GB816683A - Improvements in detergent compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

Liquid detergent compositions comprise, by weight, (a) 2-30 per cent, preferably 5-15 per cent, of the benzyl ether of octylphenoxypolyethenoxyethanol containing 12-30, preferably 16, ethenoxy units, either (b) 1-10 per cent, preferably 3-7 per cent, of the sodium, potassium, or ammonium salt of methylene bis-(naphthalene sulphonic acid), or (c) 0.5-15 per cent, preferably 0.5-3 per cent, of the sodium, potassium, or ammonium salt of one or more fatty acids containing 12-18 carbon atoms, or both (b) and (c), and (d) water to make up 100 per cent. The compositions may additionally contain up to 10 per cent, preferably 2-7 per cent, of tetrapotassium polyphosphate and up to 10 per cent, preferably 3-7 per cent, of one or more octylphenoxypolyethenoxyethanols containing 7-20, preferably 7.5-9.7, ethenoxy units. The compositions are said to be of particular use in dishwashing machines.ALSO:The benzyl ethers of octylphenoxy-polyethenoxyethanols containing 12-30 ethenoxy groups are prepared by reacting the appropriate octylphenoxypolyethenoxyethanol in an atmosphere of nitrogen and in an inert solvent, such as benzene, toluene, or xylene, with benzyl chloride or bromide in the presence of a strong base, for example an alkali or alkaline-earth metal hydroxide or an alkali-metal lower alkoxide, at a temperature of 50-200 DEG C., preferably 100-150 DEG C. Details are given of the preparation of the ether containing 15 ethenoxy groups, wherein the appropriate condensate is mixed at 100 DEG C. with sodium hydroxide in an atmosphere of nitrogen until all the hydroxide has dissolved. Benzyl chloride is then gradually introduced, after which the reaction mixture is maintained at 100-110 DEG C. for 3 hours. Toluene and water are then added and the mixture boiled, after which it is allowed to separate into 2 layers. The upper layer is steam stripped to remove toluene, benzyl chloride, and benzyl alcohol, and the remaining required product dried at 100 DEG C. and 2 mm. pressure, and finally filtered.