EP1123372B1 - Non-ionic surfactant mixtures - Google Patents

Description

Field of the Invention

The invention is in the detergent sector and relates to mixtures of different alkyl glucosides Chain length and their use in the manufacture of detergents.

State of the art

Alkyl oligoglucosides are nonionic surfactants, which can be obtained by acidic acetalization of glucose or Starch breakdown products are made with primary alcohols. By choosing the process conditions the average degree of polymerization, i.e. the distribution of the acetalized mono-, di-, Tri- and oligoglucosides, control. Varying the chain length of the alcohol component or even uses mixtures of different alcohols, countless types of alkyl oligoglucosides are accessible, which differ in their primary detergent properties - washing, emulsifying, foaming, wetting - differentiate more or less clearly. For the specialist there is now the task that for to provide a specific task most suitable alkyl glucoside, what with the large number possible species requires extensive test programs, especially since the structural parameters do not all always run in the same direction and make predictions about the behavior of a defined glucoside is therefore practically impossible in an application. The development of alkyl oligoglucosides with special properties are therefore inevitably based on the motto "trial and error".

Alkyl oligoglucosides are characterized by a foaming power, which is the usual non-ionic Surfactants significantly exceeds and more closely resembles anionic surfactants. For use in the field manual dishwashing liquid or hair shampoo, this is undoubtedly an advantage, while in Area of detergents, just the opposite behavior, namely low foam, is desired, to prevent the washing machine from overflowing or the required amount of defoamer to keep as low as possible. Another problem is that the commercially available alkyl oligoglucosides a rather average cleaning ability, especially in relation to cosmetic soiling demonstrate. This explains why alkyl oligoglucosides have so far been used in detergent formulations only found in modest quantities.

In this connection, reference is made to the two German patent applications DE-A1 4319699 and DE-A1 4319700 , from which mild alkyl oligoglucoside mixtures with defined chain lengths and DP are known.

The complex object of the invention was therefore to provide new alkyl oligoglucosides to be provided, which is due to reduced foaming due to improved washing ability, should be distinguished especially against cosmetic soiling.

Description of the invention

The invention relates to a nonionic surfactant mixture consisting of (a) alkyl oligoglucosides of the formula (I) , R ¹ O (G) _p1 (I) in which R ^{1 is} a dodecyl / tetradecyl radical, G is a glucose radical and p1 is a number in the range from 1 to 3, and (b) alkyl oligoglucosides of the formula (II), R ² O (G) _p2 (II) in which R ^{2 is} a hexadecyl radical, G is a glucose radical and p2 is a number in the range from 1 to 3, with the proviso that the weight ratio of the two components in the range from 45: 55 to 55: 45 and the average degree of polymerization in Range is 1.4 to 1.5.

Surprisingly, it was found that the mixtures differ from conventional products of the trade with reduced foaming through improved washing performance, in particular distinguish it from cosmetic soiling.

Alkyloligoglucoside

Alkyl oligoglucosides are known nonionic surfactants which are usually prepared by acid-catalyzed acetalization of glucose or degraded starch syrup with primary alcohols; the catalyst is then neutralized and excess alcohol is distilled off. Representative of the extensive literature here is the review by Biermann et al. in Starch /force 45, 281 (1993), B.Salka in Cosm.Toil. 108, 89 (1993) and J.Kahre et al. in SÖFW Journal Issue 8, 598 (1995) . By choosing the reaction conditions, in particular the excess of alcohol, the DP, ie the average degree of polymerization, can be set, which is a measure of how many sugar molecules condense under the conditions of acetalization before they combine with the alcohol. Based on the mixture according to the invention, the index number p1 or p2 for the individual, to a certain extent, chain-pure alkyl glucosides can be in the range from 1 to 3, since in the sense of the invention it is only important that the mixture has a DP of 1.4 to 1.5 having. This can be important, for example, if the surfactant mixtures are produced by mixing the individual glucosides. Usually, however, the preparation takes place in such a way that an appropriate alcohol mixture is used in the acetalization and the reaction is controlled in such a way that the desired DP is established immediately. The surfactant mixtures preferably contain those alkyl oligoglucosides of the formula (I) which have the dodecyl and tetradecyl glucosides in a weight ratio of 25:75 to 75:25, preferably 40:60 to 60:40. The alkyl oligoglucosides are obtained after production in the form of aqueous pastes with a solids content in the range from 5 to 50% by weight and can be used directly in this form, in particular if they are to be incorporated into liquid detergents. However, it is also possible to dewater the glucosides, for example by spray drying, steam drying or simultaneous drying and granulation in a horizontal thin-film evaporator (flash dryer), and then admixing them as dry powders or granules with powder detergents.

