EP0489768A1

EP0489768A1 - Anti-foaming agents for machine-washing of crockery and bottles.

Info

Publication number: EP0489768A1
Application number: EP90912439A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Karl-Heinz Schmid; Detlev Stanislowski; Karin Koren; Michael Langen
Original assignee: Henkel AG and Co KGaA
Current assignee: BASF Personal Care and Nutrition GmbH
Priority date: 1989-08-30
Filing date: 1990-08-21
Publication date: 1992-06-17
Anticipated expiration: 2010-08-21
Also published as: WO1991003540A1; PT95121A; ATE123800T1; DE3928600A1; EP0489768B1; PT95121B; DE59009251D1; ES2073032T3; DK0489768T3

Abstract

The invention concerns multi-component foam-inhibiting mixtures with surfactant properties, comprising up to 40 % by wt. of polyethyleneglycol ethers with terminal groups of formula (I): R1?O-(CH2?CH2?O)n?R2?, in which R1?O- = a 2-branched even alkanol residue with 16-20 C-atoms, n = 5 to 9 and R2? = a C4?-C8? alkyl group and/or up to 40 % by wt. of polyethyleneglycol ether compounds not capped by terminal groups, of formula (II): R5?O-(CH2?CH2?O)z?-H, in which R5?O- = a 2 branched even alkanol residue with 12-20 C-atoms and z = 2 to 5; plus 20-98 % by wt. of mixed ethers of formula (III): R6?O-(EO)u?-(PO)v?-H in which R6?O- = a straight-chain or branched-chain C8?-C18? alkanol residue, EO = ethyleneglycol, PO = propyleneglycol, p = 2 to 6 and q = 3 to 7 plus, optionally, 0-80 % by wt. of polyethyleneglycol ethers capped with terminal groups, of formula (IV): R3?O-(CH2?CH2?O)m?-R4?, in which R3? = a straight-chain C8?-C18? alkyl residue or a branched-chain C8?-C14? alkyl residue, R4? = a C4?-C10? alkyl residue and m = 5 to 15 for the machine-washing of crockery and bottles. In preferred compounds, the R5?O- residdue derives from 2-butyloctanol-1, 2-butyldecanol-1, 2-hexyloctanol-1, 2-hexyldecanol-1, 2-hexyldodecanol-1, 2-octyldecanol-1 or 1-octyldodecanol-1, and the R1?O- residue from mixtures of 2-hexyldodecanol-1 and 2-octyldecanol-1. Advantage: highly effective and can be incorporated in liquid systems stable to alkali to give cleanly soluble aqueous concentrates.

Description

Antifoam agent for machine dishwashing and bottle cleaning

The invention relates to novel, selected active substance mixtures of alkali-resistant polyalkylene glycol ether compounds which, in the case of their own surfactant action, are distinguished in particular by pronounced foam-suppressing properties when formulated with other known components of foam-like detergents, and to their use for machine dishwashing and bottle cleaning in the home and business .

The use of nonionic surfactants based on polyoxyalkylated alkylphenols and / or fatty alcohols for cleaning hard surfaces is known. In many areas of application, for example when used as a component in dishwashers, however, the high foaming power of these compounds has an unfavorable effect.

There are a whole series of proposals to dampen the undesirable high foaming tendency of such cleaning agents by using suitable mixture components. For example, the use or concomitant use of block polymers of polypropylene glycol and ethylene oxide and other foam damping systems is known. A particular difficulty in the field of mechanical surface cleaning with such systems is the frequently present alkali instability of the auxiliaries used. It is known that, for example, machine dishwashing detergents are highly alkaline systems with considerable amounts of alkali metal hydroxides, alkali metalates and / or alkali metal phosphates. - 1 -

DE-OS 25 56 544 describes cleaning agents, in particular machine dishwashing detergents, which also use end-group-closed nonionic polyalkylene glycol ether compounds, the class of compounds highlighted there being polyoxyalkylated alcohols having 6 to 22 carbon atoms in straight-chain or branched alkyl or Derive alkylene radical and are characterized in that they with a tert. -Butyl ether grouping end groups are closed. Compounds of this type are said to be able to be used as foam dampers for nonionic and cationic compounds.

