EP1678287A1

EP1678287A1 - Liquid bleaching composition

Info

Publication number: EP1678287A1
Application number: EP04791571A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jeffrey c/o Reckitt Benckiser Inc. BONN; Thomas. A. c/o Reckitt Benckiser Inc. WEIBEL
Original assignee: Reckitt Benckiser UK Ltd
Current assignee: Reckitt Benckiser UK Ltd
Priority date: 2003-10-22
Filing date: 2004-10-21
Publication date: 2006-07-12
Anticipated expiration: 2024-10-21
Also published as: WO2005042686A1; ATE371715T1; EP1678287B1; DE602004008660T2; ES2289568T3; GB2407325A; GB0324554D0; GB2407325B; DE602004008660D1

Abstract

A liquid bleaching composition comprises ```a compound having the structural Formula I <EMI ID=1.1 HE=19 WI=92 LX=813 LY=847 TI=CF> <PC>wherein A is a saturated ring formed of four carbon atoms and an O or S heteroatom in addition to the N1 atom, ```R1 is an alkyl ```R2 and R3 are each selected from hydrogen or alkyl, ```Y is an anionic counterion, ```and Z is in the range of 0 to 10; ```(ii) a source of active oxygen, and ```(iii) a betaine surfactant. The source of active oxygen may be hydrogen peroxide. The composition may be dispensed from a multi-compartment container.

Description

LIQUID BLEACHING COMPOSITION

The present invention relates to a liquid bleaching composition.

Bleaching compositions containing a source of active oxygen are well known. For example, peroxygen compounds are often included in cleaning compositions to improve their stain-removing properties. Peroxygen compounds, however, are relatively unstable and tend to decompose on storage. Thus, bleaching compositions containing such compounds tend, to lose their bleaching power during storage .

To alleviate this problem, bleach activators have been included in peroxygen-containing compositions. In US6,046,150, for example, a N-methylmorpholinium acetonitrile salt (MMA) , such as N-methylmorpholinium acetonitrile methylsulphate (MMAM) is identified as being an effective activator for peroxygen compounds, such as hydrogen peroxide. According to US 6,046,150, surfactants may also be included in the composition. For example, anionic surfactants and non-ionic surfactants are employed in the Examples.

It has now been found that, although MMA is relatively stable to oxidation at very low pH, some decomposition of MMA can still occur, particularly in compositions containing MMA and hydrogen peroxide in combination . Whilst not wishing to be bound by theory we believe that the MMA is oxidised by the hydrogen peroxide and forms the "active" perimidic acid. Once formed, perimidic acid is relatively unstable and degrades. At very low pH' s (less than 1.5), the rate of reaction or oxidation is quite low and therefore the MMA is relatively stable.

We have found that by including a betaine surfactant with the composition greater stability is achieved.

Thus, according to the present invention, there is provided a liquid bleaching composition comprising: (i) a compound having the structural Formula I

Formula I wherein A is a saturated ring formed of four carbon atoms and an O or S heteroatom in addition to the N_. atom, Ri is an alkyl, R₂ and R₃ are each selected from hydrogen or alkyl , Y is an anionic counterion, and Z is in the range of 0 to 10; (ii) a source of active oxygen, and (iii)a betaine surfactant.

The composition of the present invention may be used to treat surfaces, for example, for stain-removal . In one embodiment, the composition of the present invention is a hard surface cleaning composition suitable, for example, for cleaning kitchen and/or bathroom surfaces . In another embodiment, the composition of the present invention is a laundry cleaning composition. Compound of Formula I

The Ri alkyl group may be a straight chain alkyl, a branched chain alkyl or a cyclic alkyl group. The alkyl substituent may comprise 1 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably, 1 to 8 carbon atoms, more preferably, 1 to 6 carbon atoms and, most preferably, 1 to 4 carbon atoms. In one embodiment, the alkyl substituent is selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl, preferably the alkyl group is methyl. The alkyl group may be substituted with other groups, such as aryl and/or alkoxy groups . Thus, as described in further detail below, alkylaryl and/or alkoxyalkyl groups may be employed.

Y is an anionic counterion. Suitable counterions include alkyl sulphate ions, especially methyl sulphate ion. Nitrate and/or sulphate counterions may also be employed. Preferably, Y is selected from alkylsulphate, bisulphate, monosulphate, tosylate and mixtures thereof. Monosulphate and bisulphate salts may exist in equilibrium, the predominance of one over the other being dependent on pH. In a preferred embodiment, Y is an alkylsulphate, such as a Q_ to C₂₀ alkylsulphate, for example, methylsulphate, ethylsulphate and propylsulphate .

