CA2297223A1 - Bleaching and disinfecting compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to new bleaching and disinfecting compositions containing - based on the composition -(a) 1.0 to 6.0% by weight alkali metal hypochlorites, (b) 0.1 to 5.0% by weight alkyl ether sulfates, (c) 0.5 to 5.0% by weight amidoamine oxides and (d) 0.5 to 2.0% by weight alkali metal hydroxides, with the proviso that the quantities shown add up to 100% by weight with water and, optionally, other auxiliaries and additives. The preparations reduce the viscosity and foaming of hypochlorite solutions.

Description

Bleaching and Disinfecting Compositions Field of the Invention This invention relates to new aqueous bleaching and disinfecting compositions containing alkali metal hypochlorites, alkyl ether sulfates, amidoamine oxides and alkali metal hydroxides in defined quantity ratios.
Background of the Invention In the past, bleaching compositions based on alkali metal hypo-chlorites which have a remarkable viscosity and which are therefore suitable both for the treatment of horizontal surfaces and for the treatment of sloping and, above all, vertical surfaces have been successfully used in the field of hygiene and disinfection and in the textile treatment field. The effect of the high viscosity of these compositions is that the contact time between them and the surfaces to be treated is considerably longer than in the case of commercially available liquid products which soon flow off the surface.
Various publications relating to such viscous bleaching and disinfecting compositions are known from the literature. A few patents on this subject are mentioned by way of example in the following.
EP 0 274 885 A (ICI), for example, recommends the use of mixtures of linear and branched amine oxides. ES 88 01 389 A (Henkel Iberica) relates to bleaching compositions based on aqueous hypochlorite solutions which predominantly contain alkyl ether sulfates and, in addition, small amounts of amine oxides as their surfactant component. In DE 43 33 100 C1, applicants describe stable and sufficiently viscous aqueous bleaching and cleaning compositions based on hypochlorites, fatty alcohol ether sulfates and amine oxides which contain as a compulsory component amine oxide phosphonic acids which make a crucial contribution towards the thickening the compositions.
In practice, the viscosity of the hypochlorite solutions known from the literature is often too high for cleaning hard surfaces (viscosities of 50 mPas and higher, as measured in a Brookfield LV viscosimeter at 20°C, spindle 1, 60 r.p.m.). In addition, the excessive foaming (foam heights of 100 mm and more, as measured by the Ross-Miles test at 20°C) is often regarded as problematical. Compared with the hitherto known products, less expensive bleaching and disinfecting compositions would also be desirable.
Accordingly, the problem addressed by the present invention was to provide new water-containing bleaching and disinfecting compositions which would generate less foam and would be less viscous than the known compositions. Finally, another problem addressed by the invention was to provide compositions which would be distinguished by a price advantage over the hitherto known hypochlorite bleaching compositions.
Description of the Invention The present invention relates to bleaching and disinfecting compositions containing - based on the composition -(a) 1.0 to 6.0% by weight alkali metal hypochlorites, (b) 0.1 to 5.0% by weight alkyl ether sulfates, (c) 0.5 to 5.0% by weight amidoamine oxides and (d) 0.5 to 2.0% by weight alkali metal hydroxides, with the proviso that the quantities shown add up to 100% by weight with water and, optionally, other auxiliaries and additives.
It has surprisingly been found that the addition of amidoamine oxides to bleaching and disinfecting compositions reduces not only their viscosity, but also their foaming. Viscosities below 50 mPas (Brookfield LVT viscosimeter, 20°C, spindle 1, 60 r.p.m.) and foam heights below 100 mm (Ross-Miles test, 20°C) have been measured for the compositions according to the invention. In addition, the amidoamine oxides used in the mixture represent a much more favorably priced alternative to the amine oxides conventionally used.
Alkali metal hypochlorites Alkali metal hypochlorites in the context of the present invention are lithium, potassium and, in particular, sodium hypochlorite. The hypochlo-rites may advantageously be used in quantities of 1.0 to 6.0% by weight and preferably in quantities of 3.0 to 5.0% by weight, based on the composition.
Alkyl ether sulfates Alkyl ether sulfates are known anionic surfactants which may be obtained by sulfation of nonionic surfactants of the alkyl polyglycol ether type and subsequent neutralization. Alkyl ether sulfates suitable for use in the compositions according to the invention correspond to formula (I):
R'O-(CH2CH2O)"SO3X (~) in which R' is an alkyl group containing 12 to 18 carbon atoms, n is a number of 2 to 5 and X represents sodium or potassium. Typical examples are the sodium salts of sulfates of the C~2,~4 cocofatty alcohol 2 EO, 2.3 EO
and 3 EO adduct. The alkyl ether sulfates may have a conventional or narrow homolog distribution. The alkyl ether sulfates are used in quantities of preferably 0.1 to 5.0% by weight and more preferably 0.2 to 1.5% by weight, based on the composition.
Amidoamine oxides Amidoamine oxides are known substances which are occasionally classed as cationic surfactants, but generally as nonionic surfactants.
They are produced from tertiary fatty acid amidoamines of which the anionic nitrogen is oxidized with hydrogen peroxide. The amidoamine oxides suitable for use in accordance with the invention correspond to formula (II):

