Abstract: Detergent builder/activators which can be produced from renewable resources are provided. The detergent builder/activators are obtainable by a process comprising subjecting a poly(saccharide) comprising a vicinal diol moiety to the independent steps of a) oxidative cleavage of a vicinal diol moiety with an oxidizing agent for vicinal diols to introduce carboxylic acid functionality, and b) acylation with an acylating agent.

Abstract: An aromatic peroxyacid which satisfies the general formula (1):X--Ar--CO--NY--R(Z)--CO--OOH (1)in which X represents hydrogen or a compatible substituent, R represents --(CH2).sub.n -- in which n=2 or 3, and Y and Z each represent independently a substituent selected from hydrogen or an alkyl or aryl group or an aryl group substituted by a compatible substituent or alkaryl group provided that at least one of Y and Z is not hydrogen if n=3. The peroxyacid is an effective bleaching and disinfecting agent which has a long shelf life and good resistance to impact, pressure and thermal shocks, and is useful in bleaching, washing and disinfecting compositions.

Abstract: Organic peracids supported on inorganic macromolecular supports and a process for preparing them are provided. The peracids have general chemical formulae: Q--O--Si--A--NR--X--CO.sub.3 H (I) wherein Q represents the inorganic support, A is an alkylene or arylene group, R represents hydrogen, alkyl or an aryl group and X represents an optionally substituted alkylene or arylene group, or Q--O--Si--A--N X'--CO.sub.3 H (II) where Q and A are as defined above, and X' represents an optionally substituted alkylene or arylene group. The peracids have improved stability and recovery characteristics compared with those of the prior art.