Abstract: A novel intermediate useful in the synthesis of 2-hydroxyethyl iminodiacetic acid is disclosed. The intermediate can be formed by contacting 2-hydroxyethyl amine with glycolonitrile to form an aminonitrile which can be hydrolyzed and contacted with additional glycolonitrile to form the nitrile intermediate which can be converted to 2-hydroxylethyl iminodiacetic acid via hydrolysis.

Abstract: Disclosed are non-aqueous, particulate-containing liquid laundry detergent compositions which are in the form of a suspension of particulate material, preferably including peroxygen bleaching agent and an organic detergent builder, dispersed in a liquid phase structured with a surfactant and elasticized with finely divided particulate material such as silica or titanium dioxide. Such compositions provide especially desirable cleaning and bleaching of fabrics laundered therewith and also exhibit especially desirable pourability and chemical and phase stability.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of oxidizing a substrate in the presence of a laccase or a laccase related enzyme and an enhancing agent. More specifically, the invention relates to a method of bleaching of dye in solutions, to a method of inhibiting the transfer of a textile dye from a dyed fabric to another fabric when said fabrics are washed together in a wash liquor, to a method of bleaching of lignin-containing material, in particular bleaching of pulp for paper production, to a method of treatment of waste water from pulp manufacturing, and to a method of enzymatic polymerization and/or modification of lignin or lignin containing material.

Abstract: A mold removal composition useful to remove molds adhered to furnishing and walls of homes, particularly kitchen sinks and bathroom walls, ceilings, and tiles, and a mold bleaching method are provided. The mold removal composition contains peroxide, dicyandiamide, alkali metal hydroxide or alkaline-earth metal hydroxide, and water. Its pH is 8.0-13.0.

Abstract: Compositions for reducing brightener spotting comprise a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyamine N-oxide containing polymers, N-vinylimidazole N-vinylpyrrolidone copolymers and mixtures thereof, a stilbene brightener, and from 5% to 7% hydrogen peroxide, wherein the weight ratio of the polymer to the brightener is from 1:20 to 20:1 and the pH of the composition is from 2 to 6.

Abstract: Laundry detergent compositions comprise at least 10% detergent surfactant or at least 10% detergent builder system. The detergent builder system comprises a copolymer of maleic acid and acrylic acid having a molecular weight of from 5,000 to 15,000 and a mole ratio of acrylic units to maleic units of from about 3:7 to 7:3. The copolymer has an Index Ratio (IR) of not less than 110, wherein IR=Binding Index (BI).times.Dispersing Index (DI)100.

Abstract: Bleaching compositions comprising a bleaching compound and an N-acyl-3- or 4-piperidone each preferably present in a range of about 1 to about 75% by weight. Additives, such as, surfactants, anti-foaming agents, fabric softeners, stabilizers, inorganic builder salts, buffers, enzymes and the like may also be present. The compositions can be formulated as dry concentrated mixtures encapsulated or in loose powder form, aqueous solutions, aqueous solutions containing non-aqueous solvents and like forms. The compositions are effective as bleaching agents from below room temperature to higher temperatures, biodegradable and environmentally safe.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a surfactant composition comprising N-methyl polyhydroxy fatty acid amide and N-alkyl (C3-C8) polyhydroxy fatty acid amide comprises mixing N-methyl polyhydroxy fatty acid amine and N-alkyl (C3-C8) polyhydroxy fatty acid amine to form a mixture. The mixture is reacted with a fatty acid ester reactant in the presence of a base catalyst and, optionally, in the presence of a reaction solvent. Unreacted N-alkoxyamino polyol is acylated with an acid anhydride at a temperature in the range of from 50.degree. C. to 85.degree. C. The weight ratio of N-methyl polyhydroxy fatty acid amide to N-alkyl (C3-C8) polyhydroxy fatty acid amide in the surfactant composition is from 25:1 to 1:1.

Abstract: A novel intermediate useful in the synthesis of 2-hydroxyethyl iminodiacetic acid is disclosed. The intermediate can be formed by contacting 2-hydroxyethyl amine with glycolonitrile to form an aminonitrile which can be hydrolyzed and contacted with additional glycolonitrile to form the nitrile intermediate which can be converted to 2-hydroxylethyl iminodiacetic acid via hydrolysis.