The teaching of the present invention is based on the object of enabling further improvements of such cleaning and / or rinsing agents for hard surfaces, in particular for the mechanical cleaning of glass, dishes, bottles and the like. In particular, the invention intends to provide mixtures of substances which, on the one hand, are themselves surfactant-like, but are particularly suitable for use as strongly foam-suppressing additives in low-foam alkali-resistant detergent mixtures of the type concerned here. Both the area of solid and / or liquid cleaning agents of the type mentioned here and the area of so-called rinse aids, which are known to be used in a final process step before drying of the cleaned items, are mentioned. The active ingredient combinations according to the invention should be able to be used in particular in combination with other customary nonionic, cationic or anionic surface-active substances, builders and other additives or auxiliaries in the dishwashing and cleaning agent formulations of the subject area concerned.

The teaching of the invention is based on the finding that those specified below are definitely selected Mixtures of active ingredients meet the complex requirement profile. Mixtures of active substances of the type according to the invention are also notable for improved formulability in liquid systems, so that additional relief is provided for commercial use.

The invention accordingly relates to the use of selected mixtures of alkali-resistant polyalkylene glycol ether compounds with surfactant character and foam-suppressing action for machine dishwashing and bottle cleaning in household and commercial use, the characteristic of the invention being that active ingredient combinations of the following components are used -% by weight, based on the combination of active ingredients:

1. up to 40% by weight of end group-capped polyethylene glycol ether of the general formula (I) T ^ O-fCH _j CH ^ σ ^ -R ^ (I) in which the remainder RO- of 2-branched derives even-numbered alkanols with 16 to 20 carbon atoms, the radical R_ is an alkyl radical with 4 to 8 carbon atoms and n is a number from 5 to 9 and / or

2. up to 40% by weight of non-end-capped polyethylene glycol ether compounds of the general formula (II)

R ₅ 0- (CH ₂ CH ₂ 0) _z -H (II) in which the radical R _ς O- is derived from 2-branched even-numbered alkanols having 12 to 20 C atoms and z is a number from 2 to 5 is together with

3. 20 to 98% by weight of mixed ethers of the general formula

(III)

R ₆ 0- (EO) _u - (PO) _v -H (III) in the R _fi O- the residue of a linear or branched alkanol with 8 to 18 C atoms, EO the residue of the ethylene glycol, PO the residue of the propylene glycol, u a number from 2 to 6 and v a number from 3 to 7 mean and if desired

4. 0 to 80% by weight of end-capped polyethylene glycol ether of the general formula (IV) R ₃ 0- (CH ₂ CH ₂ 0) _m -R ₄ (IV) in the R, a linear alkyl radical having 8 to 18 C atoms or a branched alkyl radical with 8 to 14 C atoms, R. is an alkyl radical with 4 to 10 C atoms and m is a number from 5 to 15.

It can be preferred according to the invention to use the active ingredient components to (1) to (4) in the following mixing ratios:

1) 0 to 30% by weight of compounds of the general formula (I)

2) 5 to 40% by weight of compounds of the general formula (II)

3) 40 to 95% by weight of compounds of the general formula (I I I)

4) 0 to 50% by weight of compounds of the general formula (IV).

An essential component for the active ingredient mixtures of the invention are the mixed ethers of the general formula (II), which as a rule can even make up the majority of the active ingredient mixture described and used for the stated purpose. These components known per se are made possible by the addition provided according to the invention

* The active ingredient components to (1) and (2) substantially improved.

This improvement affects both the ability to inhibit or limit foam and that Formulation of the active ingredient mixture into clearly soluble aqueous concentrates.

The invention provides for the mixture components of the general formula (I) to (1) on the one hand, and the mixture components of the general formula (II) to (2) on the other hand, either alone or in combination with one another Compounds of the general formula (III) - mixture component to (3) - and the mixture components (4) additionally used if desired. In addition, it applies that even comparatively small amounts of these mixture components to (1) and / or (2) can bring about effective effects in the sense of the desired improvements. Thus, with the addition of up to about 20% by weight, based on a total mixture of the active compounds according to the invention, of the components of (1) and / or (2) or even in amounts of up to about 10% by weight of these according to the invention Additives a significant reduction in Sdraumbildimg on the one hand and improvement of the aqueous formulability of the active ingredients on the other hand can be achieved.

