Detergent composition having enhanced particulate soil removal performance

Abstract

Detergent compositions are disclosed incorporating combinations of specified ethoxylated zwitterionic compounds with detergent builders and other types of surfactants to give enhanced particulate soil removal.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to detergent compositions haveing improved particulate soil removal capability. More particularly, this invention relates to detergent compositions incorporating certain ethoxylated compound which provide unexpectedly good clay soil removal.

Zwitterionic surfactants, i.e., those surface active compounds that contain both positive and negative charge centers in the same molecule while being electrically neurtral, are known. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,668,240 and 3,764,568 to Melvin A. Barbera, issued respectively on June 6, 1972, and Oct. 9, 1973, disclose zwitterionic surfactants having a 2, 3-butene moiety between the charge centers. U.S. Pat. No. 3,332,875 to Adriaan Kessler and Phillip Floyd Pflaumer also discloses mixtures of certain olefim sulphoneates with zwitterionic detergents in which the charge centers are separated by a 2-hydroxy propane group. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,452,066 and 2,781,390 to Hans S. Mannheimer, issued respectively on June 24, 1969and Feb. 12, 1957, outline a range of zwitterionic surfactants which optionally may be substituted with a wide variety of oxygen-containing groups between the positive and negative charge centers. U.S. Pat. No. 3,769,311 to Leonard J. Armstrong and Eldon de Vere Dawald issued Oct. 30, 1973, discloses carboxylic compounds having ethylene oxide groups between the charge centers but fails to recognize the effect of the various structural parameters on the performance of the molecule in removing soil, especially particulate soil.

In contrast, the present invention concerns detergent compositions incorporating certain zwitterionic surfactants in a polyethenoxy group of a size that permits not only adsorption of the molecule from an aqueous system onto particulate and other soils, and the subsequent removal of the soil by emulsification or dispersion but also the continued maintenance of the removed soil in suspension in the aqueous solution.

Some of these compounds are effective in the absence of conventional detergent additives such as builders, surfactants etc. and form the subject of the commonly assigned co-filed Ser. No. 493,951, filed Aug. 1, 1974 Applications by Robert G. Laughlin, Eugene P. Gosselink, William A. Cilley, and Vincent P. Heuring and Robert G. Laughlin, Eugene P. Gosselink, and William a. Cilley Ser. No. 493,956, filed of even date (Attorney's Docket No. 2102), both Applications being entitled "Detergent Compounds." The disclosures of both said Applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

However, the present invention is directed to the discovery that a wider range of zwitterionic compounds, of the type disclosed in the above identified Applications, in combination with certain detergent builder materials can provide unexpectedly good particulate soil removal and also good oily soil removal from hard surfaces and textile materials. The ethoxylated zwitterionic compounds useful in the present invention possess an ability to remove particulate soil that is independent of water hardness over a wide range of Ca .sup.+.sup.+ and Mg.sup.+.sup.+ levels. Furthermore, this performance is relatively insensitive to temperature changes in the range of 70.degree.-140.degree.F, the normal range for domestic cleaning functions.

The importance of such a development is readily apparent as it permits a high level of soil removal performance to be obtained with a range of detergent formulations. Furthermore, the nature and level of other components of the formulation can be controlled by the selection of an ethoxylated zwitterionic material having the appropriate level of performance.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide detergent compositions incorporating ethoxylated zwitterionic compounds that have good particulate and oily soil removal performance.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of detergent compositions having improved particulate and oily soil removal performance in both liquid and granular forms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In its broadest aspect the present invention embraces a detergent composition comprising:

A. 1 to 99% by weight of the composition of a water-soluble compound having a formula selected from the group consisting of: ##EQU1## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of straight and branched chain c.sub.8 -C.sub.30 alkyl and alkenyl moieties and alkaryl moieties in which the alkyl group has 10-24 carbon atoms;

R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of straight and branched chain C.sub.8 -c.sub.21 alkyl and alkenyl moieties, alkaryl moieties in which the alkyl group has 6-16 carbon atoms, and C.sub.1-4 alkyl and hydroxyalkyl moieties;

R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of straight and branced chain C.sub.8 -C.sub.21 alkyl and alkenyl moieties, alkaryl moieties in which the alkyl group has 6-16 carbon atoms, C.sub.1-4 alkyl and hydroxyalkyl moieties and --(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.x H wherein x has a value of about 3 to about 50;

R.sub.4 is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkylene, C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 alkenylene, 2-hydroxy C.sub.3 alkylene and 2- and 3-hydroxy C.sub.4 alkylene moieties and C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkarylene moieties provided that where R.sub.3 is --(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.x H then R.sub.4 is --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --;

X.sup.- is an anion selected from the group consisting of sulfate and sulfonate radicals; and

y has a value in the range of 2-100 provided that where R.sub.3 is --(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.x H then x + y .gtoreq. 10. ##EQU2## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of linear and branched C.sub.8 -C.sub.30 alkyl and alkenyl radicals; R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of linear and branched C.sub.8 -C.sub.30 alkyl and alkenyl radicals and C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl and hydroxyalkyl radicals;

X.sup.- is selected from the group consisting of sulfate and sulfonate;

y and x have values in the range 2-100 provided that y + x .gtoreq. 12 ;

M is a cation selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, ammonium and alkanolammonium ions.

B. 99 to 1% by weight of the composition of a detergent builder, which may be organic or inorganic.

In the context of the present invention, ethoxylated zwitterionic compounds having hydroxy substituents on the carbon atoms immediately adjacent the nitrogen atom and/or X.sup.- moiety are not preferred as they are unstable in water, especially at pH's other than neutrality, and are extremely difficult to prepare compared to other hydroxy substituted compounds.

Preferably the ethoxylated zwitterionic compound is one of either .omega.-(N--C.sub.16-18 alkyl, N--C.sub.1-3 alkyl,N-polyethenoxy ammonio)-2-polyethenoxyethane-1-sulphonate wherein the total number of ethylene oxide groups lies in the range 15-25 or .omega.-(N--C.sub.12-18 alkyl,N,N--diC.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkylammonio)-2-polyethenoxy ethane-l-sulphonate wherein the number of ethylene oxide groups in the polyethenoxy chain is in the range 6-12.

Performance Testing

In this specification the assessment of particulate and oily soil removal performance both of detergent formulations of the invention and of comparative formulations is carried out using the following procedures.

a. Particulate soil removal testing

This is carried out in either an automatic mini washing machine (AMW) having a capacity of 4,700 ml. and a cloth/liquor ratio of 1:30 or a Tergotometer having a capacity of 1,000 ml. and a cloth/liquor ratio of 1:140. In both instances the machines are fitted with horizonally rotating paddle agitators, the AMW having a speed of 100 RPM, while the Tergotometer uses a speed of 80 RPM.

The AMW washing procedure involves a 12-minute wash cycle at 105.degree.F in 7 grains per U.S. gallon hard water (calculated as CaCO.sub.3) using a 2:1 ratio of Ca:Mg salts. The first two minutes of the cycle are used for product dissolution following which the fabric load is added and washed for the remaining 10 minutes. A 5-minute rinse cycle then follows, 2 minutes of which is with agitation, the remaining 3 minutes being a spin to remove excess moisture. The fabrics are then tumbled-dried prior to being graded.