R2CONH(CH2)", i ->O (II) in which R2C0 is a linear or branched acyl group containing 12 to 18 carbon atoms, R3 and R4 independently of one another represent an optionally hydroxysubstituted alkyl group containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms and m is a number of 1 to 3. Amidoamine oxides corresponding to formula (11), in which R2C0 is a cocoacyl group, R3 and R4 represent a methyl or a hydroxyethyl group and m has a value of 2, are preferably used. The amidoamine oxides are used in quantities of preferably 0.5 to 5.0% by weight and more preferably 1.0 to 3% by weight, based on the composition.
Alkali metal hydroxides Suitable alkali metal hydroxides are potassium hydroxide and, in particular, sodium hydroxide which are used in quantities of preferably 0.5 to 2.0% by weight and more preferably 0.7 to 1.0% by weight, based on the composition, and of which the function is to adjust the pH of the compositions to an optimal value of 12.5 to 14Ø
Electrolyte salts Typical examples of suitable electrolyte salts are the alkali metal and alkaline earth metal carbonates, chlorides, silicates, phosphates and phosphonates and mixtures thereof. Sodium and potassium carbonate or chloride are preferably used. Not only do they buffer the composition as required, they also sequester metal ions and, more particularly, heavy metal ions. Another advantage is their low price and the ease with which they can be incorporated. The electrolyte salts are used in quantities of preferably 1.0 to 2.0% by weight, based on the composition.
Fatty acid salts The compositions according to the invention may additionally 5 contain fatty acid salts corresponding to formula (III):
R5C0-OX (III) in which R5C0 is an acyl group containing 12 to 22 carbon atoms and X is an alkali metal. Typical examples are the sodium and/or potassium salts of lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, isostearic acid, oleic acid, elaidic acid, petroselic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, elaeostearic acid, arachic acid, gadoleic acid, behenic acid and erucic acid and the technical mixtures thereof obtained in the pressure hydrolysis of technical fats and oils. Salts of technical cocofatty acid or tallow fatty acid are preferably used. Since the formulations according to the invention are highly alkaline, the salts may also be replaced by the fatty acids which are neutralized in situ on introduction into the mixture. The fatty acid salts are used in quantities of preferably 0.5 to 2.0% by weight, based on the composition.
Commercial Applications Additional auxiliaries and additives which may be used in accord ance with the invention include, for example, chlorine-stable surfactants and hydrotropes such as, for example, alkyl sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl benzenesulfonates, xylene sulfonates, sarcosinates, taurides, isethionates, sulfosuccinates, betaines, sugar esters, fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers, alkyl oligoglycosides and fatty acid-N-alkyl glucamides and the ether carboxylates obtainable, for example, by alkoxylation of alcohols with ethylene oxide or propylene oxide as sole alkoxide or with several alkoxides and subsequent oxidation. It is particularly preferred to use alkyl sulfates in quantities of 0.5 to 3% by weight. In one preferred embodiment, all the surfactants together make up at most 10 to 15% by weight of the total quantity of ingredients in the formulation. The compositions according to the invention may contain alkali metal compounds, preferably sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, with which the pH of the formulations can be adjusted to an optimal value of 10 to 14 and preferably 12.5 to 13.5.
In addition, the compositions may contain other active-chlorine-stable perfumes, optical brighteners, sequestrants, dyes and pigments in total quantities of 0.01 to 5.0% by weight, based on the composition.
