Abstract: Foam-inhibiting compositions for use in an aqueous solution containing polyethylene glycol ethers corresponding to the following formulaR.sup.1 --O--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n --R.sup.2in which R.sup.1 represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl radical containing from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 represents an alkyl radical containing from 4 to 8 carbon atoms and n is a number of from 7 to 12, mixtures of the same with a polyglycerol polyethylene glycol alkyl ether of 1 part by weight of polyglycerol having a hydroxyl number in the range of from 900 to 1200 adducted with from 4 to 20 parts by weight of ethylene oxide and etherified at the free hydroxyl groups with alkyls having from 4 to 8 carbon atoms, and their use as foam-inhibiting additives for low-foam cleaning agents.

Abstract: Polyethylene glycol ethers of the type obtained by the addition of from 4 to 20 parts by weight of ethylene oxide onto 1 part by weight of polyglycerol having a hydroxyl number in the range from 900 to 1200 and subsequent etherification of the free hydroxyl groups with linear or branched alkyl halides containing from 4 to 8 carbon atoms, and their use as foam-inhibiting additives for low-foam cleaning agents.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of acylation products of a phosphorous acid having at least two phosphorus atoms in their molecules, which consists essentially of the steps of mixing one mol of phosphorus trichloride with from 2.5 to 3 mols of a mixture of carboxylic acid plus water, said acid being selected from the group consisting of an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid having 2 to 12 carbon atoms and benzoic acid; the share of said water in said mixture being from 1.2 to 1.5 mols; at a temperature up to 80.degree. C; heating the reaction blend thus obtained, after completing of said mixing to 100.degree. C to 160.degree. C and recovering said acylation products.

Abstract: A synergistic sequestering agent composition comprising (a) 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid and its alkali metal and ammonium salts, or, preferably and (b) aminotrimethylenephosphonic acid and its alkali metal and ammonium salts, as well as (c) a phosphonopolycarboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of phosphonosuccinic acid, methylphosphonosuccinic acid and 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid and their alkali metal and ammonium salts. The said mixture of sequestering agents is useful as a sequestering agent for aqueous solutions containing bivalent and trivalent cations especially in sub-stoichiometric amounts.