A similar washing procedure is used for the Tergotometer with the exception that 5.5 grains/gallon water is employed having a 3:1 ratio of Ca:Mg salts (calculated as CaCO.sub.3). The wash is followed by one rinse cycle of three minutes in 80.degree.F water of the same hardness, level, and type as for the wash, after which the swatches are machine-dried before being graded.

The fabric load for particulate soil removal testing comprises a mixture of white cotton, polycotton (65% DACRON/35% cotton), and polyester (KODEL) swatches which are stained with a standardized illite clay soil. For the AMW, three 5 .times. 5 inch swatches of each fabric are used in each load, while in the Tergotometer, three 21/2.times. 21/2 inch swatches of each fabric type are employed.

The results (expressed as relative clay removal index) for each formulation represent a percentage of the whiteness value achieved by a commercial synthetic detergent standard tested at the same time under identical conditions. This standard formulation hereinafter designated as A has the following composition by weight:

Sodium C.sub.12 alkylbenzene sulphonate 7.55 Sodium Tallow alkyl sulphate 9.25 Coconut alcohol + 6 mole EO 0.60 Diethanolamide 1.60 Sodium Tripolyphosphate 50.00 Sodium Silicate solids 5.90 Sodium sulphate 14.20 Moisture 10.00 Miscellaneous 0.30 100.00

Grading of Performance

Swatches are graded before and after washing on a Gardner Whiteness meter reading the L, a, and b coordinates. Whiteness (W) is calculated as: ##EQU3## Performance is determined by finding the difference in whiteness (.DELTA.W) before and after washing as:

This is compared to the commercial Control Product A by calculating .DELTA.W as a percentage of .DELTA.W given by the Control Product in each batch. ##EQU4## b. Grease and oil removing testing

Identical equipment and washing conditions are used to evaluate grease and oil removal performance. The fabric load comprises a mixture of green polycotton (65% DACRON /35% cotton) and polyester (KODEL) swatches, four 21/2.times. 21/2 inch swatches of each type being used in the tergotometer. Two triglyceride stains, namely bacon grease and vegetable oil, and two hydrocarbon-based stains, namely dirty motor oil and simulated lipid soil are employed.

Following washing and drying, the swatches are graded visually on a scale whose absolute values are described below:

5. Complete removal

4. Discernible stain remaining

3. Moderate amount of soil remaining

2. Large amount of soil remaining

1. Very large amount of soil remaining

0. No change, original amount of stain remaining

As in the particulate soil removal performance test, the results are expressed as a percentage of the soil removal achieved by the standard formulation A under the same conditions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The compositions of the present invention contain two essential components, namely the ethoxylated zwitterionic compound and a detergent builder material which may be inorganic or organic in character. Thw zwitterionic and detergent builder may be present in a ratio of from 99;1 to 1:99 by weight, preferably from 20:1 to 1:10 by weight, and most preferably from 5:1 to 1:5 by weight of the composition. The precise levels of the zwitterionic and builder components will depend on the nature of the zwitterionic compound and the type of product to be formulated. For example, a product intended for prewash treatment of laundry to remove specific stains by direct application to the fabric will be formulated to contain a lower level of zwitterionic compound and different optional ingredients than a product designed as a main wash detergent.

For use as a main wash detergent, the level of ethoxylated zwitterionic compound in the product will lie in the range 5- 35% by weight, preferably 10- 25%, and most preferably 15- 20%, the level of the detergent builder being in the range 10-70%, preferably 10- 60%, and most preferably 20-45% by weight. Such a main wash detergent can be formulated as a conventional granule or as a liquid, paste, flake, ribbon, noodle, pellet, or tablet. As will be shown hereinafter, this formulation flexibility is due, at least in part, to the ability of the zwitterionic surfactants of the present invention to achieve particulate soil removal performance equivalent to that of commercial heavy duty laundry detergents when used in blends with detergent builder materials.

ETHOXYLATED ZWITTERIONIC COMPOUNDS

Ethoxylated zwitterionic compounds useful in the present invention may have one or other of the following formulae: ##EQU5## a. Mono-long chain derivatives

In this derivative, R.sub.1 is a hydrocarbon moiety that can be a straight or branched chain C.sub.8 -C.sub.30 alkyl or alkenyl group or an alkaryl group in which the alkyl portion has 10-24 carbon atoms; R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups; R.sub.4 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkylene, C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 alkenylene, 2-hydroxy propylene or 2- or 3- hydroxy butylene group or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkarylene group; X.sup.- is a sulfonate or sulfate radical; and y has a value in the range 2-100.

In this embodiment, preferred groups for R.sub.1 are C.sub.12 -C.sub.18 alkyl, particularly C.sub.14 -C.sub.16 alkyl, while preferred groups for R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 are C.sub.1-3 alkyl and C.sub.2-3 hydroxyalkyl, the most preferred groups being methyl- and hydroxyethyl- radicals. The preferred range of values for y is 6-50, more preferably 6-25, and most preferably 9-12.

the synthesis of the above compounds can be achieved using readily available commercial starting materials. One such synthetic route is as follows. Sodium hydride is slowly and stoichiometrically reacted (2:1 molar ratio) with polyethylene glycol in a solution of tetrahyydrofuran under an atmosphere of an inert gas, e.g., argon. The reaction is carried out over a period of 4-10 hours in an ice bath to cool the reaction, which is exothermic. The polyethylene glycol used is the commercially available material comprising a mixture of compounds having chain lengths from about 4 to about 100. The resultant product is the sodium salt represented by

wherein y can be, for example, 3, 21, 32, 67, or 99.

A stoichometric amount of tosyl chloride dissolved in tetrahydrofuran is then added slowly to reaction product (I), cooled in an ice bath, and the resultant mixture is stirred for 12 to 20 hours to form ##SPC1##

i.e., the polyethylene glycol ditosylate. Pyridine or other suitable base is added to the mixture, and the solution is then poured into ice water and acidified with HCl to a pH of about 2-3. The aqueous solution is then extracted with chloroform, rinsed with water and the chloroform extract is dried over sodium sulfate to give purified polyethylene glycol ditosylate (II).

The ditosylate (II) is then reacted with a tertiary amine of the structure ##EQU6## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are as defined above. The reaction of (III) with (II) is conveniently carried out neat, or with a suitable solvent as N,N-dimethyl formamide or CH.sub.3 CN at temperatures of 80.degree. to about 100.degree.C to produce a mixture of ##SPC2##

and

The mixture of (IV) and (V) is then dissolved in methanol and refluxed from 20-40 hours with an aqueous solution of sodium sulfite. The unreacted (V) and other ionic materials are removed by contacting the above solution with a mixed bed ion exchange resin, followed by filtration of the solution and evaporation of the solvent to give, as the predominant zwitterionic product, ##EQU7## Compound (VI) can optionally be further purified using the mixed bed resin and tested for purity by thin layer chromatography.

It will be appreciated that zwitterionic compounds of the general formula (VI) can be prepared using any of a variety of tertiary amines (III). Moreover, zwitterionic compounds having any desired, specific degree of ethoxylation (y) can be prepared by fractionating the polyethylene glycol used in the reaction and using the desired fraction in the synthesis scheme. Alternatively, relatively narrowly defined distillation "cuts" of polyoxyethylene glycol having any desired average degree of ethoxylation, and containing individual compounds having differing degrees of ethoxylation within the desired range, can be used in the reaction. It will be further understood that sodium salt (I) can be reacted with a variety of epoxy compounds (e.g., butylene epoxide) or halohydrins (e.g., 6-chlorohexanol or 8-bromooctanol) to provide zwitterionics having various R.sub.4 groups within the scope of this invention.

