Abstract: The invention relates to a process for stabilizing particulate alkali metal percarbonate by coating by coating it with an aqueous solution, preferably concentrated, of a complex formed from a boric acid or borate and an organic diol, polyol or hydroxycarboxylic acid, to the resulting coated product, and to compositions including the product. The coating can additionally contain an alkali metal neutral salt such as sodium chloride or sodium sulphate.

Abstract: A multi-component product for providing, on mixing of the components, a disinfectant composition. A first component of the product comprises an aqueous solution of a lower aliphatic peracid and a second component comprises an aqueous solution containing a phosphate corrosion inhibitor and either a hydrogen peroxide stabilizer, a peracid stabilizer, or both.

Abstract: A process for oxidizing a substrate susceptible to nucleophilic oxidation by reacting a bicaroate or monopersulfate solution with the substrate is disclosed. In one aspect, the substrate is introduced into the reaction mixture in an inert carrier gas, which can also serve to sweep the product out of the mixture. In a second aspect the oxidation solution is obtained by a two stage neutralization of a Caro's acid solution, the first stage to e.g. 0.5 to 2.0 and the second stage to about 7 to 9. In preferred embodiments, the substrate is introduced into partially neutralized Caro's acid, and the second stage neutralization in the presence of the substrate is most preferably carried out with an alkali salt such as sodium bicarbonate. The process can employ relatively low ratios of substrate: Caro's acid oxidant and homogeneous reaction conditions. The process is particularly useful for preparing dioxiranes from ketones.

Abstract: A process for the oxidation of organosulphur compounds with hydrogen peroxide is provided. The process employs solid supported polyacids comprising tungsten, molybdenum and/or vanadium as catalysts. The supports are selected from compounds, preferably oxides, of Group IIa, IIb, IIIb, IVa and IVb elements, and strong base ion exchange resins. Certain embodiments of the process provide for the oxidation of sulphides to sulphoxides or sulphones, particularly for the oxidation of penicillins to penicillin sulphoxides. Other embodiments of the process provide for the selective oxidation of thiols to sulphoxides.

Abstract: Solutions of sugars obtained during the processing of foodstuffs can be subject to bacterial contamination. In view of the possible legislation to prevent the use of existing disinfectants such as formaldehyde in these conditions, alternative treatments are needed. Effective disinfection of sugar solutions can be achieved employing a peracetic acid solution containing a high mole ratio of hydrogen peroxide to peracetic acid, such as from 18:1 to about 54:1 in combination with a second peracetic acid solution.

Abstract: A one pot process for the perfluoroalkylation and/or perfluoroacyloxylation of organic substrates is provided. The process comprises contacting a substrate with a perfluoroalkanoic anhydride in the presence of an inorganic peroxygen compound at a temperature of greater than 10.degree. C. Substrates that can be perfluoroalkylated and/or perfluoroacyloxylated include alkylbenzenes, halogenated aromatic compounds, alkoxybenzenes, aryl benzenes, and aromatic and aliphatic disulphides. Preferably, the perfluoroalkanoic anhydride is trifluoroacetic anhydride and the inorganic peroxygen compound is sodium percarbonate.

Abstract: A process for stabilizing percarbonate by coating by means of a coating agent according to which the percarbonate particles are treated with a concentrated aqueous solution containing at least one boron compound selected from meta and ortho boric acids and at least one silicate, following by removal of water to provide coated percarbonate particles. The solution is prepared by adding the boron compound to a solution of the silicate. The coated particles are useful in washing and bleaching compositions.

Abstract: Hydrogen sulphide can be removed from a gaseous stream by contact with a 2,3-dialkyl substituted naphthoquinone in the presence of a catalytic amount of an amine catalyst dissolved in a hydrophobic organic solvent system, with consequential formation of a corresponding quinhydrone and insoluble elemental sulphur. Preferably the total number of carbons in the alkyl substituents is from 2 to 6. Particularly suitable compounds comprise dimethyl and/or ethyl/methyl naphthoquinones. Preferably the amine catalyst has a pK in the range of about 9 to 11.5. Preferred solvent systems comprise mixtures of aromatic hydrocarbons with aliphatic esters such as methyl cyclohexanol acetate or dialkylketones such as diisobutylcarbinol. Advantageously, the naphthoquinone react with hydrogen sulphide significantly faster than do the anthraquinone or tetrahydroanthraquinone compounds hitherto proposed.

Abstract: Microbicidal compositions having activity over a broad pH range are provided. The compositions include a peracid and a nonionic surfactant according to the general chemical formula: R-(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.n -(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3).sub.p -OH, wherein R represents an alkyl group of at least 6 carbon atoms, and n and p each represent an integer. The compositions can additionally include a cationic surfactant.

Abstract: A multi-component product for providing, on mixing of the components, a disinfectant composition. A first component of the product comprises an aqueous solution of a lower aliphatic peracid and a second component comprises an aqueous solution containing a corrosion inhibitor and either a hydrogen peroxide stabilizer, a peracid stabilizer, or both.

