Abstract: In the present invention, hydrated magnesium salts of the carboxylate group in certain aromatic or olefinically unsaturated peroxyacids such as monoperoxyphthalic acid or monoperoxymaleic acid are made by reacting the corresponding anhydride with aqueous hydrogen peroxide and a magnesium base, in the absence of a significant amount of free iron. By so doing, the process avoids the use of non-aqueous solvents such as ethyl acetate. Solid product can be obtained by using no more than enough hydrogen peroxide and water for solely a damp product to be obtained or by crystallization from an aqueous solution, preferably with recycle of the mother liquor. Preferably the reaction temperature is maintained at 5.degree. to 25.degree. C., employing 1.8 to 2.2 moles anhyhdride per mole of magnesium base, and 0.95 to 1.2 moles of hydrogen peroxide per mole of anhydride.The product can be used as a bleach and as a disinfectant.

Abstract: The scarcity of high grade tungsten ores obliges users to seek to recover it from scrap materials, but drill bits in particular pose especial problems. Existing proposals to use acidic hydrogen peroxide to oxides and solubilize tungsten is extremely inefficient in reagent consumption per unit tungsten recovered.According to the present invention, hydrogen peroxide can be used considerably more efficiently in the extraction of tungsten into an aqueous acidic solution by employing certain promoters which are solid at 50.degree. C. in the form of fused blocks. These blocks release the promoter slowly into the reaction solution and achieve similar efficiency of use of hydrogen peroxide and acid but at markedly reduced consumption of promoter in comparison with the same promoter added in powder or granular form. Examples of such promoter are hydroxy or amino substituted aromatic carboxylic acids e.g. 2-hydroxybenzoic acid. The promoters can most conveniently be used in a multi-stage tungsten extraction process.

Abstract: The scarcity of high grade tungsten ores obliges users to seek to recover it from scrap materials, but drill bits in particular pose special problems. Existing proposals to use acidic hydrogen peroxide to oxidize and solubilize tungsten are extremely inefficient in reagent consumption per unit tungsten recovered.According to the present invention hydrogen peroxide can be used considerably more efficiently with sub-stoichiometric reagent addition per stage, especially from 6 to 12 stages and by the use of a small amount of certain promoters which it is believed may form a water-soluble complex with tungsten which provides an alternative route for tungsten dissolution. Many of the promoters are aromatic hydroxyl or amino acids such as 2-hydroxybenzoic acid, 2-aminobenzoic acid, 4-hydroxybenzene-phenol and its related oxidation products such as 1,4-benzoquinone. Also, certain aliphatic acids such as tartaric and epoxy succinic acid show some promotional activity.

Abstract: In general, inorganic or organic peroxyacids are unstable in the presence of a nonionic surfactant, so that it was not feasible to contemplate storing liquid compositions containing both components. It has now been discovered that storable compositions containing both components can be obtained by the use of particulate potassium-4-sulphoperoxybenzoic acid dispersed in the liquid nonionic surfactant containing phase. Additionally, the compositions can also include a dispersed particulate water-insoluble builder such as zeolite or water-soluble builder such as STPP. It is preferable to include a small amount of a chelating peroxidic stabilizer such as dipicolinic acid or 1,1,1-hydroxyethylidene diphosphonic acid.

Abstract: Unless aqueous acidic hydrogen peroxide solutions are stabilized, an excessive rate of decomposition of hydrogen peroxide precludes their use for treatment of metal surfaces, such as of copper and copper alloys, during which use substantial concentrations of decomposition catalysts build-up in solution. Regular monitoring of the solutions for residual stabilizer content would demand sophisticated analytical equipment beyond the reach of many users.The invention provides a stabilizer in the form of a block of sparingly soluble material, whereby monitoring can be simply and readily effected visually or by a simple electrical or mechanical detection system. For copper/copper alloys preferred stabilizers are p-hydroxybenzoic acid and triphenyl carbinol.

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.

Abstract: Organic sulphides are extremely malodorous compounds that are found in gaseous or aqueous effluents from many industries such as paper and pulp manufacture, hydrocarbon refinering, tanneries, and in the synthesis of organic sulphur compounds. Their removal is necessary before such effluents can be discharged into the environment.In the present invention their removal is effected using hydrogen peroxide at a pH controlled to pH 8.5 to 11.5 and in the presence of a catalytic amount of a soluble tungstate. Such a process is especially applicable to the removal of dialkyl disulphides, which are regarded as being especially difficult to remove oxidatively. In especially preferred conditions, the pH is about pH 11 and about 3-4 moles H.sub.2 O.sub.2 is used per mole equivalent of sulphur, in the presence of at least 20 ppm sodium tungstate (as W).