A specific preparation of a mono-long chain ethoxylated zwitterionic compound useful in the present invention was as follows:

Preparation of 26-dimethyloctadecylammonio-3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24 octaoxahexacosane-1-sulfonate

Preparation of Nonaethyleneglycol (A)

Under nitrogen, 46 grams (2 moles) of sodium pellets were added cautiously to 2,664 ml (20 moles) of previously dried and distilled triethyleneglycol. The temperature was kept below 100.degree.C. After all the sodium had reacted, the temperature was adjusted to 100.degree.C and 187 grams (1 mole) of 1,2-bis-(2-chloroethoxy) ethane was added in a slow stream. The mixture was heated overnight at 100.degree.C (still under nitrogen) and then filtered hot to remove most of the sodium chloride. Excess triethyleneglycol was stripped under vacuum and the mixture was again filtered while hot. The material was purified by molecular distillation and has a b.p. of 170.degree.-175.degree.C at 0.001 mm.

Preparation of NOnaethyleneglycol ditosylate (B)

The nonaethyleneglycol (A), 300 grams, (0.72 moles) was dissolved in 800 ml (10.3 moles) of dry pyridine and cooled to 0.degree.C. Tosyl chloride (i.e., p-toluene-sulfonyl chloride, 420 grams, 2.2 moles) was added, with stirring, in small portions. After the addition was complete, the temperature increased to 10.degree.C and the clear reaction mixture became cloudy. The mixture was stirred at 0.degree.-10.degree.C for an additional 3 hrs., then poured into an equal volume of ice water and acidified to pH 2-3 with 6N HCl. The aqueous solution was then extracted 3 times with CHCl.sub.3. The CHCl.sub.3 was washed with water, sodium bicarbonate solution, and again with water, then dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. Evaporation of the CHCl.sub.3 gave 520 grams of a slightly yellow oil. Thin layer chromatography indicated an impurity which remained at the origin. The oil was dissolved in warm benzene (40.degree.C) and extracted with warm water to remove the polar impurity. The benzene was dried, filtered and concentrated to yield 423 grams of a yellowish oil (B).

Preparation of dimethyloctadecyl-26-tosyloxy-3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24 octaoxahexacosylammonium(C) tosylate (C).

The ditosylate (B) 86.7 grams (0.12 mole) and 35.8 grams of distilled dimethyloctadecylamine were heated at reflux for 5 hrs. in 400 ml of acetonitrile. The solvent was then removed to give 120 grams of a mixture consisting of the monoquaternary tosylate (C), diquaternary ammonium byproduct (D) and some unreacted ditosylate (B).

Preparation of 26-dimethyloctadecylammonio-3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24 octaoxahexacosane-1-sulfonate

The mixture of monoquat (C) and diquat (D) prepared above was dissolved in 1 liter of methanol. sodium sulfite (100 grams, 0.79 moles) was added and the reaction mixture was refluxed with stirring for 5 hours. Additional methanol was added and te insoluble salts were filtered. The solvents were removed to yield a solid product.

Purification

The above solid reaction product was dissolved in 1 liter of methanol and stirred with 386 grams of a mixed bed (Rexyn 300 H--OH, commercially available from the Fisher Scientific Co.) resin for 5 hours. The solution was then passed through a column of fresh resin (350 grams of Rexyn 300) at a rate of 2 liters per 7 hours. The methanol solution was then concentrated to yield 31.8 grams of a light yellow oil which was recrystallized from acetone to give a white crystalline, hygroscopic product. This product was identified as the title compound (E in the following schematic).

The following sequence sets forth the above procedure in abbreviated form to clarify the structures of compounds prepared thereby. In the sequence, the dimethyloctadecylamine can be replaced by dimethylhexadecylamine, dimethylnonadecylamine, dimethyleicosylamine, and dimethyldocosylamine, respectively, and the corresponding compounds wherein R.sub.1 is C.sub.16, C.sub.19, C.sub.20, and C.sub.22 are secured, respectively. ##EQU8## b. Di-long chain derivatives

In this derivative, both R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are hydrocarbon moieties that can be straight or branched chain C.sub.6 -C.sub.21 alkyl or alkenyl groups; R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and X.sup.- are as in (i) (a.) above and y has an average value in the range 6-100. Preferably R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are identical and comprise alkyl groups each having 10 to 16 carbon atoms, most preferably alkyl groups each having 10 to 24 carbon atoms. Preferred values for y lie in the range 9 to 50, most preferably in the range 12 to 25.

A specific preparation of a di-long chain alkyl ethoxylated zwitterionic compound useful in the present invention was as follows:

Methylation of di-n-octylamine was accomplished by slowly mixing 50 grams of the secondary amine with, first, formic acid (30.03 grams), and then formaldehyde, at 0.degree.C. The reaction mixture was kept at 80.degree.C for 24 hours, then adjusted to pH 8-9 with 10% NaOH solution. The resulting tertiary amine was extracted with CHCl.sub.3 and dried over Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4. The tertiary amine (25.6 grams, 0.10 mole) was then refluxed with 72 grams (0.10 mole) of nonaethylene glycol ditosylate (compound B, prepared as in the previous procedure) in acetonitrile for 6 hours. The solvent was evaporated and the resulting mixture of mono- and diquaternary compounds was dissolved in methanol and refluxed with 100 grams of sodium sulfite (predissolved in water) for 16 hours. Excess sulfite and other salts were filtered and the filtrate was stirred for 16 hours with 500 grams of a mixed bed resin (Rexyn 300). A second treatment with fresh resin was necessary to remove all impurities. The solvents were evaporated to complete dryness and the product, 22 grams of a light yellow viscous oil, was identified as ##EQU9## or 26-dioctylmethylammonio-3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24-octaoxahexacosane-1-sulfonate .

c. Tri-long chain derivatives

In this derivative, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 are all hydrocarbon moieties that can be straight or branched chain C.sub.6 -C.sub.16 alkyl or alkenyl groups; R.sub.4 and X.sup.- are as in (i) (a.) and (b.) above and y has a value in the range 6-100. Preferably R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 are each identical and each comprise an alkyl group having 8-16 carbon atoms in the chain. Most preferably each chain contains 8-12 carbon atoms. y has a preferred value in the range 9-50, most preferably in the range 12-50.

A specific preparation of a tri-long chain alkyl ethoxylated zwitterionic compound was as follows:

Tri-n-octylamine was distilled to insure purity and 42 grams of the purified product (0.12 mole) was reacted with 87 grams (0.12 mole) of the ditosylate of nonaethylene glycol (compound B in the mono-long chain preparation) in dry N,N-dimethylformamide at 100.degree.C for 2 hours. The dimethylformamide was removed and the mixture of mono- and diquaternary material was dissolved in methanol. This mixture was refluxed for 16 hours with 100 grams of Na.sub.2 SO.sub.3 predissolved in water. The insoluble salts were filtered and the filtrate was stirred with 500 grams mixed bed resin (Rexyn 300 H--OH) for 24 hours. An additional treatment with 500 grams fresh resin was used to further purify the product. Thin layer chromatography still indicated an impurity, which was subsequently removed by dissolving the product in H.sub.2 O, acidifying to pH 4, and extracting with CHCl.sub.3. The CHCl.sub.3 extract was rinsed with sodium bicarbonate, dried and evaporated to give a light yellow viscous oil, identified as ##EQU10## or trioctylammonio-3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24-octaoxahexacosane-1-sulfonate. ##EQU11##

In this structure, R.sub.1 can be a linear or branched C.sub.8 -C.sub.22 alkyl or alkenyl group, preferably a C.sub.16-18 alkyl or alkenyl group; R.sub.2 can be a C.sub.8 -C.sub.30 alkyl or alkenyl group or can be a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, preferably a methyl group; and X.sup.- can be a sulfonate or sulfate radical.

