Abstract: A novel sulphonated salt is prepared by pyrolyzing an alkaline-earth metal salt of citric acid until an increase in titratable alkalinity is reached, whereby a novel unsaturated organic salt material is obtained. That salt material is dissolved or suspended and thereafter contacted with a bisulphite ion under acid conditions for producing the sulphonated salt. The corresponding acid of the sulphonated salt may be obtained by hydrolyzing the salt either prior to or subsequent to the sulphonation step.

Abstract: A detergent composition which comprisesA. 1 to 99, preferably 1 to 30, parts by weight of a salt of an organic sulfopolycarboxylic acid, the carboxyl groups of which are at least partially esterified with at least one non-ionic compound containing at least one hydroxyl group and the sulfonic acid group of which is salified with a cation selected from sodium, potassium and triethanolamine, said sulfopolycarboxylic acid being obtained by sulfonating and acidifying the pyrolysis product of an alkaline earth metal salt of citric acid, andB. 99 to 1, preferably 99 to 70, parts by weight of sodium and/or potassium sulfateAnd optionally at least one component selected from the group consisting of an anionic surfactant, a non-ionic surfactant, a bleaching agent, an alkali metal silicate, a stabilizer, a polyelectrolyte, adjuvants, water and an abrasive.

Abstract: A detergent composition which comprises (a) 1 to 99, preferably 1 to 30, parts by weight of a sodium, potassium, ammonium or triethanolamine salt of an organic polycarboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of (1) an unsaturated tetracarboxylic acid, abbreviated as UPC, obtained by pyrolysing an alkaline earth metal citrate and (2) a sulfonated tetracarboxylic acid, abbreviated as SPC, obtained by saturating the double bond of the UPC acid by means of a sulfonation agent, (b) 99 to 1, preferably 99 to 70, parts by weight of an alkali metal sulfate selected from sodium and potassium sulfates, and optionally at least one component selected from the group consisting of an anionic surfactant, a non-ionic surfactant, a bleaching agent, an alkali metal silicate, a stabilizer, a polyelectrolyte, adjuvants, water and an abrasive.