Preferably, Z is in the range of 0 to 10, more preferably, 1 to 6. In a preferred embodiment, the compound of structural Formula I has the structural Formula II, wherein n is 0 to 24. Preferably, n is 0 to 10, for example, 0. In a preferred embodiment, the compound of the Formula I is a methyl morpholinium acetonitrile (MMA) salt, such as methyl morpholinium acetonitrile methylsulphate. In one preferred embodiment, the MMA methylsulfate compound of the Formula I is, a commercially available product sold by BASF, currently in a concentrated aqueous solution under the name Sokalan BM.

Formula II

Other preferred salts are illustrated by Formulas IIIA, IIIB and IIIC.

ΠIA ΓHOSOTP MMABS TTTR

MMAS mc

MMATS The compound of the Formula I may be present in the composition in an amount of 0.01 to 20 weight % of the total composition, preferably, 0.1 to 10 weight %, more preferably, 0.25 to 5 weight %, and most preferably 0.5 to 3 weight %.

Suitable compounds of the Formula I are described in US 6,046,150, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Two or more compounds of the Formula I may be included in the same composition.

Source of Active Oxygen

Any suitable source of active oxygen may be employed in the present invention. Suitable sources of active oxygen are described in US 6,046,150, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Preferably, a peroxide source, such as hydrogen peroxide, is employed. If desired two or more sources of active oxygen may be employed in the same composition. The source of active oxygen may be present in an amount of greater than 0 to 20 weight % of the total composition, preferably, 0.05% to 15 weight %, more preferably, 0.1 to 8 weight %, more preferably, 0.2 to 6 weight %, more preferably 0.25 to 2 weight % of the composition.

The ratio of the source of active oxygen (preferably peroxide) to the compound of Formula I may be determined as a molar ratio of peroxide to the compound I . For example, the molar ratio may be 1:1 to 1000:1, more preferably, 1:1 to 300:1 and most preferably 1:1 to 100:1.

A preferred source according to the present invention is hydrogen peroxide or sources thereof. Preferably, the hydrogen peroxide source is a water-soluble source of hydrogen peroxide .

Hydrogen peroxide or sources thereof preferably provide from 0.1% to 12%, preferably from 0.25 to 8% most preferably from 0.5 to 7% by weight of the total composition of active oxygen in said composition.

The active oxygen concentration refers to the percentage concentration of elemental oxygen, with an oxidation number zero, that could be formed by decomposition of the active oxygen source. For hydrogen peroxide as an example, the amount of elemental oxygen that could be formed from H₂0₂ is 47%.

So from 68 g of H₂0₂ we can at best generate 32 g of active oxygen.

Preferably, the active oxygen sources according to the present invention are capable of increasing the ability of the compositions to remove oxidisable stains, to destroy malodorous molecules and to kill germs.

The concentration of available oxygen can be determined by methods known in the art, such as the iodimetric method, the permanganometric method and the cerimetric method. These methods and the criteria for the choice of the appropriate method are described, for example, in "Hydrogen Peroxide", W.C. Schumo, C.N. Statterfield and R.L. entworth, Reinhold Publishing Corporation, New York, 1955 and "Organic Peroxides", Daniel Swern, Editor Wiley Int. Science, 1970.

Betaine Surfactant

Preferably, the surfactant is found at levels of 0.01 to 25 weight%, ideally from 0.1 to 10 weight %.

Preferred betaine surfactants herein are according to the formula (RI) (R2) (R3)N⁺-(CH₂)_n-Y

wherein RI is a hydrocarbon chain containing from 1 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably from 10 to 16, more preferably from 12 to 14, wherein R2 and R3 are hydrocarbon chains containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, preferably 1 carbon atom, wherein n is an integer from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 6, more preferably is 1, Y is selected from the group consisting of carboxyl and sulfonyl radicals and wherein the sum of RI, R2 and R3 hydrocarbon chains is from 14 to 24 carbon atoms.

Examples of particularly suitable betaine surfactants include C12-C18 alkyl dimethyl betaine such as coconutbetaine or C10-C16 alkyl dimethyl betaine such as laurylbetaine. Coconutbetaine is commercially available from Seppic under the trade name of Amonyl 2659. 5 Laurylbetaine is commercially available from Albright & Wilson under the trade name Empigen.