Abstract: There is provided a particulate solid laundry detergent composition containing alkali metal percarbonate bleach coated with a mixed salt comprising an alkali metal carbonate and an alkali metal sulphate salt; a peroxyacid bleach precursor; an acidification agent; and a means for enabling delayed release of said acidification agent such that the pH of said composition as a 1% solution in water at 20.degree. C. is from 9.5 to 13.0 prior to release of said acidification agent, and such that the pH of said composition as a 1% solution in water at 20.degree. C. is from 9.3 to 7.0 subsequent to complete release of said acidification agent.

Abstract: Bleach boosters comprising zwitterionic imines and anionic imine polyions having a net negative charge are disclosed. The bleach boosters increase bleaching effectiveness in lower temperature solutions and demonstrate superior color safety profiles. The bleach boosters are ideally suited for inclusion into bleaching compositions including those with detersive surfactants and enzymes. Also provided is a laundry additive product including zwitterionic imines and anionic imine polyions with a net negative charge as bleach boosters. A method for laundering a fabric employing the bleach boosters of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: Bleaching compositions, laundry and automatic dishwashing detergent compositions comprising particular quaternary-substituted bleach activators, are provided. More specifically, the invention relates to compositions which provide enhanced cleaning/bleaching benefits though the selection of quaternary-substituted bleach activators having specific leaving groups with a conjugate acid pKa above 13 and with specific ratios of the rate of perhydrolysis to the rate of hydrolysis and the rate of perhydrolysis to the rate of diacylperoxide production. Included are preferred activator compounds and methods for washing fabrics, hard surfaces, and tableware using the activators.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of cleaning fabrics with heavy soil loads or by hand-washing with detergent compositions comprising N-acyl caprolactam bleaching activators.

Abstract: The invention herein provides bleaching compositions comprising a protease enzyme which is a carbonyl hydrolase variant having an amino acid sequence not found in nature, which is derived by replacement of a plurality of amino acid residues of a precursor carbonyl hydrolase with different amino acids, wherein said plurality of amino acid residues replaced in the precursor enzyme correspond to position +76 in combination with one or more of the following residues: +99, +101, +103, +104, +107, +123, +27, +105, +109, +126, +128, +135, +156, +166, +195, +197, +204, +206, +210, +216, +217, +218, +222, +260, +265, and/or +274, where the numbered positions corresponds to naturally-occurring subtilisin from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens or to equivalent amino acid residues in other carbonyl hydrolases or subtilisins (such as Bacillus lentus subtilisin) and a bleaching agent.

Abstract: A and N-acyl compounds are used for the activation of inorganic peroxo compounds in washing, bleaching and cleaning agents and disinfectants. Compounds of formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a C.sub.6 to C.sub.l0 alkyl group; and R.sup.2 represents hydrogen or selected substituents, are highly effective activators for aqueous bleaching, washing, cleaning and disinfecting liquors. A particularly preferred activator is N-n-nonanoylsuccinimide.

Abstract: Improved cleaning and/or bleaching compositions including fabric laundry and bleaching compositions, automatic dishwashing compositions, hard surface cleaners, bleach additives and the like, suitable for domestic use, comprising improved bleach activators having particular alpha-modified lactam leaving groups leading to improved in-use performance of bleaching agents such as perborate even under wash conditions less alkaline than those typically encountered or when hydrogen peroxide source is at low levels in a cleaning operation. A preferred class of activators are N-acyl-3-morpholinone compounds with benzoyl being a preferred acyl group and N-Benzoyl-3-oxomorpholine being a highly preferred activator.

Abstract: A bleaching composition and method is described that includes contacting a substrate with a peroxygen compound and a polymeric bleach precursor which has a monomer repeating unit of the structure: ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 radical selected from the group consisting of alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl and aryl radicals; andR.sup.1 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.40 radical selected from the group consisting of alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl and aryl radicals.

Abstract: Acyl lactam bleach activator is intimately mixed with a water-soluble surfactant to form a bleach activator particle, with good solubility and which perhydrolyzes well. Said process does not include a drying step. Optionally, but preferably, the particle will further comprise binders and a crystalline material.