Typical examples of suitable optical brighteners are derivatives of diaminostilbene disulfonic acid and alkali metal salts thereof. Suitable optical brighteners are, for example, derivatives of 4,4'-diamino-2,2'-stilbene disulfonic acid (flavonic acid), such as in particular the salts of 4,4'-bis-(2-anilino-4-morpholino-1,3,5-triazinyl-6-amino)-stillbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid or compounds of similar structure which, instead of the morpholi~no group, contain a diethanolamino group, a methylamino group, an anilino group or a 2-methoxyethylamino group. Other brighteners which may be present are those of the substituted diphenyl styryl type, for example alkali metal salts of 4,4'-bis-(2-sulfostyryl)-diphenyl, 4,4'-bis-(4-chloro-3-sulfostyryl)-Biphenyl or 4-(4-chlorostyryl)-4'-(2-sulfostyryl)-Biphenyl, methyl umbelliferone, coumarin, dihydroquinolinone, 1,3-diaryl pyrazoline, naphthalic acid amide, benzoxazole, benzisoxazole and benzimidazole systems linked by CH=CH bonds, heterocycle-substituted pyrine derivatives and the like. Mixtures of the brighteners mentioned above may also be used. The potassium salt of 4,4'-bis-(1,2,3-triazolyl)-(2)-stilbine-2,2-sulfonic acid marketed under the name of Phorwite~ BHC 766 is particularly preferred. The compositions generally contain the optical brighteners in quantities of 1 to 5% by weight and preferably 2 to 3% by weight. Blue dyes may also be present in small quantities. Particularly preferred brighteners/dyes are naphthotriazole stilbene sulfonic acid, for example in the form of its sodium salt (Tinopal~ RBS 200), and tetrabenzoazaporphine (Tinolux~ BBS), distyryl biphenyl bis-(triazinylamino)-stilbene disulfonic acid (Tinopal~ CDS-X) and, in particular, 4,4'-bis-(2-sulfostyryl)-biphenyl disodium salt (Tinopal~ CBS-X, products of Ciba).
Typical examples of suitable perfumes stable to active chlorine are: citronellol (3,7-dimethyl-6-octen-1-ol), dimethyl octanol (3,7-dimethyl-1-octanol), hydroxycitronellol (3,7-dimethyloctane-1,7-diol), mugol (3,7-dimethyl-4,6-octatrien-3-ol), myrcenol (2-methyl-6-methylene-7-octen-2-ol), tetrahydromyrcenol (THM, 2,6-dimethyloctan-2-ol), terpinolene (p-mentho-1,4-(8)-diene), ethyl-2-methyl butyrate, phenyl propyl alcohol, galaxolide (1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethyl cyclopental-2-benzopyran), tonalide (7-acetyl-1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamethyl tetrahydronaphthalene), rose oxide, linalol oxide, 2,6-dimethyl-3-octanol, tetrahydroethyl linalool, tetrahydroethyl linalyl acetate, o-sec.-butyl cyclohexyl acetate and isolone diphorenepoxide and also isoborneal, dihydroterpineol, isobornyl acetate, dihydroterpenyl acetate. Other suitable perfumes are the substances mentioned in columns 3 and 4 of European patent application EP 0 622 451 A1 (Procter & Gamble).
In addition, the compositions contain polyacrylates, amine oxide phosphonic acids and lignin sulfonates and mixtures thereof, for example the modified polyacrylate Norasol~ 470 N (Rohm & Haas, Germany), a polyphosphonoacrylate with a molecular weight of 3500 dalton, as sequestrants in quantities of 0.1 to 2.0% by weight and preferably 0.5 to 1.0% by weight, based on the composition.
Suitable pigments are inter alia green chlorophthalocyanines (Pigmosol~ Green, Hostaphine~ Green) or yellow Solar Yellow BG 300 (Sandoz).
The compositions according to the invention are prepared by stirring. The product obtained may optionally be decanted or filtered to remove foreign bodies and/or agglomerates. The compositions preferably have a viscosity (as measured at 20°C in a Brookfield LV viscosimeter, spindle 1, 60 r.p.m.) below 50 mPas, preferably no more than 40 mPas, more preferably no more than 20 mPas and, in one particularly preferred embodiment, no more than 10 mPas and/or a foam height below 100 mm, preferably no more than 60 mm and more preferably no more than 40 mm, as measured by the Ross-Miles test at 20°C.
Examples Viscosity was measured at 20°C using a Brookfield viscosimeter (model LVT, spindle 1, 60 r.p.m.) while foaming behavior was determined by the Ross-Miles test. Formulations 1 to 4 correspond to the invention while formulations C1 and C2 are intended for comparison. The results are set out in Table 1 (quantities in % by weight).
Table 1 Performance properties ,. .
5.4.

