Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Auxiliary compositions for cleaning – or processes of preparing – Surfactant composition for cleaning agents
Patent
1996-02-06
1999-01-12
Shah, Mukund J.
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Auxiliary compositions for cleaning, or processes of preparing
Surfactant composition for cleaning agents
510470, 510536, 510537, 510495, C11D 1100, C11D 114, C11D 322
Patent
active
058589619
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the invention
This invention relates to a process for the production of light-colored surfactants, in which the surfactants are stabilized before bleaching by addition of antioxidants.
2. Statement of Related Art
Most surface-active compounds of the anionic surfactant type, but also certain nonionic surfactants, such as alkyl oligoglycosides for example, are dark in color from their production, for example as a result of oxidation and condensation processes. Although this discoloration has little or no adverse effect on the performance properties of the compounds, only those compounds which have been lightened in color by subsequent bleaching are suitable for subsequent processing on aesthetic grounds. Peroxygen compounds, such as for example hydrogen peroxide, perborates or percarbonates, are normally used for this purpose, having almost completely displaced the hypochlorites often previously used.
There has been no shortage of attempts in the past further to improve the color quality of surfactants which, despite bleaching, has often been unsatisfactory. For example, it is proposed in WO 93/13113 (Henkel) to enhance the effect of the hydrogen peroxide by using various bleaching boosters, such as for example magnesium ions and the like. Although it has been found in practice that products with a distinctly improved color are obtained, their stability in storage is still far from satisfactory.
Accordingly, the problem addressed by the present invention was to remedy this deficiency by providing a process that would give products which would be light in color immediately after bleaching and which would remain stable, even after prolonged storage at --optionally --relatively high temperatures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a process for the production of light-colored surfactants which is characterized in that the surfactants are stabilized before bleaching by addition of antioxidants.
In one preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a process for the production of light-colored alkyl and/or alkenyl oligoglycosides by acid-catalyzed acetalization of sugars with fatty alcohols, neutralization, removal of excess fatty alcohol by distillation, forming a paste with water and alkaline bleaching, characterized in that the glycosides are stabilized before bleaching by addition of antioxidants.
In another preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a process for the production of light-colored alkyl and/or alkenylsulfates by sulfation of fatty alcohols, neutralization with aqueous bases and bleaching, characterized in that the sulfates are stabilized before bleaching by addition of antioxidants.
It has surprisingly been found that the addition of known antioxidants to water-containing surfactant pastes stabilizes the pastes during bleaching to such an extent that, on the one hand, particularly light-colored products are obtained which, on the other hand, undergo hardly any darkening in color, even after storage for several weeks at elevated temperature. The invention includes the observation that the time at which the stabilizers are added to the surfactants is critical. In particular, the addition of antioxidants after bleaching (i.e. to the retail product) is not comparable either in regard to color quality or in regard to stability in storage. The surfactants are preferably present in the form of aqueous solutions or pastes with solids contents of 5 to 50% by weight and preferably 15 to 40% by weight. Basically, however, the process according to the invention may also be applied to water-free systems.
The process according to the invention may be used to improve the color of anionic, nonionic, cationic and/or ampholytic or zwitterionic surfactants.
Typical examples of anionic surfactants are alkyl benzenesulfonates, alkanesulfonates, olefin sulfonates, alkylether sulfonates, glycerol ether sulfonates, .alpha.-methylester sulfonates, sulfofatty acids, alkylsulfates, fatty alcohol ether sulfates, glycerol ether sulfates, hydroxy mix
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Drach John E.
Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien
Jaeschke Wayne C.
Kifle Bruck
Shah Mukund J.
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