylates selected from the Kioup consist ing, of: 2.,3-methyl letrndenuiol ethoxylatc. 7,4-mclhyl tctradcconol elhoxylate, 2,5-methyl tettudecmiol ethoxylatc, 2,6-methyl tctradccanol cthoxylale, 2,7-mcthyl tetradecanol cthoxylate, 2,8-methyl tetradecanol ethoxylatc, 2,9-methyl ictradecanol cthoxylatc, 2,10-mcthyl tctradccanol elhoxylate, 2,11-methyl tetradecanol ethoxylate, 2,12-methyl tetradecanol cthoxylate, 2,3-methyl
pentadecanol ethoxylatc, 2,4-mcthyl pentadccanol cthoxylate, 2,5-mcthyl pentrulecanol cthoxylate, 2,6 methyl pcntadecanol cthoxylnte, 2,7-methyl pentadccaiiol ethoxylate, 2,8-methyl pcutadecanol ethoxylate, 2,9-methyl pentadecanol cthoxylaic, 2,10-mcthyl pentadecanol ethoxylate, 2,11-methyl pcutadecanol ethoxylate, 2,12-mcthyl pentadecanol elhoxylate, 2,13-methyl pentadecanol ethoxylate, and mixtures thereof, wherein the compounds are cthoxylated with an average degree of ethoxylation of from about 5 to about 15.
(3) Mid-chain Branched Primary Alkyl Alkoxvlated Sulfate Surfactants
The present invention branched surfactant compositions may comprise one or more (preferably a mixture of two or more) mid-chain branched primary alkyl alkoxylatcd sulfates having the formula:(Formula Removed)The surfactant mixtures of the present invention comprise molecules having a linear primary alkoxylated sulfate chain backbone (i.e., the longest, linear carbon chain which includes the alkoxy-sulfated carbon atom). These alkyl chain backbones comprise from 12 to 19 carbon atoms; and further the molecules comprise a branched primary alkyl moiety having at least a total of 14, but not more than 20, carbon atoms. In addition, the surfactant mixture has an average total number of carbon atoms for the branched primary alky) moieties within the range of from greater than 14.5 to about 17.5. Thus, the present invention mixtures comprise at least one alkoxylated sulfate compound having u longest linear cnrbon chain of not less than 12 carbon atoms or more than 19 carbon atoms, and the total number of carbon atoms including branching must be at least 14, and.further the average total number of carbon atoms for the branched primary alkyl chains is within the range of greater than 14.5 to about 17.5.
For example, a C16 total carbon (in the alkyl chain) primary alkyl alkoxylated sulfate surfactant having 15 carbon atoms in the backbone must have a methyl branching unit (cither R, R1 or R2 is methyl) whereby the total number of carbon atoms in the primary alkyl moiety of the molecule is 16.
R, R1 and R2 arc each independently selected from hydrogen and C1-C3 alkyl (preferably hydrop.cn or C1-C2 alkyl, more preferably hydrogen or methyl, and most pielaably methyl), piovided R, R1, and R2- me mil all hydrogen. Fuither, when 7. is 1, at least R or R' is not hydrogen.
Although for the purposes of the present invention surfactant compositions the above formula does not include molecules wherein the units R, R1, and R2 are all hydrogen (i.e., linear non-branched primary alkoxylated sulfates), it is to be recognized that the present invention compositions may still further comprise some amount ol'lineai, non-binndicd primary alkoxylated sulfate. Further, this linear non-branched primary nlkoxylated sulfate surfactant may be present as the result of the process used to manufacture the surfactant mixture having the requisite mid-chain branched primary alkoxylated sulfates according to the present invention, or for purposes of formulating detergent compositions some amount of linear non-branched primary alkoxylated sulfate may be admixed into the final product formulation.
It is also to be recognized that some amount of mid-chain branched alkyl sulfate may be present in the compositions. This is typically the result of sulfation of non-alkoxylated alcohol remaining following incomplete alkoxylation of the mid-chain branched alcohol used to prepare the alkoxylated sulfate useful herein. It is to be recognized, however, that separate addition of such mid-chain branched alkyl sulfates is also contemplated by the present invention compositions.
Further it is to be similarly rccogni/cd that non-sulfated mid-chain branched
alcohol (including polyoxyalkylcnc alcohols) may comprise some amount of the
present invention nlkoxylated sulfate-containing compositions. Such materials may
be present as the result of incomplete sulfation of the alcohol (alkoxylated or non-
alkoxylated) used to prepare the alkoxylated sulfate surfactant, or these alcohols
may be separately added to the present invention detergent compositions along with
a mid-chain branched alkoxylated sulfate surfactant according to the present
invention. M is as described hereinbefore,
Further regarding the above formula, w is un integer from 0 to 13; x is an integer from 0 to 13; y is an integer from 0 to 13; z is an integer of at least ); and w + x + y + z is an integer from 8 to 14.
EO/Pp are alkoxy moieties, preferably selected from ethoxy, propoxy, and mixed eihoxy/propoxy groups, wherein m is at least about 0.01, preferably within the range of from about 0.1 to about 30, more preferably from about 0.5 to about 10, and most preferably from about I to about 5. The (F,O/PO)m moiety may bo cither a
t
distribution with average degree of alkoxylution (e.g., ethoxylation and/or propoxylation) corresponding to m, or it may be a single specific chain with alkoxylation (e.g., ethoxylation and/or propoxylntion) of exactly the number of units corresponding to m.
The preferred surfactant mixtures of the present invention have at least 0.001%, more preferably at least 5%, most preferably at least 20% by weight, of the mixture one or more mid chain branched primary alkyl alkoxylatcd sulfatcs having the formula(Formula Removed)
wheieit) the total number of carbon atoms, including branching, is from 15 to 18, and wherein further for this surfactant mixture the average total number*of carbon atoms in the branched primary nlkyl moieties having the above formula is within the range of greater than 14.5 to about 17.5; R.1 and R^ are each independently hydrogen or C1-C3 alkyl; M is a water soluble cation; x is from 0 to \ 1; y is from 0 to 11; z is at least 2; and x -I y+-zis from 9 to 13; provided R1 and R2 arc not both hydrogen; and EO/P'O are alkoxy moieties selected from ethoxy, propoxy, and mixed ethoxy/propoxy groups, wherein rn is at least about 0.01, preferably within the lauge of from about 0.1 to about 30, more preferably from about 0.5 to about 10, and most preferably from about 1 to about 5. More preferred are compositions having at least 5% of the mixture comprising one or more mid-chain branched primary olkoxylaied sul fates wherein z is at least 2.
Preferably, the mixtures of surfactant comprise at least 5%, preferably at least about 20%, of a mid chain branched primary alkyl nlkoxylated sul fate having R1 and R2 independently hydrogen or methyl, provided R.1 and R2 arc not both hydrogen; x + y is equal to 8, 9 or 10 and z is at least 2,
Preferred detergent compositions according to the present invention, for example one useful for laundering fabrics, comprise from about 0.001% to about 99% of u mixture of mid-chain branched primary alkyl alkoxylated sulfatc surfactants, said mixture comprising at least about 5 % by weight of one or more
mid-chain branched alkyl alkoxylaied sulfatcs having the formula:
(Formula Removed)or mixtures thereof; wherein M represents one or more cations; a, b, d, and c are integers, a t b is from 10 to 16, d + e is from 8 to 14 and wherein further when a +b - 10, a is an integer from 2 to9 and b is an integer from I to 8; when a +b 11, a is an integer from 2 to 10 and b is an integer from 1 to 9;
when a + b = 12, a is an integer from 2 to 11 and b is an integer from I to 10; when a + b = 13, a is an integer from 2 to 12 and b is an integer from 1 to 11; when a + b = 14, a is un integer from 2 to 13 and b is an integer from 1 to 12; when a +b = 15, a is an integer from 2 to 14 mid b is nn integer from 1 to 13; wlicn a + b = 16, a is an integer liom 2 to 15 and b is an integer from 1 to 14; when d + e = 8, d is an integer from 2 to 7 and e is an integer from 1 to 6; when d + e = 9, d is nn intrgftr from 2 to 8 nnd c is an integer from 1 to 7; when d + e = 10, d is an integer from 2 to 9 and e is an integer from 1 to 8; when d + c= 11, d is an integer from 2 to 10 and c is an integer from 1 -to 9; when d + e = 12, d is an integer from 2 to 11 and e is an integer from 1 to 10; when d + c = 13, d is an integer from 2 to 12 and e is an integer from 1 to 11; when d + c = 14, d is an integer from 2 to 13 and e is an integer from 1 to 12; and wherein further for this surfactant mixture the average total number of carbon atoms in the branched primary alkyl moieties having the above formulas is within the rnnpc of greater than 14.5 to about 17.5; nnd I-O/K) are alkoxy moieties selected from cthoxy, propoxy, and mixed ethoxy/propoxy groups, wherein in is at least about 0.01, preferably within the range of from about 0.1 to about 30, more preferably from about 0.5 to about 10, and most preferably from about 1 to about 5.
Further, the present invention surfactant composition may comprise a mixture of branched primary alkyl alkoxylatcd sulfatcs having the formula
(Formula Removed)wherein the total number of carbon atoms per molecule, including branching, is from 14 to 20, and wherein further for this surfactant mixture the average total number of carbon atoms in the branched primary alkyl moieties having the above formula is within the range of greater than 14.5 to about 17.5; R, R.1, and R^ are each independently .selected from hydrogen and Cj-C'3 alkyl, provided R, R', und R2 are not all hydrogen; M is a water soluble cation; w is an integer from 0 to 13; x is an integer from 0 to 13; y is an integer from 0 to 13; / is an integer of at least 1; w + x + y + 7. is from 8 to 14; KO/PO arc alkoxy moieties, preferably selected from cthoxy, propoxy, and mixed ethoxy/propoxy groups, wherein m is at least about 0.01, preferably within the range of from about 0.1 to about 30, more preferably from about 0.5 to about 10, and most preferably from about 1 to about 5; provided that when R.2 is C1-C3 alkyl the ratio of surfactants having z equal to 2 or greater to surfactants hnving z of 1 is nt leost about 1:1, prcfcrnbly ;it least about 1.5:1, more preferably at least about 3:1, and most preferably at least about 4:1. Also preferred

are surfactant compositions when R^ is Cj -€3 alkyl comprising less than about .50%, preferably less than about 40%, more preferably less than about 25%, most preferably less than about 20%, of branched primary alkyl alkoxylatcd sulfaic having the above formula wherein /. equals 1.
Preferred mono-methyl branched primary alkyl clhoxylatcd sulfatcs arc selected from the group consisting of: 3-methy) pentadecanol ethoxylated sulfatc, 4-methyl pentadecanol cthoxylated sulfate, 5-mcthyl pentadecanol ethoxylntcd sulfatc, 6-mclhyl pcntadecnno) ethoxylated sulfute, 7-methyl pentadecanol ethoxylated sulfate, 8-methyl pentadecanol elhoxylated sulfatc, 9-methyl pcntadecaaol ethoxylated sulfate, 10-mcthyl pcntadccanol cthoxylated sulfatc, 11-methyl penladecanol ethoxylated sulfatc, 12-mcthyl pentadecanol cthoxylated sulfale, 13-methyl pcntadccanol ethoxylated sulfate, 3-methyl hexadecanol ethoxylated sulfatc, 4-methyI hexadecanol cthoxylated sulfate, 5-methyl hexadecanol elhoxylated sulfate, 6-methyl hexadecanol elhoxylated sulfale, 7-methyl hexadecanol elhoxylated sulfatc, 8-mcthyl hexadecanol ethoxylated sulfote, 9-metliyl hexadecanol ethoxylated sulfate, 10-methyl hexadecanol cthoxylated sulfate, 11-methyl hexadecanol ethoxylated sulfate, 12-mcthyl hexadecanol ethoxylated sulfate, 13-methyl hexadecanol cthoxylated sulfatc, 14-nicthyl hexadecanol ethoxylated sulfatc, and mixtures thereof, wherein the compounds are ethoxylated with an average degree of ethoxylation of from about 0.1 to about 10.
Preferred di-methyl branched primary alkyl cthoxylated sulfates selected from the group consisting of: 2,3-methyl tetradecanol ethoxylated sulfatc, 2,4-mcthyl telradecanol ethoxylated sulfate, 2,5-methyl tctradecanol ethoxylated sulfate, 2,6-methyl tetradecanol cthoxylated sulfatc, 2,7-mcthyl tetradecanol elhoxylated sulfale, 2,8-melhyl tetradecanol cthoxylated sulfate, 2,9-methyl tetradecanol cihoxylalcd sulfatc, 2,10-mcthyl tetradecnnol cthoxylated sulfatc, 2,11-methyl telrudecanol cthoxylated sulfatc, 2,12-mcthyl tetradecaflol ethoxylated sulfatc, 2,3-methyl pcntadccanol ethoxylntcd sulfatc, 2,4-mcthyl pcntadccanol ethoxylated sulfatc, 2,5-mcthyl pentadecanol elhoxylated sulfatc, 2,6-methyl pentadecanol ethoxyluted sulfatc, 2,7-mcthyl pcntadccanol ethoxylated sulfatc, 2,8-mcthyl pentadccnnol clhoxylatcd sulfatc, 2,9-mcthyl pcntadccanol cthoxylated sulfate, 2,10-methyl pcntadccanol cthoxylated sulfatc, 2,11-methyl pentadecanol cthoxylated sulfate,'2,12-mcthyl pcntadccanol cthoxylated sulfate, 2,13-methyl pchjadecnnol cthoxylated sulfalc, nnd mixtures thcieof, wherein the compounds are ethoxylated with an average degree of ethoxylation of from about 0.1 to about 10.
Preparation of Mid- chain Branched Sur factants

The following reaction scheme outlines a general approach to the preparation of the mid-chain, branched primary alcohol useful for alkoxylating and/or sulfating to prepare the mid-chain branched primary olkyl surfactants of the present invention,
*(Formula Removed)
An alkyl halide is converted to a Grignard reagent and the Grignard is reacted with a balokctone. After conventional acid hydrolysis, acetylation and thermal elimination of acetic acid, an intermediate olefin is produced (not shown in the scheme) which is hydrogenated forthwith using any convenient hydrogcnation catalyst such as Pd/C.
This route is favorable over others in that the branch, in this illustration a 5-methyl branch, is introduccdearly in the reaction sequence.
Formylation of the alkyl halide resulting from the first hydrogcnalion step yields alcohol product, MS shown in the scheme. This cnn be nlkoxylatccl using standard tecluiiqucs and/or sulfated using any convenient sulfating agent, e.g., chlorosullbnic acid, SO.Vair, or oleum, to yield the final branched primary alkyl surfactant. There is flexibility to extend the branching one additional carbon beyond that which is achieved by a single formylation. Such extension can, for example, be accomplished by reaction with cthylcne oxide. See "Grignard Reactions of Nonmetallic Substances", M.S. Kharasch and O. Reinmuth, Prentice-Hall, N.Y., 1954; J. Org. Chem., J. Cason and W. R. Winans, Vol. 15 (1950), pp 139-147; J. Org Chem., J Cason et al., Vol. 13 (1948), pp 239-248; J. Org Chem., J. Cason et al., Vol. 14 (1949), pp 147-154; and./. Org Chem., J. Cason ct al., Vol. 15 (1950), pp 135- 138 all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
In variations of the above procedure, alternate halokctoncs or
Grignmd reagents may he used. PHO halogcimtion of the alcohol from foimyylation or ethoxylation can be used to accomplish an iterative chain extension.
The preferred mid-chained branched primary alkyl alkoxylatcd sulfates (as well us the polyoxyalkylenes and alkyl sulfates, by choosing to only alkoxylate or sulfatc the intermediate alcohol produced) of the present invention can also be, readily prepared as follows: (Formula Removed)
A conventional bromoaleohol is reacted with triphcnylphosphinc followed by sodium hydride, suitably in dimethylsulfoxide/tctrahydrofuran, to form a Wittig adduct. The Wittig adduct is reacted with an alpha methyl ketone, forming an internally unsaturated methyl-branched alcoholate. Hydrogenation followed by alkoxylation and/or sulfution yields the desired mid-chain branched primary alkyl surfactant. Although the Wittig approach does not allow the practitioner to extend the hydrocarbon chain, as in the Grignard sequence, the Wittig typically affords higher yields. See Agricultural and Biological Chemistry, M. Horiikc et al., vol. 42 (1978), pp 1963-1965 included herein by reference.
'Any alternative synthetic procedure in accordance with the invention may be used to prepare the branched primary alkyl surfactants. The mid-chain branched primary alkyl surfacatnts may, in addition be synthcsi/cd or formulated in the presence of the conventional homologs, for example any of those which may be formed in an industrial process which produces 2-alkyl branching as n result of hydroformylation. Mid-chain branched surfactant mixtures of the present invention are routinely added to other known commercial alkyl surfactants contained in the final laundry product foi mutation.
In certain preferred embodiments of the surfactant mixtures of the present invention, especially those derived from fossil fuel sources involving commercial processes, comprise at least 1 mid-chain branched primary alkyl surfactant, preferably at least 2, more preferably at least 5, most preferably at least 8.
Particularly suitable for preparation of certain surfactant mixtures of the present invention are "oxo" reactions wheicin a branched chain olcfin is subjected to
catalytic isomcti/ation and hydroformylation prior to alkoxylation and/or sulfation. The preferred processes resulting in such mixtures utilize fossil fuels as the starting material feedstock. Preferred processes utilize Oxo reaction on linear olefins (alpha or internal) with a limited amount of branching. Suitable olefins may be made by dimeization of linear alpha or internal olefins, by controlled oligomeri/nlion of low molecular weight linear olefins, by skeletal rearrangement of detergent range olefins, by dehydrogenation/skeletal rearrangement of detergent range paraffins, or by Fischer-Tropsch reaction. These reactions will in general be controlled to:
1) give a huge proportion of olefins in the desired detergent range (white allowing
for the addition of a carbon atom in the subsequent Oxo reaction),
2) produce a limited number of branches, preferably mid-chain,
3) produce C1-C3 branches, more preferably ethyl, most preferably methyl,
4) limit or eliminate gem dialkyl branching i.e. to avoid formation of quaternary
carbon atoms. The suitable olefins can undergo Oxo reaction to give primary
alcohols either directly or indirectly through the corresonding aldehydes. When an
internal olcfm is used, an Oxo catalyst is normally used which is capable of prior
pre-isomcrization of internal olefins primarily to alpha olefins. While a separately
catalyzed (i.e. non-Oxo) internal to alpha isomerization could be effected, this is
optional. On the other hand, if the olefin-forming step itself results directly in an
alpha olefin (e.g. with high pressure Fischcr-Tropsch olefins of detergent range),
then use of a non-isomm/inp, Oxo catalyst is not only possible, but preferred.
The process described herein above gives the more preferred 5-methyl-hcxadecyl surfactants in higher yield than the less preferred 2,4-dimcthylpcntadccyl surfactants. This mixture is desirable under the mcies and bounds of the present ' invention in that each product comprises at total of 17 carbon atoms with linear- alkyl chains having at least 13 carbon atoms.
l;or the preparation of mid-chain branched surfactants herein where X is -C(0)-, the starting material mid-chain branched carboxylic acids can be obtained from the corresponding alcohols described herein before by Jones oxidation, K. Bowdcn, I. M. Heilbron, E. R. H. Jones and B. C. L. Wccdon, J. Chem, Soc. 1946, 39, and y. O. House, Modern Synthetic Reactions (W. A. Benjamin, California, 2nd ed., pp 263-264). This is a chromic acid oxidation of the alcohol to the carboxylic acid in acidic media such as aqueous sulfuric acid. Acetone may be used to sohibilize the alcohol and enrhoxylic acid. The reaction is oflcn rapid at loom temperature.
The following examples provide methods for synthesizing various compounds useful in the present invention compositions,
EXAMPLE I Preparation of sodime 7 methythexadecyl ethoxylatcd (F2) and sulfate
Synthesis of (6-hydroxyhcxyl)_triohenylphosphoniurn bromide Into a 5L, 3 neck round bottom flask fitted with nitrogen inlel, condenser, thermometer, mechanical stirring and nitrogen outlet is added 6-bromo-l-hexanol (500g, 2.70 mol), triphenylphosphine (768g, 2.9mol) and acctonitrilc (1800 ml) under nitrogen. The reaction mixture is heated to reflux for 72 hrs. The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature find transferred into n 5L beaker. The product is rccrystallized from anhydrous ethyl ether (1.5L) at 10°C. Vacuum filtration followed by washing with ethyl ether and drying in a vacuum oven at 50°C for 2 hrs. gives 1 140g of the desired product as white crystals.
Synthesis of 7- mctliylhexadecene-1-ol
Into a dried 5L, 3 neck round bottom flask fitted with mechanical stirring, nitrogen inlet, dropping funnel, thermometer and nitrogen outlet is added 70.2g of 60% sodium hydride (1.76 mol) in mineral oil. The mineral oil is removed by
i* PD- • . .
washing with hexancs. Anhydrous dimethyl sulfoxide (500ml) is added to the flask and the mixture is heated to 70°C until evolution of hydrogen stops. The reaction mixture is cooled to room lemperatuie followed by addition of IL of anhydrous telrahydrofuran. (6-hydroxyhcxyl) triphcnylphosphonium bromide (443.4g, 1 mol) is slurricd with warm anhydrous dimethyl sulfoxide (50°C, 500ml) and slowly added to the reaction mixture through the dropping funnel while keeping it at 25-30°C. The mixture is stirred for 30 minutes at room temperature at which time 2-undccanone (187g, 1.1 mol) is slowly added through a dropping funnel. Reaction is slightly exothermic and cooling is needed to maintain 25-30°C. The mixture is stirred for 18 hr. and then poured into a 5L beaker containing IL purified water with stirring. The oil phase (top) is allowed to separate out in a separator)' funnel and the water phase is removed. The water phase is washed with hexancs (500ml) and the organic phase is separated and combined with the oil phase from the water wash. The organic mixture is then extracted with water 3 times (500ml each) followed by vacuum distillation to collect the clear, oily product (132g) at 140C and 1mm Hg.
Hydrogenation of 7- methvlhexadeccne-1-ol
In to a M, rocking, autoclave liner is added 7-methylhoxadec.cn-1-ol (130g, 0.508mol), methanol (300ml) and platinum on carbon (10% by weight, 35g). The
mixture is hydrogenated at 180°C under 1200 psig of hydrogen for 13 hrs., cooled and vacuum filtered thrn Celitc 545 with washing of the Celite 545, suitably with mcthyJenc chloride. If needed, the filtration can be repeated to eliminate traces of Pt catalyst, and magnesium sulfatc can he used to dry the product. The solution of product is concentrated on a rotary cvapoiator to obtain a clear oil (124g).
Alkoxvlation of 7-mcthvlhexadecanol
Into a dried 1L 3 neck round bottom flask fitted with a nitrogen inlet, mechanical stiner, and a y-tubc fitted with a thermometer and a gas outlet is added the alcohol from the preceeding step. For purposes of removing trace amounts of moisture, the ulcohol is spaiged with nitrogen for about 30 minutes at 80-100° C. Continuing with a nitrogen sweep, sodium metal is added as the catalyst and allowed to melt with stirring at 120-140° C. With vigorous stirring, cthylene oxide gas is added in 140 minutes while keeping the reaction temperature at 120-140° C. After the correct weight (equal to two equivalents of clhylene oxide) has been added, nitrogen is swept through the apparatus for 20-30 minutes as the sample is allowed to cool. The desired 7-methylhcxadecyl cthoxylate (average of 2 ethoxylates per molecule) product is then collected.
SulfationjafV-mctlvylhexadecyLethoxylatc (B2) Into it dried 11. '1 neck loiind bottom flask fitted with a nitrogen inlet, dropping funnel, thermometer, mechanical stirring and nitrogen outlet is added chloroform and 7-methylhexadccyl ethoxylate (E2) from the preceeding step. Chlorosullbnic acid is slowly added to the stirred mixture while maintaining 25-30°C temperature .with an ice bath, Once HC1 evolution has stopped slowly add sodium mcthoxidc (25% in mcthanol) while keeping temperature at 25-30°C until a aliquot at 5% concentration in water maintains a pH of 10.5. To the mixture is added hot eihanol (55°C) and vacuum filtered immediately. The filtrate is concentrated to a slurry on a rotary evaporator, cooled and then poured into ethyl ether. The mixture is chilled to 5°C and vacuum filtered to provide the desired 7-methylhcxadecyl ethoxylate (average of 2 ethoxylates per molecule) sulfatc, sodium salt, product.
EXAMPLE II
I
Synthesis of sodium 7-methylpenladeeyl ethoxylated (E5) and sulfatc Synthesis of (6-hydroxyhexyl) Triphenylphosphonium Rromidc
Into a 51., 3 neck round bottom flask filled wilh nitrogen inlet, condenser, thermometer, mechanical stirring and nitrogen outlet is added 6-bromo-l-hexanol (500g, 2.76 mol), iriphcnylphosphine (768g, 2.9mol) and acetoniirilc (1800 ml) under nitrogen. The reaction mixture is heated to reflux for 72 hrs. The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature mid transferred into a 5L beaker. The product is recrystallizcd from anhydrous ethyl ether (1.5L) at 10°C. Vacuum filtration of the mixture followed by washing the while crystals with ethyl ether and drying in a vacuum oven at 50°C lor 2 hrs. gives 1140g of the desired product.
Synthesis of 7- mcthylpcnladecene-l-ol
Into a dried 5L, 3 neck round bottom flask fitted with mechanical stirring, nitrogen inlet, dropping funnel, thermometer and nitrogen outlet is added 80g of 60% sodium hydride (2,0 mol) in mineral oil. The mineral oil is removed by washing with hexanes. Anhydrous dimethyl sulfoxide (500ml) is added to the flask and healed to 70°C until evolution of hydrogen stops. The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature followed by addition of 1L of anhydrous tctrahydrofuran. (6-hydroxyhexyl) triphenylphosphonium bromide (443.4g, 1 mol) is slurried with warm anhydrous dimethyl sulfoxide (50°C, 500ml) and slowly added to the reaction mixture thru the dropping funnel while keeping the reaction at 25-30°C. The reaction is stirred for 30 minutes at room tcmpf.raturc at which lime 2-dccanone (171.9g, 1.1 mol) is slowly added tluu a dropping funnel. Reaction is slightly exothermic and cooling is needed to maintain 25-30°C. Mixture is stirred for 18 hrs. and then poured into a soparatory funnel containing 600ml of purified water and 300 ml of hexanes. After shaking the oil phase (top) is allowed to separate out and the water phase is removed. The extractions of the oil phase are continued using water until both phases arc clear. The organic phase is collected, vacuum distilled and purified by liquid cliromatography (90:10 hexanes:ethyl acetate, silica gd stationary phase) to obtain a clear, oily product (119.1g).
I Iydroge.nati.on of 7- melhylpcntadecene-l -ol
Into a 3L rocking autoclave glass liner (Autoclave Enginecrs) is added 7-Methylpentadccene-1-ol (122g, O.508mol), methanol (300ml) and platinum on carbon (10% by weight, 40g). The mixture is hydrogenatcd at 180°C under 1200 psig of liydiogen for 13 lus., cooled and vacuum filtered thru Celite 545 with washing of Cclitc 545 with methylenc chloride. The organic mixture is still dark from platinum catalyst r,o the filtiation proei-duic is repeated with concentration on a rotary evaporator; dilution is carried out with mcthylene chloride (500ml) and
magnesium sulfate is aded to dry product. Vacuum filter thru Cclite 545 and concentrate filtrate on a rotary evaporator to obtain a clear oil (119g).
A lkosylation of [7-methylpcntadecanol]
Into a dried 1L 3 neck round bottom flask fitted with a nitrogen inlet, mechanical stincr, and a y-tube fitted with a thermometer and a gas outlet is added the alcohol from the prccccding step. For purposes of removing trace amounts of moisture, the alcohol is sparged with nitrogen for about 30 minutes at 80-100° C. Continuing with a nitrogen sweep, sodium metal is added as the catalyst and allowed to melt with stirring at 120-110° C. With vigorous stirring, cthylcne oxide gas is added in 140 minutes while keeping the reaction temperature at 120-140° C. After the correct weight (equal to five equivalents of ethylene oxide) has been added, nitrogen is swept through the apparatus lor 20-30 minutes as the sample is allowed to cool. The desired 7-mcthylpentadecyl ethoxylate (average of 5 ethoxylntcs per molecule) product is then collected.
Sulfation of 7-mcthylpcntndccyl cthoxylotc (E5) Into a dried 1L 3 neck round bottom flask fitted with a nitrogen inlet, dropping funnel, thermometer, mechanical stirring and nitrogen outlet is added chloroform and 7-methylpcntadecyJ elhoxylatc (E5) from the precccding step. Chlorosultbnic acid is slowly added to the stirred mixture while maintaining 25-30°C temperature with a ice bath. Once HCI evolution has stopped slowly add sodium methoxidc (25% in methane!) while keeping temperature at 25-30uC until a aliquot at 5% concentration in water maintains a pH of 10.5. To the mixture is added mcthanol and 1-butanol. Vacuum filler off the inorganic salt precipitate and remove mcthanol from the filtrate on a rotary evaporator. Cool to room temperature, add ethyl ether and let stand for 1 hour. The precipitate is collected by vacuum filtration to provide the desired 7-methylpentadccyl ethoxylate (average of 5 cthoxylates per molecule) sulfate, sodium salt, product.
EXAMPLE 111 Synthesis of sodium 7-methylheptadecyl ethoxvlated (El. S) and sulfate
i, Synthesis of (6-Hydroxyhexyl') Triphcnvlphosphonium bromide
Into a 5L, 3 neck round bottom flask fitted with nitrogen inlet, condenser, thermometer, mcrlinm'eal siininp nnd nitrogen nutlet if; added 6 brome -l-hcxanol (500g, 2.76 mol), triphcnylphosphinc (768g, 2.9mol) and acetonitrile (1800 ml)
under nitrogen. The reaction mixture is heated to reflux for 72 hrs. The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature and transferred into a 5L beaker. The product is recrysialli/.ed from anhydrous ethyl ether (1.5L) at 10°C. Vacuum filtration of the mixture followed by washing the white crystals with ethyl ether and drying in a vacuum ovr.n at 50°C for 2 his, gives 1 140g of the desired pioduet.
Synthesis o f 7- methylheptadeccne-1-ol.Ql
Into a dried 5L, 3 neck round bottom flask fitted with mechanical stirring, nitrogen inlet, dropping funnel, thermometer and nitrogen outlet is added 80g of 60% sodium hydride (2.0 mol) in mineral oil. The mineral oil is removed by washing with hcxanes. Anhydrous dimethyl sulfoxide (500ml) is added to the flask and heated to 70°C until evolution of hydrogen stops. The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature followed by addition of 1L of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran. (6-hydroxyhexyl) triphenylphosphonium bromide (443.4g, 1 mol) is slurricd with warm anhydrous dimethyl snlfoxide (M)°C, 500ml) and slowly added to the reaction mixture thru the dropping funnel while keeping the reaction at 25-30°C. The reaction is stirred for 30 minutes at room temperature at which time 2* dodecanone (J 84.3g, 1,1 mol) is slowly added thru a dropping funnel. Reaction is slightly exothermic and cooling is needed to maintain 25-30°C. Mixture is stirred for 18 hrs. and then poured into a scparatory funnel containing 600ml of purified water and 300 ml of hcxanes. After shaking the oil phase (top) is allowed to separate out and the water phase is removed which is cloudy. The extractions arc continued using water until the water phase and the organic phase become clear. The organic phase is collected and purified by liquid cliromafogruphy (mobile phasc-hcxanes, stationary phnsc-silica gel) to obtain a clear, oily product (116g). HNMR of the final product (in deuterium oxide) indicates a CIJ2-OSO3' triplet at the 3.8 ppm resonance, CH2-CH2-OS03" multiple! at the 1.5 ppm resonance, CJI^ of the alkyl chain at the 0,9-1.3 ppm resonance and Cll-CH3 bianch point overlapping the R-CH2QJ3 terminal methyl group at the 0.8 ppm resonance,
Hydrogenation of 7- ,methylhetadecene-1 -ol
Into a 3L rocking autoclave glass liner (Autoclave Engineers) is added 7-Methylheptndccene-]-ol (116g, 0.433mol), mcthanol (300ml) and platinum on carbon (10% by weight, 40g). The mixture is hydrogcnatcd at 180°C under 1200 psig of hydrogen for 13 hrs., cooled and vacuum filtered thru Celitc 545 with washing of Celite 545 with mcthylene chloride. Vacuum filter thru Celitc 545 and concentrate filtrate on a rotary evaporator to obtain a clear oil (108g)

