Abstract: Storage stable aqueous acidic solutions, often having a pH of up to 1 containing an ester peracid and/or an acid peracid can be obtained by reacting a diester satisfying the general formula R1—O—CO—R2—CO—O—R3 in which R1 and R3 each represents a alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may the same of different and R2 represents an aliphatic alkylene group optionally unsaturated which may be linear or branched containing from 2 to 6 carbon atoms with aqueous hydrogen peroxide in the presence of an acid, such as sulphuric acid and permitting the compositions to progress towards equilibrium concentrations. By starting with a diester, perhydrolysis generates an ester peracid which is a particularly effective peracid. The process can be controlled to produce solutions containing a high peracid content and within a wide range of ratios of ester peracid to acid peracid.

Abstract: Poly(lactones) are provided. The poly(lactones) are obtained by polymerization of a lactone with an initiator system comprising at least one polyfunctional initiator. The poly(lactones) have a shear viscosity at some temperature in the range of from 35 to 45° C. above the melting temperature of the poly(lactone) of at least 6 kPas at 0.1 s−1 shear rate and no greater than 3.5 kPas at 100 s−1 shear rate, and a shear viscosity activation energy of greater than 40 kJ/mol. Preferably, the poly(lactone) is poly(caprolactone).

Abstract: Aqueous acidic solutions of hydrogen peroxide used for metal surface treatments suffer from an increased decomposition rate of the hydrogen peroxide, caused by the dissolved metals such as iron, copper or titanium. A method is provided wherein stabilization can be achieved by employing a combination of a) a hydroxybenzoic acid, preferably p-hydroxybenzoic acid; b) a hydrotropic sulphonic acid, preferably p-toluene sulphonic acid; and c) a hydrophobic alkaryl sulphonic acid, preferably dodecylbenzene sulphonic acid.

Abstract: Aqueous acidic solutions of hydrogen peroxide used for metal surface treatments suffer from an increased decomposition rate of the hydrogen peroxide, caused by the dissolution of metals such as iron, copper, or titanium. Stabilization can be achieved by employing a combination of a) hydroxybenzoic acid, preferably p-hydroxybenzoic acid; b) a hydrotropic sulphonic acid, preferably p-toluene sulphonic acid; and c) a hydrophobic alkaryl sulphonic acid, preferably dodecylbenzene sulphonic acid.

Abstract: Thickened aqueous compositions comprising soluble peracids, particularly peracetic acid, are provided. The compositions are thickened by the use of one or more aliphatic alcohol ethoxylates having the general formula: R.sup.1 R.sup.2 CH-- (OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.n --OH in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each either hydrogen or linear or branched alkyl such that R.sup.1 plus R.sup.2 has a total of from 7 to 22 carbon atoms, and n is selected in the range of 1 to 15, such that the number ratio of carbon atoms in R.sup.1 plus R.sup.2 :n is greater than or equal to 3:1; a co-surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, amine oxides, amphoteric surfactants and quaternary ammonium compounds; and one or more aliphatic alcohol ethoxylates in which the ratio of the number of carbon atoms in the alcohol moiety to the average number of ethoxylate groups is less than 3:1, and/or alkylphenol ethoxylates.

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: The current invention relates to the stabilisation of peroxyacid solutions. There is provided a tin based stabiliser composition obtained by the ageing of an alkaline solution of a tin compound and a phosphorus containing compound. The stabiliser is particularly suitable for the stabilisation of non-equilibrium solutions of peroxyacids.

Abstract: Thickened aqueous compositions comprising soluble peracids, particularly peracetic acid are provided. The compositions are thickened by the use of one or more aliphatic alcohol ethoxylates having the general formula: R.sup.1 R.sup.2 CH--(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.n --OH in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each either hydrogen or linear or branched alkyl such that R.sup.1 plus R.sup.2 has a total of from 7 to 22 carbon atoms, and n is selected in the range of 1 to 15, such that the number ratio of carbon atoms in R.sup.1 plus R.sup.2 :n is greater than or equal to 3:1; and a co-surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, amine oxides, amphoteric surfactants and quaternary ammonium compounds.

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: A process for the washing and/or disinfection of eggs is provided. The process comprises contacting the eggs with a nonionic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant and an aqueous solution of a peracid. The surfactants and peracid solution may be combined, or may be employed in separate stages. Preferably, the solutions are sprayed onto the eggs, optionally in the presence of an antifoam. The preferred peracid is peracetic acid.

