EP2181186A1

EP2181186A1 - Storage-stable surfactant solutions for peroxide bleaches

Info

Publication number: EP2181186A1
Application number: EP08708902A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Herbert Bachus; Christian Dörfler; Bernd Horrer
Original assignee: CHT R Beitlich GmbH
Current assignee: CHT Germany GmbH
Priority date: 2007-02-13
Filing date: 2008-02-12
Publication date: 2010-05-05
Also published as: WO2008098921A1; EP1967577A1; DE102007006908A1

Abstract

The invention relates to the use of storage-stable surfactant solutions in bleaching methods with hydrogen peroxide, using manganese complexes, in particular with triazacyclononanones.

Description

Storage-stable surfactant solutions for peroxide bleaching

The invention relates to the use of storage-stable surfactant solutions in bleaching processes with hydrogen peroxide, which use manganese complexes, in particular of triazacyclononanones, as catalyst.

Hydrogen peroxide is one of the most important bleaching agents today, which decomposes when used in water and oxygen. In contrast to chlorine-containing bleaching agents, there are no toxic or carcinogenic halogen-containing substances. Thus, it continues to gain ground in many industrial areas. Typical applications for hydrogen peroxide are the paper and pulp industry, the textile finishing or household detergents, where hydrogen peroxide forms on dissolving perborates or percarbonates. 2,200,000 tonnes of hydrogen peroxide are produced each year, 50% for paper and pulp and 10% for textile bleaching.

As a disadvantage of hydrogen peroxide, the need for activation by heating or addition of alkali as well as the main reaction of the decomposition proceeding to this type of activation into bleach-inactive oxygen are considered, so that only a small part of the bleaching power can be converted. The patent literature describes many activators and catalysts that promise improvement here. In household detergents activators have prevailed that form peracids with hydrogen peroxide, which already act bleaching at low temperature.

Since such activators act stoichiometrically, high costs and a high additional COD load (chemical oxygen demand) for the wastewater, so that in industrial processes activators are hardly used until today.

On the other hand, catalysts are only used with small amounts of material. Nevertheless, there are hardly any technically established catalysts for peroxide bleaching in the treatment of cellulosic fibers such as the paper or textile industry, see Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2006, 45, 206-222 "Applications of Transition-Metal Catalysts to Textile and Wood Pulp Bleaching." This review article refers to additional references (ref XX).

The first catalyst in a commercial household detergent was a binuclear manganese complex with one 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononanone (L) connected by three oxygen bridges:

[LMn ^IV (μ-O) ₃ Mn ^IV L] ²⁺ Y _q (Cat. 1)

For example hexafluorophosphate can be used as the anion (Y = PF ₆ , q = 2, Katl PF ₆ ). The catalyst was first used by Wieghardt et al. (Lit. 29-32) describe and ⁰ C and pH ranges effectively 9-11 even at 4O, but was due to Fiber damage of the cellulosic material after a short time taken back from the market.

Another catalyst with higher pH tolerance and temperature stability has also been described by Wieghardt et al. (Ref. 37), which is a dimer bridged triazacyclononanone derivative:

[Mn ^IV Mn ^πi (μ-O) 2 (μ-CH ₃ COO) (Me4dtne)] ²⁺ (cat. 2)

Me ₄ dtne = 1, 2-bis (4,7-dimethyl-l, 4,7-triazacyclonon-1-yl) ethane.

These catalysts are used to save lye, since then does not need to be neutralized. In the case of textile fiber materials, high pH values in treatment baths also result in a deterioration in the feel of the goods, which can no longer be completely compensated for by subsequent plasticizer additions.

These catalysts can also lower while still providing the desired white effect treatment temperatures in the textile bleaching of 98 ⁰ C or more, for example 8O ⁰ C. The lower the treatment temperature and the pH, the lower the tendency of textiles to form creases, as an inner softness of the product is retained.

However, a major disadvantage of the catalysts are fiber damaging effects. The cause of the fiber damage of cat 1) presumably lies in the fact that the catalyst converts during use into a less selective species and thereby the resulting Metabolites or the end-stage manganese ions cause catalytic damage. The whitening-enhancing effect of the catalyst is partially or completely lost.

In pulp bleaching, it is customary to sequester and / or remove the manganese ions for manganese removal prior to bleaching with hydrogen peroxide in precursors with EDTA or DTPA. However, these two complexing agents are neither biodegradable nor are they eliminated in sewage treatment plants. In addition, as they are suspected of having toxicant heavy metal remobilizing properties and are detected in drinking water reservoirs, their use in many countries is restricted or entirely prohibited. Nevertheless, EDTA and DTPA still dominate complexing agent use in pulp bleaching. These two complexing agents also allow for efficient bleaching with cat 1) because they bind the manganese liberated during the bleaching process from the catalyst and thereby reduce the peroxide decomposing and cotton damaging effect.