Alkoxyintion.of 7-mcthylhcptadccanol
Into a dried 1L 3 neck round bottom flask fitted with a nitrogen inlet, mechanical siirier, and a y-tube fitted with a thermometer and a gas outlet is added the alcohol from the proceeding step. For purposes of removing trace amounts of moisture, the alcohol is sparged with nitrogen for about 30 minutes at 80-100° C. Continuing with a nitrogen sweep, sodium metal is added as the catalyst and allowed to melt with stirring at 120-140° C. With vigorous stirrinp,, ethylcne oxide gns is added in HO minutes while keeping the reaction temperature at-120-J 40° C. After the conect weight (equal to 1.5 equivalents of ethylene oxide) has been added, nitrogen is swept through the apparatus for 20-30 minutes as the sample is ullowed to cool. The desired 7-mcthy-lheptadccyI cthoxylatc (average of 1.5 cthoxylatcs per molecule) product is then collected.
Sulfation of 7-mcthvlheptadec-yl ethoxylate (El.S) Into a dried 1L 3 neck round bottom Jlask fitted with a nitrogen inlet, dropping funnel, thermometer, mechanical stirring and nitrogen outlet is added chloroform and 7-methymeptadecyl ethoxylate (El.S) from the preceeding step. Chlorosulfonic acid is slowly added to the stirred mixture while maintaining 25-30°C temperature svith a ice bath. Once IIC1 evolution has slopped slowly add sodium melhoxidK (25% in nicthanol) while korpinj/. temperature, nl 25-30°C' until a aliquot at .'5% conu-ntialion in water maintains a pll of 10.5. To the mixture is added hot mcthanol (45°C) to dissolve the branched sulfate followed immediately by vacuum filtration to remove the inorganic jialt pnu-ipltnle uml repeated a second time. The filtrate is then cooled to 5°C at which time ethyl ether is added and let stand for 1 hour. The precipitate is collected by vacuum filtration to provide the desired 7-mcthylheptadccyl ethoxylate (average of 1,5 ethoxylates per molecule) sulfate, sodium salt, product..
EXAMPLE IV
The following Shell Research experimental tes( alcohol samples are ethoxylated (average ethoxylation of 2,5) and then sulfated by the following procedure.
(Table Removed)Into a dried 250ml 3 neck round bottom flask fitted with a nitrogen inlet, mechanical stirrer, and a y-tubc fitted with a thermometer and a gas outlet is added the C16 alcohol (48.4g, 0.2 mol) above. For purposes of removing trace amounts of moisture, the alcohol is sparged with nitrogen for about 30 minutes at 80-100° C. Continuing with a nitrogen sweep, sodium metal (0,23g, 0.01 mol) is added as the catalyst and allowed to melt with stirring at 120-140° C. With vigorous stirring, ethylene oxide gas (22g, 0.5 mol) is added in 140 minutes while keeping the reaction tempciiiluic ;ii 170 HO" C. After the coirect weight of cthylene oxide (average 2.5 ethoxylates per molecule) has been added, nitrogen is swept through the apparatus for 20-30 minutes as the sample is allowed to cool. The gold liquid product (69g, 0.196 mol) is bottled under nitrogen.
Snllalion of this C16 ethoxylate utilix.os the following procedure. Into » dried 500ml 3 ncckround bottom flask fitted with a gas inlet, dropping funnel, mechanical stirrer, and a y-tube fitted with a thermometer and a gas outlet is added the C16 clhoxylatc from the previous step (63.4g, 0.18 mol) and diethyl ether (75ml). Chlorosulfonic acid (22. Ig, 0.19 mol) is added slowly to the stirred mixture while maintaining a reaction temperature of 5-15°C with an ice water bath, After the chlotosulfonic acid is added a slow nitrogen sweep and a vacuum (10-15 inches Hg) is begun to remove HCI. Also the reaction is warmed to 30-40°C with the addition of a waim water bath. After about 45 minutes the vacuum is increased to 25-30 inches llg and maintained for an additional 45 minutes. The acidic reaction mixture is slowly poured into a vigorously stirred berike.r of 25% sodium mclhoxide
(43.2g, 0.2 mol) and mcthanol (200ml) thai is cooled in an ice water bath, After pH>12 is confirmed the solution is allowed to stir about 15 minutes then poured into a glass dish. Most of the solvent is allowed to evaporate overnight in the fume hood. The next morning the dish is transfenred to a vacuum drying oven. The sample is allowed to dry all day and overnight at 40-606C with 25-30 inches Hg vacuum. Yellow tacky solid (80.9g; 93% active) C16 ethoxylated (E2.5) sulfate, sodium salt, product is collected.
EXAMPLE V JV.piira.lion "Qiildiuin 7rJJQiLthylhe£wlec,yl S.uLfaJis
Sulfationof7-methylhexadecanol
Into a dried 1L 3 neck round bottom flask fitted with a nitrogen inlet, dropping funnel, thermometer, mechanical stirring ajnd nitrogen outlet is added chloroform (300ml) and 7-mcthylhexadecanol (124g, 0.484 mol), prepared as an intermediate in Example I. Chlorosulfonic acid (60g, 0.509 mol) is slowly added to the stirred mixture while maintaining 25-30°C temperature with a ice bath. Once HC1 evolution has stopped (1 hr.) slowly add sodium methoxide (25% in methanol) while keeping temperature at 25-30°C until an aliquot at 5% concentration in water maintains a pi I of 10.5. To the mixture is added hot ethanol (55°C, 2L). The mixture is vacuum filtered immediately. The filtrate is concentrated to a slurry on a rotary evaporator, cooled and then poured into 2L of ethyl ether. The mixture is chilled to 5°C, at which point crystallization occurs, and vacuum filtered. The crystals arc dried in a vacuum oven at 50C for 3 hrs. to obtain a while solid (136g, 92% active by cat SC>3 titration).
EXAMPLE VI Synthesis of sodium 7-rnct_hy)pcntadecyI..sulfate
Sulfation of 7-ntethylpentgdecfliiQJ
Into a dried 1L 3 neck round bottom flask fitted with a nitrogen inlet, dropping funnel, thermometer, mechanical stirring and nitrogen outlet is added chloioloim (300ml) and 7-metliylpmtadecanol (119g, 0.496 mol), propped as an intermediate in Example 11. Chlorosulfonic acid (61.3g, 0.52 mol) is slowly added to the stined mixture while maintaining 25-30°C temperature with an ice bath. Once HC1 evolution has stopped (1 hr.) slowly add sodium methoxide (25% in mcthanol) while keeping temperature at 25-30°C until a aliquot at 5% concentration in water
maintains a pH of 10.5. To the mixture is lidded methanol (1L) and 300 ml of 1 * butanol. Vacuum filter ol'flhe inorganic salt precipitate and icmove nitMlianol from the filtrate on a rotary evaporator. Cool to room temperature, add 1L of ethyl ether and let stand for 1 hour. The precipitate is collected by vacuum filtration. The product is dried in a vacuum oven at 50C for 3 lirs. to obtain a white solid (82g, 90% active by eat 803 titralion).
liXAMl'LH Vll Syjithe si s.pf_sod him 7:111? t hy ] h eptad ccyl sulfatc
Sulfation of 7-mctljylliej)jaclccaj3QJ
Into a dried 1L 3 neck round bottom flask fitted with a nitrogen inlet, dropping funnel, thermometer, mechanical stirring and nitrogen outlet is added chloroform (300ml) and 7-Methylheptadecanol (102g, 0.378 mol), prepared as an intermediate in Example III. Chlorosulfonic acid (46.7g, 0.40 mol) is slowly added to the stirred mixture while maintaining 25-30°C temperature with a ice bath. Once HC1 evolution has stopped (1 hr.) slowly add sodium methoxide (25% in methanol) while keeping temperature at 25-30°C until an aliquot at 5% concentration in water maintains a pi I of 10.5. To the mixture is added hot methanol (45°C,1 L) to dissolve the branched sulfnte followed immediately by vacuum filtration to remove ibe inorganic salt precipitate and repeated a second time. The filtrate is then cooled to 5° C at which lime 1L of ethyl ether is added and let stand for 1 hour. The precipitate is collected by vacuum filtration. The product is diied in a vacuum oven at 50C for 3 hrs. to obtain a white solid (89g, 88% active by cat 803 titration). HNMR of the final product (in deuterium oxide) indicates a CHj-OSC^ triplet at the 3.8 ppm resonance, CJUk-CH^-OSC^" multiple! at the 1.5 ppm resonance, CH.2 of the alkyl chain at the 0.9-1.3 ppm resonance and CH-CH^ branch point overlapping the R-CH2QLL3 terminal methyl group at the 0.8 ppm resonance. Mass spcctromctry data shows u molecular ion peak with a mass of 349.1 corresponding to the 7-methylhcptadecyl sulfate ion. Also shown is the methyl branch at the 7 position due to the loss of 29 muss units at that position.
The following two analytical methods for chaiacleri/.iiift branching in the present invention surfactant compositions are useful:
1) Separation and Identification of Components in Fatty Alcohols (prior to alkoxylulion or after hydrolysis of alcohol sull'ate for analytical purposes). The position and length of branching found in the precursor fatty alcohol materials is
determined by GC/MS techniques [see: D. J. Harvey, Biomcd, Environ. Mass Spectrom (1989). 18(9), 719-23; D. J. Harvey, J. M. Tiffany, J. Chromatogr. (1984), 301(1), 173-87; K. A. Korlsson, B. H. Samuelsson, G. O. Steen, Chcm. Phys. Lipids (1973), 11(1), 17-38].
2) Identification of Separated J;atty Alcohol Alkoxy Sulfate Components by MS/MS. The position and length of branching is also determinate by Ion Spray-MS/MS or FAB-MS/MS techniques on previously isolated fatty alcohol sulfatc components.
The average total carbon atoms of the branched primary alkyl surfactants herein can bt> calculated from the hydroxyl vimie of the precursor (ally alcohol mix or from the hydroxyl value of the alcohols recovered by extraction after hydrolysis of the alcohol sulfatc mix according to common procedures, such as outlined in "Bailey's Industrial Oil and Fat Products", Volume 2, Fourth Edition, edited by Daniel Swcrn, pp. 440-441.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
Branched-chain primary alkyl surfactants of the type herein can be used in all manner of cleaning compositions. The detergent compositions of the invention thus may also contain additional detergent components. The precise nature of these additional components, and levels of iiieoipnration thcioof will depend on the physical form of the composition, and the precise nature of the cleaning operation for which it is to be used. The longer-chain derivatives arc more soluble than expected and the shorter-chain derivatives clean better than expected, Cleaning compositions herein include, but are not limited to: granular, bar-form and liquid laundry detergents; liquid hand dishwashing compositions; liquid, pel and bar-form personal cleansing products; shampoos; dentifrices; hard surface cleaners,-and the like. Such compositions can contain a variety of conventional detersive ingredients.
The following listing of such ingicdienls is fc» the convenience of the formulator, and not by way of limitation of the types of ingredients which can be used with the branchcd-chain surfactants herein. The compositions of the invention preferably contain one or moie additional detergent components selected from surfactants, builders, alkalinity system, organic polymeric compounds, suds suppressors, soil suspension and nnli-redeposllion agents and corrosion inhibitors.
B leaching Compounds - Bleaching Agents and Bleach Activators - The detergent compositions herein preferably further contain bleaching agents or bleaching compositions containing a bleaching agent and one or more bleach activators. Bleaching agents will typically be at levels of from about 1% to about
30%, more typically from about 5% to about 20%, of the detergent composition, especially for fabric laundering. If present, the amount of bleach activators will typically be from about 0.1% to about 60%, more typically from about 0.5% to about 40% of the bleaching composition comprising the bleaching agent-plus-blcach activator.
The bleaching agents used herein can be any of the bleaching agents useful for detergent compositions in textile cleaning, hard surface cleaning, or other cleaning purposes that arc now known or become known. These include oxygen bleaches as well as other bleaching agents. Perborate bleaches, -=«.§,, sodium perborate (e.g., mono- or leiia-hydrate) can be used herein.
Another category of bleaching agent that can be used without restriction encompasses percnrboxylic acid bleaching agents and salts thereof. Suitable examples of this class of agents include magnesium monoperoxyphthalate hcxahydrate, the magnesium salt of metachloro perbenzoic acid, 4-nonyIamino-4-oxopcroxybutyric acid and diperoxydodecancdioic acid, Such bleaching agents are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,483,781, Ilartman, issued November 20, 1984, U.S. Patent Application 740,446, Bums et al, filed June 3, 1985, European Patent Application 0,133,354, Banks el al, published February 20, 1985, and U.S. Patent 4,412,934, Chung ct al, issued November 1, 1983. Highly preferred bleaching agents also include 6-iionylainino-6-oxoperoxycaproic acid ns described in U.S. Patent 4,634,551, issued January 6, 1987 to Bums ct al.
Pcroxygcn bleaching agents can also be used. Suitable pcroxygcn bleaching compounds include sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate and equivalent "percarbonatc" bleaches, sodium pyrophosphate peroxyhydrate, urea peroxyhydrate, and sodium peroxide. Persulfate bleach (e.g., OXONE, manufactured commercially by DuPont) can also be used.
A preferred pcrcarbonate bleach comprises dry particles having an average particle si/c in the range from about 500 micrometers to about 1,000 micrometers, not more than about 10% by weight of said particles being smaller than about 200 micrometers and not more than about 10% by weight of said particles being larger than about 1.7.SO miciometcrs. Optionally, the peicnrbonato eun In: coated with silicate, borate or water-soluble surfactants. Pcrcarbonate is available from various commercial MOIIIVCS such ns FMC, Solvny and Tokai Dcuka.
t
Mixtures of bleaching agents can also be used.
Pcroxygen bleaching agents, the perborates, the pcrcarbonates, etc., are preferably combined with bleach activators, which lead to the in xiiti production in aqueous solution (i.e., during the washing process) of the peroxy acid corresponding
to the bleach activator, Various nonlimiting examples of activators are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,915,854, issued April 10, 1990 to Mao ct al, and U.S. Patent 4,412,934, The nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate (NOBS) and tctraacctyl ethylcne dimnine (TAIC1.)) ueliviiloiK nrc typical, nucl mixture.'; Ihcrcof can nlso be used. Sec also IJ..S. 4,634,551 for other typical bleaches and activators useful herein.
Highly preferred ainido-dcrivcd bleach aciivalois arc those of the formulae:
RlN(R5)C(0)R2C(0)L or R1C(O)N(R5)R2C(O)L wherein R^ is an alkyl group containing from about 6 to about 12 carbon atoms, R^ is an alkylene containing from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, R$ is H or-alkyl, aryl, or ulkaryl containing from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and L is wiy suitable leaving group. A leaving group is any group that is displaced from the bleach activator as a consequence of the nucleophilic attack on the bleach activator by the peihydrolysis anion. A preferred leaving group is phcnyl sulfonate.
Preferred examples of bleach activators of the above formulae include (6-oetanfuuido-caproyljoxybenzencsulfonatc, (6-nonnnamidocnproyl)oxybenzencsul-fonate, (6-decanamido-caproyl)oxybctizcnesulfonatc, and mixtures thereof as described in U.S. Patent 4,634,551, incorporated herein by reference.
Another class of bleach activators comprises the benzoxazin-ty.^ activators disclosed by Hodge el al in U.S. Patent 4,966,723, issued October 30, 1990, incorporated herein by reference. A highly preferred activator of the benzoxazin-type is:
(Formula Removed)Still another class of preferred bleach activators includes the acyl lactam activators, especially acyl aiprolm-tjim:; HIM! jicyl vajrioliiclmmof the formulae:
O(Formula Removed)
wherein R^ is 11 or on alkyl, aryl, nikoxyary], or alknryl gro\ip containing from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms. Highly preferred lactam activators include bcn/xiyl caprolactam, octanoyl caprolaelam, 3,5,5-trimetliylhexanoyl caprolactam, nonarioyl caprolactam, dccanoyl caprolactam, undeccnoyl cajirolactom, beiizoyl valcrolactam, octanoyl valerolaclam, dccanoyl valcrolactam, undeccnoyl valerolactam, nonanoyl
valcrolactam, 3,5,5-trimcthylhexanoyl valerolactam and mixtures thereof. See also U.S. Patent 4,545,784, issued to Sanderson, October 8, 1985, incorporated herein by reference, which discloses acyl caprolactains, including benzoy) caprolactam, adsorbed into sodium perborate.
Bleaching agents other than oxygen bleaching agents arc also known in the art and can be utilized herein. One type of non-oxygen bleaching agent of particular intciest includes pholoaclivoted bleaching agents such as the sulfonntcd zinc and/or aluminum phthalocyanines. See U.S. Patent 4,033,718, issued July 5, 1977 to Holcombe ct al. If used, detergent compositions will typically contain from about 0.025% to about 1.25%, by weight, of such bleaches, especially sulfonalc fclnc phihalocyanine.
If desired, the bleaching compounds can be catalyzed by means of a manganese compound. Such compounds arc well known in the art and include, for example, the manganese-based catalysts disclosed in U.S. Pat. 5,246,621, U.S. Pat. 5,244,594; U.S. Pat. 5,194,416; U.S. Pat. 5,114,606; and European Pal, App. Pub. Nos. S49.271A1, 549.272A1, 544,440A2, and 544.490A1; Preferred examples of these catalysts include MiJ^2(u O)}(l,4,7-trimethyM,4,7-triazacyclononanc)2, (PF0)2, Mnlll2(u-O)](u-OAc)2(l,4,7-tiimethyl-l,4,7-triazacyclononane)2(ClO4)2, MnIV4(u-0)G(l,4,7-triazacyclononane)4(C104)4, MnInMn1V4(u-0)j(u-OAc)2-(l,4,7-triinelhyl-l,4,7-tiia/acyclononane)2(ClO4)3, MnIV(l,4,7-trimcthyl-l,4,7-ui-azacyclononanc)- (OCIl3)3(PP(j), and mixtures thereof. Other metal-based bleach catalysts include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. 4,430,243 and U.S. Pat. 5,114,611. The use of manganese with various complex ligands to enhance bleaching is also reported in the following United Slates Patents: 4,728,455; 5,284,944; 5,246,612; 5,7.56,779; 5,280,117; 5,274,147; 5,153,161; nnd 5,7.27,084.
As a practical matter, and tiot by way of limitation, the compositions and processes herein can be adjusted to provide on the order of at least one part per ten million of the active bleach catalyst species in the aqueous washing liquor, and will preferably piovidc from about 0.1 ppm to about 700 ppm, more preferably from about 1 ppm to about 500 ppm, of the catalyst species in the laundry liquor.
Cobalt bleach catalysis useful herein ate known, and are described, for example, in M, L. Tobe, "Base Hydrolysis of Transition-Metal Complexes", Adv. Jnorjj. Hioiiiorg. jvlecli,, (1^83), 2, pages 1-94. 'The most prelened cobalt catalyst useful herein are cobalt pentaamine acetate salts having the formula [Co(NH3)5OAc] Ty, wherein "OAc" represents an acetate moiety and "Ty" is an anion, and especially cobalt pentaamine acetate chloride. [Co(NH3)50Ac]Cl2; as
well as |Co(NH3)5OAc](OAc)2; [Co(NH3)5OAc](PF6)2; [Co(NH3)5OAc](S04); [Co(NIl3)50Ac](Bl;4)2; and |Co(NH3)50Ac](NC)3)2 (herein "PAC").
These cobalt catalysts arc readily prepared by known procedures, such as taught for example in the Tobc article and the references cited therein, in U.S. Patent 4,810,410, to Diakun et al, issued March 7,1989, J. Chcm. Ed. (1989), 66 (12), 1043-45; The Synthesis and Characterization of Inorganic Compounds, W.L. Jolly (Prentice-llall; 1970), pp. 461-3; Inorg. Chcm.. 18, 1497-1502 (1979); Jjjetgi Chcm.. 21, 2881-2885 (1982); Inorg. Chcm.. 18, 2023-2025 (1979); Inorg. Synthesis, 173-176 (1960); mid ^>uniaJ..of_PJ)mcaLClifimis.try, 56, 22-25 (1952).
As it practical matter, and not by way of limitation, the compositions and cleaning processes herein can be adjusted to provide on the order of at least one part per hundred million of the active bleach catnlyst species in the aqueous washing medium, and will preferably provide from about 0.01 ppm to about 25 ppm, more preferably from about 0.05 ppm to about 10 ppm, and most preferably from about 0.1 ppm to about 5 ppm, of the bleach catalyst species in the wash liquor. In order to obtain such levels in the wash liquor of an automatic washing process, typical compositions herein will comprise from about 0.0005% to about 0.2%, more preferably from about 0.004% to about 0.08%, of bleach catalyst, especially manganese or cobalt catalysts, by weight of the cleaning compositions,
nil/vines - Enzymes arc preferably included in the present detergent compositions for a variety of purposes, including removal of protein-based, carbohydrate-based, or triglyceridc-bascd stains from substrates, for the prevention of refugee dye transfer in fabric laundering, and for fabric restoration. Suitable enzymes include .proteases, amylases, Upases, cellulases, peroxidases, and mixtures thereof ol any suitable origin, such as vegetable, animal, bacterial, fungal and yeast origin. Preferred selections are influenced by factors such as pH-activity and/or stability optima, thermostability, and stability to active detergents, builders and the like. In this respect bacterial or fungal enzymes are preferred, such as bacterial amylases and proteases, and fungal cellulases.
"Dctersivi: eu/.yme", as used herein, moans any en/ymc having a cleaning, stain removing or otherwise beneficial effect in a laundry, hard surface cleaning or personal care detergent composition. Preferred detersive enzymes are hydrolases such as proteases, amylases and Upases. Preferred enzymes for laundry purposes include, but are not limited to, proteases, cellulases, Upases and peroxidases. Highly prcfeircd foj automatic dishwashing are nmylases nnd/or proteases, including both cunont commercially available types nnd improved types which, though more and
more bleach compatible though successive improvements, have a remaining degree of bleach dcactivatkm susceptibility.
Enzymes arc normally incorporated into detergent or detergent additive compositions at levels sufficient to provide a "cleaning-effective amount". The term "cleaning effective amount" refers to any amount capable of producing a cleaning, stain removal, soil removal, whitening, deodorizing, or freshness improving effect on substrates such as fabrics, dishwaie mid the like. In practical terms for current commercial preparations, typical amounts are up to about 5 mg by weight, more typically 0.01 nig to 3 ing. of active cn?.yme per gram of the detergent ^composition. Stated otherwise, the compositions herein will typically comprise from 0.001% to 5%, preferably 0.01%-1% by weight of a commercial enzyme preparation. Protease enzymes are usually present in such commercial preparations at levels sufficient to provide from 0.005 to 0.1 Anson units (AU) of activity per gram of composition. For certain detergents, such as in automatic dishwashing, it may be desirable to increase the active enzyme content of the commercial preparation in order to minimize the total amount of non-catalytically active materials and thereby improve spotting/filming or other end-results. Higher active levels may also be desirable in highly concentrated detergent formulations.
Suitable examples of proteases are the subtilisins which are obtained from particular strains of B. subtilis and B. lichcnifontiis. One suitable protease is obtained from a strain of Bacillus, having maximum activity throughout the pH range of 8-1?., developed and sold us KSPKUASK® by Novo Industiies A/S of Denmark, hereinafter "Novo". The preparation of this enzyme and analogous cn/.ymes is described in GB 1,243,784 to Novo. Other suitable proteases include ALCALASKA and SAVIN ASK® from Novo and MAXATASE® from International Bio-Synthetics, Inc., The Netherlands; as well as Protease A as disclosed in HP 130,756 A, January 9, 1985 and Protease B as disclosed in EP 303,761 A, April ?.K, 1987 and UP 130,756 A, January 9, 1985. See also a high pH protease from Bacillus sp. NC1MB 40.338 described in WO 9318140 A to Novo. En/.ymalic detergents comprising protease, one or more other enzymes, and a reversible protease inhibitor arc described in WO 9203529 A to Novo. Other preferred proteases include those of WO 9510591 A to Procter & Gamble , When desired, a protease having decreased adsorption and increased hydrolysis is nvailable as described in WO 9507791 to Procter & Gamble. A recombinant trypsin-like protease for detergents suitable heiein is described in WO 9425583 to Novo.
In more detail, an especially preferred protease, referred to as "Protease D" is a carbonyl hydrolase variant having an nmino acid sequence not found in nature,
which is derived from a precursor carbonyl hydrolase by substituting a different
amino acid for a plurality of amino acid residues at a position in said carbonyl
bydrolasc equivalent to position 476, preferably also in combination with one or
more umino acid residue positions equivalent to those selected from the group
consisting of+99, +101, +103, +104, +107, +123, +27, +105, +109, +126, +128,
+ 135, +156, +166, +195, +197, +204, +206, +210, +216, +217, +218, +222, +260,
+265, and/or (271 according to the numbering of Bacillus ainyloliqucfucienf
subtilisin, as described in WO 95/10615 published April 20, 1995 by Gencncor
International. ""'*
Useful proteases arc also described in PCT publications: WO 95/30010 published Novcnbcr 9, 1995 by The Procter & Gamble Company; WO 95/30011 published Novcnbcr 9, 1995 by The Procter & Gamble Company; WO 95/29979 published Novenbcr 9, 1995 by The Procter & Gamble Company,
Amyiascs suitable herein, especially for, but not limited to automatic dishwashing purposes, include, for example, a-amylases described in GB 1,296,839 to Novo; RAPIDASE®, International Bio-Synthetics, Inc. and TERMAMYL®, Novo. HJNGAMYL® from Novo is especially useful. Engineering of enzymes for improved stability, e.g., oxidative stability, is known. Sec, for example J, Biological Chcm., Vol. 260, No. 11, June 1985, pp. 6518-6521. Certain preferred embodiment.'; of the present compositions ran make vise of nmyhiHCK having improved stability in detergents such as automatic dishwashing types, especially improved oxidative stability as measured against a reference-point of TERMAMYL ® in commercial use in 1993. These preferred ainylases herein share the characteristic of being "stability-enhanced" amylascs, characterized, at a minimum, by a measurable improvement in one or more of: oxidative stability, e.g., to hydrogen peroxide/teltaacetylethylencdiftminc jn buffered solution at pH 9-10; thermal stability, e.g., at common wash temperatures such as about 60°C; or alkaline stability, e.g., at a pll from jiboul 8 lo about 11, measured versus the above-identified reference-point amylasc. Stability can be measured using any of the art-disclosed technical tests. Sec, for example, references disclosed in WO 9402597. Stability-enhanced itmyla.sfts can bo obtained from Novo or from Gencncor International. One class of highly preferred amylascs herein have the commonality ol being derived usini', site-directed muUtgcnoMis iioin one or more of Ihc DnciUnx amylases, especially the Bacillus a-amylases, regardless of whether one, two or multiple amylase strains arc the immediate precursors. Oxidative stability-enhanced amylases vs. the above-identified reference amylase are preferred for use, especially in bleaching, more preferably oxygen bleaching, as distinct from chlorine bleaching,
detergent compositions herein. Such preferred amylases include (a) an amylasc according to the hereinbefore incorporated WO 9402597, Novo, Feb. 3, 1994, as further illustrated by w mutant in which substitution is made, using alaninc or thrconinc, preferably thrconinc, of the melhionine residue located in position 197 of the B. lichcmformis alpha-amylasc, known as TERMAMYL®, or the homologous position variation of a similar parent amylasc, such as B. amyloliquefaciem, B. sublilis, or It. stewothernwphilus; (b) stability-enhanced amylases as described by Genencor International in a paper entitled "Oxidalively Resistant alpha-Amylases" presented at the 207th American Chemical Society National Meeting;-'March 13-17 1994, by C. Mitchinson. Therein it was noted that bleaches in automatic dishwashing detergents inactivate alpha-amylascs but that improved oxidalive stability amyhises have been made by (Jencnrw from /?. lichcnifortnis NOIB806L Methioninc (Met) was identified as the most likely residue to be modified. Met was substituted, one at a time, in positions 8, 15, 197, 256, 304, 366 and 438 leading to specific mutants, particularly important being M197L and M197T will) the M197T variant being the most stable expressed variant. Stability was measured in CASCADH© and SUNLIGHT®; (c) particularly preferred nmyJases herein include amylasc variants having additional modification in the immediate parent as described in WO 9510603 A and are available from the assignee, Novo, as DURAMYL®. Olhcr particularly piefenecl oxidntive stability enhanced amylasc include those described in WO 94] 8314 to Genencor International and WO 9402597 to Novo, Any other oxidative stability-enhanced amylasc can be used, for example as derived by site-directed mutagcncsis from known chimerie, hybrid or simple mutant parent forms of available amylascs. Other preferred enzyme modifications arc accessible. Sec WO 9509909 A to Novo.
Other amylasc enzymes include those described in WO 95/26397 and in co-pending application by Novo Nordisk PCT/DK96/00056. Specific amylasc cn/ynies for use in the detergent compositions of the present invention include a-amylascs characterized by having a specific activity at least 25% higher than the specific activity of lennninyl® a( a tcmpcjaturc range of 7.5*0 to 55°C and at n pH value in the range of 8 to 10, measured by (he 1'hadebusdv
total composition, more preferably from 0.00024% to 0.048% pure enzyme by weight of the total composition.
Ccllulases usable herein include both bacterial and fungal types, preferably having a pit optimum between 5 niul 9.5. U.S. 4,435,307, Bnrbesgoard el al, March 6, 1984, discloses suitable fungal cellulascs from Hunticola insolent or Humicofa strain DSM1800 or a ccllulasc 212-producine fungus belonging to the genus /Jf/w/ftwM1, and oellulasc extracted from the hcpnlopancrcns of n marine mollusk, Dolabeila Auricula Solander. Suitable cellulases are also disclosed in GB-A-2,075.028; GB-A-2.095.275 and DE-OS-2.247.832. CAREZYME® and CHLLUZYMBdi>(Novo) arc especially useful. See also WO 9117243 to Novo,
Suitable lipase enzymes for detergent usage include those produced by microorganisms of the Pseudomonas group, such as Pseudomonas xtutzeri ATCC 19.154, as disclosed in GB 1,372,034. See also lipases in Japanese Patent Application 53,20487, laid open Feb. 24, 1978. This lipase is available from Amano Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Nagoya, Japan, under the trade name Lipasc P "Amano," or "Amano-P." Other suitable commercial lipases include Amano-CES, lipases ex C.hronwhacter v/.vrwww, e.g. Chramobncier viscoswn vnr. Hpolyticum NRRLB 3673 from Toyo Jozo Co., Tagata, Japan; Chromobacter viscosttm lipases from U.S. Biochemical Corp., U.S.A. and Disoynth Co., The Netherlands, and lipases ex Pseudomontix gladioli. IJl'OLASU^ enzyme derived from Hwnicola lannginosa and commercially available from Novo, see also EP 341,947, is a preferred lipase for use herein. Lipase and amylasc variants stabilized against pcroxidase enzymes are described in WO 9414951 A to Novo. See also WO 9205249 and RD 94359044.
In spite of the large number of publications on lipase enzymes, only the lipase derived from Humicola lanuginosa and produced in Aspcrgillus oryzae as host has so far found widespread application as additive for fabric washing products. It is available from Novo Nordisk under the trade-name Lipolase'IM, as noted above. In order to optimise the stain removal performance of Lipolasc, Novo Nordisk have niude a number of variants. As described in WO 92/05249, thn D96L variant of the native HwnicoUi lanuginosa lipase improves the lard stain removal efficiency by a factor 4,4 over the wild-type lipase (enzymes compared in an amount ranging from 0,075 to 2.5 mg protein per liter). ke?:catch Pisclosyre No, 35944 published on" March 10, 1994, by Novo Nordisk discloses that the lipase variant(D96L) may be added in an amount corresponding to 0.001-100-mg (5-500,000 LU/liter) lipase variant per liter of wash liquor. The present invention provides the benefit of improved whiteness maintenance on fabrics using low levels of D96L variant in
detergent compositions containing the mid-ciiain branched primary alkyl surfactants in the manner disclosed herein, especially when the D96L is used at levels in the range of about 50 LU to about 8500 LU per liter of wash solution.
Cutinase enzymes suitable for use herein are described in WO 8809367 A to Genencor.
Peroxidase enzymes may be used in combination with oxygen sources, e.g., perciubonale, perborate, hydropcn peroxide, etc., for "solution bleaching" or prevention of transfer of dyes or pigments removed from substrates during the w»sh to other substrates present in the wash solution, Known peroxidascs include horseradish peroxidtisc, ligninnsc, and halopcroxidnscs such as chloro- or bromo-peroxidase. Peroxidasc-containing detergent compositions are disclosed in WO 89099813 A. October 19, 1989 to Novo and WO 8909813 A to Novo.
A range of enzyme materials and means for their incorporation into synthetic detergent compositions is also disclosed in WO 9307263 A and WO 9307260 A to Gencncor International, WO 8908694 A to Novo, end U.S. 3,553,139, January 5, 1971 to McCarty et al. Enzymes are further disclosed in U.S. 4,101,457, Place et al, July 18, 1978, and in U.S. 4,507,219, Hughes, March 26, 1985. Enzyme materials useful lot liquid delcigeni foiiimhitions, «nd their incorporation into such formulations, arc disclosed in U.S. 4,261,868, Hora et al, April 14, 1981. Enzymes for use in detergents CUM be stabilised by various techniques. En/yme stabilisation techniques are disclosed and exemplified in U.S. 3,600,319, August 17, 1971, Gcdgc et al, EP 199,405 and EP 200,586, October 29, 1986, Vencgas. Enzyme stabilisation systems are also described, for example, in U.S. 3,539,570. A useful Bacillus, sp. AC13 giving proteases, xylanascs and cellulases, is described in WO 9401532 A to Novo.
Enzyme Stabilizing System - The enzyme-containing compositions herein may optionally also comprise from about 0,001% to about 10%, preferably from about 0,005% to about 8%, most preferably from about 0,01% to about 6%, by weight of an enzyme stabilizing system. The enzyme stabilizing system can be any stabilizing system which is compatible with the detersive enzyme,, Such a system may be inherently provided by oilier fommlnlion sielivcn, or be nddcd separately, e.g., by the fonnulator or by a manufacturer of dclcrgcnt-rcady enzymes. Such sUibili/ing sysu-nr; can, for rxnmplc, comprise eftleiupi ion, boric »cid, propylene glycol, short chain carboxylic acids, boronic acids, and mixtures thereof, und are designed to address different stabilization problems depending on the type and physical form of the detergent composition.
One stabilizing approach is the use of water-soluble sources of calcium and/or magnesium ions in the finished compositions which provide such ions to the enzymes. Calcium ions are generally more effective than magnesium ions and arc preferred herein if only one type of cation is being used. Typical detergent compositions, especially liquids, will comprise from about 1 to about 30, preferably from about 2 to about 20, more preferably from about 8 to about 12 millimoles of* calcium ion per liter of finished detergent composition, though variation is possible depending on factors including the multiplicity, type and levels of enzymes incorporated. Preferably water-soluble calcium or magnesium salts ate employed, including for example calcium chloride, calcium hydroxide, calcium formate, calcium malate, calcium malcatc, calcium hydroxide and calcium acetate; more generally, calcium sulfate or magnesium salts corresponding to the exemplified calcium salts may be used. Further increased levels of Calcium and/or Magnesium may of course be useful, for example for promoting the grease-cutting action of certain types of sui factant.
Another stabilizing approach is by use of borate species. See Severson, U.S. 4,537,706. Rotate stabilizers, when used, may be at levels of up to 10% or more of the composition though more typically, levels of up to about 3% by weight of boric acid or other borate compounds such as borax or orthoborate arc suitable for liquid detergent use. Substituted boric acids such as phenylboronic acid, butaneboronic acid, p-bromophenylboronic acid or the like can be used in place of boric acid and reduced levels of total boron in detergent compositions may be possible though the use of such substituted boron derivatives.
Stabilizing systems of certain cleaning compositions, for example automatic dishwashing compositions, may further comprise from 0 to about 10%, preferably from about 0.01% to about 6% by weight, of chlorine bleach scavengers, added to prevent chlorine bleach species present in many water supplies from attacking and inactivating the en/.ymes, especially under alkaline conditions. -.While chlorine levels in water may be small, typically in the range from about 0.5 ppm to about 1.75 ppm, the available chlorine in the total volume of water that comes in contact with the enzyme, for example during dish- or fabric-washing, can be relatively large; accordingly, enzyme stability to chlorine in-usc is sometimes problematic. Since perborate or pcrcmbonolc, which have the ability to rc?\ct with chlorine bleach, may present in certain of the instant compositions in amounts accounted for separately from the stabilizing system, the use of additional stabilizers against chlorine, may, most generally, not be essential, though improved results may be obtainable from their use. Suitable chlorine scavenger onions are widely known and readily
available, and, if used, can be salts containing ammonium cations with sulfite, bisulfite, thiosutfite, thiosulfatc, iodide, etc. Antioxidants such as carbamate, ascorbate, etc., organic amines such as ethylencdiaminetctracetic acid (F.DTA) or alkali metal salt thereof, mcmoethanolamine (MEA), and mixtures thereof can likewise be used, Likewise, special enzyme inhibition systems can be incorporated such thai different enzymes have maximum compatibility. Other conventional scavengers such as bisulfatc, nitrate, chloride, sources of hydrogen peroxide such as sodium perborate tetrahydiate, sodium perborate monohydrate and sodium percarbonatc, as well as phosphate, condensed phosphate, acetate, benaoate, citrate, formate, laetatc, malale, tartratc, salicylatc, etc., and mixtures thereof can be used if desired. In general, since the chlorine scavenger function can be performed by ingredients separately listed under better rccogni/.ed functions, (e.g., hydrogen peroxide sources), there is no absolute requirement to add a separate chlorine scavenger unless a compound performing that function to the desired extent is absent from an enzyme-containing embodiment of the invention; even then, the scavenger is added only for optimum results. Moreover, the formulator will exercise a chemist's normal skill in avoiding the use of any enzyme scavenger or stabilizer which is nmjorly incompatible, as formulated, with other reactive ingredients. Jn relation to the use of anunonium salts, such salts can be simply admixed with the detergent composition but tiro prone to adsorb water and/or liberate ammonia during storage. Accordingly, such materials, if present, are desirably protected in a particle such as that described in US 4,652,39?,, Baginski ct nl.
Builders - Detergent builders selected from aluminosilicates and silicates arc preferably included in the compositions herein, for example to assist in controlling mineral, especially, Ca and/or Mg, hardness in wash water or to assist in the removal of paniculate soils from surfaces.
Suitable silicate builders include water-soluble and hydrous solid types and including those having chain-, layer-, or thiee-dimensional- structure as well as amorphous-solid or non-stnicturcd-liquid types. Preferred arc alkali metal silicates, particularly those liquids and solids having a SiO2:Na20 ratio in the range 1.6:1 to 3.7:1, including, pmtienliuly lor imtomittic dishwashing purposes, solid hydrous 2-ratio silicates marketed by PQ Corp. under the tradename URITESIL®, e.g., BlUTHSl'L 112O; and layered silicates, e.g., those described in U.S. 4,66-1,839, May 12, 1987, H. P. Rieck. NaSKS-6, sometimes abbreviated "SKS-6", is a crystalline layered aluminium-free 6-Na2$iO5 moiphology silicate marketed by Hocchst and is preferred especially in granular laundry compositions. See preparative methods in German DE-A-3,417,649 and DE-A-3,742,043. Other layered silicates, such as
those having the general formula NaMSixO2x-1-ryH20 wherein M is sodium or hydrogen, x is a number from 1.9 to 4, preferably 2, and y is a number from 0 to 20, preferably 0, can also or alternately be used herein. Layered silicates from Iloechst also include NaSKS-5, NaSKS-7 and NaSKS-1), as the a, P mid y layer-silicate forms. Other silicates may also be useful, such as magnesium silicate, which caa serve as a crispening agent in granules, as a stabilising agent for bleaches, and as a component of suds control systems.
Also suitable for use herein are synthesized crystalline ion exchange materials or hydrates thereof having chain structure and a composition' represented by the following general formula in an anhydride form: xM2OySiOz.zM'O wherein M is Na and/or K, M' is Ca and/or Mg; y/x is 0.5 to 2.0 and z/x is 0.005 to 1.0 as taught in U.S. 5,427,711, Sakaguchi et al, June 27, 1995.
Aluminosilicale builders are especially useful in granular detergents, but can also be incorporated in liquids, pastes or pels. Suitable for the present purposes are those 1 awing empirical loimnlii: (Mz(Ato2)z(SiO2)vJ'xH2O wherein / and v are integers of at least 6, the molar ratio of z to v is in the range from 1.0 to 0.5, and x is an integer from 15 to 264. Aluminosilicates can be crystalline or amorphous, naturally-occurring or synthetically derived. An oluininosilicate production method is in U.S. 3,985,669, Krummel, ct al, October 12, 1976. Preferred synthetic crystalline alumimxsilicate ion exchange materials are available as Zeolite A, Zeolite P (B), Zeolite X and, to whatever extent this differs from Zeolite,1?., the so-called Zeolite MAP. Natural types, including clinoptilolite, may be used. Zeolite A has the formula: Na12[(AlO2)]2(Si02)l2]'xH2O) wherein x is from 20 to 30, especially 27. Dehydrated ..zeolites (x = 0 - 10) may also be used, Preferably, the aluminosilicate lias a particle size of 0.1-10 microns in diameter.
Detergent builders in place of or in addition to the silicates and aluminosiiicates described hereinbefore can optionally be included in the compositions heroin, foi example to assist in controlling mineral, especially Ca and/or Mg, hardness in wash water or to assist in the removal of paniculate soils from surfaces. Builders can operate via a variety of mechanisms including forming soluble or insoluble complexes with hardness ions, by ion exchange, and by offering a surface more favorable to the precipitation of hardness ions than are the surfaces of aitides to be cleaned. Iluildcr level can vary widely depending upon end use and physical form of the composition. Built detergents typically comprise at least about 1% builder, Liquid formulations typically comprise about 5% to about 50%, more typically 5% to 35% of builder. Granular formulations typically comprise from about 10% to about 80%, more typically 15% to 50% builder by weight of the
detergent composition. Lower or higher levels of builders are not excluded. For example, certain detergent additive or high-surfactant formulations can be unbuilt.
Suitable builders herein can be selected from the group consisting of phosphates find polyphosphates, especially the sodium salts; carbonates, bicarbonates, scsquicarbonalcs and carbonate minerals other than sodium carbonate or sesquicarbonate; organic mono-, di-, tri-, and tetracarboxylates especially water-soluble nonutiffielaiit carboxylatcs in acid, sodium, pota.ssium or olkanolammonium salt form, as well as oligoincric or water-soluble low molecular weight polymer caiboxylales including aliphatic and aromatic types; and phytic acid. -T-hcsc may be complemented by boratcs, e.g., for pll-buffering purposes, or by sulfatcs, especially sodium sulfate and any other fillers or carriers which may be important to the-engineering of stable surfactant and/or builder-containing detergent compositions,
Builder mixtures, sometimes termed "builder systems" can be used and typically comprise two or more conventional builders, optionally complemented by chelants, pH-buffers or fillers, though these latter materials are generally accounted for separately when describing quantities of materials herein. In terms of relative quantities of surfactant and builder in the present detergents, preferred builder systems are typically formulated at a weight nilio of surfactant to builder of from about 60:1 to about 1:80. Certain preferred laundry detergents have said ratio in the janyc 0.90:1.0 to '1.0:1,0, more picfunt.ly fiom O.95:1.0 to 3.0:1.0.
P-containing detergent builders often preferred where permitted by k'l'jr.lulion. include, but are not limited to, the alkali metal, ammonium and alkanQlammonium salts of poJyphosphates exemplified by the Iripolyphosphatcs, pyrophosphates, glassy polymeric meta-phosphates; and pbosphonates,
Suitable carbonate builders include alkaline earth and alkali metal carbonates as disclosed in German Patent Application No. 2,321,001 published on November 15, 1°73, although sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium sesquicarbonate, and other carbonate minerals such as trona 01 any convenient multiple sails of sodium carbonate and calcium carbonate such as those having the composition 2Nu2CO3-CaCO3 when anhydrous, and even calcium carbonates including calcitc, aragonite and valeriic, especially forms having high surface areas relative to compact calcite may be useful, for example as seeds or for use in synthetic detergent
bars.