Industrial applicability

After the surfactant mixtures according to the invention have improved cleaning performance with reduced Distinguishing foam development is another object of the invention in its Use for the production of detergents, in particular liquid detergents, in which they are used Amounts of 5 to 50, preferably 10 to 30 and in particular 15 to 25 wt .-% - based on the Means - may be included.

Fiüssigwaschmittel

The liquid detergents obtainable in the sense of the invention using the nonionic surfactant mixtures may have a non-aqueous content in the range of 5 to 50 and preferably 15 to 35 % By weight. In the simplest case, these are aqueous solutions of the surfactant mixtures mentioned. However, liquid detergents can also be essentially anhydrous Act means. "Essentially anhydrous" means in the context of this invention that Means preferably no free water not bound as crystal water or in a comparable form contains. In some cases, small amounts of free water are tolerable, especially in amounts up to 5% by weight.

In addition to the surfactants mentioned, the liquid detergents can also contain other typical ingredients, such as for example solvents, hydrotropes, bleaches, builders, viscosity regulators, enzymes, enzyme stabilizers, optical brighteners, soil repellants, foam inhibitors, inorganic salts as well Fragrances and dyes, provided that they are sufficient in an aqueous environment are stable in storage.

As organic solvents, for example, mono- and / or polyfunctional alcohols with 1 up to 6 carbon atoms, preferably with 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Preferred alcohols are ethanol, 1,2-propanediol, glycerin and their mixtures. The compositions preferably contain 2 to 20 wt .-% and in particular 5 to 15 wt .-% ethanol or any mixture of ethanol and 1,2-propanediol or in particular from ethanol and glycerin. It is also possible that the preparations either in addition to the mono- and / or polyfunctional alcohols with 1 to 6 carbon atoms or alone polyethylene glycol with a molecular weight between 200 and 2000, preferably contained up to 600 in amounts of 2 to 17 wt .-%. For example, as hydrotropes Toluene sulfonate, xylene sulfonate, cumene sulfonate or mixtures thereof can be used.

Among the compounds which serve as bleaching agents and which supply hydrogen peroxide in water, sodium perborate tetrahydrate and sodium perborate monohydrate are of particular importance. Other bleaching agents are, for example, peroxy carbonate, citrate perhydrates and salts of peracids, such as perbenzoates, peroxyphthalates or diperoxydodecanedioic acid. They are usually used in amounts of 8 to 25% by weight. The use of sodium perborate monohydrate in amounts of 10 to 20% by weight and in particular 10 to 15% by weight is preferred. Due to its ability to bind free water with the formation of the tetrahydrate, it contributes to increasing the stability of the agent. However, the preparations are preferably free from such bleaching agents.