Abstract: Increased energy costs have stimulated a demand for peroxygen compounds that are effective at ambient to hand-hot temperatures, but peroxyacids and acyl peroxides tend to suffer from one or more of poor thermal stability, or sensitivity to impact or moisture, thereby rendering their manufacture or storage hazardous, or from poor solubility. The instant invention provides salts of the formula (in anhydrous form): ##STR1## in which M represents potassium and n=1 or M represents magnesium and n=2. The solids can be incorporated in low temperature bleaching compositions, in washing compositions, in sanitizing compositions or in disinfection/sterilisation compositions.

Abstract: A continuous process and apparatus for the analysis of a sample containing a peroxycompound in the presence of hydrogen peroxide using known colorimetric techniques, characterized in that a sample is taken continuously, is continuously mixed with a colorimetric reagent and is divided into two streams, and continuous differential colorimetric analysis of the two streams is effected to provided a differential signal, further characterized in that one such stream is heated to such a temperature that the peroxycompound reacts with the colorimetric reagent prior to effecting the differential colorimetric analysis, whereby the differential signal is a measure of the concentration of such peroxycompound. The process and apparatus may be modified in that a third stream is taken not containing any colorimetric reagent, and two differential colorimetric analyses are effected, whereby a further signal is obtained which is a measure of the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: The bleaching performance of hydrogen peroxide or persalts developing it in situ is markedly lower at lower washing temperatures from ambient to 60.degree. C. than at hot washing temperatures of around 90.degree. C. or above.The present invention relates to compositions and processes employing a minor amount of mixed oxides of calcium, barium or strontium with manganese which activate hydrogen peroxide bleaching and washing of stains at lower wash temperatures in spite of the fact that the compounds are substantially water-insoluble.Suitable mixed oxides include those represented by formula M.sub.x MnO.sub.y in which M represents the alkaline earth metal, x ranges from 1 to 2 and y ranges from 3 to 4.

Abstract: It has been suggested hitherto that the bleaching performance of hydrogen peroxide or persalts developing it in situ at ambient to hand hot (e.g. up to 60.degree. C.) temperatures can be enhanced by addition of a transition metal catalyst, but recent investigations revealed that when manganese is selected as catalyst its performance can range from nil enhancement to a substantial improvement.The present invention is based upon the recognition that manganese catalysis of hydrogen peroxide is promoted by the presence of at least an equimolar amount of calcium, barium or strontium compound, and preferably a molar ratio of at least 50:1.

Abstract: The effectiveness of hydrogen peroxide for bleaching and disinfecting at ambient to hand hot temperatures can be enhanced by reaction with an enol ester a peracid generator (activator). The present invention provides emulsions of enol ester activators in aqueous acidic solutions of hydrogen peroxide containing a water soluble emulsifier in at least 1 part per part by weight of activator. The enol esters have either of the general formulae: ##STR1## Preferably, sufficient emulsifier mixture thereof is present to enable the resultant emulsion to be clear demonstrating the presence of thermodynamically stable micellar structures. In preferred compositions, the activator is selected from vinyl or isopropenyl or but-1-enyl or cyclohex-1-enyl acetate heptanoate, octanoate or benzoate and divinyl adipate or phthalate, and 1,5-diacetoxypenta-1,4-diene.

Abstract: Granules of the magnesium salts of percarboxylic acid carboxylates are obtained by spraying onto agitated feed particles of the salt a small amount of a dilute aqueous solution of a synthetic poly hydroxy-substituted compound, particularly polyvinylalcohol and drying the resultant agglomerate. It is especially suitable to carry out the granulation process in a warm air fluidized bed using feed particles of mainly below 200 microns producing eventually a low bulk density product mainly in the range 200-1000 microns.In a modification of the fluidized bed process, the agglomerating agent used can be a aqueous solution of carboxylated polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: It would be desirable to improve upon the washing or disinfection capability of hydrogen peroxide-generating compositions at ambient to low operating conditions. The instant invention provides bleach compositions in which an activator is adsorbed into sodium perborate monohydrate, often in an amount of 20-40% w/w thereof. The invention permits liquid and consequently often low molecular weight activators to be readily employed in solid formulations. Preferred activators are selected from enol esters or gem-diesters, including vinyl benzoate, ethylidene benzoate acetate and divinyl adipate. The invention can also render N-acyl activators such as TAED more storage-stable.

