Detergent composition with low-odor cationic surfactant

Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – For cleaning a specific substrate or removing a specific...

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Details

510428, 510499, 510502, 510509, C11D 1700, C11D 900

Patent

active

060873140

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to detergent compositions or components thereof containing a specific cationic surfactant for use under alkaline wash conditions, having a carefully selected counterion. The detergent compositions of the invention are for use in any field of detergency, including household cleaners but are generally for use in laundry and dish washing processes to provide enhanced greasy stain removal and cleaning benefits.


BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

It is known to use cationic surfactants in detergent compositions. For example, GB 2040990A describes granular detergent compositions comprising cationic surfactants.
EP-A-121949 also describes cationic surfactants for use in laundry detergent compositions. This reference describes a broad class of cationic surfactants.
The Applicants have found that a particular group of quaternary ammonium cationic surfactants gives good cleaning properties, especially on greasy, oily stains.
The cationic compounds have been found to be particularly beneficial in detergent compositions which additionally comprise anionic surfactants. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the Applicant believes that the particular cationic surfactants used in the detergent compositions of the present invention have surprisingly good solubility. In addition, they form an association in the presence of anionic components to produce surprisingly soluble anionic/cationic complexes which lead to unexpected performance benefits: the cationic surfactant rapidly and effectively contacts greasy stains and rapidly penetrates and breaks down the stain giving effective greasy stain removal. Furthermore, it is believed that following breakdown of the oily soil the cationic surfactants used in the present invention also form complexes with the fatty acids and any other negatively charged breakdown product produced, increasing their solubility and enhancing greasy, oily soil removal and overall cleaning performance.
However, in processing or in use in alkaline detergent conditions, it has been found that some cationic surfactants may produce malodours in the washing liquor. Whilst not wishing to be bound by theory, the Applicants believe that malodours arise due to exchange of the counterion of the cationic surfactant with hydroxide ions in the aqueous alkaline wash liquor. The quaternary ammonium hydroxide product which results may then produce malodorous amine bi-products. In order to avoid this problem in use in alkaline conditions the particular cationic surfactants should have a counterion which has a higher relative selectivity for the cationic surfactant than a hydroxide ion in aqueous solution under the conditions of use.
All documents cited in the present description are incorporated herein by reference.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a detergent composition having a pH of at least 8.0 in an aqueous solution at a concentration of 0.5% by weight, or component thereof, which comprises a cationic surfactant of formula I: atoms; each of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is independently selected from C.sub.1-4 alkyl or alkenyl; R.sup.4 is a C.sub.5-11 alkyl or alkenyl; and X.sup.- is a counterion which does not substantially exchange with a hydroxide ion in a 0.5% by weight aqueous solution of the detergent composition at 20.degree. C.
In a further aspect of the invention, the cationic surfactant comprises a mixture of cationic surfactants of formula I: atoms; each of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is independently selected from C.sub.1-4 alkyl or alkenyl; R.sup.4 is a C.sub.5-11 alkyl or alkenyl; and X.sup.- is a counterion which does not substantially exchange with a hydroxide ion in a 0.5% by weight aqueous solution of the detergent composition at 20.degree. C. and wherein, in the mixture of cationic surfactants of formula I, at least 10%, preferably at least 20 % or even at least 50% by weight of the cationic surfactant has R.sup.4 which is C.sub.5-9 alkyl or alkenyl.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the cationic

REFERENCES:
patent: 3591509 (1971-07-01), Parks et al.
patent: 3591510 (1971-07-01), Zenk
patent: 4372869 (1983-02-01), Lindemann et al.
patent: 5958858 (1999-09-01), Bettiol et al.

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