The following applies in detail to the mixture components (1) and (2) provided according to the invention:

Mixture components of the general formula (I) to (1)

In compounds of this class which are particularly suitable according to the invention, the radical R 0 is derived from the following 2-branched alkanols: 2-hexyldecanol-1, 2-hexyldodecanol-1, 2-octyl-decanol-1 and / or 2-octyldodecanol -1 . Particularly suitable for the teaching according to the invention are those polyethylene glycol ether mixtures of the general formula (I) in which the R.O- radical is derived from the alcohol mixtures (a) or (b) given below: a) 10 to 100 mol% of an equimolar isomer mixture of 2-hexyldodecanoI-1 and 2-octyldecanol-1

0 to 90 mol% 2-hexyldecanol-l 0 to 50 mol% 2-octylidodecanol-1 resp. b) 40 to 70 mol% of 2-hexyldecanol-1

60 to 30 mol% 2-octyidodecanol-1.

According to the invention, preference may be given in the context of these components of the general formula (I) according to definition (a) to the use of those substance mixtures in which the R.O- radicals are derived from alcohol mixtures of the following composition: at least 45 mol Isomer mixture of 2-hexyldodecanol-1 and 2-octyldecanol-1, 0 to 55 mol% 2-hexyldecanol-1 and not more than 30 mol% 2-octyldodecanol-1.

Mixture components of the general formula (I I) to (2)

The preferred compounds of the general formula (II) are derived from the following 2-branched alkanols, the remainder of which in the compounds of the general formula (II) forms the radical R ₅ 0-:

2-butyloctanol-1, 2-butyldecanol-1, 2- ^ exyloctanol-1, 2-hexyl-decanol-1, 2-hexyldodecanol-1, 2-octyldecanol-1 and 2-octyldodecanol-1. Both the use of corresponding components in which there is only a selected residue of the type mentioned here and any mixtures of the corresponding compounds are possible.

The following applies to both the mixture components (1) and the mixture components (2): Representatives of these two classes, which are derived from branched alkanols of the type of Guerbet alcohols, have proven to be particularly effective. As is known, alcohols of this type are formed by the condensation of fatty alcohols with a lower carbon number in the presence of alkali, e.g. B. Potassium hydroxide or potassium alcoholate. The reaction takes place, for example, at temperatures from 200 to 300 ° C. and leads to branched Guerbet alcohols which have branching in the 2-position to the hydroxyl group. In a special embodiment, the invention intends to use predominantly or preferably exclusively straight-chain fatty alcohols for the preparation of the 2-branched Guerbet alcohols and ultimately for the synthesis of the compounds of the general formula (I). As is known, fatty alcohols of natural origin have at least largely predominantly even chain lengths, so that their 2-branched Guerbet alcohol with 18 carbon atoms cannot be obtained as a uniform condensation product of only one selected fatty alcohol via their dimerization. The necessary dimerization of a mixture of the two fatty alcohols with 8 and 10 C atoms leads to the isomer mixture of the 18 C Guerbet alcohol from 2-hexyldodecanol-1 and 2-octyldecanol-1. In addition, the condensation products of the two alcohols used arise with themselves, i. H . , the 2-hexyldecanol-1 from the octanoi used and the 2-octyldodecanol-1 from the decanol used. Analogous considerations apply to Guerbet alcohol with 14 carbon atoms.

Mixtures of substances of this type and described according to the invention are suitable for achieving the object according to the invention. The alternative (1 b) provided according to the invention, which is free of Guerbet alcohols with 18 C atoms, but suitable mixing ratios of the Guerbet alcohols with 16 C atoms on the one hand and 20 C atoms on the other hand leads to the goal. The end group-capped fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers of the formula (I) are produced in accordance with the specifications of DE-OS 33 15 951. The fatty alcohols of higher carbon number described above are advantageously reacted with ethylene oxide in a molar ratio of 1: 5 to 1: 9 and the hydroxyl groups present in the reaction product obtained are then etherified. The reaction with ethylene oxide takes place under the known alkoxylation conditions, preferably in the presence of suitable alkaline catalysts. The etherification of the free hydroxyl groups is preferably carried out under the known conditions of Williamson's ether synthesis with straight-chain or branched C - to C ₈ -alkyl halides. Of particular importance in the context of the invention according to the invention is the n-butyl radical for the R_ radical from the general formula (I). Examples of such a final etherification are accordingly n-butyl halides such as n-butyl chloride. However, the invention is not limited to this. Further examples are amyl halides, hexyl halides and the higher alkyl halides in the range mentioned. It may be expedient to use aikyl halide and alkali in a stoichiometric excess, for example from 10 to 50%, over the hydroxyl groups to be etherified.

