Abstract: A novel bleach composition is disclosed comprising a sulfatase enzyme and a peroxydisulfate which composition, in aqueous solution, generates the more reactive peroxymonsulfate bleach compound. Detergent compositions and bleach processes are also disclosed wherein the peroxymonsulfate is produced in situ to provide bleach functions with greatly reduced dye damage, particularly useful to remove blood stains from textile materials.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein improved processes for the preparation of ether carboxylates by reacting in an alkaline reaction medium the salts of maleic acid and a carboxylic or polycarboxylic acid having a reactive hydroxyl group on a non-carbonyl carbon atom in the presence of a calcium ion catalyst wherein unreacted acid salts are recovered from the reaction medium by lowering the pH of the reaction medium to a range of from about 4 to about 6. The precipitated salts are recycled to the synthesis reaction to prepare additional amounts of product.

Abstract: Fibrous sheet composites are prepared by (a) forming an aqueous dispersion comprising asbestiform crystalline calcium M phosphate fibers wherein M is a metal cation selected from the group consisting of sodium and lithium, and mixtures thereof, auxiliary fibers, and a water insoluble organic polymeric binder; (b) distributing and draining the aqueous dispersion on a porous substrate to form a wet sheet-like solid phase or wet web; and (c) pressing and drying the wet web.

Abstract: Sheet composites containing asbestiform crystalline calcium M phosphate fibers wherein M is a metal cation selected from the group consisting of sodium and lithium, and mixtures thereof, are useful as a replacement or substitute for asbestos sheets in applications where fibrous materials are needed.

Abstract: Dialkyl glyoxylates useful as anionic surfactants are disclosed. The dialkyl glyoxylates are particularly effective in removing soils from fabrics under laundering conditions. Detergent compositions containing the dialkyl glyoxylates and detergency builders are disclosed.

Abstract: Novel monoalkyl oxybisacetates are attractively useful as surfactants, and particularly in detergent compositions.

Abstract: Various clay substances, such as kaolin, can be reversibly deflocculated by treating the flocculant clay slurry with a deflocculating amount of a polymer having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein n averages at least 4; M is selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, ammonium, and alkanol amine groups having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are individually any chemically stable group which stabilizes the polymer against rapid depolymerization in alkaline solution. When the polymer depolymerizes, the clay slurry will reflocculate under agitated or quiescent conditions. The length of time that the slurry remains fluid depends on the pH, the concentration of the polymer, and the hydrolytic stability of the polymer.

Abstract: A polyacetal carboxylate is provided having the following empirical formula: ##STR1## where M is selected from the group consisting of akali metal, ammonium, tetra-alkyl ammonium groups and alkanol ammonium groups, and n averages at least 4. Such polyacetal carboxylates can be used as complexing agents and detergency builders.

Abstract: A polymer having the average structure: ##STR1## wherein Y is a moiety containing 1 to about 20 carbon atoms randomly distributed along the polymer chain derived from a comonomer selected from the group consisting of aldehydes and epoxy compounds; p is 0 or 1; the product of q and n averages at least 4; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are individually any chemically stable group which stabilizes the polymer against rapid depolymerization in alkaline solution; and Z is a mixture of H and members selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, ammonium and alkanol amine groups having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, is useful for the reversible deflocculation of clay slurries. In the preferred embodiments, p is 0 to provide a homopolymer, the product of q and n averages between about 10 and about 200, and Z is a mixture containing at least 1 percent H, the remainder being alkali metal, e.g., sodium.

Abstract: The trialkali metal salts of nitrilotriacetate are well known detergent builders. However, when hypochlorite bleach is added to the wash water it can oxidize the soluble uncomplexed nitrilotriacetate with the resultant loss of the beneficial effects of the use of such salts as a builder. Now, a method has been developed of protecting the desirable builder properties of the trialkali metal nitrilotriacetate in an aqueous solution containing active chlorine which comprises adding to the nitrilotriacetate a sufficient amount of trialkali metal imidodisulfate to protect at least some of the nitrilotriacetate from damage by the chlorine.

