Abstract: Bleaching compositions are disclosed which comprise a fabric protective system capable of esterifying the hydroxyl groups of a fabric and a bleach. A method of treating fabrics with such a composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for preventing the redeposition of migrant dyes in a washing liquor by adding to each liter of the washing liquor, which comprises a peroxide-containing detergent, from 0.5 to 150 mg of one or more asymmetric manganese complexes of the salen type.

Abstract: Laundry or cleaning composition comprising: (a) an effective amount, preferably from about 0.0001% to about 99.9%, more typically from about 0.1% to about 25%, of a bleach activator and/or organic percarboxylic acid; (b) a catalytically effective amount, preferably from about 1 ppb to about 99.9%, of a transition-metal bleach catalyst which is a complex of a transition-metal and a cross-bridged macropolycyclic ligand; and (c) at least about 0.1% of one or more laundry or cleaning adjunct materials, preferably comprising an oxygen bleaching agent. Preferred compositions are laundry compositions and automatic dishwashing detergents which provide enhanced cleaning/bleaching benefits through the use of such catalysts in combination with bleach activators and/or organic percarboxylic acids.

Abstract: The inventions is drawn to mixtures of manganese complexes and organic ligands which significantly improve the bleaching effect of hydrogen peroxide in washing liquours and prevent the reabsorption of migrating dyes in peroxide-containing washing liquors.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an oxidizing composition of agglutinated particles comprising an alkali metal permanganate, a binder/coating agent of an alkali metal silicate and/or alkali metal aluminate and a filler such as clay, diatomaceous earth, talc, ground silica or zeolites. The invention also is directed to an oxidizing kit which includes a pervious container and the oxidizing composition. The invention also is directed to a method of oxidizing waste materials with the kit in a substantially aqueous moving fluid stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bleaching composition. In particular the invention provides a bleaching composition which comprises: (i) a bleaching agent, and (ii) as bleach catalyst, a polyoxometalate of Keggin, Dawson or Finke structure and having the general formula (II) (A′)a′(Cox′Yy′Mm′Oo).cH2O  (II)  wherein the or each A′, which may be the same or different, is a cation; a′ has a value such that (A′)a, counters the anionic charge of (Cox′Yy′Mm′Oo); x′ has a value of 0.25 to 4; the or each Y, which may be the same or different, represents P, Si or Co; y′ is 1 or 2; o has a value of 34 to 68; the or each M, which may be the same or different, represents W, Mo, V, Nb or Ta; m′ has a value of between 9 and 18; c has a value of between 0 and 84. The bleaching compositions according to the invention have good bleaching performance and can be used without a bleach activator, e.g.

Abstract: Laundry or cleaning composition comprising: a) an effective amount of a bleach activator and/or organic percarboxylic acid; b) a catalytically effective amount of a transition-metal bleach catalyst which is a complex of a transition-metal and a cross-bridged macropolycyclic ligand; and c) at least about 0.1% of one or more laundry or cleaning adjunct materials. Preferred compositions are laundry compositions and automatic dishwashing detergents which provide enhanced cleaning/bleaching benefits through the use of such catalysts in combination with bleach activators and/or organic perearboxylic acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of certain manganese complexes as catalysts for reactions with peroxy compounds for bleaching colored stains on hard surfaces. The invention also relates to cleaning agents for hard surfaces comprising such manganese catalysts.

Abstract: A method for bleaching stained fabrics is provided by washing a stained fabric in an aqueous wash liquor in the presence of a wash additive that comprises a ligand that forms a transition metal complex as bleach catalyst, the complex catalysing bleaching of stains by atmospheric oxygen. The wash additive preferably comprises an iron complex comprising the ligand N,N-bis(pyridin-2-yl-methyl)-1,1-bis(pyridin-2-yl)-1-aminoethane. One or both of the wash additive and the wash liquor are substantially devoid of peroxygen bleach or a peroxy-based or -generating bleach system. The wash additive provides improved or broader stain profile bleaching.

Abstract: A method of treating a textile such as a laundry fabric is provided, in which the textile is contacted with an organic substance which forms a complex with a transition metal, whereby the complex catalyses bleaching of the textile by atmospheric oxygen after the treatment. The organic substance may be used in dry form, or in a liquor that is then dried, such as an aqueous spray-on fabric treatment fluid or a wash liquor for laundry cleaning, or a non-aqueous dry cleaning fluid or spray-on aerosol fluid. The method can confer cleaning benefits to the textile after the treatment. Also provided is a dry textile having an organic substance applied or deposited thereon, whereby bleaching by atmospheric oxygen is catalyzed on the textile.

Abstract: The invention relates to catalytically bleaching substrates, especially laundry fabrics, with atmospheric oxygen or air. A method of bleaching a substrate is provided that comprises applying to the substrate, in an aqueous medium, an organic substance which forms a complex with a transition metal, the complex catalysing bleaching of the substrate by atmospheric oxygen. Also provided is a bleaching composition comprising, in an aqueous medium, atmospheric oxygen and an organic substance which forms a complex with a transition metal, the complex catalysing bleaching of the substrate by the atmospheric oxygen, wherein the aqueous medium is substantially devoid of peroxygen bleach or a peroxy-based or -generating bleach system.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel composition and method for removing or reducing levels of recalcitrant constituents from an effluent, such as lignin chromophores, AOX species, such as chlorinated phenols, dioxins, dibenzofurans, biphenyls, and high molecular weight material produced in the pulp and paper bleaching operations which includes using a composition comprised of (a) an amount of a source of an oxidant effective for oxidizing and thereby reducing the levels of such constituents and (b) an oxidatively stable oxidant activator having the structure wherein Y1, Y3 and Y4 each represent a bridging group having zero, one, two or three carbon containing nodes for substitution, and Y2 is a bridging group having at least one carbon containing node for substitution, each said node containing a C(R), C(R1)(R2), or a C(R)2 unit and each R substituent is the same or different from the remaining R substituents; M is a transition metal with oxidation states of I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII or VIII or

Abstract: Complexes of the transition metals cobalt, iron, copper, and ruthenium having at least one and preferably at least five ammonia ligands are used to activate peroxygen compounds in aqueous cleaning solutions for hard surfaces. Compositions preferably contain 0.0025% to 0.25 by weight of the activating complex.

Abstract: A method of oxidizing, washing, cleaning, or disinfecting a soiled article is provided wherein a peroxygen compound is activated by an effective amount of a complex of the formula (I): [M (NH3)6−x(L)x]An  (I) wherein M is iron, copper, or ruthenium, x is a number of 0 to 5, L is a ligand, and A is a salt-forming anion. Also provided are compositions comprising 0.0025% to 0.25% by weight of the complex (I).