Perfumed aqueous hypochlorite composition and method for preparation of same

Abstract

A stable single phase aqueous alkali metal hypochlorite liquid perfumed bleach or sterilizing composition comprising an aqueous mixture of (1) an amine oxide composition consisting essentially of at least one morpholino- and/or dimethyl (C.sub.11 -C.sub.13 straight chain alkyl) amine oxide, in an amount greater than 55% of said amine oxide composition, (2) at least one alkali metal hydroxide, (3) at least one alkali metal hypochlorite, and (4) a perfume oil compatible with the mixture capable of imparting a "woody" or a "floral" or a "clean fresh" or a "musk" or a "citrusy" note to the bleach or sterilizing composition; the said mixture having a pH in the range of from 12 to 13.5 and the said mixture excluding hydrotropes as well as all surfactants except said amine oxide; and a process for producing said mixture comprising the steps of combining an amine oxide composition consisting essentially of one or more morpholino- and/or dimethyl C.sub.11 -C.sub.13 straight chain alkyl amine oxides with a perfume oil to form an amine oxide-perfume oil premix; admixing the amine oxide - perfume oil premix with an aqueous alkali metal hypochlorite solution, and combining an alkali metal hydroxide with the solution whereby the final pH of the mixture is from 12 up to 13.5. In the alternative the pH of the aqueous hypochlorite solution is initially adjusted to the range of 12-13.5 and then the premix is combined with the pH-adjusted aqueous hypochlorite solution. The resulting composition when used as a bleach or sterilizing agent causes the products to which said composition is applied to have virtually eliminated therefrom the disagreeable characteristic "hypochlorite" aroma; and instead, a pleasant "clean fresh" or "floral" or "woody" or "musk" or "citrusy" aroma is imparted to such treated products. In addition, the hands of the individual user after using and being in direct contact with the composition will not have the disagreeable characteristic "hypochlorite" aroma but instead will have a pleasant "clean fresh" or "floral" or "woody" or "musk" or "citrusy" aroma.

Parent Case Text

This application is a continuation - in-part of application for U.S. Pat. No. 226,210 filed on Feb. 14, 1972, now abandoned.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Considerable difficulties have heretofore been encountered in compounded hypochlorite bleach or sterilizing solutions with perfume oils so that a stable long-lasting single phase commercially feasible bleach or sterilizing solution has been difficult to obtain. The problem has been defined in British Patent Specification No. 886,084 published on Jan. 3, 1962 wherein it is stated that a stable "dispersion" of hypochlorite-resistant perfume in aqueous solutions of hypochlorites was formulated. British Patent Specification No. 886,084 disclosed the preparation of an aqueous "solution" of a hypochlorite containing a hypochloriteresistant perfume and a surface active quaternary ammonium compound of the betaine type soluble in the hypochlorite solution. Such ammonium compounds have the generic structure: ##SPC1##

wherein each of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are alkyl. One of the features of the perfumed solutions produced in accordance with said British Patent Specification No. 886,084 was indicated to be that the solution exhibits foaming properties. Another feature of British Patent Specification No. 886,084 is stated to be that the perfumed solutions covered by the invention are found to be clear and homogeneous after eight weeks storage at room temperature. Nevertheless, betaines such as "Ambiteric D" as are discussed therein are not so broadly useful when used in the concentrations of from 0.15% up to 1.0% (based on the total weight of bleach or sterilizing solution) as to have the ability to be used in conjunction with "woody" or "floral" or "clean fresh" or "musk" or "citrusy" types of perfume oils which should be incorporated into hypochlorite bleaches or sterilizers so that long lasting stable soluble single phase perfumed aqueous alkali metal hypochlorite bleach or sterilizing solutions having "woody" or "musk" or "citrusy" or "floral" or "clean fresh" long lasting stable aromas are obtained, particularly where the quantity of perfume oil in the bleach or sterilizing is at levels of between 0.02% and 0.2% by weight of the total bleach or sterilizing solution. The need for the "woody," "floral" or "clean fresh" or "musk" or "citrusy" aromas to be present in such bleach or sterilizing solutions exists so that the disagreeable characteristic "hypochlorite" aroma is substantially diminished or eliminated altogether from aromas of the products to which the bleach or sterilizing solution is applied; particularly on dry-out, as well as from the aroma of the hands of the user where they are in direct contact with such bleach or sterilizing solutions.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,560,389 also discloses the feasibility of using perfume oils in hypochlorite bleaches or sterilizers at Column 3, lines 37-40 but the disclosure is limited to inclusion of various detergents in addition to amine oxides, such as lithium lauryl sulfate and sodium lauryl ether sulfate and/or is further limited to include hydrotropes such as sodium xylene sulfonate in addition to the amine oxide. Exclusion of such hydrotropes and additional detergents is desirable not only to cause the perfume oils which have the desired "clean fresh" or "floral" or "woody" or "musk" or "citrusy" aroma to function properly, but also from an ecological standpoint.

