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: Aqueous compositions containing an organic peroxyacid such as the mono-potassium salt of 4-sulpho-peroxybenzoic acid (KSPB) would be convenient to employ for bleaching/washing or disinfection especially of aqueous media, but suffer from loss of available oxygen (Avox) from the peracid during storage.The problem of storage instability can be alleviated to a considerable extent by employing the KSPB in particulate form and incorporating in the aqueous phase a water-soluble potassium salt of a non-reducing acid having a pK.sub.a of below 6, preferably a non-halide. It is desirable to use at least 1% and preferably at least 5% w/w solution of the potassium salt, of which suitable examples are potassium sulphate and nitrate. The pH of the aqueous phase is preferably brought to pH 2 to 3.