Suitable builders are ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, citric acid and inorganic phosphonic acids, such as, for example, the neutral sodium salts of 1-hydroxyethane-1,1, diphosphonate, which can be present in amounts of 0.5 to 5, preferably 1 to 2,% by weight ,

Viscosity regulators which can be used are, for example, hardened castor oil, salts of long-chain fatty acids, preferably in amounts of 0 to 5% by weight and in particular in amounts of 0.5 to 2% by weight, for example sodium, potassium, aluminum, magnesium - And titanium stearates or the sodium and / or potassium salts of behenic acid, and other polymeric compounds are used. The latter preferably include polyvinylpyrrolidone, urethanes and the salts of polymeric polycarboxylates, for example homopolymeric or copolymeric polyacrylates, polymethacrylates and in particular copolymers of acrylic acid with maleic acid, preferably those composed of 50% to 10% maleic acid. The relative molecular weight of the homopolymers is generally between 1000 and 100000, that of the copolymers between 2000 and 200000, preferably between 50,000 to 120,000, based on the free acid. Water-soluble polyacrylates which are crosslinked, for example, with about 1% of a polyallyl ether of sucrose and which have a relative molecular weight above one million are also particularly suitable. Examples of this are the polymers with thickening action available under the name Carbopol® 940 and 941. The cross-linked polyacrylates are preferably used in amounts of not more than 1% by weight, preferably in amounts of 0.2 to 0.7% by weight. The agents can additionally contain about 5 to 20% by weight of a partially esterified copolymer, as described in European patent application EP-A1 0367049 . These partially esterified polymers are obtained by copolymerizing (a) at least one C ₄ -C ₂₈ olefin or mixtures of at least one C ₄ -C ₂₈ olefin with up to 20 mol% of C ₁ -C ₂₈ alkyl vinyl ether and (b) ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid anhydrides with 4 to 8 carbon atoms in a molar ratio of 1: 1 to copolymers with K values from 6 to 100 and subsequent partial esterification of the copolymers with reaction products such as C ₁ -C ₁₃ alcohols, C ₈ -C ₂₂ fatty acids, C ₁ -C ₁₂ alkylphenols, secondary C ₂ -C ₃₀ amines or mixtures thereof with at least one C ₂ -C ₄ alkylene oxide or tetrahydrofuran and hydrolysis of the anhydride groups of the copolymers to give carboxyl groups, the partial esterification of the copolymers being carried out to the extent that 5 to 50% of the carboxyl groups of the copolymers are esterified. Preferred copolymers contain maleic anhydride as the ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid anhydride. The partially esterified copolymers can be present either in the form of the free acid or preferably in partially or completely neutralized form. The copolymers are advantageously used in the form of an aqueous solution, in particular in the form of a 40 to 50% strength by weight solution. The copolymers not only contribute to the primary and secondary washing performance of the liquid washing and cleaning agent, but also bring about a desired reduction in the viscosity of the concentrated liquid washing agent. The use of these partially esterified copolymers gives concentrated aqueous liquid detergents which are flowable under the sole influence of gravity and without the action of other shear forces. The concentrated aqueous liquid detergents preferably contain partially esterified copolymers in amounts of 5 to 15% by weight and in particular in amounts of 8 to 12% by weight.

Suitable enzymes are those from the class of proteases, lipases, amylases, cellulases or mixtures thereof. Enzymes obtained from bacterial strains or fungi such as Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis and Streptomyces griseus are particularly suitable. Proteases of the subtilisin type and in particular proteases which are obtained from Bacillus lentus are preferably used. Their proportion can be 0.2 to 2% by weight. The enzymes can be adsorbed on carriers and / or embedded in coating substances in order to protect them against premature decomposition. In addition to the mono- and polyfunctional alcohols and the phosphonates, the agents can contain further enzyme stabilizers. For example, 0.5 to 1% by weight sodium formate can be used. It is also possible to use proteases which are stabilized with soluble calcium salts and a calcium content of preferably about 1.2% by weight, based on the enzyme. However, the use of boron compounds, for example boric acid, boron oxide, borax and other alkali metal borates, such as the salts of orthoboric acid (H ₃ BO ₃ ), metaboric acid (HBO ₂ ) and pyrobic acid (tetraboric acid H ₂ B4O ₇ ), is particularly advantageous.