European Chemical News, Volume 13, Jan. 18, 1968, sets forth a synopsis of a South African Pat. No. 67/4667 which corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 3,560,389; but the reference also states at page 42:

"Alternatively a detergent with bleaching or bacteriocidal properties can be formulated. Perfuming bleaching solutions is now possible."

Neither the South African nor the United States patents, however, indicate the advantages and usefulness of limiting the detergents solely to amine oxides, or of excluding from the formulation a hydrotrope or of specifying the nature of the perfume oil useful in the perfumed bleach or sterilizing solution.

THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the production of perfumed single phase aqueous alkali metal hypochlorite solutions suitable for laundry and general domestic bleaching and sterilizing purposes. We have found that it is now possible to provide perfumed aqueous alkali metal hypochlorite solutions which yield a long lasting perfume aroma (particularly those having a "woody" or "floral" or "clean fresh" or "musk" or "citrusy" fragrance) and which are capable of imparting to surfaces (e.g. laundry and the hands of the user which are in direct contact with the hypochlorite solutions) to which they are applied a pleasant "woody" or "floral" or "clean fresh" or "musk" or "citrusy" aroma, and at the same time substantially diminishing or eliminating altogether the characteristic disagreeable "hypochlorite" aroma therefrom.

Accordingly, this invention consists of an aqueous solution of at least one alkali metal hypochlorite containing a stable perfume oil and a surface active agent consisting solely of an amine oxide composition and consists essentially of one or more morpholine and/or dimethyl C.sub.11 -C.sub.13 straight chain alkyl amine oxides having the generic structure: ##SPC2##

in an amount greater than 55% of said amine oxide composition wherein R is straight chain alkyl having from 11 up to 13 carbon atoms and A and B are each separately methyl, or, taken together, complete a morpholino ring and having a pH in the range of 12-13.5.

The chain length(s) of the R moiety (or moieties) of the predominating alkyl dimethyl amine oxide(s) of the amine oxide composition is critical for providing an aqueous hypochlorite bleach or sterilizing solution which can be perfumed with the "woody" or "floral" or "clean fresh" or "musk" or "citrusy" fragrance formulations required for our invention.

The concentration of the amine oxide composition required to create the transparent solution of this invention is from 0.15% up to 1.0% based on the total weight of solution. Concentrations of amine oxides less than 0.15% will not give rise to the desired single phase system containing the desired special perfume oil (having the "woody" or "floral" or "clean fresh" or "musk" or "citrusy" aroma) required for this invention. From a commercial standpoint concentrations of amine oxide(s) greater than 1.0% based on total weight of hypochlorite solution are not needed and give rise to unnecessary costs.

The pH range of the aqueous alkali metal hypochlorite solution containing the amine oxide composition and one of the requisite perfume formulations (which are stable to hypochlorite and which are capable of yielding and imparting the desired and required overall "woody" or "floral" or "clean fresh" or "musk" or "citrusy" fragrance impression) is critical; that is, a pH of from 12 up to 13.5 is required for the composition of our invention, with the preferred pH range being between 12.5 and 12.9. The requisite pH range is achieved by adding an aqueous solution of alkali metal hydroxide (e.g. from 1M up to 12.5M) to the alkali metal hypochlorite solution which has had or will have added to it the amine oxide-perfume oil premix.

