Abstract: N,N diacyl O-substituted imide bleach activators and compositions employing them are provided. The activators have the general formula: wherein X is selected from O, NR16 and S; e is 0 or 1; f is 0 or 1; R16 is selected from H and C1-C4 linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl groups; and R1 is preferably phenyl or C7-C13 linear or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated alkyl; R2 is preferably C1-C10 branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl and R3 is preferably C1-C12 linear or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated alkyl. Bleach additive and bleaching compositions including the bleach activators and methods of cleaning fabrics are also provided.

Abstract: A multicomponent system for use in detergent substances consists of oxidation catalysts and suitable oxidizing agents and aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, heterocyclic or aromatic compounds containing NO, NOH or (A).

Abstract: The invention relates to a bleaching composition. In particular the invention provides a bleaching composition which comprises: (i) a bleaching agent, and (ii) as bleach catalyst, a polyoxometalate of Keggin, Dawson or Finke structure and having the general formula (II) (A′)a′(Cox′Yy′Mm′Oo).cH2O  (II)  wherein the or each A′, which may be the same or different, is a cation; a′ has a value such that (A′)a, counters the anionic charge of (Cox′Yy′Mm′Oo); x′ has a value of 0.25 to 4; the or each Y, which may be the same or different, represents P, Si or Co; y′ is 1 or 2; o has a value of 34 to 68; the or each M, which may be the same or different, represents W, Mo, V, Nb or Ta; m′ has a value of between 9 and 18; c has a value of between 0 and 84. The bleaching compositions according to the invention have good bleaching performance and can be used without a bleach activator, e.g.

Abstract: There is provided a process for enhancing the activity of a phenol oxidizing enzyme, comprising adding to the enzyme, as an enhancer for the activity of the enzyme, one or more compounds having the formula: wherein: A is an optionally substituted electron-withdrawing group, chosen from the group consisting of nitrile, carboxyl, and esters and salts thereof, amides, aldehydes, ketones, sulfoxides, sulfones, or sulphonates, and B is an optionally substituted electron-donating group, chosen from the group consisting of the oxide anion, sulfide anion, oxides, amines, imines, hydroxides, sulfides, ethers, carboxylic acids, and halogen substituents, and R1-R5 may each independently represent hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, nitroso, formyl, carboxyl, and esters and salts thereof, carbamoyl, sulfo, and esters and salts hereof, sulfamoyl, nitro, amino, phenyl, C1-C20 alkyl, C1-C8 alkoxy, carbonyl-C1-C6-alkoxy, aryl-C1-C6-alkyl, and R2 and R5 together may form an alkylene group or an alkenylene group.

Abstract: N,N diacyl O-substituted imide bleach activators and compositions employing them are provided. Bleach additive and bleaching compositions including the bleach activators and methods of cleaning fabrics are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to storage-stable bleach activator granules consisting essentially of a bleach activator and an acid-modified phyllosilicate, prepared by mixing a dry bleach activator with a dry, acid-modified phyllosilicate, compressing this mixture to give relatively large agglomerates and comminuting these agglomerates to the desired particle size.

Abstract: Storage stable, aqueous acidic solutions having a pH in the range of from 1 to 5 comprising at least one ester peracid having general formula where R represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbons and x equals 1 to 4, are provided. The solutions can be prepared by contacting an aqueous solution of a carboxylic compound having general formula where x is from 1 to 4 and R represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbons with an inorganic peroxygen compound, preferably hydrogen peroxide, at a pH of less than 4 until at least some ester peracid is produced, and thereafter adjusting the pH to be in the range of from 1 to 5, if necessary.

Abstract: Granules are provided that are useful for oxidizing applications when the granules are dissolved in the presence of an active oxygen source.