Suitable organic detergent builders include polycarboxylate compounds, including water-soluble nonsurfactant dicarboxylates and tricarboxylates. More typically builder polycaiboxylalcs have n phnalhy of uuboxyhite groups, preferably at least 3 carboxylates. Carboxylalc builders can be formulated in acid, partially
neutral, neutral or ovcrbnsed form. When in salt form, alkali metals, such as sodium, potassium, and lithium, or ulkanolummoniurn salts arc preferred. Polyeai boxy lute builders include the ether polyciirboxyhues, such as oxydisuccinnte, see Berg, U.S. 3,128,287, April 7, 1964, find l.amberti et nl, U.S. 3,635,830, January 18, 1972; "TMS/TDS" builders of U.S. 4,663,071, Bush et al, May 5, 1987; and other ether corboxylates including cyclic and aticyclic compounds, such as those described in U.S. Patents 3,923,679; 3,835, J 63; 4,158,635; 4,120,874 and 4,102,903.
Other suitable builders are the ether hydroxypolycarboxylatcs, copolymcrs of inaleic anhydride with ctbylcne or vinyl methyl ether; 1, 3, 5-lrihydroxy benzenc-2, 4, 6-trisulphonic acid; carboxymethyioxysucciuic acid; the various alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts of polyacetic acids such as ethylcncdiiimine tctrnacetic acid and nitrilotriacetic acid; as well as mellitic acid, suecinic. acid, polymaleic acid, benzene 1,3,5-lricarboxylic acid, carboxy-melhyloxysuccinic ncid, and soluble salts thereof.
Citrates, e.g., citric acid and soluble salts thereof are important carboxylate builders e.p., for heavy duty liquid determents, due to availability from renewable tesouiocs nod biodep;iiidfibilily. Cilrntcr. can nlso be used in p.raoulnr compositions, especially in combination with /.eolite and/or layered silicates. Oxydisiiccinates arc also especially useful in such compositions and combinations.
Where permitted, find especially in the formulation of b.n.s used for hnud-laundering operations, alkali metal phosphates such as .sodium tripolyphosphatcs, sodium pyrophospluite and sodium orihophosphate can be used, Phosphonatc builders such as eihane-l-lyydroxy-l,I-diphosphonate and other known phosphonatcs, e.g., those of U.S. 3,159,581; 3,213,030; 3,422,021; 3,400,148 and 3,422,137 can also be used and may have desirable antiscaling properties.
Certain detersive surfactants or their short-chain homologs also have B builder action. For unambiguous formula accounting purposes, when they have smlaclimt capability, these materials are summed up us detersive surfactants, Preferred types for builder functionality arc illustrated by: 3,3-dicarboxy-4-oxa-l,6-hcxtmcdiontcs ami the related compounds disclosed in U.S. 4,566,984, Bush, January 28, 1986. Suecinic acid builders include the €5-020 afkyl and alkcnyl suecinic acids and .salts thereof. Succinaic builders also include: laurylsuccinate, myristylsuccinate, palmitylsnecinatc, 2-dodcccnyJsuccinnte '(preferred), 2-pentadecenylsuccinale, and the like. Lauryl-succinatcs arc described in European Pnlent Apjilicntion 86200690,5/0,200,263, published November 5, 1986. Fatty acids, e.g., C12-C18 monocitiboxylic neicls, can also be incoiponilcd into the compositions as surfactant/builder materials alone or in combination with the
aforementioned builders, especially citrate and/or the succinate builders, to provide additional builder activity. Other suitable polycarboxylaies are disclosed in U.S. 4,144,226, Crutchficid et al, March 13, 1979 and in U.S. 3,308,067, Dichl, March 7, 1967. See also Dichl, U.S. 3,723,322.
Other types of inorganic builder materials which can be used have the formula
(Mx)i Cay (CO3)Z wherein x arid i are integers from 1 to 15, y is an integer from 1
to 10, z is an integer from 2 to 25, Mj are cations, at least one of which is a water-
soluble, and the equation £j = ]-15(xi multiplied by the valence of Mj) + 2y ~ 2z is
satisfied such that the formula has a neutral or "balanced" charge. These builders
are referred to herein as "Mineral Builders". Waters of hydration or anions other
than carbonate may be added provided that the overall charge is balanced or neutral.
The charge or valence ciTccts of such nnions should be added to the right side of the
above equation. Preferably, there is present a water-soluble cation selected from the
group consisting of hydrogen, water-soluble metals, hydrogen, boron, ammonium,
silicon, and mixtures thereof, more preferably, sodium, potassium, hydrogen,
lithium, ammonium and mixtures thereof, sodium and potassium being highly
preferred. Nonlimiting examples of noncaibonate nnions include those selected
from the group consisting of chloride, sulfate, fluoride, oxygen, hydroxide, silicon
dioxide, chromatc, nitrate, boratc and mixtures thereof. Preferred builders of this
type in their simplest foims me selected from the group consisting of Nia2Cn(CO3)2
K2Ca(CO3)2, Na2Ca2(CO3)3> NaKCa(CO3)2, NaKCa2(C03)3, K2Ca2(C03)3,
and combinations thereof. An especially preferred material for the builder described
herein js Na2Cu(CO3)2 in any of its crystalline modifications. Suitable builders of
the above-defined type arc further illustrated by, and include, the natural or synthetic
forms of any one or combinations of the following minerals: Afghanite,
Andersonite, AshcroftineY, Beyerite, Borcarite, Burbankite, Butschliitc, Cancrinite,
Cavbocemaite, Carlctonilc, Davync, DonnayiteY, Fairchilditc, Fcrrisurite,
1'ianzinitc, Gauddioyite, Gaylussitc, Girvasitc, Gregoiyitc, Jouravskitc,
KamphaugitcY, Kcttnerite, Khanncshitc, LcpersonnitcGd, Liottile, MckelveyitcY,
Microsommile, Mioscite, Nntrofairchilditc, Nycrercilc, RemonditcCc, Sacrofatn'tc,
Schrockingeritc, Shoitite, Suritc, Tunisite, Tuscnnite, Tyrolitc,Vishnevilc, and
zernkorite. Pjefened mineral forms include Nycrcritc, Foirchilditc and Shoitite.
Detersive Surfactants;: (
The detergent compositions according to the present invention preferably further comprise additional surfactants, herein also referred to as co-surfactants. It is to be understood that the bronched-clmin suifactants prepared in the manner of the present invention may be used singly in cleaning compositions or in combination
with olhcr detersive surfactants. Typically, fully-formulated cleaning compositions will contain :i mixtmc. of surfactant types in order to obtain bioad-xcale cleaning performance over a variety of soils and stains and under a variety of. usage conditions. One advantage of the branched-chain surfactants herein is their ability to be readily formulated in combination with other known surfactant types. Nonlimiting examples of additional surfactants which may be used herein typically at levels from about 1% to about 55%, by weight, include the unsntura'ted sulfates such as olcyl sulfate, the C10-C18 alkyl alkoxy sulfates ("AEXS"; especially EO 1-7 ethoxy sulfates), C18-C18 alkyl alkoxy carboxylates (especially-'the EO 1-5 cthoxycarboxylales), the C10-18 glyccrol ether sulfates, the C10-C18 alkyl polyglycosides and their corresponding sulfated polyglycosides, and C12-C18 alpha-sulfonated fatty acid esters. Nonionic surfactants such as the ethoxylated C10-C18 alcohols aiul alkyl phenols, (e.g., C10-C18 BO (1-10) can also be used. If desired, other conventional surfactants such as the C12-C18 betaines and suliubetaincs ("sultaincs"), C10-C18 aminc oxides, and the like, can also be included in the overall compositions. The C10-C18 N-alkyl polyhydroxy fatty acid amides can also be used. Typical examples include the Ci2-Cig N-1 melhylglucamidcs. Sec \VO 9,206,154. Oilier sugar-derived surfactants include the N-alkoxy polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, such as CjQ-Cig N-(3-methoxypropyl) glucamide. The N-propyl through N-hexyl C]2"^18 ghicamides can be used for low sudsing. Cjy-C2Q conventional soaps may also be used. If high sudsing is desired, the branched-cbain C]Q-C](, soaps may be used. CiQ-C]4 ulkyl benzene sulfonates (LAS), which are often used in laundry detergent compositions, can also be used with the branched surfactants herein,
A wide range of these co-surfactants can be used in the detergent compositions of the present invention. A typical listing of anionie, nonionic, ampholytic and xwitterionic classes, and species of these co-surfactants, is given in US Patent 3,664,961 issued to Norris on May 23, 1972. Amphoteric surfactants are also described in detail in "Amphoteric Surfactants, Second Edition", E.G. Lomax, Editor (published 1996, by Marcel Dekker, Inc.)
The laundry detergent compositions of the present invention typically comprise from about 0.1% to about 35%, preferably from about 0.5% to about 15%, by weigh! of co-surfactants. Selected co-surfactants arc further identified us follows. (IV Anionie Co-surlactanis:
Nonlimiting examples of anionie co-surfactants useful herein, typically at levels from about 0.1% to about $0%, by weight, include the conventional Cj i-C)]# alkyl benzene sulfonatcs ("LAS") and primary, branched-chain and random C10-C20alkyl sulfalcs ("AS"), the CiQ-Cjg secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates of the formula CH3(CH2)X(CIIOS03"M+) C113 and CII3 (CH2)y(CHOSO3"M4) CII2CH3 where x and (y + 1) arc integers of at least about 7, preferably at least about 9, and M is a wntcr-solubili/.ing cation, especially sodium, unsaturated sulfates such as olcyl sullate, the C10-C18 ulpha-sulibnated fatty acid esters, the C10-C18 sulfated alkyl polyglycosides, the C10-C18 alkyl alkoxy sulfales ("AEXS"; especially EO 1-7 ethoxy sulfates), and C10-C18 alkyl alkoxy carboxylates (especially the EO 1-5 ethoxycarboxylates). The C12-C18 beUunes and sulibbetaines ("sultaines"), C18-C18 omine oxides, and the like, can also be included in* the overall compositions. C10-C20 conventional soaps may also be used, If high sudsing is desired, the branched-chain C10-C16 soaps may be used. Other conventional useful anionic co-surfactants are listed in standard texts.
The alkyl alkoxy sulfate surfactants useful herein arc preferably water soluble salts or acids of the formula RO(A)lnSO3M wherein R is an unsubstituted C10-C24 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl gioup having a C10-C24 nlkyl component, preferably a C12-C18 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, more preferably C12-C15 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, A is an ethoxy or propoxy unit, in is greater than /.cro, typically between about 0.5 and about 6, moie preferably between about 0.5 and about 3, and M is 11 or a cation which can be, for example, a metal cation (e.g., sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, etc,), ammonium or substitutcd-ammoninm cation. Alkyl ethoxylnted sulfates as well as alkyl propoxylatcd sulfates arc contemplated herein. Specific examples of substituted ammonium cations include ethanol-, triethanol-, methyl-, dimethyl, trimcthyl-ammonium cations and quaternary ammonium_oations such as tetramethyl-ammonium and dimethyl piperidinium cations and those derived from alkylamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, mixtures thereof, and the like. Exemplary surfactants arc C12-C15 alkyl polyethoxylate (1.0) sulfate (C]2-Ci5E(1.0)M), C12-C15 alkyl polyethoxylate (2.25) sulfate (Ci2-Ci5E(2.25)M), C12-C15 alkyl polyothoxylale (XO) sullhtc (C12-C15(E3-0)M), and Cl2-C15 ft'kyl polyethoxylate (4.0) sulfatc (C12-C15E(4.0)M), wherein M is conveniently selected from sodium and potassium.
The nlkyl sulfale snrfnctimts useful herein arc preferably water soluble Halts or acids of the formula ROS03M wherein R preferably is a C10-C24 hydrocarbyl, prcfciably an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl having 'C10-C18 alkyl component, more preferably a C12-C15 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, and M is II or a cation, e.g., an alkali metal cation (e.g. sodium, potassium, lithium), or ammonium or substituted ammonium (e.g. methyl-, dimethyl-, and trimethyl ammonium cations and quaternary ammonium cations such as tetramethyl-ammonium and dimethyl
piperidinium cations and quaternary ammonium cations derived from alkylamincs such us cthylamine, dielhylamine, Iriethylamine, and mixtures thereof, and the like).
Other suitable anionic surfactants that can he used arc alky! ester sulfonute surfactants including linear esters of C8-C20 carhoxylic acids (i.e., fntty acids) which are sulfonaled with gaseous SO3 uccoiding to "The Journal of the American Oil Chemists Society", 52 (1975), pp. 323-329. Suitable starting materials would include natural fatty substances as derived from tallow, palm oil, etc.
The preferred alkyl ester sulfonate surfactant, especially for laundry' applications, comprise alkyl ester sulfonate surfactants of the structural -formula :
R^-CII(SC)3M)-(:(0)-OR4
wherein R-* is a Cg-C^o hydrocarbyl, preferably an alkyl, or combination thereof, R.4 is a C-i-C(5 hydrocarbyl, preferably an alkyl, or combination thereof, and M is a cation which forms a water soluble salt with the alkyl ester sulfonate. Suitable salt-forming cations include metals such as sodium, potassium, and lithium, and substituted or unsubstiluted ammonium cations, such as monoelhanolamine, dicthanolaminc, and triethanolamine. Preferably, R-* is C10-C16 alkyl, and R^ is methyl, ethyl or isopropyl. Especially preferred are the methyl ester sulfonates wherein R3 is C10-C16 ulkyl.
Other anionic co-surfactants useful for detersive purposes can also be included in ihc laundry delaftcnl compositions of the present invention. These can include salts (including, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di- and triethanolamine salts) of soap, Cg-C;22 piinuuy of secondary ulkanesuli'onates, ^'&-^24 olefinsulfonales, sulfonated polycarboxylic acids prepared by sulfonation of the pyrolyzed product of alkaline earth metal citrates, e.g., as described in British patent specification No. 1,082,179, Cg-C24 alkylpolyglycolethersulfates (containing up to 10 moles of ethylenc oxide); alkyl glyccro) sulfonates, fatty acyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty oleoyl glyccrol sulfates, alkyl phenol elhylcne oxide ether sul fates, paraffin sulfonates, alkyl phosphates, isethionates such as the acyl iscthionates, N-acyl taurates, alkyl succinamatcs and sulfosuccinatcs, monoesters of snlfosnecinatcs (especially saturated and unsaturatccl C12-C18 monoesteis) and diesteis of sulibsucchmtes (especially saturated and unsaturatcd C6-C12diesters), snlfaies of alkylpolysaccharides such as the sulfatcs of alkylpoly^hico.side (the nonionic nonsnlfntcd coni(ionnd» belli}.1, d«vscril)cd bclo'vy'). and alkyl polyelhoxy carboxylutes such as those of the formula RO(CIl2C;Il2O)|4-CH2COO-M+ wherein R is a Cg-C22 alkyl, k is an integer from 0 to 10, and M is a soluble salt-fortninf, cation. Resin ncids and hydrogenated resin acids are also suitable, such as rosin, hydrogenatcd rosin, and resin acids and hydrogenatcd resin
acids present in or derived from tall oil. Further examples arc described in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" (Vol. 1 and II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch). A variety of such surfactants are also generally disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,929,678, issued December 30, 1975 to Laughlin, ct al. at Column 23, line 58 through Column 29, line 23 (herein incorporated by reference).
A preferred dtsulfale surfactant has the formula
(Formula Removed)where R is an alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, alkaryl, ether, ester, amine or amide group of chain length C j to C>>8> preferably €3 to C24, most preferably Cg to C2Q» °r hydrogen; A and 13 are independently selected from alkyl, substituted alkyl, and alkenyl groups of chain length C\ to C^g, preferably C\ to 05, most preferably Cj or C-2, or a covale-nt bond, and A and B in total contain at least 2 atoms; A, B, and R in total contain from A to about 31 carbon atoms; X and Y are anionic groups selected fiom the group consisting of sulfate and sulfonate, provided that ut least one of X or Y is a sulfatc group; and M is a cationic moiety, preferably a substituted or unsubstiluted ummonium ion, or an alkali or alkaline earth metal ion.
The most preferred disulfate surfactant has the formula as above where R is an alkyl group of chain length from CIQ to Cjg, A and B are independently C\ or C2, both X and Y are sulfatc groups, and M is a potassium, ammonium, or a sodium ion,
The disulfate surfactant is typically present at levels of incorporation of from about 0.1% to about 50%, preferably from about 0.1% to about 35%, most preferably from about 0.5% to about 15% by weight of the detergent composition.
Picfcncd disiilfiitc suifactmit herein include:
(a) 1,3 disulfate compounds, preferably 1,3 C7-C23 (i.e., the total number of carbons in the molecule) straight or branched chain alkyl or alkenyl disulfates, more preferably having the formula:
(Formula Removed)wheicin K is a straight or branched chain alkyl or alkenyl group of chain length from about C'4 to about C18;
(b) 1,4 disulfalc compounds, preferably 1,4 C8-C22 straight or branched
chain alkyl or alkcnyl disulfates, more preferably having the formula:
(Formula Removed)wheiein R is a straight or branched chain alkyl or alkcnyl group of chain length from
about ("4 to about C18; picfeired R are selected from octanyl, nonunyl, dceyl,
dodecyl, tetradecyl, hcxadccyl, octadecyl, and mixtures thereof; and
(c) 1,5 disulfate compounds, preferably 1,5 C9-C23 straight or branched
chain alkyl or alkcnyl disulfates, more preferably'having the formula:
(Formula Removed)».»
wherein R is a straight or branched chain alkyl or alkcnyl group of chain length from about C4 to about C18
Known syntheses of certain disulliitcd surfactants, in general, use an ulkyl or alkcnyl succinic anhydride as the principal starting material, This is initially subjected to a reduction step from which a diol is obtained, Subsequently the diol is subjected to a sulfation step to give the disulfated product. As an example, US-A-3,634,269 describes 2-alkyl or alkcnyl-1,4-butancdiol disulfatcs prepared by the reduction of alkenyl succinic anhydrides with lithium aluminium hydride to produce either alkcnyl or alkyl diols which are then sulfated. In addition, US-A-3,959,334 and US-A-4,000,081 describe 2-hydrocarbyl-1,4-butancdiol disulfatcs also prepared using a method involving the reduction of alkenyl succinic anhydrides with lithium aluminium hydride to produce cither alkcnyl or alkyl diols which arc then sulfated.
Sec also US-A-3,832,4()K and US-A-3,860,625 which describe 2-alkyl or alkcnyl-l,4-butanediol elhoxylate disulfates prepared by the reduction of alkcnyl succinic anhydrides with lithium aluminium hydride to produce cithei alkenyl or alky) diols which arc then ethoxylated prior to sulfation.
These compounds may also be made by a method involving synthesis of the disulfate surfactant from a substituted cyclic anhydride having one or more carbon chain substituents having in total at least 5 carbon atoms comprising the following steps:
(i) reduction of said substituted cyclic anhydride, to form a diol; and (ii) sulfation of said diol to form a disulfate
wherein said reduction step comprises hydrogenation under pressure in the presence of a transition metal-containing hydrogenation catalyst.
When included therein, the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention typically comprise from about 0.1% to about 50%, preferably from about 1% to about 40% by weight of an anionic surfactant, (2) Nonionic Co-surfactants:
Nonlimiting examples of nonionic co-surfactants useful herein typically at levels from about 0.1% to about 50%, by weight include the alkoxylated alcohols (AE's) and alkyl phenols, polyhydroxy fatty acid amides (PFAA's), alkyl polyjjlycosidcs (APG's), Cio-C|g glyccrol ethers, nnd the like,
More specifically, the condensation products of primary and secondary aliphatic alcohols with from about 1 to about 25 rnoJcs of cthylenc oxide (AE) arc suitable for use as the nonionic surfactant in the present invention. The alkyl chain of the aliphatic alcohol cnn cither be straight or branched, primary or secondary, mid generally contains from about R to about 22 carbon atoms. Preferred are the condensation products of alcohols having an alkyl group containing from about 8 to about 20 carbon atoms, more preferably from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms, with from about 1 to about 10 moles, preferably 2 to 7, most preferably 2 to 5, of cthylenc oxide per mole of alcohol. Especially preferred nonionic surfactants of this type arc the C9-C15 primary alcohol cthoxylatcs containing 3-12 moles of cthylcne oxide per mole of alcohol, particularly the C12-C15 primary alcohols containing 5-10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.
, Examples of commeicially available nonionic surfactants of this type include; Tergitol™ 15-S-9 (the condensation product of C11-C15 linear alcohol with 9 moles otiiylene oxide) nnd TeipitolTM 24-L-6 NMW (the condensation product of C12-C14 primary alcohol with 6 mqles elhylcnc oxide with a narrow molecular weight distribution), both marketed by Union Carbide Corporation; NeodopM 45.9 (the condensation product of C14-C15 linear alcohol with 9 moles of ethylene oxide), Neodol^M 23-3 (the condensation product of C'i2-Ci3 linear alcohol with 3 moles of ethylene oxide), NeodolTM 45.7 (tjie condensation product of C14 C15 linear alcohol with 7 moles of ethylene oxide) and NcodolTM 45.5 (the condensation product of C14-C15 linear alcohol with 5 moles of ethylene oxide) maikctcd by Shell Chemical Company; Kyio'M EOB((the condensation product of C13-C15 alcohol with 9 moles cthylenc oxide), marketed by The Procter & Gamble Company; and Genapol LA O3O or 050 (the condensation product of C12-C14 nlcohol with 3 0r 5 moles of ethyJau' oxide) mnrkclcd by Jloedist. The preferred
range of HL13 in these AE nonionic surfactants is from 8-17 and most preferred from 8-J4. Condensatcs will) propylenc oxide mid butylcnc oxides mny also he used.
Another class of preferred nonionic co-surfactants for use herein arc the polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants of the formula.
(Formula Removed)wherein R1 is II, or C1-4 hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxy ethyl, 2-hydroxy propyl or a mixture thereof, R2 is C5-31 hydrocarbyl, and Z is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl having a linear hydrocarbyl chain with at least 3 hydroxyls directly connected to the chain, or an alkoxylated derivative thereof. Preferably, R^ is methyl, R^ is a straight C11-15 alkyl C15-17 alkyl or alkenyl chain such as coconut alkyl or mixtures thereof, and Z is derived from a reducing sugar such as glucose, fructose, maltose, lactose, in a reductive animation reaction. Typical examples include the C^-Cjg and C12-C14 N-methylglucamides. See U.S. 5,194,639 and 5,298,636. N-alkoxy polyliydioxy liilty acid amide-.'; run also be used; sec U.S. 5,489,393.
Also useful as a nonionic co-surfactant in the present invention arc the alkylpolysaccharidcs such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,565,647, Llcnado, issued January 21, 1986, having n hydiophobic group containing from about 6 10 about 30 carbon atoms, preferably from about 10 to about 16 carbon atoms, and a polysncdiaride, e.g. a polyglycoside, hydrophilic group containing from about 1.3 to about 10, preferably from about 1.3 to about 3, most preferably from about 1.3 to about 2.7 saccharidc units. Any reducing saccharide containing 5 or 6 carbon atoms can be used, e.g., glucose, galactose and galactosyl moieties can be substituted for the glucosyl moieties (optionally the hydrophobia group is attached at the 2*, 3-, 4-, etc. positions thus giving a glucose or galactose ns opposed to a glucosidc or galactoside). The intcrsaccharidc bonds can be, e.g., between the one position of the additional saccharide units and the 2-, 3-, 4-, mid/or 6- positions on the preceding saccharidc units.
Preferred alkylpolyglycosidcs have the formula
(Formula Removed)when-iii R2 is selected from the group consisting of nlkyl, nlkylphonyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyjphenyl, and mixtures thereof in which the alkyl groups contain from about 10 to about 18. picfeinbly from about 12 to about 14, carbon atoms; ri is 2 or 3, preferably 2; t is from 0 to about 10, preferably 0; and x is from about 1.3 to about 10, preferably,from about 1.3 to about 3, most preferably from