Abstract: Neutral or alkaline thickened aqueous hydrogen peroxide compositions and processes for the production thereof are provided. The compositions are thickened with a polymeric thickener comprising a polyethylene backbone, with pendant carboxylate groups and pendant groups of the formula --(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.m (OCHXCHY).sub.n --O--R, where m is a position integer, n is zero or a positive integer, X and Y are independently selected from hydrogen atoms, methyl and ethyl groups and R is a hydrophobic group comprising eight or more carbon atoms; and one or more surfactants selected from the group consisting of alcohol ethyoxylates, alkylbenzenesulphonates comprising ten or more carbon atoms, alkylsulphates comprising six or more carbon atoms, alcohol ether sulphates, alpha-sulphoesters and alkylglucosides.

Abstract: Many aqueous compositions containing a peroxygen compound have a very low viscosity and thus easily run off non-horizontal surfaces. Particularly, when the peroxygen compound is a soluble peracid, the compositions are difficult to thicken successfully, because many commonly available thickening systems for aqueous media either fail to thicken them or are decomposed and/or decompose the peroxygen compound substantially during storage. The compositions, preferably containing a soluble peracid, are thickened with an alkali metal silicate, preferably sodium silicate, such as Na.sub.2 O(SiO.sub.2).sub.2 used suitably in an amount of from about 2 to 6% of the composition and normally introduced in the form of a concentrated aqueous composition. The compositions may contain additionally an alkylammonium methosulphate. Preferred peracid solutions include dilute equilibrated peracetic acid solutions.

Abstract: A catalyst system and process for the oxidative cleavage of alkenes with hydrogen peroxide is provided. The catalyst system comprises a source of ruthenium, a source of molybdenum and a phase transfer agent. The process comprises contacting an alkene with the hydrogen peroxide in the presence of the above catalyst system. Sources of ruthenium and molybdenum comprise the metals, salts or complexes. Preferred sources are RuCl.sub.3 and MoO.sub.3. The phase transfer agent is preferably a quaternary ammonium salt. The process usually takes place in the presence of an organic solvent, preferably t-butanol.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of macromonomers by reaction between a lactone and a hydroxyalkylacrylate in the presence of >200 ppm phosphoric acid catalyst is provided. The reaction takes place in the presence of a free radical inhibitor at a temperature of from 100.degree. to 130.degree. C. Preferably, the lactone is .epsilon.-caprolactone and the hydroxyalkylacrylate is selected from the group consisting of 2-hydroxyethylacrylate and 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate.

Abstract: An aqueous composition comprising a lower aliphatic peracid, a corrosion inhibitor and a peroxide stabilizer and/or peracid stabilizer, is useful for disinfecting medical equipment, particularly metal components of such equipment. A process for obtaining such compositions is also provided and comprises mixing a first aqueous solution comprising a lower aliphatic peracid with a second aqueous solution comprising hydrogen peroxide, a corrosion inhibitor and a hydrogen peroxide stabilizer and/or a peracid stabilizer. The first and second aqueous solutions can form a two pack system for obtaining such compositions.

Abstract: A process for the oxidation of alkylaromatic compounds is provided. The process comprises oxidizing a substrate alkylaromatic compound with a peroxygen compound in the presence of a source of cerium (III) or (IV), a source of bromide and a carboxylic acid or anhydride solvent. Preferably, the source of cerium is cerium (III) acetate, the source of bromide is sodium bromide and the solvent is acetic or propionic acid. The process is particularly suited to the selective oxidation of methylaromatic compounds to the corresponding aldehydes.

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.

Abstract: Phenols, and related aromatic compounds, phenolic ethers, can be hydroxylated selectively using hydrogen peroxide in the presence of an amorphous or crystalline tin or cerium phosphate catalyst in a solvent containing an aliphatic carboxylic acid. The process is particularly suitable for phenol itself, and advantageously employs a catalyst obtained by heating an hydrated amorphous or crystalline tin or cerium phosphate for example at about 100.degree. C. A convenient hydroxylation temperature is in the range of 50.degree. to 90.degree. C., and a convenient solvent is acetic acid.

Abstract: A process for stabilising percarbonate by coating with a coating agent. The percarbonate particles are treated with a concentrated aqueous solution containing at least one boron compound selected from the metal and ortho boric acids and at least one phosphate. Water is removed to provide the coated percarbonate particles which are useful in bleaching and washing compositions.

Abstract: A process for the catalysed oxidation of ketones to esters or lactones with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a carboxylic acid or anhydride is provided. The process employs gamma alumina as a heterogeneous catalyst. In certain preferred embodiments the catalyst also contains a tungsten-containing heteropolyacid. Preferably, the heteropolyacid contains phosphorus. In a related process, the catalyst accelerates the formation of percarboxylic acid solutions.