The number of ethylene oxide groups in each chain can be from 1 to 100 but their sum should be greater than 10. Normally there will be approximately the same number in each chain, the sum of the groups in both chains preferably having a value in the range 12-50 and most preferably in the range 12-25.

The preparation of zwitterionic compounds of this type is accomplished using commercially available starting materials. A typical starting material is marketed under the tradename Ethoquad, by the Armak Company of the Armour Company. Ethoquad is a mixture of quaternary ammonium compounds whose predominant component is a di-ethoxylate of the structure ##EQU12## wherein y and x are each non-zero integers whose average sum is, for example, 5, 10, 15, 50, depending on the "cut" selected, and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are C.sub.12 -C.sub.18 alkyl and C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl, respectively.

In general terms, the compounds herein are prepared by dissolving Ethoquad in pyridine or other suitable base and cooling the mixture to a temperature of about 0.degree.C. Tosyl chloride is slowly added to the Ethoquad mixture at a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio while the reaction mixture is kept at about 0.degree.-5.degree.C in an ice bath. The mixture is then stirred for about 24 hours at 0.degree.-5.degree.C. At the end of that time the reaction mixture is poured into water and acidified to a pH of 2-3 with HCl.

The foregoing acidified reaction mixture is then extracted with chloroform and the extract is rinsed first with sodium bicarbonate solution, then with water; the extract is then dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. After evaporation of the chloroform extract, an oily residue is obtained. This is the mono-tosylate ester of the structure ##EQU13## wherein y and x are as above.

The foregoing tosylate ester is then dissolved in methanol and refluxed for about 24 hours with about a 10 molar excess of sodium sulfite predissolved in H.sub.2 O. The reaction mixture is cooled and excess sodium sulfite and sodium tosylate are removed by filtration. The filtrate is stirred with a mixed bed (anion-cation) resin to purify the product. A second resin treatment can optionally be used to remove substantially all traces of all cationic and anionic impurities. The purified mono-sulfonate corresponding to (I) above is recovered by evaporating the solvent. The product can optionally be recrystallized from acetone. ##EQU14## where R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and X.sup.- are as in (ii) and y and x each have a value in the range 1-100 provided that the sum of y + x .gtoreq. 10. Preferred values for the sum of y + x will lie in the range 12-50 and most preferably in the range 15-25. The cation M.sup.+ can be alkali metal, ammonium, and alkanolammonium, e.g. ethanolammonium or methanolammonium but is most preferably sodium.

The disulfonate (II) is prepared in the same manner as the mono-sulfonate (I), but using excess tosyl chloride (about 3:1 mole ratio, or greater) in the first step and a larger excess of sodium sulfite (20:1 mole ratio) in the second step. If a cation, M, other than sodium is desired in the final product, the corresponding sulfite can be used in the second step. Alternatively, the sodium form of compound (II) can be ion-exchanged in standard fashion to any desired cation, M. The resin purification treatment is unnecessary when preparing the disulfonate.

The sulfates of the type (I) and (II) are easily prepared by reacting one or two moles of chlorosulfonic acid with the Ethoquads, respectively. The same consideration with regard to selection of cation M holds true for the sulfates as for the sulfonates.

It will be appreciated that a variety of diethoxylated amino starting materials can be employed in the foregoing reaction scheme. For example, Ethoquad derivatives having variations in groups R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are commercially available, e.g., compounds wherein R.sub.1 is an average C.sub.12 cut. Moreover, precursor compounds having varying sums of y and x (within the recited range) can be selected according to the desires of the user. Compounds wherein y and x are of approximately equal length, the sum of y and x being from about 12 to about 25, most preferably from 15 to about 25, are especially useful herein.

It will be further appreciated that a variety of other starting materials can be employed to prepare various di-ethoxylated precursors of the present zwitterionic compounds. For example, the Ethomeens (a tradename of a class of compounds marketed by the Armak Company, a division of the Armour Company) can be quaternized to produce variations of the commercial Ethoquads. Thus, Ethomeens of the general formula R--N(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.x H(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.y H, when R is alkyl, can be reacted with excess alkyl iodide or hydroxy-substituted alkyl iodide (CH.sub.3 I, C.sub.2 H.sub.5 I, etc.) to produce a quaternary ammonium compound which can be sulfated or sulfonated on one or both ethylene oxide groups in the manner disclosed above.

It should be appreciated that mixtures of any of these zwitterionic compounds in any proportions may be used in the compositions of the present invention. Such mixtures may be produced intentionally by blending individual species or may arise as a result of the choice of feedstocks or as a result of the processing steps involved.

The ethoxylated zwitterionic compounds useful in the present invention desirably display appreciable solubility in aqueous media. A solubility in water at 25.degree.C of at least 50 ppm, preferably more than 75 ppm appears to be necessary for satisfactory particulate soil removal performance, but the preferred materials have solubilities in water of 10-30% by weight.

The second essential component of a composition in accordance with the present invention is a detergent builder material. This can be present at a level of from 1-99% by weight of the composition, the actual level being dependent on the end use of the composition and its desired physical form.

Inorganic detergent builders that are useful in compositions in accordance with the present invention are the alkali metal, ammonium and alkanolammonium, polyphosphates (exemplified by the tripolyphosphates, pyrophosphates, and glassy polymeric meta-phosphates), phosphonates, silicates, carbonates (including bicarbonates and sesquicarbonates), sulphates, borates, and aluminosilicates.

Specific examples of polyphosphates of value in the present invention are the alkali metal tripolyphosphates, sodium, potassium and ammonium pyrophosphate, sodium and potassium orthophosphate, sodium polymeta phosphate in which the degree of polymerization ranges from about 6 to about 21. Particularly preferred are the alkali metal tripoly- and pyro- phosphates.

Examples of suitable phosphonate builder salts are the water-soluble salts of ethane 1-hydroxy-1, 1-diphosphonate particularly the sodium and potassium salts, the water-soluble salts of methylene diphosphonic acid e.g. the trisodium and tripotassium salts and the water-soluble salts of substituted methylene diphosphonic acids, such as the trisodium and tripotassium ethylidene, isopyropylidene benzylmethylidene and halo methylidene phosphonates. Phosphonate builder salts of the aforementioned types are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,159,581 and 3,213,030 issued Dec. 1, 1964 and Oct. 19, 1965, to Diehl; U.S. Pat. No. 3,422,021 issued Jan. 14, 1969, to Roy; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,400,148 and 3,422,137 issued Sept. 3, 1968, and Jan. 14, 1969 to Quimby, said disclosures being incorporated herein by reference.

Preferred silicate builders are the alkali metal silicates, particularly those having a SiO.sub.2 :Na.sub.2 O ratio in the range 1.6:1 to 3.2:1. However, other silicates may also be useful such as for example magnesium silicate, which can serve as a crispening agent in granular formulations as a stabilizing agent for oxygen bleaches such as sodium perborate, and as a component of suds control systems.