The percentage of perfume oil having the properties which yield "woody" or "floral" or "clean fresh" or "musk" or "citrusy" aroma is in the range of from 0.02% up to 0.2% based on the total final weight of aqueous alkali metal hypochlorite solution. Lower concentrations of such perfume oils will not be adequate to give rise to the desired substantial diminution or elimination of the characteristic disagreeable hypochlorite aroma (which exists on, for example, laundry and/or the hands of the individual user which have been in direct contact with the hypochlorite bleach or sterilizing solution subsequent to the use of aqueous hypochlorite solutions as a general domestic bleach or sterilizer). Quantities of perfume oil greater than 0.2% have been found to be uneconomical and unnecessary for the practice of our invention.

Several processes may be used in order to produce a hypochlorite bleaching or sterilizing solution having the desired "woody" or "floral" or "clean fresh" or "musk" or "citrusy" aromas. Thus, for example, the perfume oil may be premixed with the amine oxide solubilizer and the resulting perfume oil-amine oxide premix is then mixed with the hypochlorite bleaching or sterilizing solution with stirring. Immediately after such addition an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution is added to the mixture to bring the pH to the range of 12-13.5. A pH of less than 12 is not desired since it is difficult to achieve a single phase stable system at such low pH's. A pH higher than 13.5 will also create a system which (1) is unnecessarily corrosive; (2) will narrow the range of perfume oils usable in the system; and (3) will limit the particular ingredients usable in such perfume oils.

The aqueous alkali metal hydroxide can be added to the aqueous alkali metal hypochlorite solution before adding the amine oxide or the perfume oil. Indeed, the ingredients: the perfume oil, the alkali metal hydroxide and the amine oxide composition may be added or admixed in any order which is convenient to the formulator. One desirable process involves first forming the amine oxide composition perfume oil "premix," mixing the premix with the aqueous alkali metal hypochlorite solution and finally adjusting the pH of the solution with alkali metal hydroxide to bring the pH to within the range of 12-13.5. A second more preferable process involves first adjusting the pH of the aqueous alkali metal hypochlorite solution to 12-13.5 and then admixing this solution with the afore-described "premix."

The alkali metal hypochlorites preferred in the practice of our invention are: sodium hypochlorite, potassium hypochlorite and lithium hypochlorite, or mixtures of same. The alkali metal hydroxides preferred in the practice of this invention are lithium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide, or, if desired, mixtures of such hydroxides.

The temperature at which the composition of our invention remains both substantially stable and commercially usable for the purposes set forth herein (that is, remains as a clear single aqueous phase and retains (1) the desired properties inherent in the known bleaching and sterilizing uses of aqueous alkali metal hypochlorite solutions, and (2) the properties imparted thereto as a result of using the perfume oils which impart to the aqueous alkali metal hypochlorite solutions a "woody"or "floral" or "clean fresh" or "musk" or "citrusy" aroma) varies from approximately 20.degree. F up to approximately 120.degree. F. At temperatures below 20.degree. F a two-phase system usually occurs and at temperatures higher than 120.degree. F the bleaching or sterilizing efficiency of the composition of our invention is diminished at an excessive rate.

When it is desired to (1) initially form an amine oxideperfume oil premix; (2) then combine the resulting premix with an aqueous alkali metal hypochlorite solution and then (3) adjust the pH of the resulting solution to the range of 12-13.5, then the following temperature of mixing ranges are considered to be within the scope of this invention: (a) Formation of amine oxide-perfume oil premix 20.degree.F-150.degree.F (b) Mixing of premix with aqueous alkali metal hypochlorite solu- tion 20.degree.F-120.degree.F (c) Adjustment of pH of solution to the range of 12-13.5 using an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution 20.degree.F-120.degree.F

In any event, wherever a mixing unit operation involves the aqueous alkali metal hypochlorite solution, the temperature of mixing is limited to the range of 20.degree.-120.degree. F. Where a mixing unit operation involves the mixing of a perfume oil, the upper bound of the temperature range is limited by the stability of the least stable ingredient in the perfume oil usable in the practice of our invention; and the lower bound of said temperature range is limited by the least temperature where a single liquid phase including the perfume oil will exist. Where a unit mixing operation of the process of our invention involves the mixing of one or more amine oxides with other materials, the upper bound of the temperature range is the decomposition point of any one of the amine oxide components of the amine oxide composition and the lower bound is the least temperature where a single liquid phase including the amine oxide(s) will exist.