WO 2007/042192 A2 describes bleach compositions containing a defined Mn catalyst, an aminocarboxylate-based complexing agent, hydrogen peroxide and, in addition, a carbonate or borate buffer. The buffer keeps the pH constant over a certain range and thus contributes to a further stabilization of the bleaching compositions and in particular of the Mn complexes contained therein. The complexing agents used can be EDTA, HEDTA, NTA, N-hydroxyethylaminodiacetic acid, DTPA, MGDA or alanine-N, N-diacetic acid. Apart from buffers, amines are also used for stabilizing bleach compositions, as described in DE 197 02 734 A1. An indispensable component of the compositions described therein are biodegradable aliphatic or alicyclic amines having 1 to 12 C atoms; In addition, these amines, which contain only one N atom in each case, can additionally carry (also in each case several) hydroxyl groups. As complexing agents, for example, aminocarboxylates are used in these compositions, especially those containing an N, N-diacetic acid grouping, such as EDTA, NTA, aspartic acid / glutamic acid or .beta.-alanine-N, N-diacetic acid, iminodiacetic acid.

A disadvantage of the previously known in the prior art method is that the catalyst is always mixed separately from the actual bleaching composition to be used, which not only has a higher equipment complexity by additional metering result. Moreover, at least with a dimension of the mass of the catalyst with an (analytical) balance, the risk of overdosing of the catalyst to be used only in small quantities increases. In addition to the catalyst, the actual bleaching agent is usually added separately.

The pH adjustment has an influence on the stability of the product. If the specified pH is not adjusted, no storage-stable product can be formulated. The object of the present invention is accordingly to provide stable and, in particular, storage-stable compositions which can be used in peroxide bleaching and over which a bleach-active catalyst no longer has to be added separately. Such compositions would therefore already contain the catalyst in solution, which would make an additional separate metering or dissolution of a (catalyst) powder superfluous.

The compositions, except for the blending agent to be blended separately, should contain all the excipients and agents necessary for peroxide bleaching so that the amount of blending and / or metering operations can be minimized by the use of such compositions.

In a first embodiment, the invention relates to storage-stable surfactant solutions

at least one manganese-based metal complex of general formula I admixed with a surfactant as process auxiliary

[L _n Mn _m Xp] ^z Y _q (I) where

L represents a ligand of an organic molecule having a number of nitrogen atoms which coordinate via its nitrogen atoms to the manganese center (centers); Mn for manganese in the oxidation state III or IV; n and m are each independently an integer of 1 to 3; X for a coordination or bridge species; p is an integer having a value of 0 to 4; z for a charge of the complex, which is a whole negative and positive

Number includes;

Y stands for a counterion whose type depends on the charge z of the complex, in particular for PF ₆ ^" , and q = z / [charge Y].

Complexes of the type described here are known, for example, from WO 94/21777 A1, to which full reference is made in this respect.

In the context of the present invention, coordination species are understood in particular to be monodentate ligands. The term bridge species summarizes those multidentate ligands which connect at least 2 metal atoms (bridging) to one another (for a more detailed explanation of these terms, see "Coordination Chemistry" by L. Gade, Wiley-VCH 1998).

Surprisingly, it has been found that the catalyst can be incorporated into existing auxiliaries, that is, for example, commercially available surfactant solutions / detergents, and the resulting compositions nevertheless have sufficient storage stability. Surprisingly, the solubility in the detergent is sufficient and the shelf life at 25 ⁰ C is even several months. Because of these conditions, a large amount of (storage-stable) surfactant solution can be prepared directly, so that the error in the dimension of the amount of catalyst required for the admixture is reduced accordingly. In addition to the abovementioned components (a), the surfactant solutions according to the invention may furthermore contain at least one biodegradable or at least bioeliminable complexing agent (b).

Furthermore, it is surprising that it does not have to resort to EDTA or DTPA. It is also possible, with good effects, to use biologically eliminatable and, surprisingly, also readily biodegradable complexing agents, in particular whose complexing constants are far smaller than EDTA or DTPA.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention

Invention, the solutions are characterized in that the

Complex salts of the general formula II

[LMn ^IV (μ-O) ₃ Mn ^IV L] ²⁺ Y _q (II) with

L = 1, 4,7-trimethyl-l, 4,7-triazacyclononanon and / or the general formula III

[Mn ^IV Mn ^πi (μ-O) 2 (μ-CH ₃ COO) (Me4dtne)] ²⁺ (III) with

Me ₄ dtne = l, 2-bis (4,7-dimethyl-l, 4,7-triazacyclonon-1-yl) ethane.