Preferred specific betaines include; coco dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine, lauryl dimethyl carboxymethyl

10 betaine, lauryl dimethyl alphacarboxyethyl betaine, cetyl dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine, cetyl dimethyl betaine (available as Lonzaine 16SP from Lonza Corp.), lauryl bis- (2-hydroxyethyl) carboxymethyl betaine, oleyl dimethyl gamma-carboxypropyl betaine, lauryl 15 bis- (2-

15 hydroxypropyl) alpha- carboxyethyl betaine, coco dimethyl sulfopropyl betaine, lauryl dimethyl sulfoethyl betaine, lauryl bis- (2-hydroxyethyl) sulfopropyl betaine, amidobetaines and amidosulfobetaines (wherein the RCONH(GH2)3 radical is attached to the nitrogen atom of

20 the betaine) , oleyl betaine (available as amphoteric Velvetex OLB-50 from Henkel) , and cocamidopropyl betaine (available as Velvetex BK-35 and BA-35 from Henkel) .

Mixtures of two or more betaine surfactants may be 25. employed, including as examples are mixtures comprising one or more of the following; octyl betaine, cetyl betaine and oleylbetaine (preferably laurylbetaine) .

Other surfactants

30 In addition to the betaine surfactant described above, the composition of the present invention may include at least one additional surfactant. Mixtures of two or more additional surfactants may be employed. These additional 35 surfactant (s) may form 0 to 20 weight %, preferably, 0.1 to 10 weight % of the composition. Suitable additional surfactants include non-ionic surfactants. Examples of non-ionic surfactants are fatty acid alkoxylates, such as fatty acid ethoxylates, especially those of formula R(C₂H₄0)_nOH, wherein R is a straight or branched C₈-C_._s alkyl group, preferably a C₉- C₁₅ alkyl group, for example, a Cι₀-Cι₄, alkyl group, n is at least 1, for example, from 1 to 16, preferably 2 to 12, more preferably 3 to 10.

The non-ionic surfactant preferably has a hydrophilic- lipophilic balance (HLB) of 3 to 17, more preferably 6 to 15, and most preferably from 7 to 13.

Examples of suitable fatty alcohol ethoxylates are those made from alcohols of 12 to 15 carbon atoms and which contain about 7 moles of ethylene oxide. Such materials are commercially marketed under the trademarks Neodol 25- 7 and Neodol 23-6,5 by the Shell Chemical Company. Other useful Neodols include Neodol 1-5, an ethoxylated fatty alcohol averaging 11 carbon atoms in its alkyl chain with about 5 moles of ethylene oxide; Neodol 23-9, an ethoxylated primary Cι₂~C_ι3 alcohol having about 9 moles of ethylene oxide; and Neodol 91-10, an ethoxylated Cg-Cn primary alcohol having about 10 moles of ethylene oxide.

Other suitable alcohol ethoxylated non-ionic surfactants are Neodol 45-11, which is a similar ethylene oxide condensation products of a fatty alcohol having 14-15 carbon atoms and the number of ethylene oxide groups per mole being about 11. Such products are also available from Shell Chemical Company. Alcohol ethoxylates have also been marked by the Shell Chemical Company under the Dobanol trademark. Dobanol 91-5 is an ethoxylated C₉-Cn fatty alcohol with an average of 5 moles ethylene oxide and Dobanol 25-7 is an ethoxylated C₁₂-C₁5 fatty alcohol with an average of 7 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of fatty alcohol.

Other examples of suitable ethoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactants include Tergitol 15-S-7 and Tergitol 15-S-9, both of which are linear secondary alcohol ethoxylat-es available from Union Carbide Corporation. Tergitol 15-S- 7 is a mixed ethoxylated product of a Cn-Ci_s linear secondary alkanol with 7 moles of ethylene oxide and Tergitol 15-S-9 is the same but with 9 moles of ethylene oxide .

Further non-ionic surfactants are, for example, Cι₀-Cι₈ alkyl polyglycosides, such as C_.₂-Ci6 alkyl polyglycosides, especially the polyglucosides. These are especially useful when high foaming compositions are desired. Further surfactants are polyhydroxy fatty acid amixes, such as C₁₀-C_1S N- (3methoxypropyl) glycamides and ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block polymers of the Pluronic type.