Preferred amine oxide compositions from a practical standpoint useful in the practice of our invention are the commercially available (1) dimethyl "cocoamine" oxide (a mixture which is dominated by dimethyl-C.sub.12 -C.sub.16 straight chain alkyl amine oxide; more particularly a mixture containing approximately 70% C.sub.12 straight chain amine oxides, approximately 25% C.sub.14 of straight chain amine oxides and approximately 4% C.sub.16 straight chain alkyl amine oxides) and (2) N-cocomorpholine oxide, a mixture dominated by C.sub.12 -C.sub.16 straight chain alkyl morpholine oxides (specifically containing approximately 70% C.sub.12 straight chain alkyl morpholine oxide, approximately 25% C.sub.14 straight chain alkyl morpholine oxide and approximately 4% C.sub.16 straight chain alkyl morpholine oxide). Commercial examples of such amine oxide compositions are: Aromox DMC-W and Aromox DMMC-W which are 30% aqueous dimethyl cocoamine oxide solutions and Aromox NCMDW which is a 40% aqueous N-cocomorpholine oxide solution, each of which is produced by the Armac Division of AKZO of Chicago, Illinois. These materials are described in Brochure 68011, published by Armour Industrial Chemicals, P.O.B. 1805, Chicago, Illinois 60690. Other preferred amine oxides are n-undecyl dimethyl amine oxide and n-tridecyl dimethyl amine oxide.

The percentage of hypochlorite ion in the composition of this invention may vary from about 1% up to about 16% for the desired effects to be produced using the amine oxide-perfume oil compositions covered by our invention. The usual percent of alkali metal hypochlorite in solution is about 5%, the percentage of sodium hypochlorite in such materials as CLOROX the registered trademark of Clorox Corporation.

As stated above, the perfume oil used in conjunction with the aqueous alkali metal hypochlorite solution must have such properties as to be able (1) to impart to the resulting or " aqueous alkali metal hypochlorite solution either a "woody" or a "floral" or a "clean fresh" or "musk" or "citrusy" aroma; (2) to effect a substantial diminution or elimination of the disagreeable "hypochlorite" aroma which is imparted to surfaces (e.g. bleached laundry or the hands of the user which are in direct contact with the hypochlorite solution) on which known aqueous alkali metal hypochlorite solutions have been used; and (3) to impart to these surfaces with which such aqueous alkali metal hypochlorite solutions are in contact, a pleasant long lasting "clean fresh" or "floral" or "woody" or "musk" or"citrusy" aroma. Examples of ingredients usable and suitable for the aforementioned purposes are as follows:

a. Materials Useful for Imparting a "Woody" Aroma:

1. Cedryl alkyl ethers covered by U.S. Pat. No. 3,373,208 such as cedryl methyl ether;

2. Isochroman musks covered by U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,360,530 and 3,591,528 such as 6-oxa-1,1,3,3,8-pentamethyl-2,3,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-benz(f) indene;

3. Polycyclic ethers covered by U.S. Pat. No. 3,281,432, such as octahydro-1,3a,6-trimethyl-1H-1,6a,ethanopentaleno-(1,2-C) furan;

4. Polycyclic ketones such as hexahydro-1,1,5,5-tetramethyl-2H-2,4a-methanonaphthalen-8-(5H)one.

b. Materials Useful for Imparting a "Clean Fresh" Aroma:

1. Acyl norbornenes such as acetyl norbornene;

2. Nitro musks such as musk xylol;

3. Long chain aliphatic nitriles such as n-dodecyl nitrile;

4. 2-t-butyl cyclohexyl acetate.

c. Materials Useful for Imparting a "Floral" Aroma:

1. Indane musks covered by U.S. Pat. No. 2,889,367 such as 4-acetyl-1,1-dimethyl-6-t-butyl indane;

2. Naphthyl ethers such as .beta.-naphthyl methyl ether and .beta.-naphthyl ethyl ether;

3. Cyclohexyl ethyl ether;

4. Aryl alkanones as described in Canadian Pat. No. 780,489, such as 2,5-dimethyl-5-phenylhexanone-3.

d. Materials Useful for Imparting a "Musk" Aroma:

1. Isochroman musks covered by U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,360,530 and 3,591,528 such as 6-oxa-1,1,3,3,8-pentamethyl-2,3-5,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-benz(f) indene.