EDTA and DTPA are commonly considered to be strongly binding complexing agents for a wide variety of metal cations. Due to the associated very high complex formation constants, the binding capacity is extremely strong. However, with the aid of the present invention it is preferred to use complexing agent with significantly lower complex formation constant, also in view of the associated improved environmental properties. Accordingly, it is particularly preferred for the purposes of the present invention if the complexing agents have a complex formation constant of less than or equal to 12, in particular less than or equal to 10.

In particular, aminocarboxylic acids are suitable as complexing agents, examples being:

Biodegradable complexing agents according to OECD 302 B: Carboxymethylated polyethylenimine (Trilon P ^® )

Readily biodegradable complexing agent according to OECD 301 Methods: NTA (Trilon A ^®), MGDA (methylglycinediacetic acid, Trilon M ^®), IDS (iminodisuccinate, Baypure CX ^®).

The biodegradability in the sense of the present invention is defined and measured as follows:

OECD 301 methods:

In these methods, the ready biodegradability is tested.

The degradation is determined by periodic measurements of DOC (Dissolved Organic Carbon), CO ₂ or O ₂ . The criterion for easy biodegradability is the achievement of 70% DOC elimination and 60% oxygen consumption or production of carbon dioxide within 10 days after exceeding the degree of degradation of 10%. OECD 302 methods:

These methods test for potential biodegradability.

DOC, CO ₂ and O ₂ are measured at periodic intervals and set in relation to the DOC and TOC at the beginning of the test. The percentage degradation rate calculated in this way gives the degradation curve plotted against time. The criterion for a potential biodegradability is the achievement of> 20% DOC decrease or oxygen consumption after 28 days. Complete biodegradability (elimination) is assumed to be> 70% after 28 days.

Following data of the products mentioned here:

Trilon ^® A Liquid

Experimental method: OECD 302B; ISO 9888; 88/302 / EEC, Part C

Method of analysis: COD decrease

Degree of elimination:> 90%

Rating: Easily eliminated from the water.

Evaluation: The product is readily biodegradable according to OECD criteria

Trilon ^® C liquid

Experimental method: OECD 302B; ISO 9888; 88/302 / EEC, Part C

Analysis method: DOC decrease

Degree of elimination: <5% (28d)

Rating: Badly eliminated from the water. Trilon ^® M liquid

Experimental method: OECD 301C; ISO 9408; 92/69 / EEC, C.4-F

Analysis method: DOC decrease

Degree of elimination:> 90%

Rating: Easily biodegradable.

Experimental method: OECD 301A (new version) Analytical method: DOC-decrease Degree of elimination: 90 - 100% (14d) Evaluation: Readily biodegradable.

Experimental method: OECD 301F; ISO 9408; 92/69 / EEC, C.4-D

Analysis method: BSB of the CSD

Degree of elimination: 89%

Assessment: The product is readily biodegradable according to OECD criteria.

Trilon ^® P liquid

Test method: ISO 18749

Analysis method: DOC decrease

Degree of elimination:> 70%

Rating: Easily eliminated from the water.

Bavpure ^® CX 100

Experimental method: OECD 301E; OECD screening test (modified)

Analysis method: DOC decrease

Degree of elimination: 79% Assessment: The product is readily biodegradable according to OECD criteria.

The actual bleaching agent used in each of the further sections of the description and the patent claims is a 35% strength by weight aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide.

The above-defined components (a) and (b) may be preferred in various proportions in the mixtures according to the invention. However, for the purposes of the present invention, preference is given to adjusting the weight ratio of component (a) to component (b) in the range from 20: 1 to 500: 1, more preferably within a range from 80: 1 to 300: 1 with the advantages of higher whiteness with acceptable fiber damage.

It is also surprising that the solutions according to the invention need not contain any buffer substances, in particular no buffer substances based on borates and / or carbonates, for stabilizing the manganese complexes contained in these solutions.

Also, it is not necessary for the effectiveness of the solutions according to the invention that they must contain further mono-, di- or trialkylamines for further stabilization of the manganese complexes (apart from the triacacylononans containing them as ligands), as described in DE 197 02 734 A1 ,

The absence of such additional stabilizing agents, ie buffering agents and / or additional (mono) amines is above moreover, since it contributes to a considerable cost reduction and simplifies the preparation of the solutions, since only catalyst and readily biodegradable / bioeliminable complexing agents need to be added.

Surprisingly, it has been shown that the effectiveness of the bleaching mixtures can be substantially increased by an additional component (c) in the form of sodium hydroxide and / or potassium hydroxide. Accordingly, it is particularly preferred that the mixtures according to the invention contain these additional alkaline substances.