Suitable soil repellants are substances which preferably contain ethylene terephthalate and / or polyethylene glycol terephthalate groups, the molar ratio of ethylene terephthalate to polyethylene glycol terephthalate being in the range from 50:50 to 90:10. The molecular weight of the linking polyethylene glycol units is in particular in the range from 750 to 5000, ie the degree of ethoxylation of the polymers containing polyethylene glycol groups can be approximately 15 to 100. The polymers are characterized by an average molecular weight of about 5000 to 200,000 and can have a block, but preferably a random structure. Preferred polymers are those with molar ratios of ethylene terephthalate / polyethylene glycol terephthalate from about 65:35 to about 90:10, preferably from about 70:30 to 80:20. Also preferred are those polymers which have linking polyethylene glycol units with a molecular weight of 750 to 5000, preferably of 1000 to about 3000 and a molecular weight of the polymer from 10,000 to 50,000. Examples of commercially available polymers are the products Milease® T (ICI) or Repelotex® SRP 3 (Rhône-Poulenc).

When used in machine washing processes, it can be advantageous to add conventional foam inhibitors to the agents. Soaps of natural or synthetic origin, for example, which have a high proportion of C ₁₈ -C ₂₄ fatty acids, are suitable for this. Suitable non-surfactant-like foam inhibitors are, for example, organopolysiloxanes and their mixtures with microfine, optionally silanized silica, and paraffins, waxes, microcrystalline waxes and their mixtures with silanized silica or bistearylethylenediamide. Mixtures of various foam inhibitors are also used with advantages, for example those made of silicones, paraffins or waxes. The foam inhibitors, in particular silicone- or paraffin-containing foam inhibitors, are preferably bound to a granular, water-soluble or dispersible carrier substance. Mixtures of paraffins and bistearylethylenediamides are particularly preferred.

The pH of the concentrated agents according to the invention, which are particularly preferred, is in the generally 7 to 10.5, preferably 7 to 9.5 and in particular 7 to 8.5. Setting higher pH values for example above 9, can be achieved by using small amounts of sodium hydroxide solution or on alkaline salts such as sodium carbonate or sodium silicate. The liquid detergents according to the invention generally have viscosities between 150 and 10,000 mPas (Brookfield viscometers, Spindle 1, 20 revolutions per minute, 20 ° C). Thereby are essentially anhydrous Preferred viscosities between 150 and 5000 mPas. The viscosity of the aqueous agent is preferably below 2000 mPas and is in particular between 150 and 1000 mPas.

powder detergents

If the surfactant mixtures according to the invention are used to produce powder detergents, in addition to the surfactants mentioned, other typical ingredients, such as Builders, bleaches, bleach activators, detergent boosters, enzymes, enzyme stabilizers, graying inhibitors, optical brighteners, soil repellants, foam inhibitors, inorganic salts and fragrance Dyes included. A number of these classes of substances have already been described in the chapter "Liquid detergents" explained.