about 1.3 to about 2.7. The glycosyl is preferably derived from glucose. To prepare these compounds, the alcohol or alkylpolyethoxy alcohol is formed first and then reacted with glucose, or a source of glucose, to form the glucoside (attachment at the 1-position). The additional glycosyl units can then be attached between their 1-position and the preceding glycosyl units 2-, 3-, 4- and/or 6-position, preferably predominately the 2-position. Compounds of this type and their use in detergent are disclosed in EP-B 0 070 077, 0 075 996 and 0 094 118.
Polyethylene, polypropylene, and polybutylene oxide condcnsates of alkyl phenols are also suitable for use as the nonionic surfactant of the surfactant systems of the present invention, with the polyethylene oxide eondensutes being preferred. These compounds include the condensation products of alkyl phenols having an alkyl group containing from about 6 to about 14 carbon atoms, preferably from about 8 to about 14 carbon atoms, in either a straight-chain or branchcd-chain configuration with the alkylene oxide. In a preferred embodiment, the elhylcnc oxide is present in an amount equal to from nbout 2 to about 25 moles, more preferably from about 3 to about 15 moles, of cthylene oxide per mole of alkyl phenol. Commercially available nonionic surfactants of this type include Igcpal'M CO-63Q, marketed by the CiAl- Corporation; and Triton™ X-45, X-114, X-100 and X-102, all marketed by the Rolun & Haas Company. These surfactants are commonly referred to as alkylphenol alkoxylatcs (e.g., alkyl phenol cthoxylatcs).
The condensation products of ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic base formed by the condensation of propylcnc oxide with propylcnc glycol are also suitable for use a.c; the additional nonionic surfactant in the present invention. The hydrophobic portion of these compounds will preferably have a molecular weight of from about 1500 to about 1800 and will exhibit water insolubility. The addition of polyoxyethylene moieties to this hydrophobic portion tends to increase the water solubility of the molecule as a whole, and the liquid character of the product is retained up to the point where the polyoxyethylene content is about 50% of the total weight of the condensation product, which corresponds to condensation with up to about 40 moles of cthylene oxide. Kxnmples of compounds of this type include certain of the commercially-available Pluronic"^ surfactants, marketed by BASF.
Also .suitable for use as the nonionic suifactant of the nonionic surfactant system of the present invention, me lln%. coiiilon'uilion products of cthylene oxide with the product resulting lioni the reaction of propylene oxide and ethylenediaminc. The hydrophobic moiety of these products consists of the reaction product of ethylcnediamine and excess propylene oxide, and generally has a molecular weight of from about 2500 to about 3000. This hydrophobic moiety is