Abstract: Fluro-substituted aromatic carboxylic acids, and particular 2- and 4-fluorobenzoic acid can be made from the corresponding fluoro-methyl compound such as fluorotoluene in a single stage by the reaction at elevated temperature, preferably of at least 80.degree. C. with hydrogen peroxide and bromide in mole ratios to the substrate of greater than 2:1, and preferably around 3:1, in the presence of means capable of generating bromine free radicals from bromine molecules, such as radiation having a wavelength of not greater than 600 nm or an organic peroxide.

Abstract: A method for disinfecting non-peat based plant-growth media, especially coir, which does not leave phytotoxic residues in the medium by contacting the medium with one or more water-soluble peroxygens is disclosed. The water-soluble peroxygen is preferably selected from the group comprising hydrogen peroxide and organic peracids, especially peracetic acid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for improving the storage stability of peracetic acid comprising adding an effective concentration of preferably 0.1-5 wt. % of an aliphatic alcohol ethoxylate wetting agent which has an EO number of greater than 4.

Abstract: A process for the controlled oxidation of alkyaromatic compounds comprises reacting said compounds with an oxidising system, comprising cobalt (II) ions, bromide ions, and hydrogen peroxide, in the presence of an appropriate protic solvent.The process is particularly useful in the selective oxidation of poly(alkyl)aromatic compounds.

Abstract: Peroxycarboxylic acids of formula (I) are disclosed wherein the substituents are defined by the disclosure. The peroxycarboxylic acids are useful for washing, bleaching and disinfecting, and methods for using them in such processes are also disclosed. Further, a process for preparing the peroxycarboxylic acids is disclosed.

Abstract: This invention concerns novel sulphoperoxyacids having the following generic formula ##STR1## wherein the R', R", and M are as defined in the specification. Bleach compositions and methods of bleaching using such novel sulphoperoxyacids are also taught.

Abstract: Liquid compositions containing a perborate bleaching system having improved chemical stability over existing systems are prepared by suspending a salt of a superperborate in a non-aqueous liquid. The superperborate salts have an available oxygen content of greater than 16.1%, and an empirical chemical formula of the type Na.sub.x B.sub.y O.sub.z.nH.sub.2 O where x is 1-4, y is 1-5, z is 2-15 and n is 1-5. The ratio of x:y is between 0.5 to 1.2:1. The compositions may include surfactants, activators and detergent auxiliaries. Preferred surfactants are nonionic surfactants. When a surfactant is present, the compositions are bleach containing liquid detergents. When surfactants are not present, the compositions can be used as bleach additives or non-detergent cleaners.

Abstract: Alkenes can be expoxidized with hydrogen peroxide using a homogeneous heavy metal catalyst, but discharge of spent reaction mixtures releases the heavy metal in the environment. The problem can be ameliorated by selecting a heterogeneous catalyst system comprising a tungsten-containing heteropolyacid supported on selected Group IIa, IIb, IVa or IVb inorganic supports or on a strong basic resin, which catalyst has either been calcined after impregnation of in the impregnation stage an alcoholic solution of the heteropolyacid is employed and by employing a nitrilo or oxygenated polar solvent reaction medium. A number of preferred heteropolyacids satisfy the empirical formula M.sub.3/n PW.sub.w MO.sub.12-w O.sub.40 in which w represents an integer of at least 1, M represents a counterion and n its basicity. Preferred supports include activated alumina, calcined at 400.degree. to 600.degree. C. and cross-linked quaternary ammonium-substituted polystyrene resins.

Abstract: Production of peroxomonosulphuric acid (Caro's acid) by reaction between concentrated hydrogen peroxide and sulphuric acid solutions can be impaired substantially when substoichiometric amounts of sulphuric acid are employed.The problem is ameliorated or removed by first forming a body of sulphuric acid-rich fluid (usually the smaller volume) and thereafter introducing into that body of fluid the hydrogen peroxide solution (usually the larger volume). The reaction mixture progressively becomes sulphuric acid-lean. The body of fluid is advantageously either concentrated sulphuric acid itself, or a premix formed by reaction between hydrogen peroxide and at least an equimolar amount of sulphuric acid. The process is particularly suitable for making Caro's acid when from 0.02 to 0.5 moles of sulphuric acid is employed per mole of hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: Phenols, and related aromatic compounds, phenolic ethers, can be hydroxylated selectively using hydrogen peroxide in the presence of an amorphous or microcrystalline zirconium phosphate catalyst in a solvent containing an aliphatic carboxylic acid. The process is particularly suitable for phenol itself, and advantageously employs a partially dehydrated microcrystalline catalyst obtained by heating an hydrated microcrystalline zirconium phosphate for example at about 100.degree. C. A convenient reaction temperature is 50.degree. to 90.degree. C., and convenient solvent is acetic acid. In an improved method of producing the catalyst, zirconium phosphate is precipitated from an aqueous phosphoric acid solution of zirconium oxychloride in the presence of a cationic phase transfer agent such as an alkylpyridinium salt or tetraalkylquaternary ammonium salt or a nonionic surfactant such as an alcohol ethoxylate.