2. Cyclopentadecanone.

e. Materials Useful for Imparting a "Citrusy" Aroma:

1. Dihydrolimonene epoxide (1,2 epoxy para methane disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,014,047).

2. Dodecene-1,2-epoxide.

3. n-undecyl nitrile.

4. 1-n-heptyl-1,3-dioxolane.

5. 3,7-dimethyl-3-octanol.

It will be understood that a number of materials which impart "woody" or "floral" or "clean fresh" or "musk" or "citrusy" aromas will not be useful for use in our invention because they are interalia, easily oxidized by the alkali metal hypochlorite in the system. Examples are 1,5,9-trimethyl-12-acetyl-cyclododecatriene-1,5,8; and 1,5,9-trimethyl-12-acetyl-cyclododecadiene-1,8 covered by British Pat. No. 1,204,409.

A basic feature of our invention concerns the fact that the only detergent group needed or desirable in the composition of our invention is the class of morpholino and/or dimethyl C.sub.11 -C.sub.13 straight chain alkyl amine oxides. More specifically, such detergents as sodium decyl ether sulfate, sodium myristyl ether sulfate, sodium lauryl ether sulfate and lithium lauryl ether sulfate are neither desired nor are they required. Furthermore the well known hydrotropes employed in prior art compositions such as the well known family of clarifying agents comprising the alkali metal or alkali earth metal salts of mono- or polyalkylated benzene or naphthalene sulfonates such as sodium xylene sulfonate or magnasium toluene sulfonate again are neither desired nor are they required in the compositions intended to be encompassed by the instant invention.

The following examples are given to illustrate embodiments of the invention as it is now preferred to practice it. It will be understood that these examples are illustrative and the invention is not to be considered as restricted thereto except as indicated in the appended claims.

EXAMPLE I

PERFUME COMPOSITION

The following mixture is prepared:

Ingredients Parts by Weight ______________________________________ 6-Oxa-1,1,2,3,3,8-hexamethyl- 2,3,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H- benz[f]-indene 20 Cedrol methyl ether 55 Phenyl cresol oxide 15 Amyl benzyl ether 25 n-Heptaldehyde dimethyl acetal 15 Dimethyl benzyl carbinol 40 ______________________________________

The subject mixture has an intense pleasant "woody" aroma.

EXAMPLE II

PERFUME COMPOSITION

The following mixture is prepared:

Ingredients Parts by Weight ______________________________________ Musk xylol [5-t-butyl- 2,4,6-trinitro-m-xylene] 20 n-Dodecyl nitrile 25 2-Acetyl-5-Norbornene 50 2-t-butyl cyclohexyl acetate 10 Dimethyl benzyl carbinol 35 Hydratropic aldehyde dimethyl acetal 15 ______________________________________

The subject perfume composition has an intense "clean fresh" aroma.

EXAMPLE III

PERFUME COMPOSITION

The following mixture is prepared:

Ingredients Parts by Weight ______________________________________ 4-Acetyl-1,1-dimethyl-6-t- butyl indane 8 8.alpha. ,12-oxido-20-methyl-13,14, 15,16-tetrakis-norlabdane 2 2,5-dimethyl-5-phenyl-hexanone-3 12 Cedrol propyl ether 8 Yara yara 30 Cyclohexyl ethyl ether 10 Methyl para-cresol 5 2,6-dimethyl-2-octanol 25 ______________________________________

The instant perfume composition has an intense "floral" aroma.

In the following Examples IV-XIV Aromox DMC-W and Aromox DMMC-W are 30% aqueous solutions of dimethyl cocoamine oxide; and Aromox NCMDW is a 40% aqueous solution of N-cocomorpholine oxide produced by Armac Division of AKZO of Chicago, Illinois.

