Abstract: Novel sulfosuccinates of 2-hydroxy alkyl tertiary alcohol amines having the structural formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a monovalent aliphatic hydrocarbon radical of 8 to 24, preferably 10 to 20 carbon atoms; R.sub.2 is an alkyl or alkylol (hydroxy substituted alkyl) radical containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and R.sub.3 is an alkylol radical containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and salts thereof. The reaction mixture consists of sulfonated mono-, di-, and/or tri-esters, depending on the number of reactive hydroxyl groups in the alcoholamine and the amount of dicarboxylic acid utilized. These novel esters and salts thereof uniquely possess both detergency and softening properties.

Abstract: A continuous process for manufacturing gamma sultones, which are detergent intermediates used to produce superior detergent compounds is disclosed. Olefins are treated with at least an equimolar amount of gaseous SO.sub.3 and the resulting "acid mix" of unsaturated sulfonic acids, gamma sultones, and delta sultones is dissolved in a low boiling organic solvent. The resulting solution is cooled and the gamma sultones are precipitated as fine crystals. The gamma sultone crystals are collected, the solvent is evaporated and recovered, and the remaining "acid mix" residue (unsaturated sulfonic acids and delta sultones) is neutralized and hydrolyzed to produce olefin sulfonates.

Abstract: A clear liquid synthetic organic heavy duty laundry detergent composition includes a condensation product of a higher fatty alcohol and polymeric ethylene oxide, fluorescent brightener, water and lower monohydric alcohol. The liquid detergent composition is biodegradable. The substantial proportion of nonionic condensation product detergent present is prevented from gelling by the alcohol and in turn, aids in solubilizing the fluorescent brightener. In preferred compositions, small proportions of sequestering agents e.g., nitrilotriacetate, and salt-forming base, e.g., monoethanolamine, are also present. Surprisingly, cleaning of soiled laundry is comparable to that obtained with the equivalent quantities of phosphate-containing built detergents, even when the present liquid contains much less than a normal building proportion of nitrilotriacetate or other substitute for the phosphate.