The composition may contain 0 to 20 weight %, preferably, 0.1 to 10 weight % of at least one non-ionic surfactant.

Alternatively or additionally, an anionic surfactant may also be included in the composition of the present invention. Such anionic surface active agents are frequently provided in a salt form, such as alkali metal salts, ammonium salts, amine salts, aminoalcohol salts or magnesium salts. Contemplated as useful are one or more sulphate or sulfonate compounds including: alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkylamidoether sulfates, alkylaryl polyether sulfates, monoglyceride sulfates, alkylsulfonates, alkylamide sulfonates, alkylarylsulfonates, olefinsulfonates, paraffin sulfonates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, alkylamide sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfosuccinate, alkyl sulfoacetates, alkyl phosphates, alkyl ether phosphates, acyl saraconsinates, acyl isethionates, and N-acyl taurates. Generally, the alkyl or acyl radical in these various compounds comprise a carbon chain containing 12 to 20 carbon atoms.

Particularly preferred are alkyl sulphate anionic surfactants. Most preferred are the non-ethoxylated C__.2- ₁₅ primary and secondary alkyl sulphates, especially sodium lauryl sulphate.

The composition may contain 0 to 20 weight %, preferably, 0.1 to 10 weight % of at least one anionic surfactant.

Enzymes

The composition of the present invention may include an enzyme. The enzyme may be present in an amount of 0 to 10 weight %, preferably, 0 to 5 weight % of the composition. Where present said enzymes are preferably selected from cellulases, hemicellulases, proxidases, proteases, gluco- amylases, amylases, xylanases, lipases, phospholipases, esterases, cutinases, pectinases, keratanases, reductases, oxidases, phenoloxidases, lipoxygenases, ligninases, pullulanases, tannases, pentosanases, malanases, beta -glucanases, arabinosidases, hyaluronidase, chondroitinase, laccase or mixtures thereof .

Preferred enzymes include protease, amylase, lipase, peroxidases, cutinase and/or cellulose.

The cellulases usable in the present invention include both bacterial or fungal cellulose. Preferably, they will have a pH optimum of between 5 and 12 and an activity above 50 CEVU (Cellulose Viscosity Unit) . Suitable cellulases are disclosed in US-A-4 ,435, 307, JP- A-61078384 and WO-A-96/02653 which disclose fungal cellulases produced respectively from Humicola insolens, Trichoderma, Thielavia and Sporotrichum. EP-A-739 982 describes cellulases isolated from novel Bacillus species. Suitable cellulases are also dis-closed in GB-A- 2.075.028; GB-A-2.095.275 ; DE-OS-2.247.832 and WO-A- 95/26398.

If present, cellulases are normally incorporated in the detergent composition at levels from 0.0001% to 2% of active enzyme by weight of the detergent composition.

Peroxidase enzymes are used in combination with oxygen sources, e.g. percarbonate, perborate, persulfate, hydrogen peroxide, etc. They are used for "solution bleaching", i.e. to prevent transfer of dyes or pigments removed from substrates during wash operations to other substrates in the wash solution. Peroxidase enzymes are known in the art, and include, for example, horseradish peroxidase, ligninase and haloperoxidase such as chloro- and bromo-peroxidase. Peroxidase-containing detergent compositions are disclosed, for example, in WO- A89/099813, WO-A-89/09813 and in EP-A-540784. Also suitable is the laccase enzyme.

If present, peroxidases are normally incorporated in the detergent composition at levels from 0.0001% to 2% of active enzyme by weight of the detergent composition.

Other preferred enzymes that can be included in the detergent compositions of the present invention include lipases. Suitable lipase enzymes for detergent usage include those produced by microorganisms of the Pseudomonas group, such as Pseudomonas stutzeri ATCC 19.154, as disclosed in GB-A-1 , 372 , 034. Suitable lipases include those which show a positive immunological cross- reaction with the antibody of the lipase, produced by the microorganism Pseudomonas fluorescent IAM 1057. This lipase is available from Amano Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.., Nagoya, Japan, under the trade name Lipase P "Amano", hereinafter referred to as "Amano-P" . Other suitable commercial lipases include Amano-CES, lipases ex Chromobacter viscosum, e.g. Chromobacter viscosum var. lipolyticum NRRLB 3673 from Toyo Jozo Co., Tagata, Japan; Chromobacter viscosum lipases from U.S. Biochemical Corp., U.S.A. and Disoynth Co., The Netherlands, and lipases ex Pseudomonas gladioli. Especially suitable lipases are lipases such as Ml Lipase TM and Lipomax TM (Gist -Brocades) and Lipolase TM and Lipolase Ultra TM (Novo) which have found to be very effective when used in combination with the compositions of the present invention. Also suitables are the lipolytic enzymes described in EP-A-258068, WO-A-92/05249 , WO-A-95/22615 , WO-A-94/03578, WO-A-95/35381 and WO-A-96/00292.