The additional component (c) in the form of sodium and / or potassium hydroxide solution is not incorporated into the formulation / blend but is added to the treatment liquor see, for example, series of experiments 1. The addition of the liquor to the treatment liquor is necessary around the optimum pH range for to adjust the bleaching with the catalyst.

If the lye is already added to the formulation (catalyst-surfactant), no storage-stable product can be formulated.

Another embodiment of the present invention is the use of the solutions as defined above for the peroxide bleaching of cellulosic substrates. According to the invention, cotton or shredded wood material is particularly preferably bleached, for example in textile finishing, household washing, pulp bleaching or paper bleaching. A commercially available liquid detergent Felosan ^® NFG were, for the examples and comparative examples and the following sodium salt solutions of complexing agents used:

In the bleaching was used as raw material, a commercially available cotton tricot having a DP value of 2298 at a liquor ratio of 1: treated 10 in infrared heated Labomat bombs 20 minutes at 8O ⁰ C, thereafter washed hot and cold, and determines the residual peroxide, the whiteness and the damage factor , EXAMPLES

Test series 1

* Whiteness

Comparative Example 1 shows a non-catalyzed bleach. The residual peroxide is over 90% very high, the bleach was consumed little and the whiteness is only 59 Berger units. Comparative Example 2 shows the effect of cat 1) without addition of further complexing agents. Whiteness increases by 3 points, but the damage factor also increases to 0.3.

In Comparative Examples 3 and 4, the effect of EDTA and DTPA can be seen, you get another 2 to 3 white points, while the damage remains negligible.

Comparative Example 5 demonstrates that even a good heavy metal complexing agent such as DTPMP has little positive effect in such an all-in process.

Inventive Examples 1 to 4 show all fiber damage factors <0.2 and the same final whiteness as EDTA or DTPA. Phosphonates such as DTPMP are less effective and phosphonates are not sufficiently eliminated by OECD 301 or OECD 302 methods.

Preparation of storage-stable surfactant solutions containing a catalyst:

In this case, the catalyst is stirred into the detergent and adjusted to the desired pH with acetic acid or formic acid. It produces intense red-colored, clear solutions that are stable at temperatures below 25 ⁰ C for months.

Series 2

From Examples 7 to 12 shows that the blended catalyst in the surfactant in its effect in comparison to the separate addition to the treatment bath has not weakened, the damage factor is generally below 0.1 at the same Endweißgrad.

Trial Series 3

Here the same procedure was applied to another cotton raw material. It can be seen that the system Kat 1 (y = PF ₆ ^" ) / surfactant mixture provides comparable results in terms of pH and whiteness.

- I i

It can be seen that the system Kat PF6 / Tensid shows good results with different use of lye and thus different starting pH. It makes no difference whether the catalyst is added separately or added already dissolved in the surfactant.

Claims

claims:

1. containing storage-stable surfactant solutions

[L _n Mn _m Xp] ^z Y _q (I) where

L represents a ligand of an organic molecule having a number of nitrogen atoms which coordinate via its nitrogen atoms to the manganese center (centers); Mn for manganese in the oxidation state III or IV; n and m are each independently an integer of 1 to 3;

X for a coordination or bridge species; p is an integer having a value of 0 to 4; z is a charge of the complex comprising a whole negative and positive number;

2. Solutions according to claim 1, characterized in that the

Complex salts of the general formula II

[LMn ^IV (μ-O) ₃ Mn ^IV L] ²⁺ Y _q (II) with L = 1, 4,7-trimethyl-l, 4,7-triazacyclononanon and / or the general formula III

[Mn ^IV Mn ^iπ (μ-O) 2 (μ-CH ₃ COO) (Me4dtne)] ²⁺ (III) with

Me ₄ dtne = l, 2-bis (4,7-dimethyl-l, 4,7-triazacyclonon-1-yl) ethane.

3. Solutions according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that they further contain at least one readily biodegradable or at least bioeliminable complexing agent.

4. Solutions according to claim 3, characterized in that the complexing agents have a complexing constant less than or equal to 12, in particular less than 10.

5. Solutions according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the complexing agents comprise aminocarboxylic acids or their partially or completely neutralized salts.

6. Solutions according to claim 5, characterized in that the aminocarboxylic acids are selected from carboxymethylated polyethyleneimine, nitrilotriacetic acid, methylglycinediacetic acid and iminodisuccinic acid and mixtures thereof.

7. Solutions according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the weight ratio of component (a) to component (b) 20: 1 to 500: 1st

8. Use of the solutions according to any one of claims 1 to 7 for peroxide bleaching of cellulosic substrates.

9. Use according to claims, characterized in that one bleaches cotton or shredded wood material.

10. Use according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the solutions are used in textile finishing, household linen, pulp or paper bleach.