Abstract: Polyglycolate compounds are provided having the general structure: ##STR1## wherein n is an integer from 2 to about 10; R is C.sub.1-20 linear or branched alkyl, alkoxylated alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, substituted aryl; R' and R" are independently H, C.sub.1-20 alkyl, aryl, C.sub.1-20 alkylaryl, substituted aryl, and NR.sub.3.sup..alpha.+, wherein R.sup..alpha. is C.sub.1-30 alkyl; and L is a leaving group displaceable in a peroxygen bleaching solution by perhydroxide anion. When this compound is combined with a source of peroxgen in aqueous solution, then a plurality of stain removing peracids are formed. Such peracids are formed substantially sequentially beginning with the carbonyl adjacent to the leaving group L. Thus, a first stain removing peracid having the structure ##STR2## will be formed in amounts approaching quantitative yield.

Abstract: Polyglycolate compounds are provided having the general structure: ##STR1## wherein n is an integer from 2 to about 10; R is C.sub.1-20 linear or branched alkyl, alkoxylated alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, substituted aryl; R' and R" are independently H, C.sub.1-20 alkyl, aryl, C.sub.1-20 alkylaryl, substituted aryl, and NR.sub.3.sup..alpha.+, wherein R.sup..alpha. is C.sub.1-30 alkyl; and L is a leaving group displaceable in a peroxygen bleaching solution by perhydroxide anion. When this compound is combined with a source of peroxygen in aqueous solution, then a plurality of stain removing peracids are formed. Such peracids are formed substantially sequentially beginning with the carbonyl adjacent to the leaving group L. Thus, a first stain removing peracid having the structure ##STR2## will be formed in amounts approaching quantitative yield.

Abstract: Polyglycolate compounds are provided having the general structure: ##STR1## wherein n is an integer from 2 to about 10; R is C.sub.1-20 linear or branched alkyl, alkoxylated alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, substituted aryl; R' and R" are independently H, C.sub.1-20 alkyl, aryl, C.sub.1-20 alkylaryl, substituted aryl, and NR.sub.3.sup..alpha.+, wherein R.sup..alpha. is C.sub.1-30 alkyl; and L is a leaving group displaceable in a peroxygen bleaching solution by perhydroxide anion. When this compound is combined with a source of peroxygen in aqueous solution, then a plurality of stain removing peracids are formed. Such peracids are formed substantially sequentially beginning with the carbonyl adjacent to the leaving group L. Thus, a first stain removing peracid having the structure ##STR2## will be formed in amounts approaching quantitative yield.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing an acyloxycarboxylic acid by providing a reaction chamber, establishing sources of an .alpha.-hydroxycarboxylic acid and an acid chloride, and repeatedly contacting substantially equal molar amounts of the .alpha.-hydroxycarboxylic acid and the acid chloride within the reaction chamber. The acyloxycarboxylic acid so synthesized is useful as a starting material for conversion to various esters which, when placed in aqueous solution with a source of hydrogen peroxide, result in a peracid and are useful for bleaching applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of esterifying dihydroxybenzene starting materials to synthesize unsymmetrical diesters in high yield. Many of the resultant unsymmetrical diesters are useful in dry bleaching compositions. The method can be practiced by selectively monoacylating a dihydroxybenzene starting material with an acid anhydride to form an intermediate monoester having the structure ##STR1## which is then acylated to form a diester reaction product having the structure ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 is greater than R.sub.3 (and both R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 are alkyl groups) and X is a substituent group which does not participate in the esterification (or which can have a protecting group thereon).