Also suitable are .cutinases [EC 3.1.1.50] which can be considered as a special kind of lipase, namely lipases which do not require interfacial activation. Addition of cutinases to detergent compositions have been described in e.g. WO-A-88/09367; WO-A-90/09446, WO-A-94/14963 and WO-A-94/14964.

The lipases and/or cutinases are normally incorporated in either or both composition at a level from 0.0001% to 2% of active enzyme by weight of the composition.

Suitable proteases are the subtilisins which are obtained from particular strains of B. subtilis and B. licheniformis (subtilisin BPN and BPN') . One suitable protease is obtained from a strain of Bacillus, having maximum activity throughout the pH range of 9-12, developed and sold as ESPERASΞ TM by Novo Industries A/S of Denmark, hereinafter "Novo" . The preparation of this enzyme and analogous enzymes is described in GB-A- 1,243,784 to Novo. Other suitable proteases include ALCALASE TM, DURAZYM TM and SAVINASE TM from Novo and MAXATASE TM, MAXACAL TM, PROPERASE TM and MAXAPEM TM (protein engineered Maxacal) from Gist-Brocades . Proteolytic enzymes also encompass modified bacterial serine proteases, such as those described in EP-A-292623 (particularly pages 17, 24 and 98) , and which is called herein "Protease B", and in EP-A-199, 404 , which refers to a modified bacterial serine protealytic enzyme which is called "Protease A" herein. Suitable is what is called herein "Protease C", which is a variant of an alkaline serine protease from Bacillus in which lysine replaced arginine at position 27, tyrosine replaced valine at position 104, serine replaced asparagines at position 123, and alanine replaced threonine at position 274. Protease C is described in WO-A-91/06637. Genetically modified variants, particularly of Protease C, are also included herein.

The proteolytic enzymes are incorporated in either or both compositions at a level of from 0.0001% to 2%, preferably from 0.001% to 0.2%, more preferably from 0.005% to 0.1% pure enzyme by weight of the composition.

Amylases (alpha and/or beta) can be included for removal of carbohydrate-based stains. WO-A-94/02597 describes cleaning compositions which incorporate mutant amylases. See also WO-A-95/10603. Other amylases known for use in cleaning compositions include both alpha - and beta - amylases. Alpha-amylases are known in the art and include those disclosed in US-A-5, 003 , 257 ; EP-A-252 , 666 ; WO-A-/91/00353; FR-A-2 , 676 , 456 ; EP-A-285 , 123 ; EP-A- 525,610; EP-A-368 , 341 ; and GB-A-1, 296 , 839. Other suitable amylases are stability-enhnced amylases described in WO-A-94/18314 and WO-A-96/05295 and amylase variants having additional modification in the immediate parent available from Novo Nordisk A/S, disclosed in W0- A-95/10603. Also suitable are amylases described in EP- A-277,216, WO-A-95/26397 and WO-A-96/23873.

The amylolytic enzymes are incorporated in either or both compositions at a level of from 0.0001% to 2%, preferably from 0.00018% to 0.06%, more preferably from 0.00024% to 0.048% pure enzyme by weight of the composition.

Polymer

Optionally, the composition of the present invention includes a polymer.

Suitable polymers are those that are water-soluble and include polycarboxylate polymers (such as those than can be purchased by Rohm and Haas under the Acusol 445N name) and polycarboxylic acid copolymers (such as can be purchased under the Sokalan CP9 name by BASF) .

The polymer may be included in an amount of 0 to 5 weight %, preferably 0.01 to 2 weight % of the total composition.

pH

In the preferred aspect of the invention where the composition of the invention is mixed with a second composition then the pH of the total composition after mixing the two formulations is preferably between 7 and 10. However, to maintain storage stability the composition of the invention should have a pH of less than 2 , and preferably around 1.