EXAMPLE IV

Four drops of a perfume oil, the mixture of Example I, is added to 2 grams of Aromox DMC-W to produce a clear premix. The clear premix is added to 200 grams of CLOROX with stirring resulting in a clear stable single phase solution. Sufficient 1M aqueous NaOH is added to bring the pH of the mixture up to 12.8. The solution remains substantially stable at 120.degree. F for a period of 7 days. When the 5% aqueous sodium hypochlorite solution is used as a laundry bleach, the resulting laundry on dry-out in an atmosphere of 65% relative humidity yields substantially no characteristic "hypochlorite" odor but does have a faint pleasant "woody" aroma. Furthermore, no such characteristic "hypochlorite" aroma is retained on the hands of the individual handling such laundry in both the wet and the dry states.

EXAMPLE V

Four drops of the perfume oil, the mixture of Example II is added to 2 grams of Aromox DMC-W to produce a clear premix. The clear premix is added to 200 grams of CLOROX with stirring resulting in a clear stable single phase solution. Sufficient 1M aqueous NaOH is added to bring the pH of the mixture up to 12.8. The solution remains substantially stable at 120.degree. F for a period of 7 days. When the 5% aqueous sodium hypochlorite solution is used as a laundry bleach, the resulting laundry on dry-out in an atmosphere of 65% relative humidity yields substantially no characteristic "hypochlorite" odor but does have a faint pleasant "clean fresh" aroma. Furthermore, no such characteristic "hypochlorite" aroma is retained on the hands of the individual handling such laundry in both the wet and the dry states.

EXAMPLE VI

Four drops of the perfume oil, the mixture of Example III is added to 2 grams of Aromox DMC-W to produce a clear premix. The clear premix is added to 200 grams of CLOROX with stirring resulting in a clear stable single phase solution. Sufficient 1M aqueous NaOH is added to bring the pH of the mixture up to 12.8. The solution remains substantially stable at 120.degree. F for a period of 7 days. When the 5% aqueous sodium hypochlorite solution is used as a laundry bleach, the resulting laundry on dry-out in an atmosphere of 65% relative humidity yields substantially no characteristic "hypochlorite" odor but does have a faint pleasant "floral" aroma. Furthermore, no such characteristic "hypochlorite" aroma is retained on the hands of the individual handling such laundry in both the wet and the dry states.

EXAMPLE VII

Aromox DMMC-W in various quantities is mixed with 0.1 gram of the perfume oil prepared in accordance with Example I. The resulting premixes are then added to 200 grams of an aqueous 5% sodium hypochlorite solution. Sufficient 12.5M aqueous NaOH is added to bring the pH of the mixture up to 13. The following results are obtained:

Percentage Aromox Clarity of hypochlorite solu- DMMC-W tion after addition of premix ______________________________________ 0.23% Clear after three days 0.15% Clear after three days 0.08% Initially slightly turbid; two phases exist after three days. ______________________________________

EXAMPLE VIII

Two grams of Aromox DMMC-W is admixed with eight drops of the perfume oil of Example II. This premix is then added with stirring to 200 grams of a 7% aqueous solution of lithium hypochlorite. Sufficient 3M aqueous LiOH is added to bring the pH of the solution to 13.4. The mixture is then heated to 120.degree. F and maintained at that temperature with stirring for a period of 1 week. The resulting solution remains clear in a single phase. When used as a laundry bleach, the resulting bleached laundry on dry-out in an atmosphere of 50% relative humidity retains a "clean fresh" aroma; whereas without the use of the perfume oil, the bleached laundry has a faint characteristic disagreeable "hypochlorite" aroma.

EXAMPLE IX

Two grams of Aromox DMMC-W is admixed with eight drops of the perfume oil of Example II. This premix is then added with stirring to 200 grams of a mixture containing 4.5% aqueous sodium hypochlorite and 4.5% aqueous lithium hypochlorite. Sufficient 4M aqueous LiOH is added to bring the pH of the solution to 13.4. The mixture is then heated to 120.degree. F and maintained at that temperature with stirring for a period of 1 week. The resulting solution remains clear in a single phase. When used as a laundry bleach, the resulting bleached laundry on dry-out in an atmosphere of 50% relative humidity retains a "clean fresh" aroma; whereas without the use of the perfume oil, the bleached laundry has a faint characteristic disagreeable "hypochlorite" aroma.