The compounds of the general formula (II) which are not end-capped are prepared in a manner known per se by reacting the selected Guerbet alcohols with ethylene oxide in a molar ratio of 1: 2 to 1: 5.

Correspondingly, in a manner known per se, the compounds of the general formula (III) - mixture components to (3) - by reacting the selected linear or branched alkanols Rf-OH with ethyl oxide and propylene oxide - in particular 1, 2 -Propylene oxide - obtained in the specified molar ratios. The preparation of the if necessary - 9 -

the mixture components of the general formula (IV) used are analogous to the details of the preparation of the end group-sealed mixture components of the general formula (I).

As already stated, the active substance mixtures according to the invention are suitable both as a foam-suppressing additive to typical cleaning agent mixtures, in particular low-foam mixtures of the type mentioned, in order to further reduce their tendency to foam and also for the formulation of rinse aid. In the last-mentioned case, too, low-foam surfactants can be used in a manner known per se, the foam formation of which is further suppressed by the active ingredient systems according to the invention. In particular in the last-mentioned field of use, however, it is also possible to make sensible use of the surfactant properties of the active substance mixtures used according to the invention.

The content of the active ingredient mixtures of (1) to (4) in the detergents and cleaning agents can vary within wide limits. It is essential that the polyglycol ether mixtures give effective effects even in low concentrations. In a preferred embodiment, they are added to the cleaning agents in such amounts that their concentration in the ready-to-use solutions is approximately in the range from 50 to 500 ppm. The invention is, however, not restricted to this; in particular, far higher amounts of the active ingredient mixtures according to the invention can also be used. Examples

In the following examples, the foam attenuation of the additives selected according to the invention - and, in comparison, a structurally similar additive mixture which does not fall within the scope of the invention - is determined using a test method which is described as follows:

50 g of a whisked whole egg (egg yolk and egg white) are homogeneously distributed in 450 ml of water with a water hardness of 16 dH and this liquid is heated to 60 C in a double-walled 2000 ml measuring cylinder. With the help of a laboratory peristaltic pump, this solution is sucked from the bottom of the measuring cylinder with a gias tube. The liquid is returned to the measuring cylinder via a second tube, the lower end of which ends at the height of the upper edge of the measuring cylinder. The liquid is at a circulation rate of 4 1 / min. pumped over and falls back into the measuring cylinder. By pumping around this liquid can be foamed up to 2000 ml. When this is achieved, 0.1 ml of the low-foam or foam-suppressing active substance mixture to be tested - here products A, B, C and D - are metered into the liquid, the foam formed depending on the effectiveness of the product collapses more or less quickly. If the pump is pumped further, a rise in the foam is always observed. After 0, 5, 1, 2, 3, 5 .. 10, 15, 20 and 30 minutes of pumping over after metering in the low-foam active ingredient mixture, the volumes given in the table are then read, which have formed from foam and liquid after these times .

The examined products are the following: Product A (according to the invention)

95% coconut alcohol (EO) ₅ - (PO) ₄

5% 2-hexyldecanol-1, reacted with 2 moles of ethylene oxide

Product B (according to the invention)

90% coconut alcohol (EO) ₅ - (PO)

5% 2-hexyldecanol-1, reacted with 2 moles of ethylene oxide

5% R ₁ 0- (CH ₂ CH ₂ 0) ₇ -n-butyl ether, where applies

R ^ H = 28% 2-octyldodecanol-1 25% 2-hexyldodecanol-1 25% 2-octyldecanol-1 22% 2-hexyldecanol-1

Product C (according to the invention)

47.5% coconut alcohol (EO) _{1 ()} -n-butyl ether 47.5% coconut alcohol (EO) ₅ - (PO) _{i {}

5% R ₁ 0- (CH ₂ CH ₂ 0) ₇ -n-butyl ether according to product B

Product D (for comparison)

50% coconut alcohol- (EO) ₅ - (PO) _{i (}

50% coconut alcohol (EO), - (PO) _π

4 O

The values determined in each case are summarized in the table below: min. Product A Product B Product C Product D

The following tests are carried out to determine the formulability of the respective product mixtures:

Recipe 1

20% product A

5% cumene sulfonate (40%)

75% water

This formulation is clear-liquid up to 45 ° C.