The pH of the composition of the invention may be adjusted by the addition of a suitable acid.

Other components

The composition of the invention may contain further up to 15, 10 or 5 (preferably less than 5) weight % of at least one component selected from a fragrance, dye, sequestrant, chelating agent, germicide, preservative, corrosion inhibitor and antioxidant. Mixtures of two or more of such components may also be included.

Dispensers

The composition of the present invention may be dispensed using any suitable dispenser. Preferably, a multi- compartment dispenser, such as a two-compartment dispenser, is employed.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-compartment dispenser comprising: a first compartment containing a composition of the present invention, and a second compartment containing a composition comprising an alkaline source, preferably also a buffer, and optionally at least one component selected from an anionic surfactant, a non ionic surfactant, a polymer, and an enzyme.

In a preferred embodiment, a first compartment of the multi-compartment container may be used to contain a first composition comprising a compound of the Formula I as described above, a source of active oxygen as described above and a betaine surfactant as described above . The second compartment contains a second composition.

The amount of the compound of the Formula I may be 0.01 to 20 weight % of the total composition, preferably, 0.2 to 10 weight %, more preferably, 0.5 to 8 weight %, most preferably 3- 1 to 5 weight % of the first composition.

Preferably, the first composition includes an acid, such as sulphuric acid and/or phosphoric acid, for example, in an amount of 0 to 5 weight % of the first composition.

Preferably, the pH of the first composition is less than 5, ideally less than 3 or 2. In a preferred embodiment, the pH is about 1.

Optionally, one or more further components, at up to 15, 10 or 5 weight %, selected from an enzyme, effervescent agent, polymer, non-ionic surfactant and anionic surfactant, may be included in the first composition. Suitable enzymes, effervescent agents, polymers, non- ionic surfactants and anionic surfactants are described above. In a preferred embodiment, the first composition is devoid of enzymes. Other components, such as surfactants, fragrances, dyes, sequestrants, chelating agents, germicides, preservatives, corrosion inhibitors and/or antioxidants may be included in the second composition, for example, in amounts of 0 to 20 weight %, preferably 0.01 to 10 weight % .

The first composition is preferably aqueous. The aqueous composition may be in the form of a concentrated aqueous solution, which is intended to be diluted prior to use.

Essentially the second composition comprises an alkaline source .

Suitable bases to act as an alkaline source include hydroxides, carbonates, bicarbonates, sequicarbonates, hydroxides and silicates. Preferably, such bases are absent from the first composition. However, pH buffers, such as carbonate/bicarbonate, citric acid/citrates, borate/boric acid or phosphates/phosphoric acid mixtures, may be included in the second composition.

In a preferred embodiment, the second composition contains at least one effervescent agent, for example, in the form of a base, such as a carbonate or a bicarbonate. Suitable bases are described in further detail above. The effervescent agent may be present in an amount of from 0 to 30 weight %, preferably, 1 to 15 weight % of the second composition. Preferably, the second composition additionally or alternatively includes one or more anionic surfactants and/or non-ionic surfactants. The total amount of anionic and/or non-ionic surfactant in the second composition preferably 0.01 to 20 weight %, more preferably, 1 to 10 weight %. Enzymes may optionally be included in the second composition, for example, in an amount of 0 to 5 weight % of the second composition.

The pH of the second composition is equal to or higher than the final mixed pH of the total composition according to the invention. For example, the pH of the total composition when the first and second compositions are mixed may be 6 to 10, for example, about 9.

The second composition is preferably aqueous.

To ensure that the second composition is at a suitable pH, a pH adjusting agent may be included. In view of the acid nature of the first composition and the need for a total composition pH of 6-10 upon mixing with the second composition, the second composition must be alkaline. The alkalising agent ideally comprises a base. Suitable bases are selected from hydroxides, carbonates, bicarbonates, sequicarbonates, hydroxides, and silicates. Buffering agents like bicarbonate/carbonate, citric acid/citrates, borate/boric or phosphate salts are especially useful to enable formulators to obtain specific pH values and avoid pH drift when mixing the two compositions for optimum performance. An alkalising agent may be used in an amount of 0.1 to 10 weight %, but actual levels will depend on which alkaline material is used and what the target end pH will be. A buffering agent may also be included in the second composition. Suitable buffering systems are selected from: carbonate/bicarbonate, citric acid/citrates, borate/boric acid or phosphates/phosphoric acid. Such buffering agents may be employed in an amount of 0 to 10 weight % of the second composition.