EXAMPLE X

Two grams of Aromox DMMC-W is admixed with eight drops of the perfume oil of Example I. This premix is then added with stirring to 200 grams of a mixture containing 4.5% aqueous sodium hypochlorite and 4.5% aqueous lithium hypochlorite. Sufficient 2M aqueous NaOH is added to bring the pH of the solution to 13.4. The mixture is then heated to 110.degree. F and maintained at that temperature with stirring for a period of 2 weeks. The resulting solution remains clear as a single phase when used as a laundry bleach. The resulting bleached laundry, on dry-out in an atmosphere of 50% relative humidity, retains a "woody" aroma whereas, without the use of the perfume oil of Example I, the bleached laundry has a faint characteristic disagreeable "hypochlorite" aroma.

EXAMPLE XI

Four drops of a perfume oil, the mixture of Example I, is added to 1.5 grams Aromox NCMDW to produce a clear premix. The clear premix is added to 200 grams of CLOROX with stirring resulting in a clear stable single phase solution. Sufficient 1M aqueous NaOH is added to bring the pH of the mixture up to 12.8. The solution remains substantially stable at 120.degree. F for a period of 7 days. When the 5% aqueous sodium hypochlorite solution is used as a laundry bleach, the resulting laundry on dry-out in an atmosphere of 65% relative humidity yields substantially no characteristic "hypochlorite" odor but does have a faint pleasant "woody" aroma. Furthermore, no such characteristic "hypochlorite" aroma is retained on the hands of the individual handling such laundry in both the wet and the dry states.

EXAMPLE XII

Four drops of the perfume oil, the mixture of Example II is added to 1 gram n-undecyl dimethyl amine oxide to produce a clear premix. The clear premix is added to 200 grams of CLOROX with stirring resulting in a clear stable single phase solution. Sufficient 1M aqueous NaOH is added to bring the pH of the mixture up to 12.8. The solution remains substantially stable at 120.degree. F for a period of 7 days. When the 5% aqueous sodium hypochlorite solution is used as a laundry bleach, the resulting laundry on dry-out in an atmosphere of 65% relative humidity yields substantially no characteristic "hypochlorite" odor but does have a faint pleasant "clean fresh" aroma. Furthermore, no such characteristic "hypochlorite" aroma is retained on the hands of the individual handling such laundry in both the wet and the dry states.

EXAMPLE XIII

Four drops of the perfume oil, the mixture of Example III is added to 1 gram of n-dodecyl dimethyl amine oxide to produce a clear premix. The clear premix premix is added to 200 grams of CLOROX with stirring resulting in a clear stable single phase solution. Sufficient 1M aqueous NaOH is added to bring the pH of the mixture up to 12.8. The solution remains substantially stable at 120.degree. F for a period of 7 days. When the 5% aqueous sodium hypochlorite solution is used as a laundry bleach, the resulting laundry on dry-out in an atmosphere of 65% relative humidity yields substantially no characteristic "hypochlorite" odor but does have a faint pleasant "floral" aroma. Furthermore, no such characteristic "hypochlorite" aroma is retained on the hands of the individual handling such laundry in both the wet and the dry states.

EXAMPLE XIV

One gram of n-tridecyl dimethyl amine oxide is admixed with eight drops of the perfume oil of Example II. This premix is then added with stirring to 200 grams of a 7% aqueous solution of lithium hypochlorite. Sufficient 3M aqueous LiOH is added to bring pH of the solution to 13.4. The mixture is then heated to 120.degree. F and maintained at that temperature with stirring for a period of 1 week. The resulting solution remains clear in a single phase. When used as a laundry bleach, the resulting bleached laundry on dry-out in an atmosphere of 50% relative humidity retains a "clean fresh" aroma; whereas without the use of the perfume oil, the bleached laundry has a faint characteristic disagreeable "hypochlorite" aroma.