condensed with cthylcnc oxide to the extent that the condensation product contains from about 40% to about 80% by weight of polyoxyethylcne and has a molecular weight of from about 5,000 to about 11,000. Examples of this type of nonionic surfactant include certain of the commercially available Tctronic™ compounds,
marketed by BASF.
Also preferred nonionics are amine oxide surfactants. The compositions of the present invention may comprise amine oxide in accordance with the geneial formula 1:
(Formula Removed)In general, it can be seen that the structure (1) provides one long-chain moiety Rl(EO)x(PO)y(BO)z and two short chain moieties, CH2R'. R1 is preferably selected from hydrogen, methyl and -CH2OH. In general R' is a primary or branched hydrocarbyl moiety which can be saturated or unsaturated, preferably, Rl is a primmy alkyl moiety. When x+y-iz ™ 0, R' is a hydrocarbyl moiety having chainlcngth of from about 8 to about 18. When x+y+z is different from 0, R.1 may be somewhat longer, having a chainlength in the range C12-C24. The general formula also encompasses amine oxides wherein x+y+z = 0, Rj = Cg-Cjg, R' = H and q - 0-2, preferably 2. These amine oxides are illustrated by Ci2-i4 nlkyldimethyl nmine oxide, hexridecy] dimelhylnminc oxide, octiulerylnmme oxide, and their hydrates, especially the dihydrates as disclosed in U.S. Patents 5,075,501 and 5,071,594, incorporated herein by reference.
The invention also encompasses amine oxides wherein x+y-tz is different from zero, specifically x+y+z is from about 1 to about 10, R' is a primary alkyl group containing 8 to about 24 carbons, preferably from about 12 to about 16 carbon atoms; in these embodiments y + z is preferably 0 and x is preferably from about 1 to about 6, more preferably from about 2 to about 4; EO represents ethyleneoxy; PO represents propylcneoxy; and DO represents buiyleneoxy. Such amine oxides can be prepared by conventional synthetic methods, e.g., by the reaction of alkylcthoxysulfates with dimcthylamine followed by oxidation of the elhoxylated amine with hydrogen peroxide.
Highly preferred amine oxides herein are solutions at ambient temperature. Amine oxide..1: suitable for use herein are made rninmcrcinlly by n number of suppliers, including Akw Chemie, Ethyl Corp., and Procter & Gamble. See McCutchcon's compilation nnd Kirk-Othmcr review article for alternate amine oxide uiiinnfaelniei.s.
Whereas in certain of the preferred embodiments R' is H, there is some latitude with respect to having R' slightly larger than H. Specifically, the invention further encompasses embodiments wherein R1 is CH2OH, such as hcxadccylbis(2-hydroxyetliyl)aminc oxide, tallowbis(2-hydroxyelhyl);imim: oxide, stearylbis(2-liydroxyethyl)aminc oxide and oleylbis(2-hydroxyethyl)aminc oxide, dodecyldimethylamine oxide dihydrate.
(3). CntionIe CO-surfactants;
Nonlimiting examples of cationic co-surfactants useful herein typically at levels from about 0.1% to about 50%, by weight include the cholinc ester-type quats and alkoxylated quaternary ammonium (AQA) surfactant compounds, and the like.
Cationic co-surfactants useful as a component of the surfactant system is a cationic choline ester-type quat surfactant which are preferably water dispersiblc compounds having surfactant properties and comprise at least one ester (i.e. -COO-) linkage and at least one cationically charged group. Suitable cationic ester surfactants, including cholinc ester surfactants, have for example been disclosed in U.S. Patents Nos, 4,228,042, 4,239,660 and 4,260,529.
Preferred cationic ester surfactants are those having the formula: (Formula Removed)
wherein Rj is a C5-C31 linear or branched alkyl, alkeny) or alkaryl chain or M-•N+(R6R7R8)CH2)s; X and Y, independently, are selected from the group consisting of COO, OCO, O, CO, OCOO, CONH, NHCO, OCONH and NHCOO wherein at least one of X or Y is a COO, OCO, OCOO, OCONII or NHCOO group; R2, R3, R4, R6, R7 and R8 are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkenyl and alkaryl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and R5 is independently H or a C1-C'3 alkyl group; wherein the values of m, n, s mid t iudependcnlly lie in the rnnf'.e of from 0 to 8, the value of b lies in the range from 0 to 20, and the values of a, u and v independently are either 0 or 1 with the proviso that at least one of u or v must be 1; and wherein M is a counter union.
Preferably R2, R3 and R4 are independently selected from C1I3 and -CH2CH2OH.

Preferably M is selected from the group consisting of halidc, methyl sulfatc, sulfate, and nitrate, more preferably methyl sulfate, chloride, bromide or iodidePreferred water dispersiblecationic ester surfactants arc the choline esters having the formula: (Formula Removed)
wherein Rj is n C\ j-Cj9 linear or branched alkyl chain.
Particularly preferred choline esters of this type include the stcaroyl choline ester quaternary methylainmonium halides (R1=C17 alkyl), palmitoyl choline ester quateniaiy methylamnioniuin halides (R1-=C15 alkyl), myristoyl choline ester quaternary melhylanimoniuin halides (R1=C13 alkyl), lauroyl choline ester quntcrnary incthylaimnouiuni halides (R1 =-Cu alkyl), cocoyl choline ester quaternary nicthylammonium halides (R1=C11-C13alkyl), tallowyl choline ester quateinnry methylammonium hnliclcs (R1-C15-C17 alkyl), and any mixtures thereof.
The particularly preferred choline esters, given above, may be prepared by the direct cslm fixation of a fatty acid of the desired chain length with dimethylaminocthanol, in the presence of an acid catalyst. The reaction product is then quaternizcd with a methyl halide, preferably in the presence of a solvent such as cihunol, propylenc glycol or preferably a fatly alcohol cthoxylate such as CiQ-C]g fatty alcohol cthoxylate having a degree of ethoxylation of from 3 to 50 ethoxy groups per mole forming the desired eationic material. They may olso^bc prepared by the direct csterification of a long chain fatty acid of the desired chain length together with 2-haloethanol, in the presence of an acid catalyst material. The reaction product is then quatcrnized vvith trimethylamine, forming the desired eationic material.
Other suitable eationic ester surfactants have the structural formulas below, wherein d may be from 0 to 20.
(Formula Removed)
In a preferred aspect these calionic ester surfactant are hydrolysable under the conditions of a laundry wash method.
Calionic co-surfactants useful herein also include alkoxylated quaternary ammonium (AQA) surfactant compounds (referred to hereinafter as "AQA compounds") having the formula:
(Formula Removed)wherein R1is a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl moiety containing from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, preferably 10 to about 16 carbon atoms, most preferably from about 10 to Hboul 14 carbon atoms; R^ is an alkyl group containing from one to three carbon atoms, preferably methyl; R^ and R^ can vary independently and are selected from hydrogen (preferred), methyl and ethyl; X" is an anion such as chloride, bromide, methylsulfatc, sulfate, or the like, sufficient to provide electrical neutrality. A and A1 can vary independently and are each selected from Cj-C4 alkoxy, especially ethoxy (i.e., -CH2CH2O-), propoxy, butoxy and mixed cthoxy/propoxy; p is from 0 to about 30, preferably 1 to about 4 and q is from 0 to about 30, preferably 1 to about 4, and most preferably to about 4; preferably both p and q are 1. See also: HP 2,084, published May 30, ] 979, by The Procter & Gamble Company, which describes cationic co-surfactants of this type which are also useful herein..
AQA compounds wherein the hydrocarbyl substituent R1 is Cg-Cn, especially C10, enhance the rate of dissolution of laundiy granules, especially under cold water conditions, us compared with the higher chain length materials. Accordingly, the C8-C11AQA surfactants may be preferred by some formulators. The levels of the AQA surfactants used to prepare, finished laundry detergent compositions can range from about 0.1% to about 5%, typically from about 0.45% to about 2,5%, by weight.
According to the foregoing, the following arc nonlimiting, specific illustrations of AQA surfactants used herein. It is to be understood that the degree
of alkoxylation noted herein for the AQA surfactants is reported as an average,
following common practice for conventional cthoxylated nonionic surfactants. This
is because the cthoxylation reactions typically yield nn'xtuics of materials willi
diflrrinf.1, decrees of ellioxylation. Thus, it is not uncommon to report total li()
values other Ihan as whole numbers, e.g., "EO2.5", "EOO3.5", and the like.
Designation(Table Removed)
*Ethoxy, optionally end-cnppcc! with metliyl or ethyl.
The preferred bis-ethoxylated cationic surfactants herein are available under the trade name ETHOQUAD from Akzo Nobel Chemicals Company.
Highly preferred bis-AQA compounds for usc'hcrein are of the formula
(Formula Removed)wherein R^ is C10-C18 hydrocarbyl ajid mixtures thereof, preferably CIQ, Cj2, Cj4 alkyl and mixtures thereof, and X is any convenient anion to provide charge balance, preferably chloride. With reference to the general AQA structure noted above, since in a preferred compound K.1 is derived from coconut (C12-C14 alkyl) fraction fatty acids, R^ is methyl and ApR3 and A'qR4 arc each monocthoxy, this preferred type of compound is referred to herein as "CocoMcECO2" or "AQA-1" in the above list. Other preferred AQA compounds herein include compounds of the formula:
(Formula Removed)wherein R1 is C10-C18 hydroctubyl, preferably C10-C14 alkyl, independently p is 1
to about 3 and q is 1 to about 3, R2 is C1-C3 alkyl, preferably methyl, and X is an union, especially chloiide.

Other compounds of the foregoing type include those wherein the cthoxy (CII2CH2O) units (EO) are replaced by hnioxy (Bu), isopropoxy [CII(CIl3)Cll2OJ; and [CTbClKCH^OJ units (i-Pr) or n-propoxy units (Pr), or mixtures of EG and/or Pr and/or i-Pr units,
'I lie following ilhislmtes various other adjunct ingredients which may be used in the compositions of this invention, but is not intended to be limiting thereof. While the combination of the mid-chain branched primary alkyl surfactants with such adjunct compositional ingredients can be provided as finished products in the form of liquids, gels, bars, or the like using conventional techniques, the manufacture of the granular laundry detergents herein requires some special processing techniques in order to achieve optimal performance. Accordingly, the manufacture of laundry granules will be described hereinafter separately in the Granules Manufactuic section (below), for the convenience of the formulator.
Additional cationic co-surfactants arc described, for example, in the "Surlliciaut Science Seiies, Volume 4, Cationic Surfactants" or in the "Industrial Surfactants Handbook". Classes of useful cationic surfactants described in these references include amide quats (i.e., Lexquat AMG & Schercoquat CAS), glycidyl ether quats (i.e., Cyostal 609), hydioxyalkyl quuts (i.e., Dchyquart II) t ulkoxypropyl quuts (i.e., Tomah Q-17-2), polypropoxy quats (Emcol CC-9), cyclic alkylammonium compounds (i.e., pyiidiniuin or imida/.olininm quats), and/or bcn/ralkonium quats.
Polymeric Soil Release Agent - Known polymeric soil release agents, hereinafter "SRA" or "SRA's", can optionally be employed in the present detergent compositions. If utilized, SRA's will generally comprise from 0.01% to 10.0%, typically from 0.1% to 5%, preferably from 0.2% to 3.0% by weight, of the composition.
Preferred SRA's typically have hydropbilic segments to hydrophili/e the surface of liydiophobie Jiheis such as polyesler and nylon, and hydrophobic segments to deposit upon hydrophobic fibers and remain adhered thereto tlirough. completion of washing and rinsing cycles thereby serving as an anchor for the hydrophilic segments. This can enable stains occuuing subsequent to treatment with SRA to be more easily cleaned in later washing procedures.
SRA's can include a variety of charged, e.g.. anionic or even cationic (see U.S. 4,9.56,447), as well as noncharged monomer units and structures may be linear, branched or even star-shaped. They may include capping moieties which are especially effective in controlling molecular weight or altering the physical or surface-active properties. Structures and charge distributions may be tailored for

application to different fiber or textile types and for varied detergent or detergent additive products.
Preferred SRA's include oligomeric terephthalatc esters, typically prepared by processes involving at least one transesterification/oligomcrization, often with a metal catalyst such as a titaniuin(lV) alkoxi.dc. Such esters may be made using additional monomers capable of being incorporated into the ester structure tlirough one, two, three, four or more positions, without of course forming a densely crosslinkcd overall structure.
Suitable SRA's include: a sulfonated product of a substantially, linear ester oligomer comprised of an oligomeric ester backbone of tcrcphthaloyl and oxyalkyleneoxy repeat units and allyl-derived sulfonated terminal moieties covalently attached to the backbone, for example as described in U.S. 4,968,451, November 6, 1990 to J.J. Schcibel and E.P. Gosselink: such ester oligomers can be prepared by (a) ethoxylating allyl alcohol, (b) reacting the product of (a) with dimethyl tcrcphlhalate ("DMT") find ,1,7,-propylenc glycol (TO") in a two-stage transcsterification/ oligomerization procedure and (c) reacting the product of (b) with sodium metabisulfite in water; the nonionic end-capped 1,2-propylene/polyoxycthylene terephthalatc polyesters of U.S. 4,711,730, December 8, 1987 to Gosselink et al, for example those produced by transeslerifieation/oligomerization of poly(othylencylycol) methyl ether, DMT, )'(> and poly(cthylcneglycol) ("PEG"); the partly- and fully- anionic-end-capped oligomeric esters of U.S. 4,721,580, January 26, 1988 to Gosselink, such as oligomers from ethylene glycol ("EG"), PG, DMT and Na-3,6-dioxa-8-hydroxyoctancsulfonate; the nonionic-cappccl block polyester oligomeric compounds of U.S. 4,702,857, October 27, 1987 to Gossclink, for example produced from DMT, Me-cappcd PEG and EG and/or PG, or a combination of DMT, EG and/or PG, Me-capped PEG and Na-dimethyl-5-sulfoisophthalate; and the anionic, especially sulfoaroyl, end-capped terephthalate esters of U.S. 4,877,896, October 31, 1989 to Maldonado, Gosselink et al, the latter being typical of SRA's useful in both laundry and fabric conditioning products, an example being an ester composition made from m-sulfobenzoic acid monosodium salt, PG and DMT optionally but preferably further comprising added PEG, e.g., PEG 3400.
SRA's also include simple copolymoric blocks of cthyle.nc tercphlluibito or propylene tetephthalat with polyethylene oxide or polypropylene oxide tcrcphlhalate, sec U.S. 3,959,230 to Hays, May 25, 1976 and U.S. 3,893,929 to Basadur, July 8, 1975; ccllulosic derivatives such as the hydroxyether cellulosic polymers available as METHOCEL from Dow; and the C1-C4 alkylcellulOsSes and

Q hydroxyalkyl celluloses; sec U.S. 4,000,093, December 28, 1976 to Nicol, el a). Suitnblc SHA's chniiR-.tcii.'icd l>y poly(vinyl cslcr) hydrophobe segments include graft copolymers of poly(vinyl ester), e.g., Cj-Cg vinyl esters, preferably poly(vinyl acetate), grafted onto polyiilkylenc oxide backbones. See European Patent Aj)j)lication 0 219 048, published April 22, 1987 by Kud, et al. Commercially available examples include SOKALAN SRA's such as SOKALAN HF-22, available from BASF, Germany. Other SRA's are polyesters with repeat units containing 10-15% by weight of cthylcne lerephthalatc together with 90-80% by weight of polyoxycthylcne terephthalate, derived from a polyoxycthylcnc glyool of average molecular weight 300-5,000, Commercial examples include ZELCON 5126 from Dupont and MILEASE T from 1CI.
Another preferred SRA is an olip.omcr having empirical formula (CAI>)2(lJG/l>G)5('r)5(SlP)1 which comprises terephlhaloyl (T), sulfoisophthaloyl (SIP), oxyethylcncoxy and oxy-l,2-propylcnc (EG/PG) units and which is preferably terminated with end-caps (CAP), preferably modified iscthionates, as in an oligomcr comprising one sulfoisophthaloyl unit, 5 terephthaloyl units, oxyethylcncoxy and oxy-l,2-propylcncoxy units in a defined ratio, preferably about 0.5:1 to about 10:], and two end-cap units derived from sodium 2-(2-hydroxycthoxy)-ethanesulfonate. Said SKA preferably further comprises from 0.5% to ?.()%, by weight of the oligomcr, of a crystallinity-rcdueing stabiliser, for example an anionic surfactant such as linear sodium dodecylbcnzencsulfonale or a member selected from xylene-, cumcne-, and toluene- sulfonatcs or mixtures thereof, these stabilizers or modifiers being introduced into the synthesis pot, all as taught in U.S. 5,415,807, Gosselink, Pan, Kcllett arid Hall, issued May 16, 1995. Suitable monomers for the above SRA include Na 2-(?.-hydroxycthoxy)-etlianesulfonatc, DMT, Na- dimethyl 5-sulfoisophthalate, EG and PG.
Yet another group of preferred SRA's are oligomeric esters comprising: (1) a backbone comprising (a) at least one unit selected from the group consisting of dihydroxysulfonates, polyhydroxy sulfonales, a unit which is at least trifunctional whereby ester linkages me formed resulting in a branched oligomer backbone, and combinations thereof; (b) at least one unit which is n terephthaloyl moiety; and (c) at least one unsulfonated unit which is a 1,2-oxyalkyleneoxy moiety; and (2) one or more capping units selected from nonionie capping iinils, nnionic rapping units .Mich as alkoxylated, preferably ethoxylated, isethionates, alkoxylatcd propancsulfonates, alkoxylated propancdisulfonales, nlkoxylated phcnolsulfonalcs, sulfoaroyl derivatives and mixtures thereof. Prcfened of such esters me (hose of empirical formula:

(Formula Removed) wherein CAP, F.G/PO, PEG, T and SIP arc as defined hereinabovc, (DEG) represents di(oxycthylcnc)oxy units; (SEG) represents units derived from the sulfoethyl ether of glycerin and related moiety units; (13) represents branching units which are »t Ica.sl tiifunctional whereby ester linkages are formed resulting in a branched oligomer backbone; x is from about 1 to about 12; y1 is from about 0.5 to about 25; y" is from 0 to about 12; y"1 is from 0 to about 10; y'+y'My totals from about 0,5 to about 25; z is from about 1.5 to about 25; 2' is from 0 to about 12; z •*- z' totals from about 1.5 to about 25; q is from about 0.05 to about 12; m-ie from about 0.01 to about 10; and x, y', y", y'", z, z', q and m represent the average number of moles of the corresponding units per mole of said ester and said ester has a molecular weight ranging from about 500 to about 5,000.
Preferred SEG and CAP monomers for the above esters include Na-2-(2-,3-dihydroxypropoxy)ethanesu)fonate ("SEG"), Na-2-{2-(2-hydroxyethoxy) ethoxy} eilianesulfonntc ("SF3") and its homologs and mixtures thereof and the products of cthoxylaling and sulfonating allyl alcohol. Preferred SRA esters in this class include the product of transesterifying and oligomcrizing sodium 2-{2-(2-hydroxycthoxy)ethoxy}clhanesullbnaU: and/or sodium 2~[2-{2-(2-hydroxycthoxy)-elhoxy}ethoxy]ethanesulfonnte, DMT, sodium 2-(2,3-dihydroxypropoxy) ethane sulfonale, HG, and PG using IUI appropriate 'l'i(IV) catalyst and can be designated us (CAP);2(05(l-G/PG)1.4(SkG)2.5(B)0.13 wherein CAP is (Na+ O3S[CH2CIl2OJ3.5)- and B is a unit from glycerin and the mole ratio EG/PG is about 1.7:1 as measured by conventional gas chromatography after complete hydrolysis.
Additional classes of SRA's include (I) nonionic lerephthalates using diisocyanatc coupling agents to link up polymeric ester structures, see U.S. 4,201,824, Violland et al. and U.S. 4,240,918 Lngasse el al; (II) SRA's with carboxylate terminal groups made by adding trimellitic anhydride to known SRA's to convert terminal hydroxyl groups to trimcllitatc esters. With a proper selection of catalyst, the trimellitic anhydride forms linkages to the terminals of the polymer through ?n> ester of the isolated carbuxylie acid of irimellitic anhydiicle rather than by opening of the anhydride linkage. Either nonionic or nnionic SRA's may be used as stalling materials as long as they have hydroxyl terminal groups which may be cstctificd. See U.S. 4,525,524 Tung et al.; (Ill) auionic terephthalate-based SRA's of the urcthanc-linked variety, see U.S. 4,201,824, Violland ct al; (IV) poly(vinyl caprolnelam) niul related eo-polymiris with monomers sucli as vinyl pyrrolidonc and/or dimethylaminocthyl mcthacrylate, including both nonionic and cationic

polymers, sec U.S. 4,579,681, Ruppert el ul.; (V) graft copolymers, in addition to the SOKALAN types from BASF made, by grafting acrylic monomers on to sulfonatcd polyesters; these SRA's asscrtedly have soil release and anti-rcdcposition activity similar to known cellulose ethers: see FP 279,134 A, 1988, to Rhonc-Poulcnc Cliemie; (VI) grafts of vinyl monomers such as acrylic acid and vinyl acetate on to proteins such as caseins, sec HP 457,205 A to BASF (1991); (VII) polycstcr-polyamide SRA's prepared by condensing adipio ocid, caprolactam, and polyclhylene glycol, especially lor treating polyamide fabrics, sec Bevan et al, DH 2,335,044 to Unilever N. V., 1974, Other useful SRA's are described m«U.S. Patents 4,240,918,4,787,989, 4,525,524 and 4,877,896.
Clay Soil Removal/Anti-redeposition Agents - The compositions of the present invention can also optionally contain water-soluble cthoxylatcd amines luivinj; clay soil removal and nntiredeposition properties. Granular detergent compositions which contain these compounds typically contain from about 0.01% to about 10.0% by weight of the water-soluble ethoxylates amines; liquid detergent compositions typically contain about 0.01% to about 5%.
The most preferred soil release and anti-rcdeposition agent is ethoxylated letraethylenepcntaminc. Exemplary ethoxylated amines are further described in U.S. Patent 4,597,898, VanderMeer, issued July 1. 1986. Another group of preferred elay soil removal-antiiedeposition agents are Ihe eationie compounds disclosed in European Patent Application 111,965, Oh and Gosselink, published June 27, 1984. Oilier clay soil rcmoval/antircdeposition agents which can be used include the ethoxylated amine polymeis disclosed in European Patent Application 111,984, Gosselink, published June 27, 1984; the zwitterionic polymers disclosed in European Patent Application 112,592, Gosselink, published July 4, 1984; and the amine oxides disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,548,744, Connor, issued October 22, 1985. Other clay soil removal and/or and rcdcposition agents known in the art can also be utilized in the compositions herein. Sec U.S. Patent 4,891,160, VanderMeer, issued January 2, 1990 and WO 95/32272, published November 30, 1995. Another type of preferred antiredeposition agent includes the carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) materials. These materials are well known in the art.
Polymeric Dispersing Agents - Polymeric dispersing agents can advantageously bo ntili/cd nt levels from about 0.1% to about 7%, by weigh; in the compositions herein, especially in the presence of zeolite and/or layered silicate builders. Suitable polymeric dispersing agents include polymeric polycarboxy'ates mid polyethylene glycols, although others known in the art can also be used, h is believed, though it is not intended to be limited by theory, that polymeric dispersing

agents enhance overall detergent builder performance, when used in combination with other builders (including lower molecular weight polycarboxylates) by crystal growth inhibition, paniculate soil release pcptization, and anti-redeposition.
Polymeric, poly cat boxy late materials can be prepared by polymerizing or copolymerizing suitable unsaturated monomers, preferably in their acid form. Unsaturaied inonomcric acids that can be polymerized to form suitable polymeric polycarboxylaies include acrylic acid, nialeic acid (or maleie anhydride), fumaric acid, itaconic acid, aconitic acid, mesaconic acid, citraconic acid and melhylcncmalonic acid. The presence in the polymeric polycarboxylales herein or inonomcric segments, containing no cajboxylate radicals such as vinylmethyl ether, styrene, ethylcne, etc. is suitable provided that such segments do not constitute more than about 40% by weight.
Particularly suitable polymeric polycarboxylates can be derived from acrylic acid. Such acrylic acid-based polymers which are useful herein are the water-soluble salts of polymeri/ed acrylic acid. The average molecular weight of such polymers in the acid form preferably ranges from about 2,000 to 10,000, more preferably from about 4,000 to 7,000 and most preferably from about 4,000 to 5,000. Water-soluble salts of such acrylic acid polymers can include, foi example, the alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts. Soluble polymers of this type arc known materials. Use of polyacrylates of this type in detergent compositions has been disclosed, for example, in Diehl, U.S. Patent 3,308,067, issued march 7, 1967.
Acrylic/maleic-based copolymers may also be used as u preferred component of the dispersing/anti-redeposition agent. Such materials include the water-soluble salts of copolymers of acrylic acid and maleie acid. The average molecular weight of such copolymcrs in the acid form preferably ranges from about 2,000 to 100,000, more preferably from about 5,000 to 75,000, most preferably from about 7,000 to 65,000, The ratio of acrylate to maleatcsegments in such copolymers will generally
»-.
range liom about 30:1 to about 1:1, moic preferably from about 10:1 to 2:1, Water-soluble salts of such acrylic acid/maleic acid copolymers can include, for example, the alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts. Soluble acrylatc/maleale copolymcrs of this type are known materials which are described in European Patent Application No. 66915, published December 15, 1982, as well as in FP 193,360, published September 3, 1986, which also describes such polymers comprising hydroxypropylacrylate. Still other useful dispersing agerMs include the maleic/acryfic/vinyl alcohol terpolymcrs. Such materials are also discloj;cd in EP