Abstract: Ether carboxylates represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are individually selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing up to 20 carbon atoms, and M.sup.1, M.sup.2 and M.sup.3 are individually selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing up to about 4 carbon atoms, are useful as intermediates to prepare the corresponding acid or alkali metal, ammonium and alkanol amine salts, which are useful as chelants, sequestrants and detergent builders.

Abstract: Copolymers of acetal carboxylates are provided which have the following empirical formula ##STR1## where Y is one or more comonomers randomly distributed in the copolymer; the product of n and q averages at least 4; p is at least 1; and M is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, ammonium, alkyl groups having 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, and alkanol ammonium groups having 1 to about 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain. Such copolymers are useful as detergent builders to replace sodium tripolyphosphate (STP) in detergent formulations. The copolymers are stable under laundry use conditions, but depolymerize in acid media, making the fragments more readily biodegradable in waste streams.

Abstract: A fabric bleaching composition is provided which consists essentially of water and a bleach selected from the group consisting of disodium chloroimidodisulfate, dipotassium chloroimidodisulfate and mixtures thereof. The fabric bleaching composition can also contain a detergent, a buffering agent and other ingredients in a detergent formulation. The fabric bleaching composition is intermediate in strength between peroxide-type fabric bleaches and alkali metal hypochlorite fabric bleaches.

Abstract: Ether and acetal carboxylates useful as detergent builders to replace sodium tripolyphosphate (STP) in detergent formulations are known to the art. Certain polymeric polycarboxylates are also known to the art but all of these products suffer from either having poor builder properties or they are not readily biodegradable. According to the present invention, a method is provided for preparing new and novel polymeric acetal carboxylates which are stable under laundry use conditions, but depolymerize in acid media, making the polymer fragments more readily biodegradable in waste streams.

Abstract: Ether carboxylates represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are individually selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing up to 20 carbon atoms and M.sub.1 and M.sub.2 are individually selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing up to about 4 carbon atoms, are useful as intermediates to prepare the corresponding acid or alkali metal, ammonium and alkanol amine salts, which are useful as chelants, sequestrants and detergent builders.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to:(a) 1,3-dioxolane and 1,3-dioxane polycarboxylates and their precursors having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein X may be selected from the group consisting of H, CCl.sub.3, CO.sub.2 R, where R is H or lower alkyl, CO.sub.2 M, where M is alkali metal, preferably Na, NH.sub.

Abstract: The compound of the formula: ##STR1## is useful as an intermediate to prepare a compound having the generic formula ##STR2## wherein X is selected from groups to provide tetrahydropyran type compounds, 1,4 dioxane type compounds or tetrahydrofuran type compounds, and R is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, NH.sub.4.sup.+, NH(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH).sub.3.sup.+, and lower alkyl, branched or straight chain, with up to about C.sub.20 in the chain, useful as a detergent builder.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns:(a) compounds having the molecular structure represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein M is 0 or CY.sub.2, where Y is H or lower alkyl (C.sub.1 to C.sub.4), X is selected from the group consisting of H, lower alkyl (C.sub.1 to C.sub.4), or COOZ, Z represents H, R or a salt forming ion from the group alkali metal, ammonium, or trialkanolammonium, and R is an alkyl group (branched or straight chain) having up to about C.sub.20 in the chain(b) a process for producing the compounds of (a) by the basic carboxylation of compounds represented by the formula ##STR2## wherein M, X and R are as described in (a), (C) SOLID AND LIQUID DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING COMPOUNDS OF (A) AND(d) washing processes employing the compounds of (a) and/or the compositions of (c).

Abstract: A compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R' is lower alkyl is useful as an intermediate to prepare a compound of the formula ##STR2## wherein X is selected from the group consisting of: ##STR3## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, NH.sub.4.sup.+, NH(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH).sub.3.sup.+, and lower alkyl, branched or straight chain, with up to about C.sub.20 in the chain. The esters can be converted to salts useful as detergent builders.

Abstract: Compounds of the following formula: ##STR1## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms,R' is selected from the group consisting of --OB and halogen,B is alkali metal, ammonium or trialkanolammonium, andM is selected from B or alkyl having up to 20 carbon atoms,Are provided. The salts are useful as detergent builders, and the esters are useful intermediates to make the salts.