In particular, finely crystalline, synthetic and bound water-containing zeolite such as zeolite NaA in detergent quality is used as the solid builder . However, zeolite NaX and mixtures of NaA and NaX are also suitable. The zeolite can be used as a spray-dried powder or as an undried stabilized suspension that is still moist from its manufacture. In the event that the zeolite is used as a suspension, it may contain minor additions of nonionic surfactants as stabilizers, for example 1 to 3% by weight, based on zeolite, of ethoxylated C ₁₂ -C ₁₈ fatty alcohols with 2 to 5 ethylene oxide groups or ethoxylated isotridecanols. Suitable zeolites have an average particle size of less than 10 μm (volume distribution; measurement method: Coulter Counter) and preferably contain 18 to 22, in particular 20 to 22% by weight of bound water. Suitable substitutes or partial substitutes for zeolites are crystalline, layered sodium silicates of the general formula NaMSi _x O _{2x + 1} .yH ₂ O, where M is sodium or hydrogen, x is a number from 1.9 to 4 and y is a number from 0 to 20 and preferred values for x are 2, 3 or 4. Such crystalline layered silicates are described, for example, in European patent application EP-A1 0164514 . Preferred crystalline layered silicates are those in which M in the general formula stands for sodium and x assumes the values 2 or 3. In particular, both β- and γ-sodium disilicate Na ₂ Si ₂ O ₅ .yH ₂ O are preferred, wherein β-sodium disilicate can be obtained, for example, by the method described in international patent application WO 91/08171 . The powder detergents according to the invention preferably contain 10 to 60% by weight of zeolite and / or crystalline layered silicates as solid builders, mixtures of zeolite and crystalline layered silicates in any ratio being particularly advantageous. In particular, it is preferred that the agents contain 20 to 50% by weight of zeolite and / or crystalline layered silicates. Particularly preferred agents contain up to 40% by weight of zeolite and in particular up to 35% by weight of zeolite, in each case based on anhydrous active substance. Other suitable ingredients of the agents are water-soluble amorphous silicates; they are preferably used in combination with zeolite and / or crystalline layered silicates. Particularly preferred are agents which contain, above all, sodium silicate with a molar ratio (module) of Na ₂ O: SiO ₂ of 1: 1 to 1: 4.5, preferably of 1: 2 to 1: 3.5. The content of amorphous sodium silicates in the agents is preferably up to 15% by weight and preferably between 2 and 8% by weight. Phosphates such as tripolyphosphates, pyrophosphates and orthophosphates can also be present in small amounts in the compositions. The content of the phosphates in the compositions is preferably up to 15% by weight, but in particular 0 to 10% by weight. In addition, the agents can also contain layered silicates of natural and synthetic origin. Layered silicates of this type are known, for example, from patent applications DE-C1 2334899, EP-A1 0026529 and DE-A1 3526405 . Their usability is not limited to a special composition or structural formula. However, smectites, in particular bentonites, are preferred here. Suitable sheet silicates, which belong to the group of water-swellable smectites, are, for example, those of the general formulas (OH) ₄ Si _8-y Al _y (Mg _x Al _4-x ) O ₂₀ montmorrilonite (OH) ₄ Si _8-y Al _y (Mg _6-z Li _z ) O ₂₀ hectorite (OH) ₄ Si _8-y Al _y (Mg _6-z Al _z ) O ₂₀ saponite with x = 0 to 4, y = 0 to 2, z = 0 to 6. In addition, small amounts of iron can be incorporated into the crystal lattice of the layered silicates according to the above formulas. Furthermore, due to their ion-exchanging properties, the layered silicates can contain hydrogen, alkali, alkaline earth ions, in particular Na ⁺ and Ca ²⁺ . The amount of water of hydration is usually in the range of 8 to 20% by weight and depends on the swelling condition or the type of processing. Useful sheet silicates are known, for example, from US 3,966,629, US 4,062,647, EP-A 0026529 and EP-A 0028432 . Layer silicates are preferably used which are largely free of calcium ions and strongly coloring iron ions due to an alkali treatment. Usable organic builders are, for example, the polycarboxylic acids preferably used in the form of their sodium salts, such as citric acid, adipic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, tartaric acid, sugar acids, aminocarboxylic acids, nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), as long as such use is not objectionable for ecological reasons, and mixtures of these , Preferred salts are the salts of polycarboxylic acids such as citric acid, adipic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, tartaric acid, sugar acids and mixtures of these. Suitable polymeric polycarboxylates are, for example, the sodium salts of polyacrylic acid or polymethacrylic acid, for example those with a relative molecular weight of 800 to 150,000 (based on acid). Suitable copolymeric polycarboxylates are, in particular, those of acrylic acid with methacrylic acid and of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid with maleic acid. Copolymers of acrylic acid with maleic acid which contain 50 to 90% by weight of acrylic acid and 50 to 10% by weight of maleic acid have proven to be particularly suitable. Their relative molecular weight, based on free acids, is generally 5,000 to 200,000, preferably 10,000 to 120,000 and in particular 50,000 to 100,000. The use of polymeric polycarboxylates is not absolutely necessary. However, if polymeric polycarboxylates are used, agents are preferred which are biodegradable polymers, for example terpolymers, the monomers acrylic acid and maleic acid or salts thereof, and vinyl alcohol or vinyl alcohol derivatives or the monomers acrylic acid and 2-alkylallylsulfonic acid or salts thereof as well as sugar derivatives. Terpolymers which are obtained according to the teaching of German patent applications DE-A1 4221381 and DE-A1 4300772 are particularly preferred. Further suitable builder substances are polyacetals, which can be obtained by reacting dialdehydes with polyolcarboxylic acids which have 5 to 7 carbon atoms and at least 3 hydroxyl groups, for example as described in European patent application EP-A1 0280223 . Preferred polyacetals are obtained from dialdehydes such as glyoxal, glutaraldehyde, terephthalaldehyde and their mixtures and from polyol carboxylic acids such as gluconic acid and / or glucoheptonic acid.