Examples of preferred carbonate builders include sodium carbonate and sesquicarbonate and mixtures thereof with ultra-fine calcium carbonate as disclosed in German Patent Application DOS No. 2,321,001 published on Nov. 15, 1973, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Alkali metal borates which are of value in the present invention include sodium tetraborate, decahydrate, and potassium pentaborate tetrahydrate.

Aluminosilicate builder salts found to be useful in the present invention have the general formula:

wherein z and y are integers of at least 6, the molar ratio of z to y is in the range from 1.0 to about 0.5, and x is an integer from about 15 to about 264. Such aluminosilicates also should have a particle size diameter in the range 0.1 to 100 microns, a calcium ion exchange capacity of at least about 200 milligram equivalent/gram and a calcium ion exchange rate of at least about 2 grains/U.S. gallon/minute/gram. Detergent compositions incorporating aluminosilicate builder salts of this type are disclosed in the commonly assigned copending application Ser. No. 450,266 of Corkill, Madison, and Burns filed Mar. 11, 1974, which disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.

Organic detergent builders suitable for the purposes of the present invention include, but are not restricted to, alkali metal, ammonium and alkanolammonium, salts of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, nitrilo triacetic acid, phytic acid, mellitic acid, and mixtures thereof with benzene penta carboxylic acid, benzene 1, 3, 5-tricarboxylic acid and 1, 3, 5-trihydroxy benzene-2, 4, 6-trisulphonic acid, citric acid, itaconic acid, oxydisuccinic acid, carboxy-methyloxysuccinic acid, poly maleic acid, and copolymers of maleic anhydride with ethylene or vinyl methyl ether. Specific disclosures of these and other suitable organic detergent builders occur in U.S. Pat. No. 3,308,067 issued Mar. 7, 1967, to Diehl; Japanese Pat. No. 73,703 filed May 24, 1971, and published Jan. 8, 1973; U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,699,159, 3,758,420, and 3,812,044 issued Oct. 17, 1972, Sept. 11, 1973, and May 21, 1974 in the names of Connor and Krummel; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,635,830 issued Jan. 18, 1972 in the names of Lamberti and Konort, which disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference.

Mixtures of any of the above detergent builders can also be used, several particularly advantageous combinations being disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,356,613 and 3,392,121 issued respectively on Dec. 5, 1967 and July 9, 1968 to Gedge, which disclosures are also incorporated herein by reference.

The accompanying Tables illustrate the particulate soil removal performance given by combinations of ethoxylated zwitterionic compounds useful in the present invention and various detergent builders.

Table I shows the effect of a variety of builders both inorganic and organic, on the clay soil removal performance of two ethoxylated zwitterionic compounds that show good performance on their own. At a zwitterionic compound usage level of 250 ppm, an overall performance improvement is seen for addition of any builder, with marked benefits on cotton and polyester fabrics. At a zwitterionic compound usage level of 125 ppm, the addition of builder restores the level of performance in most instances to that provided by 250 ppm ethoxylated zwitterionic compound alone and in some instances exceeds it.

Table II shows a similar result for two ethoxylated zwitterionic compounds whose particulate soil removal performance in the absence of builder is not particularly good. The results show that certain detergent builders can raise the clay removal performance of these "poorer" materials to the level achieved by the ethoxylated zwitterionic compounds that have good performance on their own and can in some instances even match the performance of the control product A at its higher usage concentration (1400 ppm).

The efficacy of builder-ethoxylated zwitterionic compound combinations for a range of zwitterionic compound structures is demonstrated in Table III. It can be seen that a combination incorporating the C.sub.8 alkyl dimethyl derivative (Run No. 4) does not provide good particulate soil removal performance (c.f. C.sub.12 alkyl and C.sub.14 alkyl materials in Table II) but that performance improves slightly for the di-C.sub.8 derivative (Run No. 5) and then shows a marked increase for the derivative in which total substitution of the methyl side chains by C.sub.8 alkyl groups has taken place (Run No. 6). Runs 9 and 10 illustrate the desirability of exceeding a given solubility in water, where it can be seen that the prior solubilization in methanol of a compound having a low water solubility (cir. 50 ppm by weight) provided some increase in performance but was not essential in obtaining an appreciable level of particulate soil removal. The influence of builder and ethoxylated zwitterionic level is shown in Table IV where it can be seen that the use of a builder combination having efficient mineral hardness removal characteristics can permit the level of ethoxylated zwitterionic to be lowered considerably (Runs 8 & 9). The use of less efficient builder systems do not provide the same degree of formulation flexibility in that the particulate soil removal performance correlates more directly with the level of the ethoxylated zwitterionic compound (Runs 3, 4, & 5).

The particulate soil removal results demonstrate that for those ethoxylated zwitterionic compounds having inherently good performance, combination with a detergent builder permits a substantial reduction in the zwitterionic level, the reduction being associated with the efficacy of the builder in controlling mineral hardness. For those ethoxylated zwitterionic compounds that do not have such good particulate soil removal performance, combination with detergent builders at a zwitterionic level of 125 ppm in solution provides an improvement that in most cases matches and even exceeds the performance of the control product used at recommended concentrations.

Grease and oil removal performance results for combinations of ethoxylated zwitterionic compounds and detergent builders are set out in Table V. Combinations using the C.sub.16 dimethyl octaethenoxy compounds, the C.sub.14 homologue, and 1:1 blends of these two materials all show an overall improvement in grease and oil removal for the incorporation of a detergent builder but the effect varies both with the fabric and stain type. In general, a noticeable improvement is seen on polyester fabrics for both types of stain but the effect is more variable on poly-cotton blends, particularly with triglyceride-type stains.

In summary, the addition of a detergent builder to the ethoxylated zwitterionic compounds of the present invention improves grease and oil removal on synthetic fabrics, while having an effect on cotton blends which is dependent on the stain type and the nature of the builder combination.

TABLE I __________________________________________________________________________ CLAY SOIL REMOVAL PERFORMANCE OF ETHOXYLATED ZWITTERIONIC COMPOUNDS IN COMBINATION WITH DETERGENT BUILDERS Conditions: 10 Minute Wash in Tergotometer, Mineral Hardness 7 grains/gallon (Ca:Mg = 2:1), Temp. 105.degree.F RELATIVE ETHOXYLATED LEVEL LEVEL CLAY REMOVAL INDEX ZWITTERIONIC PPM IN BUILDER PPM IN POLY- POLY- NO. COMPOUND SOLUTION TYPE SOLUTION COTTON COTTON ESTER __________________________________________________________________________ 1 (N-C.sub.16 H.sub.33 N,N-bisCH.sub.3 ammonio) 250 -- -- 75 96 95 (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.8 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 SO.sub.3 2 " 125 -- -- 62 88 77 3 " 250 Na.sub.5 P.sub.3 O.sub.10 250 104 100 101 4 " 125 Na.sub.5 P.sub.3 O.sub.10 250 100 97 105 5 " 250 Na.sub.4 P.sub.2 O.sub.7 250 111 102 112 6 " 125 Na.sub.4 P.sub.2 O.sub.7 250 92 90 106 7 " 250 Na.sub.12 (AlO.sub.2.SiO.sub. 2.).sub.12 27H.sub.2 O 500 104 94 107 8 " 125 " 500 65 93 93 * 9 " 250 CaCO*.sub.3 /Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 100/200 93 95 104 10 " 125 " 100/200 63 93 99 11 " 250 Sodium NTA 180 117 98 122 12 " 125 Sodium NTA 180 98 97 116 13 " 250 Sodium citrate 300 88 94 101 14 " 250 CH(COONa).sub.2 OCH.sub.2 COONa 300 111 103 106 15 " 125 CH(COONa).sub.2 OCH.sub.2 COONa 300 104 101 104 * 16 " 250 Na.sub.2 CO*.sub.3 /Na.sub.2 SiO.sub.3 200/200 92 106 109 17 (N-C.sub.21 H.sub.43 N,N-bisCH.sub.3 ammonio) 250 -- -- 90 95 101 (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.5 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 SO.sub.3 18 " 250 Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 /Na.sub.2 SiO.sub.3 * 200/200 94 107 115 __________________________________________________________________________ *SiO.sub.2 : Na.sub.2 O = 3.2:1 **CaCO.sub.3 surface area 100 m.sup.2 /gram (.apprxeq.0.02.mu.)

