Abstract: N-substituted aldonamides are synthesized by the reaction of alkylamines and aldonolactone. Commercially available sources of aldonolactones (e.g., lactobiono-1,5-lactone) include aldonic acid (e.g., lactobionic acid). The presence of the acid leads to the formation of an ammonium salt impurity. The ammonium salt formation during the synthesis of N-alkyl aldonamides was minimized by the addition of an external acid. External acids and, optionally, emulsifiers were utilized to substantially reduce or eliminate the formation of an ammonium salt and to obtain N-substituted aldonamides of high purity.

Abstract: A transparent bar is disclosed which requires the components to fit within three critical ratios. The composition comprises a mixture of alkanolammonium and alkali metal C.sub.12 --C.sub.22 atom fatty acid salts, the mole ratio of alkanolammonium to alkali metal fatty acid salt being from about 0.1 to less than 1.0. A liquid solvent system must also be present which includes an amount of water and free alkanolamine in a weight ratio ranging from greater than 0.25 to less than 1.0. The weight ratio of total fatty acid salts to solvent must range from greater than 0.02 to less than 1.0.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and composition for substantially reducing color in transparent soap bars. Color reduction is achieved by combining in critical ratio a sulphur and a hydride type reducing agent such as sodium metabisulfite with sodium borohydride.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing fatty acid isethionate soaps through direct esterification wherein the catalyst is quenched by an alkaline compound at the end of the esterification. Quenching inhibits transesterification between isethionate and later added stearic acids. Transesterification is undesirable impairing lather and bar soap firmness. The traditional stripping of lower molecular weight fatty acids is no longer necessary where low ratios of fatty acids to isethionates are utilized. Alternatively, stripping can be avoided with traditional molar ratios provided water co-distillate fatty acid is not recycled. Finally, it has been shown that zinc catalyzed reactions provide optimum yield and low corrosion at pH about 2.0 to 2.5.