In order to achieve an improved bleaching effect when washing at temperatures of 60 ° C and below, bleach activators can be incorporated into the preparations. Examples include N-acyl or O-acyl compounds which form organic peracids with hydrogen peroxide, preferably N, N'tetraacylated diamines, furthermore carboxylic acid anhydrides and esters of polyols such as glucose pentaacetate. The bleach activators contain bleach activators in the usual range, preferably between 1 and 10% by weight and in particular between 3 and 8% by weight. Particularly preferred bleach activators are N, N, N ', N'-tetraacetylethylenediamine and 1,5-diacetyl-2,4-dioxo-hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine.

Graying inhibitors have the task of keeping the dirt detached from the fibers suspended in the liquor and thus preventing graying. Water-soluble colloids of mostly organic nature are suitable for this purpose, for example the water-soluble salts of polymeric carboxylic acids, glue, gelatin, salts of ether carboxylic acids or ether sulfonic acids of starch or cellulose or salts of acidic sulfuric acid esters of cellulose or starch. Water-soluble polyamides containing acidic groups are also suitable for this purpose. Soluble starch preparations and starch products other than those mentioned above can also be used, for example degraded starch, aldehyde starches. Polyvinyl pyrrolidone can also be used. However, cellulose ethers, such as carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxyalkyl cellulose and mixed ethers, such as methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl hydroxypropyl cellulose, methyl carboxymethyl cellulose and mixtures thereof, and polyvinylpyrrolidone, for example in amounts of 0.1 to 5% by weight, based on the detergent, are preferred.

As optical brighteners, the agents can contain derivatives of diaminostilbenedisulfonic acid or its alkali metal salts. Suitable are, for example, salts of 4,4'-bis (2-anilino-4-morpholino-1,3,5-triazinyl-6-amino) stilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid or compounds of the same structure which have a instead of the morpholino group Carry a diethanolamino group, a methylamino group, an anilino group or a 2-methoxyethylamino group. Brighteners of the substituted diphenylstyryl type may also be present, for example the alkali salts of 4,4'-bis (2-sulfostyryl) diphenyl, 4,4'-bis (4-chloro-3-sulfostyryl) diphenyl, or 4- (4-chlorostyryl) 4 '- (2-sulfostyryl). Mixtures of the aforementioned brighteners can also be used. Uniformly white granules are obtained if, in addition to the usual brighteners, the agents are present in customary amounts, for example between 0.1 and 0.5% by weight, preferably between 0.1 and 0.3% by weight, and also in small amounts, for example ^Contain 10 ^-6 to 10 ^-3 wt .-%, preferably by 10 ^-5 wt .-%, of a blue dye. A particularly preferred dye is Tinolux® (commercial product from Ciba-Geigy).