TABLE II __________________________________________________________________________ CLAY SOIL REMOVAL PERFORMANCE OF ETHOXYLATED ZWITTERIONIC COMPOUNDS IN COMBINATION WITH DETERGENT BUILDERS Conditions: 10 Minute Wash in Tergotometer, Mineral Hardness 7 grains/gallon (Ca:Mg = 2:1), Temp. 105.degree.F RELATIVE ETHOXYLATED LEVEL LEVEL CLAY REMOVAL INDEX ZWITTERIONIC PPM IN BUILDER PPM IN POLY- POLY- NO. COMPOUND SOLUTION TYPE SOLUTION COTTON COTTON ESTER __________________________________________________________________________ 1 (N-C.sub.14 H.sub.29 N,N-bisCH.sub.3 ammonio) 250 -- -- 53 69 46 (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.8 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 SO.sub.3 2 " 125 -- -- 41 52 24 3 " 250 Na.sub.5 P.sub.3 O.sub.10 250 94 90 98 4 " 125 Na.sub.5 P.sub.3 O.sub.10 250 62 73 39 5 " 250 Na.sub.4 P.sub.2 O.sub.7 250 94 88 99 6 " 125 Na.sub.4 P.sub.2 O.sub.7 250 77 80 80 7 " 250 Na.sub.12 (AlO.sub.2.SiO.sub.2.).sub.12 27H.sub. 2 O 250 85 92 88 8 " 125 " 250 61 75 44 * 9 " 250 CaCO*.sub.3 /Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 100/200 92 96 84 10 " 125 " 100/200 70 78 44 11 " 250 Sodium NTA 180 100 94 109 12 " 125 Sodium NTA 180 55 65 33 13 " 250 CH(COONa).sub.2 OCH.sub.2 COONa 300 98 103 99 14 " 125 CH(COONa).sub.2 OCH.sub.2 COONa 300 86 84 55 * 15 " 250 Na.sub.2 CO*.sub.3 /Na.sub.2 SiO.sub.3 200/200 80 92 75 16 (N-C.sub.12 H.sub.25 N,N-bisCH.sub.3 ammonio) 250 -- -- 50 46 33 (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.5 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 SO.sub.3 17 " 250 Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 /Na.sub.2 SiO.sub.3 * 200/200 68 67 41 __________________________________________________________________________ *SiO.sub.2:Na.sub.2 O = 3.2:1 **CaCO.sub.3 surface area 100 m.sup.2 /gram (.apprxeq.0.02.mu.)?

TABLE III __________________________________________________________________________ CLAY SOIL REMOVAL PERFORMANCE OF A RANGE OF ETHOXYLATED ZWITTERIONIC COMPOUNDS IN COMBINATION WITH A CARBONATE/SILICATE BUILDER SYSTEM (SILICATE RATIO SiO.sub.2 :Na.sub.2 O = 3.2:1) Conditions: 10 Minute Wash in Tergotometer, Mineral Hardness 7 grains/gallon (Ca:Mg=2:1), Temp. 105.degree.F RELATIVE CLAY REMOVAL INDEX ETHOXYLATED LEVEL LEVEL ZWITTERIONIC PPM IN BUILDER PPM IN POLY- POLY- NO. COMPOUND SOLUTION TYPE SOLUTION COTTON COTTON ESTER __________________________________________________________________________ 1 (N-C.sub.18 H.sub.37 N,N-bisCH.sub.3 ammonio) 250 -- -- 94 98 98 (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.8 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 SO.sub.3 2 " 250 Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 /Na.sub.2 SiO.sub.3 200/200 104 103 113 3 (N-C.sub.16 H.sub.33 N,N-bisCH.sub.3 ammonio) 250 " 200/200 91 99 109 (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.5 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 SO.sub.3 4 (N-C.sub.8 H.sub.17 N,N-bisCH.sub.3 ammonio) 250 " 200/200 46 53 39 (CH.sub. 2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.8 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 SO.sub.3 5 (N,N-bisC.sub.8 H.sub.17 N-CH.sub.3 ammonio) 250 " 200/200 52 62 33 (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.8 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 SO.sub.3 6 (N,N,N-trisC.sub.8 H.sub.17 ammonio) 250 " 200/200 82 92 101 (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.8 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 SO.sub.3 7 (N,N-bisC.sub.10 H.sub.21 N-CH.sub.3 ammonio) 250 " 200/200 101 95 109 (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.8 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 SO.sub.3 8 [N-C.sub.18 H.sub.37 N-CH.sub.3,N-(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.y 250 " 200/200 73 87 95 ammonio] (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.x CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 SO.sub.3 where x+y=15 9 (N-C.sub.18 H.sub.37 N,N-bisCH.sub.3 ammonio) 250 " 200/200 58 93 112 (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.8 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 SO.sub.3 10 " (predissolved in methanol) 250 " 200/200 104 109 114 __________________________________________________________________________

TABLE IV __________________________________________________________________________ EFFECT OF VARIATIONS IN LEVEL OF ETHOXYLATED ZWITTERIONIC COMPOUND AND BUILDER ON CLAY SOIL REMOVAL PERFORMANCE Conditions: 10 Minute Wash in Tergotometer, Mineral Hardness 7 grains/gallon (Ca:Mg = 2:1), Temp. 105.degree.F RELATIVE ETHOXYLATED LEVEL LEVEL CLAY REMOVAL INDEX ZWITTERIONIC PPM IN BUILDER PPM IN POLY- POLY- NO. COMPOUND SOLUTION TYPE SOLUTION COTTON COTTON ESTER __________________________________________________________________________ N-C.sub.18 H.sub.37 N,N-bisCH.sub.3 250 -- -- 94 98 98 (EO).sub.8 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 SO.sub.3 2 " 250 Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 /Na.sub.2 SiO.sub.3 * 200/200 104 103 113 3 " 13 Na.sub.5 P.sub.3 O.sub.10 250/200/200 51 -- 42 Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 Na.sub.2 SiO.sub.3 * 4 " 50 " 250/200/200 63 -- 81 5 " 125 " 250/200/200 85 103 106 6 " 125 " 125/200/200 73 -- 108 7 " 125 " 50/200/200 75 -- 104 8 " 63 Na.sub.12 (AlO.sub.2 SiO.sub.2).sub.12 27H.sub.2 600 75 101 106 Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 /Na.sub.2 SiO.sub.3 * 200/200 9 " 125 " 600 90 109 107 " 200/200 __________________________________________________________________________ *SiO.sub.2 :Na.sub.2 O = 3.2:1