193,360, including, for example, the 45/45/10 terpolymer of acrylic/maleic/vinyl
alcohol.
Another polymeric material which can be included is polyethylene glycol (PEG). PEG can exhibit dispersing apcnt performance as well as net as n clay soil removal-anliredcpositioii agent. Typical molecular weight ranges for these purposes range from about 500 to about 100,000, preferably from about 1,000 to about 50,000, more preferably from about 1,500 to about 10,000.
Polyaspartatc and polyglulamute dispersing agents may also be used, especially in conjunction with zeolite builders. Dispersing agents such as polyaspartatc preferably have a molecular weight (avg.) of about 10,000.
Brightener - Any optical brighteners or other brightening or whitening agents known in the art can be incorporated at levels typically from about 0.01% to about 1.2%, by weight, into the detergent compositions herein. Commercial optical brighlcncrs which may be useful in the present invention can be classified into subgroups, which include, but are not necessarily limited to, derivatives of stilbene, pyrazoline, coumarin, carboxylic acid, melhinccyanincs, dibenzotbiophcnc-5,5-dioxidc, azoles, 5- and 6-mcmbcrcd-ring helerocycles, and other miscellaneous agents. Example;; of such brightcncis me disclosed in "The Production and Application of Fluorescent Brightening Agents", M. Zahradnik, Published by John Wiley & Sons, New York (1982).
Specific examples of optical biightcners which arc useful in the present compositions are those identified in U.S. Patent 4,790,856, issued to Wixon on December 13, 1988. These brighteners include the PHORWHITE series of brighteners from Verona. Other brighteners disclosed in this reference include: Tinopal UNPA, Tinopal CBS and Tinopal 5BM; available from Ciba-Gcigy; Artie • White CC and Artie White CWD, the 2-(4-styiyl-phenyl)-2iI"naptho[l,2-dJtriaxoles; 4,4'-bis-(l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-stilbenes; 4,4'-bis(styryl)bispheny)s; and the amino-coumarins. Specific examples of these hrighlcncis include 4-methyl-7-dicthyl-amino coumarin; l,2-bis(ben/.imidazol-2-yl)ethylcne; 1,3-diphcnyl-pyrazolines; 2,5-bis(bcnzoxazol-2-yl)thiophenc; 2-styryl-naptho[l,2-d]oxazole; and 2-(stilbcn-4-yl)-2II-iHiphtlio|l,:>.-dJiiia/ole. Sec also U.S. Patent 3,646.015, issued February 29, 1972 to Hamilton.
.Dye.Transfer Inhibiting Agents - The compositions of the present invention may also include one or more materials effective for inhibiting the transfer of dyes from one fabric to another during the cleaning process. Generally, such dye transfer inhibiting agents include polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymers, polyaminc N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrohdone and N-vinylimidazole,

manganese phthalocyonine, pwroxidasex, and mixtures thereof. If used, these agents typically cotnpiisc. from about 0,01% to about 10% by weight of the composition, preferably 1'rom about 0,01% to about 5%, and moie preferably fiom about 0.05% to about 2%.
More specifically, the polyaminc N-oxide polymers pieferrcd for use herein contain units having the following structural formula: R-AX-P; wherein I' is a polynierizable unit to which an N-O group can be attached or the N-O group can form part of the polymerizable unit or the N-O group can be attached to both units; A is one of the following structures: -NC(O)-, -C(0)0-, -S-, -0-, -N=; XAB 0 or 1; and R is aliphatic, ethoxylated aliphatics, aromatics, heterocyclic or alicyclic groups or any combination thereof to which the nitrogen of the N-O group can be attached or the N-O group is part of these groups. Preferred polyamine N-oxidcs arc those wherein R is a heterocyclic group such as pyridinc, pyrrole, imidazole, i)yrrolidinc, piperidinc and derivatives thereof.
The N-O group can be represented by the following general structures: (Formula Removed)
wherein Rj, R2, RS are aliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic or ulicyclic groups or combinations thereof; x, y and z aie 0 or 1; and the nitrogen of the N-O group can be attached or form part of any of the aforementioned groups. The amine oxide unit of the polyamine N-oxidcs has a pKa Any polymer backbone can be used as long as the aminc oxide polymer formed is water-soluble and has dye transfer inhibiting properties. Examples of suitable polymeric backbones are polyvinyls, polyalkylenes, polyesters, polyethers, polyamide, polyimidcs, polyacrylatcs and mixtures thereof These polymers include random or block copolymcrs where one monomer type is an amine N-oxide and the other monomer type is an N-oxide. The uminc N-oxidc polymers typically have a ratio of amine to the amine N-oxide of 10:1 to 1:1,000,000. However, the number of amine oxide groups present in the polyamine oxide polymer can be varied by appropriate copolymerization or by an appropriate degree of N-oxidation. The polyamine oxides can be obtained in almost »ny degree of polymcriwUion. Typically, (he average molecular weight is within the rimgc of 500 to 1,000,000; more preferred 1,000 to 500,000; most preferred 5,000 to 100,000. This preferred class of m.'ttcrinls cmi IK- referred to us "PVNO".

The most preferred polyamine N-oxide useful-in the detergent compositions herein is poIy(4-vinylpyridine-N-oxide) which as an •• average molecular weight of about 50,000 and an amine to amine N-oxide ratio of about 1 'A.
Copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazolc pdlynicirs (referred to us n class us "PVP'VI") arc also piefeiied for use herein, Preferably .the PVpVf has an avcrap.c molecular weight range from 5,000 to 1,000,000, more preferably from 5,000 to 200,000, and most preferably from 10,000 to 20,000, (The average molecular weight range is determined by light scattering as described in Earth, et al, Chemical Analysis, Vol 113. "Modern Methods of Polymer Characterization", the disclosures of which arc incorporated herein by reference.) The PVPV1 copolymcrs typically have a molar ratio of N-vinylimidazole to N-vinylpyrrolidone from 1:1 to 0.2:1, more preferably from 0.8:1 to 0.3:1, most preferably from 0.6:1 to 0.4:1. These copolymcrs can be cither linear or branched.
The present invention compositions also may employ a polyvinylpyrrolidonc ("PVP") having an average. molecular weight of from about 5,000 to about 400,000, preferably from about 5,000 to about 200,000, and more preferably from about 5,000 to about 50,000. PVP's are known to persons skilled in the detergent field; sec, lor example, IiP-A-262,897 and JiP-A-256,696, incorporated herein by reference. Compositions containing PVP can also contain polyethylene glycol ("PEG") having an average molecular weight from about 500 to about 100,000, preferably fiom about 1,000 to about 10,000. Preferably, the ratio of PEG to PVP on a ppm basis ' delivered in wash solutions is from about 2:1 to about 50:1, and more preferably from about 3:1 to about 10:1.
The detergent compositions herein may also optionally contain from about O.OO.S% to 5% by weight of certain types of hydtophilic optical biigliteners which also provide a dye transfer inhibition action. If used, the compositions herein will preferably comprise from about 0.01% to 1% by weight of such optical brightcncrs.
The hydiophilie optical hrightcners useful in the present invention aie those having the structural formula: (Formula Removed)
wherein R] is selected from anilino, N-2-bis-hydroxycthyl and NH-2-hydroxycthyl; R2 is selected from N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl, N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-methylamino,
inorphilino, chloro and amino; and M is a salt-forming cation such as sodium or potassium.
When in the above formula, R] is anilino, R2 is N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl and M is a cation such as sodium, the brightener is 4,4',-bis[(4-anilino-6-(N-2-bis-hydroxyelhyl)-s-triazine-2-y))amino]-2(2'-stilbenedisulfonic acid and disodiuin salt. This particular briglitener species is commercially marketed under the tradename TinopaMJNPA-OX by Ciba-Gcigy Corporntion. Tmopal-UNI'A-OX is When in the above formula, Rj is anilino, R2 is N-2-hydr©Kyethyl-N-2-mcthylarnino and M is a cation such as sodium, the brightener is 4,4'-bis[(4-anilino-6-(N-2-hydroxycthyl-N-inethylamino)-s-triazine-2-yl)amino]2,2'-stilbcnedisulfonic acid disodiuin salt. This particular brightener species is commercially marketed under the trudcnamc Tinopal 5DM-GX by Ciba-Gcigy Corporation.
Wlien in the above formula, Rj is anilino, R2 is morphilino and M is a cation such as sodium, the brightener is 4,4'-bis[(4-anilino~6-moiphilino-s-triazinc-2-yl)imiiio]2,2'-stilbcncdisulfonic acid, sodium salt. This particular brightener species is commercially marketed under the trndenamc Tinopal AMS-GX by Ciba Geigy Corporation.
The specific optical brightener species selected for use m the present invention provide especially effective dye transfer inhibition performance benefits when used in combination with the .selected polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents hereinbefore described. The combination of such selected polymeric materials (e.g., 1'VNO and/or I'VI'VJ) with .such selected opticnl brighteners (e.g., Tinopal UNl'A-GX, Tinopal 5BM-GX and/or Tinopal AMS-GX) provides significantly better dye transfer inhibition-in aqueous wash solutions than docs either of these two detergent composition components when used alone. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that such brighteners work this way because they have high affinity for fabrics in the wash solution and therefore deposit relatively quick on these fabrics. The extent to which brighteners deposit on fabrics in the wash solution can be defined by a parameter called the "exhaustion coefficient". The exhaustion coefficient is in general as, the. tatio of a) the brightener mateiial deposited on fabrico b) the initial brightener concentration in the wash liquor. Brighteners with relatively high exhaustion coefficients arc the most suitable for inhibiting dye transfer in the context of the present invention.
Of course, it will be appreciated that other, conventional optical brightener typos of compounds can optionally be used in the present compositions to provide
conventional fabric "brightness" benefits, rather than a true dye transfer inhibiting effect. Such usage is conventional nnd well-known to detergent fotmuhlions.
Chelating Agents - The detergent compositions herein may also optionally contain one or more iron and/or manganese ehelatirig agents. Such chelating agents can be selected from the group consisting of amino carboxylatcs, nmino phosphonates, polyfunctionally-substituled aromatic chelating agents and mixtures therein, all as hereinafter defined. Without intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that the benefit of these materials is due in part to their exceptional ability to remove iron and manganese ions from washing solutions by formation of soluble chclates.
Amino carboxylates useful as optional chelating agents include cthylenediaminetetracetates, N-hydroxyethylelhylencdiaminetriacetai.es, nitrilotri-acctalcs, ethylcnediamine letrapioprionates, tiicthylcnetctraarrnnehexacetates, dielhylcnctriaminepenlaacctatcs, and ethanoldiglycines, alkali metal, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts therein and mixtures (herein.
Amino phosphonates are also suitable" for use as chelating agents in the compositions of the invention when at lease low levels of total phosphorus are permitted in detergent compositions, and include clhylenediaminetetrakis (methylenephosphonates) as DEQUEST. Preferred, these amino phosphonates to not contain alkyl or alkenyl groups with more than about 6 carbon atoms.
Polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents are also useful in the compositions herein. See U.S. Patent 3,812,044, issued May 21, 1974, to Connor et al. Preferred compounds of this type in acid form are dihydroxydisulfobcnzcncs such as l,2-dihydroxy-3,5-disulfobcnzene.
A preferred biodegradable ehelntor for use herein is ethylcnediamine disuccinate ("EDDS"), especially the [S,S] isomer as described in U.S. Patent 4,704,233, November 3, 1987, to Hartman and Perkins.
The compositions herein may also contain water-soluble methyl glycinc diacetic acid (MGDA) salts (or acid form) as a chelant or co-builder useful with, for example, insoluble builders such as zeolites, layered silicates and the like.
If utilized, these chelating agents will generally comprise from about 0.1% to about 15% by weight of the detergent compositions herein. More preferably, if utili/ed, the chelating agents will comprise from about 0.1% to about 3.0% by weight of such compositions.
.Suds Suppressors - Compounds for reducing or suppressing the formation of suds can be incorporated into the compositions of the present invention. Suds suppression can be of particular importance in the so-called "high concentration
cleaning process" as described in U.S. 4,489,455 and 4,489,574 and in front-loading European-style washing machines.
A wide variety of mate-rials may be used as suds suppressors, and suds suppressors .'ire well known to those skilled in the art. Sec, for example, Kirk Olhmer Eneydopwlia of Chemical Technology, Third Edition, Volume 7, pages 430-447 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1979). One category of suds suppressor of paiticular interest encompasses monocarboxylic fatly acid and soluble salts therein. Sec U.S. Patent 2,954,347, issued September 27, 1960 to Wayne St. John. The monocarboxylic fatty acids and salts thereof used as suds suppressor typically have hydrocarbyl chains of 10 to about 24 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 18 carbon atoms. Suitable salts include the alkali metal salts such as sodium, potassium, and lithium salts, and ammonium and alkanolammonium salts.
The detergent compositions herein may also contain non-surfactant suds suppressors. These include, for example: high molecular weight hydrocarbons such as paraffin, fatty ncid esters (e.g., fatly acid triglyceridcs), fally acid esters of monovalent alcohols, aliphatic C18-C40 ketones (e.g., stcaronc), etc. Other suds inhibitors include N-alkylated arnino triazincs such as tri- to hexa-alkylmelamincs or di- to tclru-alkyldiaminc chloilrin/.incs formed as products of cyanuric chloride with two or three moles of a primary or secondary amine containing 1 to 24 carbon nloms, piopylonc oxide, und munostearyl phosphates such as mono.slciiryl alcohol phosphate ester and monostcaryl di-alkali metal (e.g., K, Na, and Li) phosphates and phosphate esters. The hydrocarbons such as paraffin and haloparaffin can be utilized in liquid form, The liquid hydrocarbons will be liquid at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, and will have a pour point in the range of about -40°C and about 50°C, and a minimum boiling point not less than about 110°C (atmospheric pressure). It is also known to utilize waxy hydrocarbons, preferably having a melting point below about 100°C. The hydrocarbons constitute a preferred category of suds suppressor for detergent compositions. Hydrocarbon suds suppressors are described, for example, in U.S. Patent 4,265,779, issued May 5, 1981 to Gandolfo et al. The hydrocarbons, thus, include aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic, and hcterocyclic saturated or unsulutated hydrocarbons having from about 12 to about 70 carbon atoms. The term "paraffin," as used in this suds suppressor discussion, is intended lo include mixtures of tine paraffins and cyclic hydrocarbons.
Another preferred category of non-surfactant suds suppressors comprises silicone suds suppressors. This category includes the use of polyorganosiloxane oils, such as polydiinethylsiloxane, dispersions or emulsions of polyorganosiloxanc oils or resins, and combinations of polyorganosiloxanc with silica particles wherein
the poJyorganosiloxane is chemisorbed or fused onto the silica. Silicone suds suppressors are well known in the art and are, for example, disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,265,779, issued May 5, 1981 to Gandolfo et al and European Patent Application No. 89307851.9, published February 7, 1990, by Starch, M. S.
Olhcr silieone suds suppressors mo disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,455,839 which relates to compositions and processes for defoaming aqueous "solutions by incorporating therein small amounts of polydimethylsiloxanc fluids.
Mixtures of silieone and silanated silica arc described, for instance, in German Patent Application DOS 2,124,526. Silicone defoamcrs and suds controlling agents in granular detergent compositions ore disclosed in U.S, Patent 3,933,672, Bartolotta et al, and in U.S. Patent 4,652,392, Baginski ct al, issued March 24, 1987.
An exemplary silieone based suds suppressor for use herein is a suds suppressing amount of a suds controlling agent consisting essentially of:
(i) polydimcthylsiloxanc fluid having a viscosity of from about 20 cs. to about 1,500 cs. at 25°C;
(ii) from about 5 to about 50 parts per 100 parts by weight of (i) of siloxane resin composed of (CH3)3SiO1/2 units of SiO2 units in a ratio of from (CH3)3 SiO1/2 units and to SiO2 units of from about 0.6:1 to about 1.2:1; and
(iii) from about 1 to about 20 parts per 100 parts by weight of (i) of a solid silica pel.
In the preferred silieone suds suppressor used herein, the solvent for a continuous phase is made up of certain polyethylene glycols or polyethylene-polypropylene glycol copolymers or mixtures thereof (preferred), or polypropylene glycol. The primary silieone suds suppressor is branchcd/crosslinkcd and preferably not linear.
To illustrate this point further, typical liquid laundry determent compositions with controlled suds will optionally comprise from about 0.001 to about 1, preferably from about 0.01 to about 0.7, most preferably from about 0.05 to about 0.5, weight % of said silieone uds suppressor, which comprises (1) a nonaqueous emulsion of a primary antifoam agent which is a mixture of (a) a polyoigauosiloxane, (b) a resinous siloxane or a silieone resin-producing silieone compound, (c) a finely divided filler material, and (d) a catalyst to promote the reaction of mixture components (a), (b) and (c), to form silanolates; (2) at least one nonicmic silicone surfactant; and (3) polyethylene glycol or a copolymer of polyethylene-polypropylene glycol having a solubility in water at room temperature
of more than about 2 weight %; and without polypropylene glycol. Similar amounts can be used in granular compositions, gels, etc. Sec also U.S. Patents 4,978,471, Starch, issued December 18, 1990, and 4,983,316, Starch, issued January 8, 1991, 5,288,431, Huber et ai., issued February 22, 1994, and U.S. Patents'4,639,489 and 4,749,740, Ai/.awa et al at column 1, line- 46 through column 4, line 35,
The silicons suds suppressor herein preferably comprises polyethylene glycol and a copolymcr of polyethylene glycol/polypropylene glycol, all having an average molecular weight oflcss than about 1,000, preferably between about 100 and 800. The polyethylene glycol and polyethylene/polypropylene copolymers herein have a solubility in water at room temperature of more than about 2 weight %, preferably more than about 5 weight %.
The preferred solvent herein is polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of less than about 1,000, more preferably between about 100 and 800, most preferably between 200 and 400, and a copolynier of polyethylene glyeol/poIypropyk'jK' glycol, preferably I'l'd 200/l'F.G 300. Preferred if; a weight ratio of between about 1:1 and 1:10, most preferably between 1:3 and 1:6, of polyethylene glycol :copolymcr of polyethylene-polypropylene glycol.
The preferred silicone suds suppressors used herein do not contain polypropylene glycol, particularly of 4,000 molecular weight. They also preferably do not contain block copolymcrs of cthylene oxide and propylcne oxide, like PLURON1CL101.
Other suds suppressors useful herein comprise the secondary alcohols (e.g., 2-alkyl alkanols) and jnixtuies of such alcohols with silicone oils, such as the silicones disclosed in U.S. 4,798,679, 4,075,118 and EH 150,872. The secondary alcohols include the C6-C16, alkyl alcohols having a C1-C16, chain. A preferred alcohol is 2-butyl octanol, which is available from Condea under the trademark 1SOFOL 12. Mixtures of secondary alcohols are available under the trademark ISAT.CMF.M 123 from Enichem. Mixed .suds suppressois typlcnlly comprise mixtures of alcohol + silicone at a weight ratio of 1:5 to 5:1.
For any detergent compositions to be used in automatic laundry washing machines, suds should not form to the extent that they overflow the washing machine. Suds suppressors, when utilized, are preferably present in a "suds suppressing amount. By "suds suppressing amount" is meant that the formulator of the composition can select an amount of this suds controlling agent that will sufficiently control the suds to result in a low-sudsing laundry detergent for use in automatic laundry washing machines.
The compositions herein will generally comprise from 0% to about 10% of suds suppressor. When ulilized as suds suppressors, nionocarboxylic fatty acids, and salts therein, will be present typically in amounts up to about 5%, by weight, of the detergent composition. Preferably, from abonl 0.5% to about 3% of fatty nioiiounboxyliite suds suppressor is utili/ed. Siliconc suds suppressors arc typically utili/ed in amounts up to about 2.0%, by weight,, of the detergent composition, although higher amounts may be used. This upper limit is practical in nature, due pinmiily to concern with keeping costs minimized and effectiveness of lower amounts for effectively controlling sudsing. Preferably from about 001% to about 1% of silicone suds suppressor is used, more preferably from about 0,25% to about 0.5%. As used herein, these weight percentage values include any silica that may be utili/ed in combination with polyorganosiloxanc, as well as any adjunct materials that may be utilized. Monostearyl phosphate suds suppressors are generally utilized in amounts ranging from about 0.1% to about 2%, by weight, of the composition. Hydrocarbon suds suppressors are typically utilised in amounts ranging from about 0.01% to about 5.0%, although higher levels can be used. The alcohol suds suppressors are typically used at f).2%-3% by weight of the finished compositions.
Alkoxylated Pojycaibgxvlatcs - Alkoxylated polycarboxylates such as those prepared from polyacrylales are useful herein to provide additional grease removal prifommncc. Such materials are described in WO 01/08281 and PCT 90/01815 at p. 4 et scq., incorporated herein by reference. Chemically, these materials comprise polyaciylates having one cthoxy side-chain per every 7-8 acrylatc units. The side-chains are of the formula -(CH2CH2O)m(CH2))nCH3 wherein m is 2-3 and n is 6-12. The side-chains arc ester-linked to the polyacrylate "backbone" to provide a "comb" polymer type structure. The molecular weight can vary, but is typically in the range of about 2000 to about 50,000. Such alkoxylated polycarboxylates can comprise from about 0.05% to about 10%, by weight, of the compositions herein.
F'ablic Soliencis - Various through-the-wash labile sofieneis, especially the impalpable smectite clays of U.S. Patent 4,062,647, Storm and Nirschl, issued December 1.1, 1977. as well as other softener clays known in the ait, can optionally be used typically at levels of from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight in the present compositions to provide fabric softener benefits concurrently with fabric cleaning.
Clay .softeners can be used in combination with nminc and cotionic softeners as
,
disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent 4,375,416, Crisp et al, March 1, 1983 and U.S. Patent 4,291,071, Harris et al, issued September 22, 1981.
Perfumes - Perfumes and perfumery ingredients useful in the present compositions and processes comprise a wide variety of natural and synthetic
chemical ingredients, including, but not limited to, aldehydes, ketones, esters, and the. like. Also included ave various natural extracts nnd essences which can comprise complex mixtures of ingredients, such as orange oil, lemon oil, rose extract, lavender, musk, patchouli, balsamic essence, sandal wood oil, pine oil, cedar, and the like. Finished perfumes cnn comprise extremely complex mixtures of such ingredients. Finished perfumes typically comprise from about 0,01% to about 2%, by weight, of the detergent compositions herein, and individual perfumery ingredients can comprise from about 0.0001% to about 90% of a finished perfume composition.
Several perfume formulations ftrc set forth in Example XXI, hereinafter.
Non-limiting examples of perfume ingredients useful herein include: 7-acetyl-
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-l,l,6,7-tetramcthyl naphthalene; ionone methyl; ionone
gamma methyl; methyl cedrylone; methyl dihydiojasmonate; methyl 1,6,10-
trimethyl-2,5,9-cyclododecntrien-l-yl ketone; 7-acelyl-1,1,3,4,4,6-hcxamcthyl
tetrnlin; 4-aeelyl-6-terl-bntyl-1,1-dimethyl indanc; puru hydioxy-phcny! butanone;
bcnxophenone; methyl beta-naphthyl kctonc; 6-acetyl-1,1,2,3,3,5-hexamethyl
indanc; 5-acctyl-3-isopropyl-l,1,2,6'tctramcthyI indrme; 1-dodecnnal, 4-(4-hydroxy-
4-inethy!pentyl)-'3-cyclohcxenc-l-cai'boxaldchyde; 7 -hydroxy-3,7-di methyl
ocatanal; 10-undecen-l-al; iso-hexenyl cyclohcxyl carboxaldchydc; fonnyl Iricyclodecane; condensation products of hydroxycitroncllal and methyl antbranilnte, condensation products of hydroxycilronellal ajid indol, condensation products of phcnyl acctaldchydc and indol; 2-inethyl-3'(para-tert-hutylphcnyl) propionnldehyde; ethyl vanillin; hcliolropin; hcxyl einuamic aldehyde; amyl cinnamic aldehyde; 2-mcthyl-2-(para-isO'propylphenyl)-propionaldchydc; coumarin; dccnlnctone gamnma; cyclopentadecanolidc; 16-hydioxy-9-hcxadeccnoic acid lactone; 1,3,4,6,7,8-licxahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8'hexamelhy)cyclopenta-gajnma-2" bcnzopyrane; bcta-naphthol methyl ether; ambroxane; dodecahydro-3a,6,6,9a-tetra-mcthylnaphthoJ2,lb)furan; cedrol, 5-(2(2)3-Uiinelhylcyclopent-3-cnyl)-3-methy)pentan-2-ol; 2-ethyl-4-(2,2,3-trimethyl-3-cyclopenten-l-y!)-2-buten-J-ol; caryophyltcnc alcohol; tricyclodcccnyl propionate; tricyclodeccnyl acetate; benzyl salicylate; cedryl acetate; and para-(tert-butyl) cyclohcxyl acetate.
Particularly preferred perfume materials arc those that provide the largest odor improvements in finished product compositions containing celluloses. These perfumes include but arc not limited to: hexyl cinnamic aldehyde; 2-melhyl-3-(para-tei1-butylphcnyl)-propionaldchydc; 7-ncetyl-l,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-l,l,6,7-telramcthyl naphthatene; benzy] salicylate; y-acetyl-1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamcll/yl tetrotin;