This formulation is clear-liquid up to 46 C, Recipe 3

20% product C

5% cumene sulfonate (40%)

75% water

This formulation is clear and liquid up to 46 ° C.

Recipe 4

20% product D

5% cumene sulfonate (40%)

75% water

This formulation is only clear-liquid up to 40 ° C,

Result :

Products A, B and C not only have a better anti-foaming effect than product D, but also - with the same amount of cumene sulfonate - higher temperature stability is achieved for the rinse aid formulation than with product D.

Claims

Patent claims

1. Use of selected mixtures of alkali-resistant polyalkylene glycol ether compounds with surfactant character and foam-suppressing action for machine dishwashing and bottle cleaning in household and commercial use, characterized in that active ingredient combinations of the following components are used -% by weight, based in each case on the active ingredient combination :

1. up to 40% by weight of end-capped polyethylene glycol ether of the general formula (I) R ₁ 0- (CH ₂ CH ₂ 0) _n -R ₂ (I) in which the remainder RO- of 2-branched even numbered alkanols with 16 to 20 carbon atoms are derived, the radical R. is an alkyl radical with 4 to 8 carbon atoms and n is a number from 5 to 9 and / or

2. up to 40% by weight of non-end-capped polyethylene glycol ether compounds of the general form! (II)

R ₅ 0- (CH ₂ CH ₂ 0) _z -H (II) in which the radical R_0- is derived from 2-branched even-numbered alkanols with 12 to 20 C atoms and z is a number from 2 to 5 together With

3. 20 to 98% by weight of mixed ethers of the general formula

(III)

R O, 0- (EO) U- (P01V -H (III)

^• in the R _fi O- - ~ ⁿ residue of a linear or branched alkanol with 8 to 18 C atoms, EO the rest of the ethylene glycol, PO the rest of the propylene glycol, u a number from 2 to 6 and v a number from 3 to 7 and if desired 4. 0 to 80% by weight of end-capped polyethylene glycol ether of the general formula (IV) R ₃ 0- (CH ₂ CH ₂ 0) _m -R _j . (IV) in which R is a linear alkyl radical with 8 to 18 C atoms or a branched alkyl radical with 8 to 14 C atoms, R "is an alkyl radical with 4 to 10 C atoms and m is a number from 5 to 15.

2. Embodiment according to claim 1, characterized in that the active ingredient components to (1) to (4) are used in the fol¬ ing mixing ratios.

1) 0 to 30% by weight of compounds of the general formula (I)

2) 5 to 40% by weight of compounds of the general formula (II)

3) -40 to 95% by weight of compounds of the general formula (III)

4) 0 to 50% by weight of compounds of the general formula (IV)

3. Embodiment according to claims 1 and 2, characterized ge indicates that polyethylene glycol ether compounds of the general formula (II) are used in which the radical R _ς O- is derived from at least one of the following alkanols:

2-Butyloctanol-1, 2-Butyldecanol-1, 2-Hexyloctanol-1, 2-Hexyldecanol-1, 2-Hexyldodecanol-1, 2-Octyldecanol-1 and / or 2-OctyIdodecanol-1.

4. Embodiment according to claims 1 to 3, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that polyethylene glycol ether compounds of the general formula (I) are used, in which the rest R..O- of the following alcohol mixtures (a) or (b) derives: a) 10 to 100 mol% of an equimolar isomer mixture of 2-hexyldodecanol-1 and 2-octyldecanol-l

0 to 90 mol% 2-hexyldecanol-1 0 to 50 mol% 2-octyldodecanol-l or b) 40 to 70 mol% 2-hexyldecanol-1 60 to 30 mol% 2-octyldodecanol-l

5. Embodiment according to claims 1 to 4, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that polyethylene glycol mixtures of the general formula (I) are used, the radicals R. O- derived from alcohol mixtures of the following composition: at least 45 mol% of the isomer mixture from 2-hexyidodecanol-l and 2-octyldecanol-l,

0 to 55 mole% 2-hexyldecanol-1 not more than 30 mole% 2-octyldodecanol-1.

6. Embodiment according to claims 1 to 5, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the radicals R_ (general formula (!)) And / or R "(general formula (IV)) are linear alkyl radicals of the specified C number.