Abstract: A bleach auxiliary for use as a peroxygen bleach catalyst comprising a water-soluble complex of iron and a multi-dentate ligand-forming chelating agent having defined bleach catalytic activity and hydrolytic and oxidative stability. The chelating agent is preferably a hydroxycarboxylic acid having the general formula IR[C.sub.n H.sub.2n-m (OH).sub.m ]CO.sub.2 H Iwherein R is CH.sub.2 OH, CHO or CO.sub.2 H, n is from 4 to 8 and m is from 3 to n, or a salt, lactone, ether, acid ester or boric ester thereof. Bleach and laundry compositions containing the complex are also disclosed.

Abstract: A granular detergent having a phosphorus content of less than 5% comprising:(a) about 5% to about 50% by weight of a water-insoluble aluminosilicate ion-exchange material and(b) about 0.1% to about 20% of a polycarboxylate polymer comprising:(i) about 5% to 70% of a C.sub.3 -C.sub.10 monoolefinic monocarboxylic acid,(ii) about 5% to 70% of a C.sub.4 -C.sub.6 monoolefinic dicarboxylic acid, and(iii) about 1% to 80% of a nonionic spacer selected from esters of (i) and (ii), C.sub.2-6 monoolefinic alcohols, and esters of C.sub.2-6 monoolefinic alcohols.The compositions display excellent bleach stability, fabric care and detergency performance at low or zero phosphate levels.

Abstract: Laundry bleaching and detergent compositions comprising a peroxygen bleaching agent and a catalyst system therefor, the catalyst system comprising a heavy metal cation of defined bleach catalytic activity, particularly copper, iron or manganese cations, an auxiliary metal cation having little or no bleach catalytic activity, particularly zinc or aluminium cations, and a sequestrant having defined stability constants for the catalytic and auxiliary metal cations, particularly ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic acid) and water-soluble salts thereof. The laundry bleaching and detergent compositions deliver improved bleach performance, particularly at medium to high wash temperatures. Catalyst compositions for peroxygen bleaching agents are also disclosed.