Abstract: Hydrogen peroxide and persalt washing or disinfecting compositions perform comparatively ineffectively at ambient to low operating temperatures. More effective washing/disinfection processes are obtained by employing according to the instant invention there with a peroxyacid generator selected from compounds having the general formula (I): ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 often are hydrogen, R.sub.6 is often hydrogen or methyl and R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are often methyl or phenyl. R.sub.3 or R.sub.5 can each also represent a difunctional group terminating at its other end in a second gem-diester group or in an enol ester group. Especially preferred peroxyacid generators include 1,1,5-triacetoxypent-4-ene, 1,1,5,5-tetraacetoxy pentane, the corresponding butene and butane compounds, ethylidene benzoate acetate and bis(ethylidene acetate) adipate.

Abstract: Increased energy costs have stimulated a demand for peroxygen compounds that are effective at ambient to hand-hot temperatures, but peroxyacids and acyl peroxides tend to suffer from one or more of poor thermal stability, or sensitivity to impact, thereby rendering their manufacture or storage hazardous, or from poor solubility. The instant invention provides a salt of the formula (in anhydrous form): ##STR1## The salt can be incorporated in low temperature bleaching compositions, in washing compositions, in sanitizing compositions or in disinfection/sterilization compositions.

Abstract: Tungsten can be extracted into solution from tungsten carbide powder residues with aqueous hydrogen peroxide to a greater extent by employing in solution a catalytic quantity of hydrochloric acid, such as a mole ratio to the tungsten preferably in the range of at least 0.1:1 moles of HCl per mole tungsten, and often up to about 2.5 moles of HCl per mole of tungsten at 55.degree. to 85.degree. C. The selection of the mole ratio in practice usually takes into account the grade of tungsten carbide starting material. It is very preferable to use at least 7 moles hydrogen peroxide per mole of tungsten and an extraction temperature of 65.degree. to 75.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aqueous alkaline built detergent compositions containing hydrogen peroxide. Alkaline conditions present particular difficulties for preventing the hydrogen peroxide from decomposing excessively rapidly during storage. Aqueous compositions containing a builder, especially polyphosphate or citrate, anionic sulphate or sulphonate surfactant, nonionic ethoxylate surfactant and hydrogen peroxide of acceptable peroxide stability can be obtained by employing an alcohol, preferably ethanol or isopropanol, or a polyhydroxy carboxylate, preferably gluconate, or especially both, in conjunction with a phosphonate, especially an ethylene amine methylene phosphonate. Many of such alkaline compositions are formulated to permit the anionic surfactant to work at or near to its optimum pH in conjunction with the builder.

Abstract: Nitration of organic compounds and organic nitrogen compounds produced.Organic nitrogen compounds are formed in the vapor phase by organic radical formation by reaction of an organic compound with hydroxyl radicals derived from the reaction between hydrogen peroxide and nitrogen dioxide and the nitration of the organic radicals, suitably with nitrogen dioxide. The process may be conducted as a single stage process using an excess of nitrogen dioxide over that required for hydroxyl radical formation. The production of hydroxyl radicals is maximized by the use of a catalytic solid surface such as a solid acid or an acidic oxide or mixed oxide. The product may be a mixture of some or all of the nitrite, nitrate and nitro-derivative which may be used as such, e.g. as a fuel additive, as a source of the individual compounds or as a feedstock for a further synthesis.

Abstract: The effectiveness of hydrogen peroxide for bleaching and disinfecting at ambient to hand hot temperatures can be enhanced by reaction with a peracid generator (activator), but the provision of storage stable concentrated aqueous liquid premixes of hydrogen peroxide and activator presents many problems arising from the physical and chemical properties of the components.The present invention provides aqueous acidic emulsions of hydrogen peroxide and enol esters, preferably at a pH of 2 to 5 and containing a slight excess of hydrogen peroxide over an equivalent mole ratio to enol ester activator of 1:1.The concentrations of the components of some preferred emulsions are selected in the ranges of 3 to 20% hydrogen peroxide, 30 to 85% water, 10 to 30% enol ester (%s by weight based upon the emulsion) and from 10 to 70% by weight based on the enol ester of emulsifiers.