TABLE V __________________________________________________________________________ GREASE & OIL REMOVAL PERFORMANCE FOR COMBINATIONS OF ETHOXYLATED ZWITTERIONIC COMPOUNDS AND DETERGENT BUILDERS Conditions: 10 Minute Tergotometer Wash at 100.degree.F in 5.5 grains/U.S. gallon Mineral Hardness (Ca:Mg=3:1) ETHOXYLATED LEVEL LEVEL ZWITTERIONIC PPM IN BUILDER PPM IN POLYCOTTON POLYESTER NO. COMPOUND SOLUTION TYPE SOLUTION TG % HC % TG HC __________________________________________________________________________ % 1 (N-C.sub.16 H.sub.33 N,N-bisCH.sub.3 ammonio) 250 -- -- 91 132 75 102 (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.8 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 SO.sub.3 2 " 250 Na.sub.5 P.sub.3 O.sub.10 250 97 143 98 109 3 " 500 Na.sub.12 (AlO.sub.2.SiO.sub.2.).sub.12 27H.sub.2 O 500 8 121 99 115 4 (N-C.sub.14 H.sub.29 N,N-bisCH.sub.3 ammonio) 250 -- -- 100 75 80 99 (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.8 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 SO.sub.3 5 " 250 Na.sub.5 P.sub.3 O.sub.10 250 76 122 100 126 6 " 250 Na.sub.12 (AlO.sub.2.SiO.sub.2.).sub.12 27H.sub.2 O 500 63 93 88 111 7 C.sub.16 /C.sub.14 compound mixture 125/125 -- -- 91 121 77 91 8 " 125/125 Na.sub.5 P.sub.3 O.sub.10 250 127 86 112 123 9 " 125/125 Na.sub.12 (AlO.sub.2.SiO.sub.2.).sub.12 27H.sub.2 O 500 78 121 104 117 __________________________________________________________________________

Optional Components

In addition to the ethoxylated zwitterionic compound and the detergent builder, the detergent compositions of the present invention may also contain other ingredients conventionally employed in such products. The principal optional component is a cosurfactant which may be nonionic, zwitterionic, ampholytic, anionic, or cationic. Nonionic, zwitterionic, and ampholytic cosurfactants may be present in amounts ranging from 5-95% by weight of a composition containing the ethoxylated zwitterionic detergent builder combination. Cationic surfactants containing a hydrophilic moiety in the molecule (e.g. hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, and ethenoxy groups) can also be utilized at these levels, but cationic surfactants not possessing such groupings serve to depress the particulate soil removal performance of the ethoxylated zwitterionic compounds. Anionic cosurfactants are preferably incorporated in amounts not exceeding 100% by weight of the ethoxylated zwitterionic compound for similar reasons.

Specific cosurfactant-ethoxylated zwitterionic compound mixtures are disclosed in the commonly assigned cofiled Application of Robert G. Laughlin and Vincent P. Heuring, Ser. No. 493,953, filed Aug. 1, 1974, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Another optional ingredient that may be incorporated is an enzyme for removal of protein-based or carbohydrate-based stains. Enzymes for removing protein-based stains are proteolylic in nature, such as those sold under the trade names "Alcalase" and "Esterase" by Novo Industries A/S Denmark or under the trade names "Maxatase" and "AZ Protease" by Gist-Brocades N.V. The Netherlands. These materials are normally incorporated at levels of up to 1% by weight, preferably 0.25 to 0.75% by weight, and are preferably coated or prilled with inert additives to minimize dust formation and improve storage stability. A wide range of enzyme materials and means for their incorporation into synthetic detergent granules is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,553,139 issued on Jan. 5, 1971, to McCarty, Roald, DeOude, Blomeyer, and Cracco which disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference.

A further ingredient that may be incorporated to improve product performance is a bleaching agent of the halogen or oxygen-containing type. Examples of the hypohalite bleach type include trichloro isocyanuric acid and the sodium and potassium dichloroisocyanurates and N-chloro and N-bromo alkane sulphonamides. Such materials are normally added at 0.5-10% by weight of the finished product, preferably 1-5% by weight.

Examples of oxygen containing bleaches include sodium perborate, sodium percarbonate, and potassium nonopersulphate that are incorporated at levels of 5-30%, preferably 10-25% by weight of the final product. The inclusion of organic bleach activators such as phthalic anhydride, tetra acetyl ethylene diamine, tetra acetyl methylene diamine or tetra acetyl glycouril lead to the in situ production during the washing process of the corresponding organic peroxy acids which have enhanced low temperature bleaching performance. Activators of this type are normally used with sodium perborate, at usage levels of 5-15% by weight of the final product.

Materials to boost or modify the sudsing pattern of the compositions of the present invention may also be included. Examples of suds boosters include coconut and tallow mono- and di-alkanolamides, particularly ethanolamides and C.sub.12-15 alkyl di-lower alkyl amine oxides. Typical suds depressors include long chain fatty acids such as those discarded in U.S. Pat. No. 2,954,347 issued Sept. 27, 1960, to Wayne St. John and combinations of certain nonionics therewith as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,954,348 issued Sept. 27, 1960, to Eugene Schwoeppe, both disclosures being incorporated herein by reference.

Other optional ingredients in granular products include hydrotropes and anticaking additives such as salts of lower alkyaryl sulphonic acids, salts of .alpha.-sulphosuccinic acid, and .alpha.-sulphobenzoic acid, and urea, normally utilized at levels of 0.5 to 5% by weight of the final product, preferably at levels of 1-3% by weight. C.sub.12 -C.sub.18 alkyl acid phosphates and their condensation products with ethylene oxide may also be incorporated at similar levels for control of crutcher mix viscosity. Antire-deposition agents such as carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, and their derivatives may also be incorporated.

Anti-tarnish and anti-corrosion agents, perfume and color may also be included, the last ingredient being conveniently added either as a general color or in the form of a speckle applied to a separate granule fraction of the entire formulation or to a granulate or one or more of the ingredients.

The pH of detergent formulations in accordance with the present invention can lie anywhere within the range 5-12 but is preferably chosen to fall within the range 8.0-10.5 as this provides a slight particulate soil removal benefit on synthetic fabrics. However, the use of specific optional components such as enzymes may require the selection of a product pH that will permit optimum functioning of the component concerned.

Granular formulations embodying the compositions of the present invention may be formed by any of the conventional techniques i.e., by slurrying the individual components in water and then atomizing and spray-drying the resultant mixture, or by pan or drum granulation of the components.

Liquid formulations embodying the compositions of the present invention may contain builders or may be unbuilt. If the compositions are unbuilt, they will conventionally contain approximately 30-50% total surfactant, from 1-10% of an organic base such as mono, di, or tri-alkanolamine, a solubilization system such as alkali metal halide and a lower primary alcohol such as ethanol or isopropanol and approximately 30-40% water. Such compositions will normally be homogeneous single phase liquids of low viscosity (approximately 100-150 centipoises at 75.degree.F).