EXAMPLE XV

A group of five individuals is requested to soak their hands in various aqueous alkali metal hypochlorite solutions, each solution being maintained at 72.degree. F, for a period of 30 minutes. Following this period, the said individuals thoroughly rinse their hands in running tap water and carefully dry their hands. The following results concerning the aroma emanating from the hands of these individuals are obtained:

Nature of Aroma Retained Nature of solution on Hands __________________________________________________________________________ (1) water 1:1X" A characteristic disagree- (weight ratio) able "hypochlorite" aroma. (2) Composition produced No disagreeable "hypochlo- according to Example IV- rite" aroma. Pleasant - H.sub.2 O, 1:1 faint "woody" aroma. (3) Composition produced Pleasant faint "clean fresh" according to Example V- aroma. No disagreeable H.sub.2 O, 1:1 "hypochlorite" aroma. (4) Composition produced Pleasant faint "floral" according to Example VI- aroma. No disagreeable H.sub.2 O, 1:1 "hypochlorite" aroma. __________________________________________________________________________

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An aqueous alkali metal hypochlorite solution free of hydrotropes comprising as a sole detergent, an amine oxide composition consisting of amine oxide having the formula: ##SPC3##

wherein R is straight chain alkyl; wherein more than 55% of the R moieties consists of straight chain alkyl having from 11 up to 13 carbon atoms; and wherein A and B are each separately methyl or, taken together, complete a morpholine ring and from 0.02% up to 0.2% by weight of a perfume oil capable of imparting to the said alkali metal hypochlorites solution a "woody" or a "floral" or a "clean fresh" or a "musk" or a "citrusy" fragrance, said hypochlorite solution having a pH of from 12 up to 13.5.

2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the amine oxide composition is selected from the group consisting of dimethyl cocoamine oxide and N-cocomorpholine oxide.

3. A process for producing a stable single phase aqueous alkali metal hypochlorite solution having a "woody" or "floral" or "clean fresh" or "musk" or "citrusy" fragrance consisting of, in order, the steps of (a) admixing an amine oxide composition consisting of amine oxide having the formula: ##SPC4##

wherein R is straight chain alkyl; wherein more than 55% of the R moieties consists of straight chain alkyl having from 11 to 13 carbon atoms; and wherein A and B are each separately methyl or, taken together, complete a morpholine ring with a perfume oil which is capable of imparting "woody" or "floral" or "clean fresh" or "musk" or "citrusy" notes to the said aqueous hypochlorite solution to form a premix; (b) adding the premix to an aqueous alkali metal hypochlorite solution; and (c) adding to the resulting mixture an alkali metal hydroxide such that the pH of the resulting mixture is from 12 to 13.5.

4. The process of claim 3 wherein the pH of the resulting solution is adjusted to the range of 12.5 up to 12.9.

5. The process of claim 4 wherein the amine oxide composition used in step (a) is selected from the group consisting of dimethyl cocoamine oxide and N-cocomorpholine oxide.

6. A process for producing a stable single phase aqueous alkali metal hypochlorite solution having a "woody" or a "floral" or a "clean fresh" or a "musk" or a "citrusy" fragrance consisting, in order, as the steps of (a) adjusting the pH of an aqueous alkali metal hypochlorite solution to the range of 12-13.5; (b) admixing an amine oxide composition consisting of at amine oxide having the formula: ##SPC5##

wherein R is straight chain alkyl; wherein more than 55% of the R moieties consists of straight chain alkyl containing from 11 up to 13 carbon atoms; and wherein A and B are each separately methyl or, taken together, completing a morpholine ring, with a perfume oil which is capable of imparting "woody" or "floral" or "fresh clean" or "musk" or "citrusy" notes to said aqueous hypochlorite solution to form a premix; and (c) adding said premix to the pH-adjusted hypochlorite solution.

7. The process of claim 6 wherein the pH of the aqueous alkali metal hypochlorite solution is adjusted to the range of 12.5 - 12.9.

8. The process of claim 7 wherein the amine oxide composition used in step (b) is selected from the group consisting of dimethyl cocoamine oxide and N-cocomorpholine oxide.

9. The composition of claim 2 wherein the concentration of the amine oxide is in the amount of from 0.15% up to 1.0% of the total weight of aqueous alkali metal hypochlorite solution.

10. The composition of claim 9 wherein the alkali metal hypochlorite is sodium hypochlorite.

11. The composition of claim 9 wherein the alkali metal hypochlorite is lithium hypochlorite.