Sodium hypochlorite 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.8 Sodium hydroxide 0.850.85 0.85 0.850.85 0.85 Cocofatty alcohol +2E0 sulfate0.300.50 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 Na salt Amidoamine oxide's 1.252.0 1.25 2.3 - -Amine oxide2~ - - - - - 2.3 Water to Brookfield Viscosity [mPas] 15 15 40 20 150 50 Foam height in the Ross-Miles test [mm]

- Basicfoam (after0 min.) 35 38 60 60 120 100 _ _ - After 5 mins. I 30 20 35 55 110 ~
I I I ~ 90 '~ Basis: condensation product of cocofatty acid and ethylenediamine 2~ Basis: methyl dicocoylamine

Claims (17)

1. Bleaching and disinfecting compositions comprising:
a) 1.0 to 6.0 percent by weight of an alkali metal hypochlorite;
b) 0.1 to 5.0 percent by weight of an alkyl ether sulfate;
c) 0.5 to 5.0 percent by weight of an amidoamine oxide; and d) 0.5 to 2.0 percent by weight of an alkali metal hydroxide.

2. The composition of claim 1 wherein said alkali metal hypochlorite comprises sodium hypochlorite.

3. The composition of claim 1 comprising 3.0 to 5.0 percent by weight of said alkali metal hypochlorite.

4. The composition of claim 1 comprising an alkyl ether sulfate corresponding to formula (I):
R1O-(CH2CH2O)nSO3X (I) wherein R1 is an alkyl group containing 12 to 18 carbon atoms, n is a number of 2 to 5, and X is sodium or potassium.

5. The composition of claim 1 comprising 0.2 to 1.5 percent by weight of said alkyl ether sulfate.

6. The composition of claim 1 comprising an amidoamine oxides corresponding to formula (II):

wherein R2CO is a linear or branched acyl group containing 12 to 18 carbon atoms, R3 and R4 independently of one another represent an optionally hydroxysubstituted alkyl group containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and m is a number of 1 to 3.

7. The composition of claim 1 comprising 1.0 to 3 percent by weight of said amidoamine oxide.

8. The composition of claim 1 wherein said alkali metal hydroxide comprises sodium hydroxide.

9. The composition of claim 1 comprising 0.7 to 1.0 percent by weight of said alkali metal hydroxide.

10. The composition of claim 1 having a pH of from 12.5 to 14Ø

11. The composition of claim 1 further comprising an electrolyte salt selected from the group consisting of alkali metal carbonates, alkaline earth metal carbonates, chlorides, silicates, phosphates, phosphonates, and mixtures thereof.

12. The composition of claim 11 comprising 1.0 to 2.0 percent by weight of said electrolyte salt.

13. The composition of claim 1 further comprising a fatty acid salt corresponding to formula (III):
R5CO-OX (III) wherein R5CO is an acyl group containing 12 to 22 carbon atoms, and X is an alkali metal.

14. The composition of claim 13 comprising 0.5 to 2.0 percent by weight of said fatty acid salt.

15. The composition of claim 1 further comprising a sequestrant selected from the group consisting of polyacrylates, amine oxide phosphonic acids, lignin sulfonates, and mixtures thereof.

16. The composition of claim 1 having a viscosity below 50 mPas, as measured at 20°C in a Brookfield viscometer immediately after its production.

17. The composition of claim 1 having a foam height below 100 mm, as measured at 20°C by the Ross-miles test immediately after its production.