Abstract: The invention relates to a method for isolating concentrated paraffin sulfonic acids from reaction mixtures that are produced during the sulfoxidation of n-paraffins, from which a major part of the sulfuric acid and the paraffin was removed by phase separation and which contain, in addition to the free paraffin sulfonic acids, n-paraffins, water and optionally minor amounts of sulfuric acids. The method according to the invention is characterized by removing paraffin and optionally residual water by vacuum distillation. The paraffin sulfonic acids obtained by distillation have a content of more than 85% by weight of the active substance. The material is pale, odorless and low in sulfuric acid and paraffin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for isolating concentrated paraffin sulfonic acids from reaction mixtures that are produced during the sulfoxidation of n-paraffins, from which a major part of the sulfuric acid and the paraffin was removed by phase separation and which contain, in addition to the free paraffin sulfonic acids, n-paraffins, water and optionally minor amounts of sulfuric acids. The method according to the invention is characterized by removing paraffin and optionally residual water by vacuum distillation. The paraffin sulfonic acids obtained by distillation have a content of more than 85% by weight of the active substance. The material is pale, odorless and low in sulfuric acid and paraffin.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing sodium chloride-free compounds of formula (I), wherein R1, R2, R3 and Z are defined in the description. The method according to the invention is characterized by reacting a tertiary amine of the formula NR1R2R3 with chloroacetonitrile in an organic solvent and then adding an acid of the formula HZ.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing compounds of formula (I) wherein R1 is a straight- or branched-chain C1-C24 alkyl, C2-C24-alkenyl or C1-C24-alkyl ether group or CH2CN or a group of the formula R2 and R3 are each individually a C1-C8-alkyl or C1-C4-hydroxyalkyl group. The method according to the invention is characterized by reacting a tertiary amine of the formula NR1R2R3 with chloroacetonitrile in an organic solvent and then adding an alkylating substance R11-Z, being C1-C4 alky.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing bifunctional ammonium nitriles by reacting a dihalogenalkyl compound or a dihalogenaryl compound with a dialkylaminoacetonitrile in a polar, aprotic solvent. Bifunctional ammonium nitriles may be used as bleach activators in detergents and cleaners.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing bifunctional ammonium nitriles of the following general formulae: by reacting a tertiary diamine with a cyanomethylene-group-transferring quaternizing agent in a polar, aprotic solvent. Bifunctional ammonium nitriles may be used as bleach activators in detergents and cleaners.

Abstract: Diethylmethylammonionitriles of the formula (1) in which A is an anion are claimed. These compounds are suitable as a bleach activator in washing and cleaning compositions.