The contents of the first compartment and the second compartment may be delivered simultaneously or sequentially. Preferably, the first and second composition are mixed immediately prior to or as they are being applied to a surface. The resulting mixture preferably has a pH of greater than 7, for example, 8 to 10.

The contents of the two compartments may be delivered to a surface either directly or in the form of a diluted • aqueous solution.

The multi-component dispenser preferably includes means for delivering a mixture of at least part of the contents of the first compartment and second compartment.

Suitable multi-compartment containers include squeezy dispensers, gravity-driven dispensers and spray dispensers. Examples of such dispensers are described in US 576725, WO 0185595, EP 0479451, respectively.

Water

The composition of the present invention and/or the second composition preferably contains water. Water may be present in an amount of 0 to up to 100 weight %, preferably, 1 to 99 or 50 to 99 weight %, more preferably, 50 to 98 or 75 to 98 weight %, for example, 80 to 97 weight % of the composition. Example 1

In this example, a number of surfactants were tested for their ability to stabilise methyl morpholinium acetonitrile methylsulphate (MMAM) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide.

The surfactant under test was added to an aqueous composition containing 1 weight % H₂0₂ and 1.1 weight % MMAM (1.7 weight % Sokalan BM) The active amount of surfactant in the composition was 1 weight %. In a control sample, no surfactant was added.

As can be seen from Table 1, the stability of MMAM was improved in the presence of lauryl betaine (Mackam LB) The anionic surfactant employed (Hostapur SAS 30) had little effect on stability, whilst the amine oxide surfactant (Mackamine CIO) had a negative effect on stability.

Table 1

Example 2

Example 1 was repeated in the presence of 2 weight % of Dowanol PnB (n-butyl monoether of propylene glycol solvent . As can be seen from Table 2 , the solvent did not have a significant effect on stability.

Table 2

Claims

1. A liquid bleaching composition comprising: (i) a compound having the structural Formula I

Formula I wherein A is a saturated ring formed of four carbon atoms and an 0 or S heteroatom in addition to the Ni atom, Ri is an alkyl R₂ and R₃ are each selected from hydrogen or alkyl, Y is an anionic counterion, and Z is in the range of 0 to 10; (ii) a source of active oxygen, and (iii)a betaine surfactant.

2. A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein Ri is a Ci to C₄ alkyl .

3. A composition as claimed in claim 2, wherein Ri is methyl .

4. A composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein R₂ and R₃ are both hydrogen.

5. A composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heteroatom of A is oxygen.

6. A composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein Y is selected from the group consisting of alkylsulphate, bisulphate, monosulphate, tosylate and mixtures thereof .

7. A composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the compound of the structural Formula I is a methyl morpholinium acetonitrile salt.

8. A composition as claimed in claim 7, wherein the compound of the structural Formula I is methyl morpholinium acetonitrile methylsulphate.

9. A composition as claimed in claim 8, wherein the source of active oxygen is hydrogen peroxide.

10. A composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the betaine surfactant is an alkyl betaine .

11. A composition as claimed in claim 10, wherein the alkyl betaine is a C₆ to C₂o alkyl betaine.

12. A composition as claimed in claim 13, wherein the alkyl betaine is lauryl betaine.

13. A composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the source of active oxygen is present in an amount of 0.05 to 5% by weight of the total composition.

14. A composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the betaine surfactant is present in an amount of 0.1 to 10% of the total composition.

15. A composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the compound of the structural Formula I is present in an amount of 0.1 to 10 weight % of the total composition.

16. A composition as claimed in claim 1, which has a pH of f om 0 to 2.

17. A composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which further comprises an enzyme.

18. A multi-compartment dispenser comprising: a first compartment containing a composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, and a second compartment containing a composition comprising an alkaline source.

19. A dispenser as claimed in claim 18 which comprises means for dispensing a mixture of at least part of the contents of the first compartment and at least part of the contents of the second compartment .

20. A process for treating a surface, said process comprising applying a composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17 to the surface.

21. A process as claimed in claim 20, wherein the surface is a fabric or a hard surface.

22. Use of a betaine surfactant to stabilize a compound having the structural Formula I as defined in any one of claims 1 to 8.

23. Use as claimed in claim 22, wherein the compound having the structural Formula I is in the presence of a source of active oxygen.