para-1crt-butyl cyclohcxyl acetate; methyl dihydro jasmonatc; bcta-napthol methyl
ether; methyl beta-naphthyl ketonc; 2-mcthyl-2~(para-iso-propylphenyl)-
propionaldchydc; l,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydio-4,616,7,8,8-hcxaincthyl-cyclopcnta-
gciinma-2-benz.opyjane; dodrrahydro 3a,6,6,9a-tctramethylnaphto[2,lb]fuan; anisnldehyde; coummin; mlrol; vanillin; cyclopenladccnnolido; iricyelodcccnyl acetate; and tricyclodeccnyl propionate.
Other perfume materials include essential oils, rcsinoids, and resins from a variety of sources including, but not limited to: Peru balsam, Olibanum rcsinoid, styrax, labdanum resin, nutmeg, cassia oil, benzoin resin, coriander-and iavandin. Still other perfume chemicals include phenyl ethyl alcohol, terpineol, linalool, linalyl acetate, gcraniol, nerol, 2-(l,.1dimethylcthy])-cyclohexanol acetate, benzyl acetate, and cugcnol. Carriers such as diethylphthalate can be used in the finished perfume compositions.
Other.Ingrcdicnts - A wide variety of other ingredients useful in detergent compositions can he included in the compositions herein, including other active ingredients, carriers, hydrotropes, processing aids, dyes or pigments, solvents for liquid formulations, solid fillets for bar composition.';, etc, If high sudsing is desired, suds boosters such as the C10-C16 alkonolamides am be incorporated into the compositions, typically at 1%-10% levels. The C10-C14monoelhanol and dicthanol amides illustrate a typical class of such suds boosters. Use of such suds boosters with high sudsing adjunct surfactants such as the amine oxides, bctaincs and sultaines noted above is also advantageous. If desired, water-soluble magnesium and/or calcium salts such as MgCl2, MgSo4, CuCl2, CaSO4 and the like, can be added at levels of, typically, 0.1%-2%, to provide additional suds and to enhance grease removal performance.
Various detersive ingredients employed in the present compositions optionally can be further stabilized by absorbing said ingredients onto a porous hydrophobic suhstiulr, then conting, said substiate with a hydrophobic coaling. Preferably, the detersive ingredient is admixed with a surfactant before being absorbed into the porous substrate. In use, the detersive ingredient is released from the substrate into the aqueous washing liquor, where it performs its intended detersive function.
To illustrate this technique in more detail, a porous hydrophobic silica (trademark S1PERNAT D10, DeGussa) is admixed with a prolcolylic enzyme solution containing 3%-5% of 013.15 ethoxylated alcohol (EO 7) nonionic surfactant. Typically, the enzyme/surfactant solution is 2.5 X the weight of silica. The resulting powder is dispersed with stirring in silicone oil (various siliconc oil
viscosities in the range of 500-12,500 can be used). The resulting siliconc oil
.1 r> f,
dispersion is emulsified or otherwise added to the final detergent matrix. By this means, ingredients such as the aforementioned enzymes, bleaches, bleach activators, blench catalysts, photoaeiivalors, dyes, fluorcsccrs, fabric conditioners mid hydroly/.able tunfactants can be "piotected" for use in detergents, including liquid laundry detergent compositions.
Liquid detergent compositions can contain water and other solvents as carriers. Low molecular weight primary or secondary alcohols exemplified by rnclhanol, cthanol, propanol, and isopropanol are suitable. Monohydrio»alcohols are preferred for solubilizing surfactant, but polyols such as those containing from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms and from 2 to about 6 hydroxy groups (e.g., 1,3-propancdiol, ethylene glycol, glycerine, and 1,2-propanediol) can also be used. The compositions may contain from 5% to 90%, typically 10% to 50% of such carriers.
The determent compositions herein will preferably be formulated such that, dining use in aqueous cleaning operations, the wash water will have a pi I of between about 6.5 and about 11, preferably between about 7.5 and 10.5. Liquid dishwashing product formulations preferably have n pi I between about 6.8 and about 9.0. Laundry products aic typically nl pi I 9-11. Techniques for controlling pll at recommended usage levels include the use of buffers, alkalis, acids, etc., and me well known to those skilled in (he art. Form of the compositions
The compositions in accordance with the invention can take a variety of physical forms including granular, tablet, bar and liquid forms. The compositions are particularly the so-called concentrated granular detergent compositions adapted to be added to a washing machine by means of a dispensing device placed in the machine drum with the soiled fabric load.
The mean particle si'/.e of the components of granular compositions in accordance with the invention should preferably be such that no more that 5% of particles arc greater than 1.7mm in diameter and not more than 5% of particles are less than 0.15mm in diameter.
The term mean particle si/.e as defined herein is calculated by sieving a sample of the composition into a number of fractions (typically 5 fractions) on a series of Tyler sieves. The weight fractions thereby obtained arc plotted against the aperture size of the sieves. The mean particle size is taken to be the aperture size through which 50%.by weight of the sample would pass.
The bulk density of granular detergent compositions in accordance with the prestant invention typically have a bulk density of at least 600 g/litre, more
preferably from 650 g/litrc to 1200 g/litre.Bulk density is measured by means of a
simple funnel mid cup device eoiisisimf, of a eonienl funnel moulded rigidly on a
base and provided with a llap valve at its lower extremity to allow the contents of
the funnel to be emptied into an axially aliened cylindrical cup disposed below the
funnel. The funnel is 130 mm high and has internal diameters of 130 mm and 40
mm at its respective upper and lower extremities. It is mounted so that the lower
extremity is 140 mm above the upper surface of the base. The cup has an overall
height of 90 mm, an internal height of 87 mm and an internal diameter of 84 mm.
Its nominal volume is 500 ml. -*«
To carry out a measurement, the funnel is filled with powder by hand pouring, the flap valve is opened and powder allowed to overfill the cup. The filled cup is removed from the frame and excess powder removed from the cup by passing a straight edged implement eg; a knife, across its upper edge. The filled cup is then weighed and the value obtained for the weight of powder doubled to provide a bulk density in g/Jilie. Replicate measurements arc made as required. Mid-chain branched primary alky) surfactant agglomerate particles
The mid-chain branched primary alkyl surfactant system herein is preferably present in granular compositions in the form of mid-chain branched primary alky) surfactant agglomerate particles, which may take the form of flakes, prills, marumes, noodles, ribbons, but preferably take the form of granules. The most preferred way to process the particles is by agglomerating powders (e.g. aluminosilicate, carbonate) with high active mid-chain branched primary alkyl surfactant pastes and to control the paiticle size of the resultant agglomerates within specified limits, Such a process involves mixing an effective amount of powder with a high active mid-chain branched primary alkyl surfactant paste in one or more iigglomerntois such as a pan agglomcrator, a Z-blade mixer or more preferably on in-line mixer such as those manufactured by Schugi (Holland) BV, 29 Chroomstraat 8211 AS, Lelystad, Netherlands, and Gcbrudcr Lodige Maschinenbau GmbH, D-4790 Paderborn 1, Elsenerslrasse 7-9, Postfach 2050, Germany. Most preferably a high shear mixer is used, such as a Lodige CB (Trade Name).
A high active mid-chain branched primary alkyl surfactant paste comprising from 50% by weight to 95% by weight, preferably 70% by weight to 85% by weight of mid-chain branched primary alkyl surfactant is typically used. The paste may be pumped into the agglomerator at a temperature high enough to maintain a pumpable viscosity, but low enough to avoid degradation of the surfactants used. An operating temperature of the paste of 50°C to 80"C is typical.
Machine laundry methods herein typically comprise treating soiled laundry with an aqueous wash solution in a washing machine having dissolved or dispensed therein an effective amount ol a machine laundry determent composition in accord with the invention. By an effective amount of the determent composition it is meant from 20g to 300g of product dissolved or dispersed in a wash solution of volume from 5 to 65 litres, as arc typical product dosages and wash solution volumes commonly employed in conventional machine laundry methods.
As noted, the mid-chain branched primary alkyl surfactants are used herein in detergent compositions, preferably in combination with other detersive surfactants, at levels which are effective for achieving at least a directional improvement in cleaning performance. In the context of a fabric laundry composition, such "usage levels" can vary depending not only on the type and severity of the soils and stains, but also on the wash water temperature, the volume of wash water and the type of washing machine.
l;oi fxriniplc, in :t (op-loading, veiiic/il axis U.S.-type automatic washing machine using about 45 to 83 liters of water in the wash bath, a wash cycle of about 10 to about 14 minutes and a wash water temperature of about 10°C to about 50°C, it is preferred to include from about 2 ppm to about 625 ppm, preferably from about 2 ppm to about 550 ppm, more preferably from about 10 ppm to about 235 ppm, of the mid-chain branched primary alkyl surfactant in the wash liquor. On the basis of usage rates of from about 50 nil to about 150 ml per wash load, this translates into an in-product concentration (wt.) of the mid-chain branched primary alkyl surfactant of from about 0.1% to about 40%, preferably about 0.1% to about 35%, more preferably from about 0.5% to about 15%, for a heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent. On the basis of usage rates of from about 30g to about 950g per wash load, for dense ("compact") granular laundry detergents (density above about 650 g/1) this translates into nn in-product concentration (wt.) of the mid chain branched primary nlkyl surfactant of from about 0.1% to about 50%, preferably from about 0.1% to about 35%, and more preferably from about 0.5% to about 15%. On the basis of usage rates of from about 80 p to about 100Og per load for spray-dried granules (i.e., "fluffy"; density below about 650 g/1), this translates into an in-product concentration (wt.) of the mid-chain branched primary alkyl surfactant of from about 0.07% to about 35%, preferably from about 0.07 to about 25%, and more preferably from about 0.35% to about 11 %.
For example, in a front-loading, horizontal-axis Ruropean-typc automatic washing machine using about 8 to 15 liters of water in the wash bath, a wash cycle of about 10 to about 60 minutes and a wash water temperature of about 30°C to
about 95 °C, it is prefeired to include from about 3 ppm to about 14,000 ppm, preferably from about 3 ppm to about 10,000 ppm, more preferably from about 15 ppm to about 4200 ppm, of the mid-chain branched primary alkyl surfactant in the wash liquor. On the basis of usage rates of from about 45 ml to about 270 ml per wash load, this translates into an in-product concentration (wt.) of the mid-chain branched primary alkyl surfactant of from about 0.1% to about 50%, preferably about 0.1% to about 35%, more preferably from about 0.5% to about 15%, for a heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent. On the basis of usage rates of from about 40 g to about 21 Og per wash load, for dense ("compact") granular laundry detergents (density above about 650 g/l) this translates into.an in-product concentration (wt.) of the mid-chain branched primary alkyl surfactant of from about 0.12% to about 53%, preferably from about 0.12% to about 46%, and more preferably from about 0.6% to about 20%. On the basis of usage rates of from about 140 g to about 400 g per load for spray-dried granules (i.e., "fluffy"; density below about 650 g/1), this translates into an in product concentration (wt.) of the mid-chain branched primary alkyl surfactant of from about 0.03% to about 34%, preferably from about 0.03% to about 24%, and more preferably from about 0.15% to about 10%.
For example, in a top-loading, vertical-axis Japanese-type automatic washing machine using about 26 to 52 liters of water in the wash bath, a wash cycle of about 8 to about 15 minutes and a wash water temperature of nbout 5°C to about 25°C, it is preferred to include from about 0.67 ppm to about 270 ppm, preferably from about 0.67 ppm to about 236 ppm, more preferably from about 3.4 ppm to about 100 ppm, of the mid-chain branched primary alkyl surfactant in the wash liquor. On the basis of usage rates of from about 20 ml to about 30 ml per wash load, this translates into an in-product concentration (wt.) of the mid-chain branched primary alkyl surfactant of from about 0.1% to about 40%, preferably about 0.1% to about 35%, more preferably from about 0.5% to about 15%, for a heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent. On the basis of usage rates of from about 18 p, to about 35 g per wash load, for dense ("compact") granular laundry detergents (density above about 650 g/l) this translates into an in-product concentration (wt.) of the mid-chain branched primary alkyl surfactant of from about 0.1% to about 50%, preferably from about 0.1% to about 35%, and more preferably from about 0.5% to about 15%. On the
' ^ F>-
basis of u.'i.'igc rules of from about 30 g to about 40 i> per load for spray-dried granules (i.e., "fluffy"; density below about 650 g/l), this translates into an in-product concentration (wt.) of the mid-chain branched primary alkyl surfactant of from about 0.06% to about 44%, preferably from about 0.06% to about 30%, and more preferably from about 0,3% to about 13%.
As cim be- seen Jiom the foregoing, the amount of mid-chain branched piiniaiy alkyl surfactant used in a machine-wash laundeiing context can vary, depending on (he habits and practices of the user, the type of washing machine, and the like. In this context, however, one heretofore unappreciated advantage of the mid-chain branched primary alkyl surfactants is their ability to provide ut least directional improvements in performance over a spectrum of soils and stains even when used at relatively low levels with respect to the other surfactants (generally anionics or anionic/nonionic mixtures) in the finished compositions.
In a preferred use aspect a dispensing device is employed in thc-washing method. The dispensing device is charged with the detergent product, and is used to introduce the product directly into the drum of the washing machine before the commencement of the wash cycle. Its volume capacity should be such as to be able to contain sufficient detergent product as would normally be used in the washing method.
Once the washing machine has been loaded with laundry the dispensing device containing the detergent product is placed inside the drum. At the commencement of the wash cycle of the washing machine water is introduced into the drum and the drum periodically rotates. The design of the dispensing device should be such that it permits containment of the dry detergent product but then allows release of this product dining the wash cycle in response to its agitation as the drum rotates and also as a result of its contact with the wash water.
To allow for release of the detergent product during the wash the device may possess a number of openings through which the product may pass. Alternatively, the device, may be made of a material which is permeable to liquid but impermeable to the solid product, which will allow release of dissolved product. Preferably, the detergent product will be rapidly released at the start of the wash cycle thereby providing transient localised high concentrations of product in the drum of the washing machine at this stage of the wash cycle.
Preferred dispensing devices are reusable, and are designed in such a way that container integrity is; maintained in both the dry slate and during the wash cycle. Especially preferred dispensing devices for use with the composition of the invention have been described in the following patents; GB-B-2, 157, 717, GB-B-2, 157, 718, J-P-A-0201376, EP-A-0288345 and EP-A-02.88346. An article by J.Blund published in Manufacturing Chemist, November 1989, pages 41-46 also describes especially preferred dispensing devices for use with granular laundry products which are of a type commonly know as the "granulctte". Another preferred dispensingdevice for use with the compositions of this invention is disclosed in PCT Patent Application No. WO94/11562.
Especially preferred dispensing devices arc disclosed in European Patent Application Publication Nos. 0343069 & 0343070. The latter Application discloses a device comprising a flexible sheath in the form of a bag extending from a support ring defining an orifice, the orifice being adapted to admit to the bag sufficient product for one washing cycle in a washing process. A portion of the washing medium flows through the orifice into the bag, dissolves the product, and the solution then passes outwardly through the orifice into the washing medium. The support ring is provided with a masking arrangemnt to prevent egress of wetted, undissolved, product, this arrangement typically comprising radially extending walls extending from a central boss in a spoked wheel configuration, or a similar structure in which the walls have a helical form.
Alternatively, the dispensing device may be a flexible container, such as a brig or pouch. The bay, may be olTihrous construction coated with a water impermeable protective material so as to retain the contents, such as is disclosed in European published Talent Application "No. 001 8678. Alternatively it may be formed of a water-insoluble synthetic polymeric material provided with an edge seal or closure designed to rupture in aqueous media as disclosed in European published Patent Application Nos. 0011500, 0011501, 0011502, and 0011968. A convenient form of water frangible closure comprises a water soluble adhesive disposed along and scaling one edge of a pouch formed of a water impermeable polymeric film such as polyethylene or polypropylene. Machine dishwashing method
Any suitable methods for machine washing or cleaning soiled tableware, particularly soiled silverware fire envisaged.
A preferred machine dishwashing method comprises treating soiled articles selected from crockery, glassware, hollowwiiu:, silverware and cutlery and mixtures thereof, with an aqueous liquid having dissolved or dispensed therein an effective amount of a machine dishwashing composition in accord with the invention. By an effective amount of the machine dishwashing composition it is meant from 8g to 60g of product dissolved or dispersed in a wash solution of volume from 3 to 10 litres, as arc typical product dosages and wash solution volumes commonly employed in conventional machine dishwashing methods. Packaging for the compositions
Commrirc.ially maikc-led executions of the bleaching compositions can be packaged in any suitable container including those constructed from paper,
cardboard, plastic materials and any suitable laminates. A preferred packaging execution is described in European Application No.949215057.
In the following Examples, the abbreviations for tbe various ingredients used fur the compositions have the following meanings.
LAS ; Sodium linear C12 alkyl benzenc sulfonate
MBASX : Mid-chain branched primary alkyl (average total
caibons = x) sulfute
M13AE : Mid-chain branched primary alkyl ethoxylate (E = 9;
average total alkyl carbons = 15)
MBAEXSZ : Mid-chain branched primary alkyl (average total
carbons = z) ethoxylate (average EO = x) sulfate,
sodium salt
LMFAA C12-14 alkyl N-methyl glucamide
APA C8-C10 amido propyl dimethyl aminc
1-iitly Acid C12-CH iatly acid
(C12/14)
Fatty Acid (TPK) Topped palm kernel fatty acid
Fatty Acid (RPS) Rnpesced fatly acid
Borax Na telraboratc decahydrate
PAA Polyacrylic Acid (mw =4500)
PEG Polyethylene glycol (mw=4600)
MES Alkyl methyl ester sulfonate
SAS Secondaiy alkyl sulfate
NaPS Sodium paraffin sulfonate
STPP Sodium Tri-polyphosphate
C45AS : Sodium C14-C15; linear alkyl sulfate
CxyEzS : Sodium C1x-C1y. alkyl sulfate condensed
with /. moles of elhylene oxide
CxyEz : A C1x-C1y branched primaiy alcohol condensed with an
aveiap.u of z moles of cthylcnc oxide
QAS : R2.Nl(CH3)2(C2H4OII)wilhR2-C12-C14
TFAA : Cjg-Cig alkyl N-methyl glucamide
DSDMAC Uistcaryl dimethyl ammonium chloride
STPP : Anhydrous sodium tripolyphosphate
Zeolite A : Hydrated Sodium Aluminosilicate of formula
Na12(A102SiO2)12- 27H20 having a primary particle
size in the range from 0,1 to 10 micrometers
I
NnSKS-6 ; Crystalline la ye red silicnlc of formula 6-Na'2Si205
Carbonate : Anhydrous sodium carbonate with a particle size
between 200µm and 900µm
Bicarbonate : Anhydrous sodium bicarbonate with a particle size
distribution between 400µm and 1200 486µm
Silicate : Amorphous Sodium Silicate (Si02'Na20; 2.0 ratio)
Sodium sulfate : Anhydrous sodium sulfate
MA/A A : Copolyiner of 1:4 maleic/acrylic acid, average
molecular weight about 70,000.
CMC : Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose
Protease : Frotcolytic enzyme of activity 4KNPU/g sold by
NOVO Industries A/S under the tradcnaine Savinase
Ccllulase : Cellulytic enzyme of activity 1000 CBVU/g sold by
NOVO Industries A/S under the tradcnamc
Catezyme
Amylase : Amylolylic enzyme ol'activity 60KNU/g sold by
NOVO Industries A/S under the tradcnamc Tcrmamyl
60T
Lipasc : Lipolytic enzyme of activity lOOkLU/g sold by NOVO
Industries A/S under the tradename Lipolase
PB4 : Sodium perborate tetrahydrate of nominal formula
NaB02.3H2O.H202
PHI : Anhydrous sodium perborate bleach of nominal
, formula NaB02-H202
Percarbonate-. : Sodiqm Percarbonatc of nominal formula
2Na2CO3.3H2O2
NaDCC : Sodium dichloroisocyanuratc
NOBS : Nonanoyloxybcnzenc sulfountc in the form of the
sodium salt.
TAHD : Tetraacctylcthylenediamine
DTPMP : Diethyleue triaminc pcnta (methylcne
phosphonatc),
marketed by Monsanto under the Trade name Dequest
2060 Photoactivated : Sulfonated Zinc Phthlocyaiiine encapsulated in bleach
dextrin soluble- polymer
Brightenei 1 : Disodium 4,4'-bis(2-sulphosty)yl)biphenyl
Brightcncr 2 : Disodium 4,4'-bis(4-anilino-6-morpholino-1.3.5-
triaxin-
2 y))amino) stilbcnc-2:2'-disulfonale.
JIFDP : 1,1-hydroxyethane diphosphonic acid
SRI' 1 : SulJobczoyl end capped esters with oxyethylcnc oxy
and tcrephtaloyl backbone Silicon^ untifoain : I'olydimcthylsiloxane foain controller with .siloxanc-
oxyalkylcnc copolymer as dispersing agent with a ratio
of said foam controller to said dispersing-agent of 10;]
to 100:1.
DTPA : Diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid
hi the following Kxamplcs all levels aic quoted as % by weight of the composition. The following examples are illustrative of the present invention, but are not meant to liinii or otherwise dclinc its scope. All pails, peieentnc.es and ratios used herein are expressed us percent weight unless otherwise specified.
Example 1
The following laundry detergent compositions A to D are prepared in accord with the invention;

(Table Removed
Example 2
Tlie following laundry detergent compositions E to F are prepared in aeeord with the invention:
(Table Removed)Kxample 3
The following laundry detergent compositions J to O are prepared in accord with the invention: (Table Removed)
Example 4
The following laundry detergent compositions 0 to R are prepared in accord with the invention: (TableRemoved) Example_5
Sodium salts of branched sulfated surfactants are made by reaction of the appropriate branched alcohols with chlorosulfonic acid in ethyl ether. The resulting acid is neutralised with a sloichiomctric amount of sodium methoxidc in mcthanol and the solvents arc evaporated via vacuum oven. The branched alcohols are made from linear olefins (alpha and/or internal olcfms) that have been molecularly rearranged by exposure to appropriate catalysts. No additional carbons arc added in this re-arrangement, but the starting olefin is isomerized so that it now contains one or more alkyl branches along the main alkyl chain. As the olefin moiety stays intact throughout this molecular re-arrangement, a - CH20H group is then added via bydioformylation chemistry. The following Shell Research experimental test alcohol samples are sulfated.
l-Vl-NMR Results For Branched Alcohols Prepared(Table Removed)Solutions oflaundry prototype formulas are prepared ns shown below. (Table Removed)The following high density detergent formulations, according to the present invention, arc prepared:(Table Removed)The following liquid laundry detergent compositions AA to DD are prepared in accord vvith the invention:(Table Removed)Example S
The- following liquid laundry detergent compositions EK to 11 are prepared in accord with the invention:
(Table Removed)Example V
The following laundry detergent compositions A to D are prepared in accord with the invention:
~"(Table Removed)
Example 10
The following laundry detergent compositions E to F arc prepared in accord with the invention:
(Table Removed)Example 11
The following laundry detergent compositions J to O are prepared in accord with tilt; invention:(Table Removed)Example 12
The following laundry detergent compositions O to R are prepared in accord with the invention:

(Table Removed)Example 13
The following liquid laundry detergent compositions AA to Df.) ure prepared in accord with the invention:

(Table Removed)Example 14
'I'hc following liquid lanndiy deteij'.cnl compositions lili lo 11 arc piepated in accord with the invention:
(Table Removed)L-XAMPLl-15
UninditKl ethoxyliitfd sue/admits me made by reaction of the appropriate branched alcohols with cthylcnc oxide followed by sulfation as described herein before. The branched alcohols are made from linear olefins (alpha and/or internal olclins) that have been molecularly re-arranged by exposure lo appropriate catalysts. No additional carbons are added in this rc-arrajigcmcnt, but the starting olefin is isomerized so that it now contains one or more alkyl branches along the main alkyl chain. As the olefin moiety stays intact throughout tliis molecular re-arrangcmcnt, a - C1120] J group is then added via hydroformylation chemistry. The following Shell Research experimental test alcohol samples are ethoxylated (average ethoxylation of 2) and then sulfated.
"C-NMR Results Tor BranchedAlcohols Prepared (Table Removed)
Solutions of laundry prototype formulas we prepared as shown below.
PPM Ingredients In The Wash Solution(Table Removed)Example 17
The following laundry detergent compositions A to I are prepared in accord with the invention:

(Table Removed)Kxmnpl.e 18
The following laundiy detergent compositions J to N are prepared in accord with the invention:(Table Removed)Exanipje.l9
The following laundry detergent compositiom. O to S arc prepared in accord with thf invention; (Table Removed)
Example 20
The following high density detergent formulations T to V, according to the present invention, nre prepared: (Table Removed)
Kxnniply.21
The following liquid laundry detergent compositions W to Z are prepared in accord with the invention: (Table Removed)A glass cleaning composition according to the present invention is prepared as follows:
MBAE 1%
Mcthanol 30%
Water Balance
The manufacture of heavy duty liquid 'detergent compositions, especially those designed for fabiic laundering, which comprise u non-aqueous carrier medium can be conducted in the manner disclosed in more detail hereinafter. In an alternate mode, such non-aqueous compositions can be prepared according to the disclosures of U.S. Patents 4,753,570, 4,767,558; 4,772,413; 4,K89,652; 4,892,673; CJB-A-2,158,838; GB-A-2,195,125; GB-A-2,195,649; U.S. 4,988,462; U.S. 5,266,233; EP-A'225,654 (6/16/87); F.P-A-510,762 (10/28/92); J-P-A-540,089 (5/5/93); EP-A-540,090 (5/5/93); U.S. 4,615,820; EP-A-565,017 (10/13/93); EP-A-030,096 (6/10/81), incorporated herein by reference. Such compositions can contain various particulatc detersive ingredients (including the bleaching agents, as disclosed hcrcinabovc) stably suspended therein. Such non-aqueous compositions thus comprise a LIQUID PHASE and, optionally but preferably, a SOLID PHASE, all as described in more detail hereinafter and in the cited references. The alkoxylated dianionic ester cleaning agent is incorporated in the compositions at the levels and in the-manner described hercinabove for the manufacture of other laundry detergent compositions. LJQUIP PUARli
The liquid phase will generally comprise from about 35% to 99% by weight of the detergent compositions herein. More preferably, the liquid phase will comprise from about 50% to 95% by weight of the compositions. Most preferably, the liquid phase will comprise from about 45% to 75% by weight of the compositions herein. The liquid phase of the detergent compositions herein essentially contains relatively high concentrations of a certain type anionic surfactant combined with a certain type of nonaqueous, liquid diluent. (A) Essential. Anioiiic_Surfactan_t
The anionic surfactant essentially utilized as an essential component of the nonaqueous liquid phase is one selected from the alkali metal salts of alkylbcn7,ene sullbnic: acids in which the alkyl }',ioup contains from about 10 to 16 carbon atoms,
in straight chain or branched chain configuration. (Sec U.S. Patents 2,220,099 and 2,477,383, incorporated herein by reference.) Especially preferred arc the sodium and potassium linear straight chain alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) in which the average: number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group is from about 11 to 14. Sodum C'i ] -Ci/| LAS is especially preferred.
The alkylbenzene sulfonate anionic surfactant will be dissolved in the nonaqucous liquid diluent which makes up the second essential component of the nonaqueous phase. To form the stiuetured liquid phase required lor suitable phase stability and acceptable rheology, the alkylbenzene sulfonate anionie surfactant is generally present to the extent of from about 30% to 65% by weight of the liquid phase. More preferably, the alkylbcn/ene sulfonate anionic surfactant will comprise from about 35% to 50% by weipht of the nonaqueous liquid phase of the compositions herein. Utili/ation of this anionic surfactant in these concentrations corresponds to an anionic surfactant concentration in the total composition of from about 15% to 60% by weight, more preferably fiom about 20% to 40% by weight, of the composition. (B) Nonaqueous Liquid Diluent
To form the liquid phase of the detergent compositions, the hereinbefore described alkylbcnx.ene sulfonate anionic surfactant is combined with a nonaqueous liquid diluent which contains two essential components. These two components are a liquid alcohol alkoxylate material and a nonaqucous, low-polarity organic solvent.
i) Alcohol Alkoxylatcs
One essential component of the liquid diluent used to form the compositions herein comprises an alkoxylated fatty alcohol material. Such materials are themselves also nonionie surfactants. Such materials correspond to the general formula:
(Formula Removed)wherein K' is a r.R - C|c, nlkyl proup, m is from ? to 4, and n rnnp.es from about 2 to 12. Piefeiably R^ is an alkyl group, which may be primary or secondary, that contains from about 9 to 15 carbon atoms, more preferably from about 10 to 14 carbon atoms. Preferably also the alkoxylated fatty alcohols will he cthoxylatcd materials that contain from about 2 to 12 ethylcne oxide moieties per molecule, more preferably from about 3 to 10 ethylene oxide moieties per molecule.
The alkoxylated fatty alcohol component of the liquid diluent will frequently have a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) which ranges from about 3 to 17. More preferably, the HLB of this material will ranp,c from about 6 to 15, most preferably from about 8 to 15.

Examples of fatly alcohol alkoxylates useful as one of the essential components of the nonaqueous liquid diluent in the compositions herein will include those which are made from alcohols of 12 to IS carbon atoms and which contain about 7 moles of clhylene oxide, Such materials have been commercially marketed under the trade names Neodol 25-7 and Neodol 23-6.5 by Shell Chemical Company. Other useful Neodols include Neodol 1-5, an ethoxylatcd fatty alcohol averaging 11 carbon atoms in its alkyl chain with about 5 moles of ethylene oxide; Neodol 23-9, an ethoxylaled primary C]2 - Cj3 alcohol having about 9 moles of ethylene oxide and Neodol 91-10, an cthoxylated €9 - C\ \ primary alcohol having about 10 moles of ethylene oxide. Alcohol ethoxylates of this type have also been marketed by Shell Chemical Company under the Dobanol tradenamc. Dobanol 91-5 is an ethoxylatcd Cq-C] \ fatty alcohol with an average of 5 moles ethylene oxide and Dobanol 25-7 is an ethoxylatecl Cj2-Ci5 fntty alcohol with an average of 7 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of fatty alcohol.
Other examples of suitable ethoxylatcd alcohols include Tergitol 15-S-7 and Tergitol 15-S-9 both of which arc linear secondary alcohol cthoxylalcs that have been commercially marketed by Union Carbide Corporation. The former is a mixed ethoxylation product of Cji to C]5 linear secondary alkaiiol with 7 moles of ethylene oxide and the latter is a similar product but with 9 moles of ethylene oxide being reacted.
Other types of alcohol ethoxylates useful in the present compositions arc higher molecular weight nonionics, such as Neodol 45-11, which arc similar ethylene oxidt; condensation prodneH of hij'hcr Ihtly alcohols, with the higher fatty alcohol being of 14-15 carbon atoms and the number of ethylene oxide groups per mole being about 11. Such products have also been commercially marketed by Shell Chemical Company.
The alcohol alkoxylate component which is essentially utilized as part of the liquid diluonl in iho nonnqucous compositions herein will generally be present to the extent of from about ]% to 60% of the liquid phase composition. More preferably, the alcohol alkoxylate component will comprise about 5% to 40% of the liquid phase. Most preferably, the essentially utilized alcohol alkoxylate, component will comprise from about 5% to 30% of the detergent composition liquid phase. Utilization of alcohol alkoxylate in these concentrations in the liquid phase corresponds to an ulcohol alkoxyltttc concentiation in the total composition of from about 1% to 60% by weight, more preferably from about 2% to 40% by weight, and most preferably from about 5% to 55% by weight, of the composition.
ii) Nonaqucous Low-Polarity Organic Solvent

A second essential component of the liquid diluent which forms part of the liquid phase of the detergent compositions herein comprises nonaqueous, Jow-polarity organic solvent(s). The term "solvent" is used herein to connote the non-surface active carrier or diluent portion of the liquid phase of the composition. While some of the essential and/or optional components of the compositions herein may actually dissolve in the "solvcnt"-containing liquid phase, other components will be present us particulutc material dispersed within the "solvcnt'^containinp, liquid phase. Thus the term "solvent" is not meant to require that the solvent material be capable of actually dissolving all of the detergent The nonaqueous organic materials which are employed as solvents herein are those which are liquids of low polarity. For puq>oses of this invention, "low-polarity" liquids are those which have little, if any, tendency to dissolve one of the preferred types of paniculate material used in the compositions herein, i.e., the pcroxygen bleaching agents, sodium perborate or sodium pcrcarbonatc. Thus relatively polar solvents such as ethanol should not be utilized. Suitable types of low-polarity solvents useful in the nonnqueous liquid detergent compositions herein do include non-vicinal C^-Cg alkylene glycols, alkylenc glycol mono lower alkyl ethers, lower molecular weight polyethylene glycols, lower molecular weight methyl esters and amides, and the like.
A preferred type of nonaqueous, low-polarity solvent for use in the compositions herein comprises the non-vicinal C4-Cg branched or straight chain alkyle.no glycols. Materials of this type include hcxylcnc glycol (4-melhyl-2,4-pentanediol), 1,6-hcxanediol, 1,3-butylenc glycol and 1,4-butylene glycol. Hcxylene glycol is the most preferred.
Another preferred type of nonaqueous, low-polarity solvent for use herein comprises the mono-, di-, tri , or tetra- ^2 ('3 alkylenc glycol mono C2-C£ alkyl ethers. The specific examples of such compounds include diclhylenc glycol monobutyl ether, tctracthylenc glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylenc glycol monoelhyl ether, and dipropylcnc glycol monobutyl ether. Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether and dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether urc especially preferred. Compounds of the type have been commercially marketed under the tradenames Dowanol, Carbitol, and Cellosolvc.
Another preferred type of nonaqueous, low-polarity organic solvent useful herein comprises the lower molecular weight polyethylene glycols (PEGs). Such materials are those having molecular weights of at least about 150. PRGs of molecular weight ranging from about 200 to 600 arc most preferred.

Yet another preferred type of non-polur, nonaqucous solvent comprises lower molecular weight methyl esters. Such materials arc those of the general formula: R'C(O)-OCll3 wherein R1 ranges from 1 to about 18. Examples of suitable lower molecular weight methyl esters include methyl acetate, methyl propionatc, methyl octunoute, uiul methyl dodeamoiilc,
The nonaqucous, low-polarity organic solvcnt(s) employed should, of course, be compatible and non-reactive with other composition components, e.g., bleach and/or activators, used in the liquid detergent compositions herein, Such a solvem component will generally be utilized in an amount of from about \% to 70% by weight of the liquid phase. More preferably, the nonaqueous, low-polarity organic solvent will comprise from about 10% to 60% by weight of the liquid phase, most preferably from about 20% to 50% by weight, of the liquid phase of the composition, Utilisation of this organic solvent in these concentrations in the liquid phase corresponds to a solvent concentration in the total composition of from about 1% U> 5>0% by weij'ht, more preferably from about 5% to 40% by wcip.ht, and most preferably from about 10% to 30% by weight, of the composition,
iii) Alcohol Alkoxvlate To Solvent Ralio
The ratio of alcohol alkoxylate to organic solvent within the liquid diluent can be used to vary the Theological properties of the detergent compositions eventually formed. Generally, the weight ratio of alcohol alkoxylate to organic solvent will range from about 50:1 to 1:50, More preferably, this ratio will range from about 3:1 to 1:3.
iv) Li As with the concentration of the alkylbcnzene sulfonatc anionic surfactant mixture, the amount of total liquid diluent in the nonaqueous liquid phase herein will be determined by tin: type and amounts of other composition components and by the desired composition properties. Generally, the liquid diluent will comprise from about 35% to 70% of the nomiqueous liquid phase of the compositions herein, More preferably, the liquid diluent will comprise from about 50% to 65% of the nonaqucous liquid phase. This corresponds to a nonaqueous liquid diluent concentration in the total composition of from about 15% to 70% by weight, more preferably from about 20% to 50% by weight, of the composition,
SOLID PHASE
i.
The nonaqucous detergent compositions herein also essentially comprise from about 1% to 65% by weight, more preferably from about 5% to 50% by weight, oi u solid phusc uf p;uticulat
about 0.1 to 1500 microns. More profciably such material will range In size from about 5 to 200 microns.
The paniculate material utilixed heioin can coinpmu one or mojc types of determent composition components which in paniculate form arc substantially insoluble in the nonaqucous liquid phase of the composition. The types of particulate materials which caj) be utilized ate described in detail as follows; COMPOSITION PREPARATION AND USE
The nonaqueous liquid detergent compositions herein can be prepared by combining the essential and optional components thereof in any convenient order and by mixing, e.g., agitating, the resulting component combination to form the phase stable compositions herein. In a typical process for preparing such compositions, essential and certain preferred optional components will be combined in a particular order mul under curium conditions.
In the first step of such a typical preparation process, an admixture of the alkylbeiv/enc siilfonale unlonic smfaclnni and the two c.sRcntinl components of the Donuqucom diluent is ibimed by heating a combination of these materials to « temperature from about 30°C to ) 00°C.
In a second process step, the heated admixture formed as hereinbefore described is maintained under shear agitation at a temperature from about 40°C to 100°C for a period of from about 2 minutes to 20 hours, Optionally, a vacuum can be applied to the admixture at this point. This second process sicp serves to completely dissolve the anionic surfactant in the nonaqueous liquid phase.
In a third process step, this liquid phase combination of materials is cooled to a temperature of from about 0°C to 35°C. This cooling step serves to form a structured, surfactant-containing, liquid base into which the particulate material of the detergent compositions herein can be added and dispersed.
Particulate material is added in a fourth process step by combining the poiliciilme miiluiui with tin- liquid bust* which is maintained under conditions of shear agitation. When more than one type of paniculate material is to be added, it is preferred that a cejlain order of addition be observed. For example, while shear agitation is maintained, essentially all of any optional surfactants in solid parliculate form can be added in the form of particles ranging in size from about 0.2 to 1,000 microns. After addition of any optional surfactant particles, particles of substantially all of an organic builder, e.g., citrate and/or fatty ncid, and/or an olkalinity source, e.p,., sodium carbonate, can be added while continuing to maintain this admixture of composition components under shear agitation. Other solid form optional ingredients can then be added to the composition at this point. Agitation of the

mixture is continued, and if necessary, can be increased at this point to form a uniform dispersion of insoluble solid phase partieulatcs within the liquid phase.
After some or all of the foregoing solid materials have been added to this
agitated mixture, the panicles of the bleaching agent can be added to the
composition, again while the mixture is maintained under shear agitation. By
adding the bleaching agent material last, or after all or most of the other components,
and especially after alkalinity source particles, have been added, desirable stability
benefits for the bleach can be realized. If enzyme prills arc incorporated, they are
preferably added to the nonaqucous liquid matrix last. s,H
As o final process step, after addition -of all of the participate material, agitation of the mixture is continued for a period of time sufficient to form compositions having the requisite; viscosity and phase .".lability characteristics. Frequently this will involve ngitnilon for a period of from about 1 to 30 minutes.
As a variation of the composition preparation procedure hereinbefore described, one or more of the solid components may be added to the agitalcd mixture as a slurry of particles premixed with a minor portion of one or more of the liquid components. Thus a premix of a small fraction of the alcohol alkoxylate and/or nonaqucous, low-polarity solvent with particles of the organic builder material and/or the particles of the inorganic alkalinity source and/or particles of a bleach activator may be separately formed and added as a slurry to the agitated mixture of composition components. Addition of such slurry premixcs should precede addition of bleaching agent and/or cn/.yme particles which may themselves be part of H premix slurry formed in analogous fashion.
The compositions of this invention, prepared as hereinbefore described, can be used to form aqueous washing solutions for use in the laundering and bleaching of fabrics. Generally, an effective amount of such compositions is added to water, preferably in a conventional fabric laundering automatic washing machine, to form such aqueous laundering/blenching solutions. The aqueous washing/bleaching solution so formed is then contacted, preferably under agitation, with the fabrics to be laundered and bleached therewith.
An effective amount of the liquid detergent compositions herein added to water to form aqueous laundering/bleaching solutions can comprise amounts sufficient to form from about 500 to 7,000 ppm of composition in aqueous solution.
. t,
More preferably, from about 800 to 3,000 ppm of the detergent compositions herein will be provided in aqueous washing/bleaching solution.
liXA.Mn.UZ1

A non-limiting example of bleach-containing nonaqueous liquid laundry determent is prepared Imvinp, the composition as set forth in Table 1.
Inblei(Table Removed)
The resulting composition is a stable anhydrous heavy duty liquid laundry detergent which provides excellent stain and soil removal performance when used in normal fabric laundering operations.
The following Example further illustrates the invention heiein with respect to a hand dishwashing liquid.
HXAMPL1L24(Table Removed)
The following Examples further illustrate the invention herein with rcspec*l to a granular phosphate-containing automatic dishwashing detergent.
EXAMPLE.15(Table Removed)



CLAIM:
1. A detergent surfactant composition comprising:
(A) upto 99% by weight of detergent surfactant composition having
(i) at least 0.5%, preferably at least 5%, more preferably at least 10%, most
preferably at least 20%, by weight of longer alkyl chain, mid-chain branched surfactant compounds of the formula:
Ab - X - B
wherein:
a) Ab is a hydrophobic C9 to C22, total carbons in the moiety, preferably from
C12 to C18, mid-chain branched alkyl moiety having: (1) a longest linear carbon chain
attached to the - X - B moiety in the ranee of from 8 to 21 carbon atoms; (2) one or more C) -
C3 alkyl moieties branching from this longest linear carbon chain; (3) at least one of the
branching alkyl moieties is attached directly to a carbon of the longest linear carbon chain at
a position within the range of position 2 carbon, counting from carbon #1 which is attached
to the - X - B moiety, to position ω - 2 carbon, the terminal carbon minus 2 carbons; and (4)
the surfactant composition has an average total number of carbon atoms in the Ab-X moiety
in the above formula within the range of greater than 14.5 to 17.5, preferably from 15 to 17;
b) B is a hydophilic moiety selected from sulfates, sulfonates, amine oxides,
polyoxyalkylene, preferably polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene, alkoxylated sulfates,
polyhydroxy moieties, phosphate esters, glyccrol sulfonates, polygluconates, polyphosphate
esters, phosphonates, sulfosuccinates, sulfosuccaminates, polyalkoxylated carboxylates,
glucamides, taurinates, sarcosinates, glycinates, isethionates, dialkanolamides,
monoalkanolamides, monoalkanolamide sulfates, diglycolamides, digiycolamide sulfates,
glyccrol esters, glyccrol ester sulfates, glycerol ethers, glycerol ether sulfates, polyglycerol
ethers, polyglycerol ether sulfates, sorbitan esters, polyalkoxylated sorbitan esters,
ammonioalkanesulfonates, amidopropyl betaines, alkylated quats,
alkyated/polyhydroxyalkylated quats, alkylated quats, alkylated/polyhydroxylated oxypropyl
quats, imidazolines, 2-yl-succinates, sulfonated alkyl esters, and sulfonated fatty acids; and
(c) X is selected from -CH2- and -C(O)-; and (ii) a non-anionic or other anionic surfactant, optionally a cationic surfactant;
and

(B) optionally, upto 99.999% of other conventional adjunct material.
chain, mid-chain branched surfactant compounds of the above formula wher the A moiety is
2. The detergent surfactant composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the longer alkyl chain, mid-chain branched surfactant compounds of a branched primary alkyl moiety has the formula:
R Rl R2
CH3CH2(CH2)WCH(CH2)XCH(CH2)YCH(CH2)Z
wherein the total number of carbon atoms in the branched primary alkyl moiety of this formula, including the R, R1, and R2 branching, is from 13 to 19; R, R1, and R2 are each independently selected from hydrogen and C1-C3 alkyl, preferably methyl, provided R, R1 and R2 are not all hydrogen and, when z is 0, at least R or R1 is not hydrogen; w is an integer from 0 to 13; x is an integer from 0 to 13; y is an integer from 0 to 13; z is an integer from 0 to 13; and w + x + y + z is from 7 to 13.
3. The detergent surfactant composition as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the longer alkyl chain, mid-chain branched surfactant compounds of the above formula where the A moiety is a branched primary alkyl moiety have the formula selected from:
CH3
(I) CH3(CH2)aCH(CH2)b-
CH3 CH3
(II) CH3(CH2)dCH(CH2)e-CH-
or mixtures thereof; wherein a, b, d, and e are integers, a + b is from 10 to 16, d + e is from 8 to 14 and wherein further
when a + b = 10, a is an integer from 2 to 9 and b is an integer from 1 to 8; when a + b = 11, a is an integer from 2 to 10 and b is an integer from 1 to 9; when a + b = 12, a is an integer from 2 to 11 and b is an integer from 1 to 10 when a + b = 13, a is an integer from 2 to 12 and b is an integer from 1 to 11; when a + b = 14, a is an integer from 2 to 13 and b is an integer from 1 to!2; when a + b = 15, a is an integer from 2 to 14 and b is an integer from 1 to 13; when a + b = 16, a is an integer from 2 to 15 and b is an integer from 1 to 14; when d + e = 8, d is an integer from 2 to? and e is an integer from 1 to 6; when d + e = 9, d is an integer from 2 to 8 and e is an integer from 1 to 7; when d + e = 10, d is an integer from 2 to 9 and e is an integer from 1 to 8; when d + e = 11, d is an integer from 2 to 10 and e is an integer from 1 to 9; when d + e = 12, d is an integer from 2 tol 1 and e is an integer from 1 to 10; when d + e = 13, d is an integer from 2 to 12 and e is an integer from 1 to 11; when d + e = 14, d is an integer from 2 to3 and e is an integer from 1 to 12.
4. A detergent surfactant composition as claimed in any of the preceding claims
wherein :
(a) upto 99% of said detergent surfactant composition comprises said longer
alkyl chain, mid-chain branched surfactant compounds; and
(b) upto 99.99% of said detergent composition comprises said adjunct materials
selected from the group consisting of builders, enzymes, bleaches, detersive surfactants, and
mixtures thereof.
5. A composition as claimed in any of the preceding claims comprising a cationic
surfactant, preferably an alkoxylated quaternary ammonium surfactant compound having the
formula:


wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl moiety containing from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, preferably 10 to 16 carbon atoms, most preferably from 10 to 14 carbon atoms, R2 is an alkyl group containing from one to three carbon atoms, preferably methyl; R and R are independently selected from hydrogen, methyl and ethyl; X" is an anion sufficient to provide electrial neutrality, preferably chloride, bromide, methylsulfate, or sulfate; A and A' are independently selected from C1-C4 alkoxy, preferably ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy and mixed ethoxy/propoxy; p is from 0 to 30, preferably 1 to 4 and q is from 0 to 30, preferably 1 to 4; preferably both p and q are 1.
6. A detergent surfactant composition substantially as hereinbefore described in any of the Examples.
Dated this 15th day of April, 1997.



Documents:

960-del-1997-abstract.pdf

960-del-1997-assignment.pdf

960-del-1997-claims.pdf

960-del-1997-correspondence-others.pdf

960-del-1997-correspondence-po.pdf

960-del-1997-description (complete).pdf

960-del-1997-form-1.pdf

960-del-1997-form-19.pdf

960-del-1997-form-2.pdf

960-del-1997-form-3.pdf

960-del-1997-form-4.pdf

960-del-1997-form-6.pdf

960-del-1997-gpa.pdf

960-del-1997-petition-137.pdf

960-del-1997-petition-138.pdf


Patent Number 230577
Indian Patent Application Number 960/DEL/1997
PG Journal Number 11/2009
Publication Date 13-Mar-2009
Grant Date 27-Feb-2009
Date of Filing 15-Apr-1997
Name of Patentee See attached documents
Applicant Address See attached documents
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 See attached documents See attached documents
PCT International Classification Number C11D 1/00
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 NA