manufacturing

The bulk density of the detergents is generally 300 to 1200 g / l, in particular 500 to 1100 g / l. They can be produced by any of the known processes, such as mixing, spray drying, Granulate and extrude. Processes in which several are particularly suitable Sub-components, for example spray-dried components and granulated and / or extruded Components are mixed together. It is also possible that spray-dried or Granulated components subsequently processed, for example with nonionic surfactants, especially ethoxylated fatty alcohols, can be applied according to the usual methods. In particular in granulation and extrusion processes, it is preferred to use those which may be present Anionic surfactants in the form of a spray-dried, granulated or extruded compound to be used as an additive in the process or as an additive to other granules. In particular, the preferred heavier granules with bulk densities above 600 g / l preferably contain components which determine the flushing behavior and / or the dissolving behavior of the Improve granules. Alkoxylated fatty alcohols containing 12 to 80 mol are advantageously used for this purpose Ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, for example tallow fatty alcohol with 14 EO, 30 EO or 40 EO, and polyethylene glycols with a relative molecular mass between 200 and 12000, preferably between 200 and 600, used.

It is also possible and, depending on the recipe, can be advantageous if further individual Components of the agent, for example citrate or citric acid or other polycarboxylates or polycarboxylic acids, polymeric polycarboxylates, zeolite and / or layered silicates, which if appropriate can be crystalline, subsequently to spray-dried, granulated and / or extruded components, optionally with nonionic surfactants and / or others at the processing temperature liquid to waxy ingredients are added. A method is preferred in which the surface of partial components of the agent or entire agent for reducing the stickiness of the granules rich in nonionic surfactants and / or is subsequently treated for their improved solubility. Suitable surface modifiers are known from the prior art. In addition to other suitable ones, finely divided zeolites, Silicas, amorphous silicates, fatty acids or fatty acid salts, for example calcium stearate, in particular however, mixtures of zeolite and silica or zeolite and calcium stearate in particular prefers.

Examples

Alkyl oligoglucosides with different C chain distribution in the alkyl radical and with different DPs were characterized with regard to their application properties. The foaming power was investigated according to the Ross-Miles test in 1% by weight solution at 40 ° C. in hard water (16 °). Base foam and foam height were determined after 20 min. The washability in a standard liquid detergent formulation (concentration: 100 g / wash cycle) at 40 ° C. with a boil / colored wash was determined photometrically against a barium sulfate white standard depending on different soiling and fabrics. The mean values from 5 determinations are given. The results are summarized in Table 1. Example 1 is according to the invention, Examples V1 to V5 are used for comparison; V5 is a commercial alkyl oligoglucoside.

Claims (6)

1. A nonionic surfactant mixture consisting of (a) alkyl oligoglucosides corresponding to formula (I): R¹O(G)_p1   (I) in which R¹ is a dodecyl/tetradecyl radical, G is a glucose unit and p1 is a number of 1 to 3,
   and (b) alkyl oligoglucosides corresponding to formula (II): R²O(G)_p2   (II) in which R² is a hexadecyl radical, G is a glucose unit and p2 is a number of 1 to 3,
   with the proviso that the ratio by weight between the two components is in the range from 45:55 to 55:45 and the average degree of polymerization of the mixture is in the range from 1.4 to 1.5.
2. Surfactant mixtures as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that they contain alkyl oligoglucosides corresponding to formula (I) in which dodecyl and tetradecyl glucosides are present in a ratio by weight of 25:75 to 75:25.
3. Surfactant mixtures as claimed in claim 1 and/or 2, characterized in that they are present as water-containing pastes with a solids content of 5 to 50% by weight.
4. Surfactant mixtures as claimed in claim 1 and/or 2, characterized in that they are present as water-free granules.
5. The use of surfactant mixtures as claimed in claim 1 for the production of detergents.
6. The use claimed in claim 5, characterized in that liquid detergents are produced.