Built liquid detergent compositions may also be single phase liquids provided that the builder can be solubilized in the mixture at its level of use. Such liquids conventionally contain 10-25% total surfactant, 10-20 % builder which may be organic or inorganic, 5-10% of a hydrotrope system and 50-60% of water. Liquids of this type also have low viscosity (100-150 c.p.s. at 75.degree.F). Built liquid detergents incorporating components that form heterogeneous mixtures or levels of builder that cannot be completely dissolved can also embody the compositions of the present invention. Such liquids conventionally employ viscosity modifiers to produce systems having plastic shear characteristics to maintain stable dispersions and to prevent phase separation or solid settlement.

The following examples serve to illustrate the present invention:

EXAMPLE 1

A concentrated detergent formulation having the consistency of a thick paste was prepared having the following composition by weight:

.omega.-(hexadecyl dimethyl ammonio)- 38.4% 2-octaethenoxy ethane-1-sulphonate Sodium Carbonate 30.8 Sodium Silicate (SiO.sub.2 :Na.sub.2 O = 3.2:1) 30.8 100.0%

Cotton, polycotton, and polyester cloth swatches that had been soiled with a standardized illite clay soil were given a 10 minute wash with this product in the tergotometer at 105.degree.F using water of mineral hardness 7 grains/gallon (Ca:Mg = 2:1). Product concentration was adjusted to give 250 ppm of zwitterionic compound in solution. Following rinsing and drying, the swatches were then graded instrumentally for clay soil removal using a Hunter Color Difference meter. The results, expressed as a percentage of the performance achieved by the Standard Formulation A used at 0.10% concn. by wt. under the same conditions, were as follows:

Cotton Polycotton Polyester ______________________________________ 92% 106% 109% ______________________________________

EXAMPLE II

A solid powdered formulation was prepared having the following composition:

.omega.-(N-octadecyl, N-methyl, N-polyethenoxy 27.8% ammonio)-2-polyethenoxy ethane-1-sulphonate wherein the total number of ethylene oxide groups in the molecule was 14 Sodium Tripolyphosphate 27.8 Sodium Carbonate 22.2 Sodium Silicate (SiO.sub.2 :Na.sub.2 O = 3.2:1) 22.2 100.0%

Using the product concentrations and adopting the Testing Procedure set out in Example I, the following results were obtained, expressed as a percentage of the performance of the Control Product A under the same conditions:

Cotton Polycotton Polyester ______________________________________ 104% 99% 106% ______________________________________

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A detergent composition comprising

A. 1 to 99% by weight of the composition of a compound having the formula selected from the group consisting of ##EQU15## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of straight and branched chain C.sub.8 -C.sub.30 alkyl and alkenyl moieties and alkaryl moieties in which the alkyl group has 10-24 carbon atoms;

R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of straight and branched chain C.sub.8 -C.sub.21 alkyl and alkenyl moieties, alkaryl moieties in which the alkyl group has 6-16 carbon atoms, and C.sub.1-4 alkyl and hydroxyalkyl moieties;

R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of straight and branched chain C.sub.8 -C.sub.21 alkyl and alkenyl moieties, alkaryl moieties in which the alkyl group has 6-16 carbon atoms, C.sub.1-4 alkyl and hydroxyalkyl moieties and --(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.x H wherein x has a value of about 3 to about 50;

R.sub.4 is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkylene, C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 alkenylene, 2-hydroxy propylene, and 2- and 3-hydroxy butylene moieties and C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkarylene moieties provided that where R.sub.3 is --(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.x H then R.sub.4 is --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --;

X.sup.- is an anion selected from the group consisting of sulfate and sulfonate radicals;

and y has a value in the range of 2-100 provided that where R.sub.3 is --(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.x H then x + y .gtoreq. 10; and ##EQU16## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of linear and branched C.sub.8 -C.sub.30 alkyl and alkenyl radicals;

R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of linear and branched C.sub.8 -C.sub.30 alkyl and alkenyl radicals and C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl and hydroxyalkyl radicals;

X.sup.- is selected from the group consisting of sulfate and sulfonate;

y and x have values in the range of 2-100 provided that y + x .gtoreq. 12;

M is a cation selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, ammonium and alkanolammonium ions; and

B. 99to 1% by weight of the composition of a detergent builder.

2. A detergent composition according to claim 1 wherein the detergent builder is an inorganic detergent builder selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, ammonium, and alkanolammonium polyphosphates, carbonates, bicarbonates, silicates, aluminosilicates, borates, and sulfates.

3. A detergent composition according to claim 1 wherein the detergent builder is an organic detergent builder selected from the group consisting of alkali metal ammonium and alkanolammonium salts of ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, citric acid, oxydisuccinic acid, carboxymethoxysuccinic acid, benzene penta- and hexa-carboxylic acid, 1, 3, 5-trihydroxy benzene-2, 4, 6-trisulfonic acid, and copolymers of maleic anhydride with vinyl methyl ether and ethylene.

4. A detergent composition according to claim 1 wherein the zwitterionic compound has the formula ##EQU17## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of straight and branched chain C.sub.16 -C.sub.22 alkyl and alkenyl moieties, R.sub.2 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl group and x + y has a value in the range of 12-50.

5. A detergent composition according to claim 4 wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of straight and branched chain C.sub.16-C.sub.18 alkyl and alkenyl moieties and x + y has a value in the range of 15-25.

6. A detergent composition comprising

A. 1-99% by weight of the composition of a compound having the formula ##EQU18## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 are each selected from the group consisting of branched and straight chain C.sub.6 -C.sub.16 alkyl and alkenyl radicals;

R.sub.4 is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkylene, C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 alkenylene, 2-hydroxy propylene, and 2- and 3-hydroxy butylene moieties and alkarylene moieties in which the alkyl group contains from 1-4 carbon atoms;

X.sup.- is an anion selected from the group consisting of sulfate and sulfonate radicals; and

y has an average value in the range of 6-100; and

B. 99-1% by weight of the composition of a detergent builder.

7. A detergent composition according to claim 6 wherein y has a value of at least 9.

8. A detergent composition comprising

A. 1-99% by weight of the composition of a compound having the formula: ##EQU19## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each selected from the group consisting of branched and straight chain C.sub.6 -C.sub.21 alkyl and alkenyl radicals;

R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl and hydroxyalkyl moieties;

R.sub.4 is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkylene, C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 alkenylene, 2-hydroxy propylene, and 2- and 3-hydroxy butylene moieties and alkarylene moieties in which the alkyl group contains 1-4 carbon atoms;

X.sup.- is an anion selected from the group consisting of sulfate and sulfonate radicals; and

y has an average value in the range of 6-100;

B. 99-1% by weight of the composition of a detergent builder.

9. A detergent composition according to claim 1 wherein the compound has the formula: ##EQU20## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of branched and straight chain C.sub.8 -C.sub.30 alkyl and alkenyl radicals; R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are each selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl and hydroxyalkyl moieties; and R.sub.4 is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkylene, C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 alkenylene, 2-hydroxy propylene, and 2- and 3-hydroxy butylene moieties and alkarylene moieties in which the alkylene group has 1-4 carbon atoms; and y has a value of from about 6 to about 20.

10. A detergent composition according to claim 9 wherein R.sub.1 is a C.sub.12 -C.sub.18 alkyl moiety; R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are independently selected from C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkylene and hydroxyalkylene moieties; R.sub.4 is a --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --moiety; and y has a value from about 6 to about 12.

11. A composition according to claim 1 incorporating an organic detergent selected from the group consisting of anionic, nonionic, ampholytic, and zwitterionic surfactants.