Organic compounds -- part of the class 532-570 series – Organic compounds – Percarboxylic acids or salts thereof
Patent
1996-10-28
2000-04-11
Barts, Samuel
Organic compounds -- part of the class 532-570 series
Organic compounds
Percarboxylic acids or salts thereof
562 3, 424613, 424616, 422 12, 422 28, C23F 1104
Patent
active
060490020
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of aqueous solutions containing performic acid formed by reaction of formic acid and hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a catalyst.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Such a method is known from the book Organic Peroxides, Vol. 1, ed. by B. Swern in 1970 (Wiley Interscience). Dilute performic acid solutions suitable for disinfection are most conveniently prepared by mixing 70-90 wt. % of formic acid and 35-50 wt. % of hydrogen peroxide. Performic acid is unstable at higher concentrations and therefore it is usually prepared by mixing solutions of formic acid and hydrogen peroxide just prior to use (in situ preparation). According to Swern an acid catalyst may be used.
The bactericidal and sporicidal disinfectant properties of performic, peracetic and perproponic acid has been described by Merka et al., in J. Hyg. Epidem. Microbiol. Immunol. 1965 (IX) 220. Performic acid has demonstrated superior results in the studies concerning the fungicidal (mycocidal) properties of these acids (J. Hyg. Epidem. Microbiol. Immunol. 1168, 12, 115).
The exceptional microbicidal properties of performic acid have later been described in EP-A-0 231 623.
A specific use of aqueous performic acid containing solutions is described in not prepublished Dutch patent application 9300445. This reference relates to a method for preventing and combating harmful microorganisms such as fungi, viruses, bacteria, yeasts and algae in water circulation systems, wherein the water including feed solutions and drain water, has a disinfectant added to it which at least comprises performic acid. The contents of this Dutch patent application is incorporated here by reference.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to increase the equilibrium concentration of performic acid in aqueous solution of formic acid and hydrogen peroxide.
This object was achieved by the use of a compound containing at least one ester group and/or ##STR1## group differing from a carboxylic acid group as a catalyst.
Consequently, the present invention relates to a method for the preparation of aqueous solutions containing performic acid formed by reaction of formic acid and hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a catalyst, characterized in that the catalyst is a compound containing at least one ester group and/or ##STR2## group differing from a carboxylic acid group.
The compound may be used in catalytic amounts, which expression is well-known to one skilled in the art. However, it is preferred that a minimum amount of 10 ppm, calculated on the aqueous solution, is used. In general an amount of more than 10.000 ppm will not bring additional advantages. The particularly preferred range is 200-5000 ppm, again calculated on the total aqueous solution containing the reactants.
Preferably, the catalytic compound is a carboxylic acid ester which is not toxic. However, other ester compounds such as sulfate esters, sulfonate esters/lactones and phosphate esters and similar compounds may be successfully used.
According to a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention the catalytic compound is selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acid esters where the carboxylic acid is:
Suitable are a.o. compounds like glyceryl mono-, di- and tri-esters, wherein the carboxylic acid is C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 carboxylic acid, polymers such as (partially hydrolysed) polyvinylacetate.
The use of the catalyst in accordance with the invention causes an enormous increase, e.g. of 100-300% of the concentration of performic acid. Consequently, performic acid containing preparations prepared in accordance with the invention are more efficient than the prior art solutions.
The present invention also relates to an aqueous solution containing performic acid, formic acid, hydrogen peroxide as well as a compound containing at least one ester group and/or ##STR3## group differing from a carboxylic acid group. The same preferences as mentioned with respect to the method of the inventi
REFERENCES:
patent: 4584390 (1986-04-01), Dieckelmann
Aksela Reijo
Mattila, deceased Tapio
Barts Samuel
Kemira Chemicals B.V.
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