GB850274A - Improvements in or relating to liquid detergent compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

Clear homogeneous aqueous detergent compositions comprise (i) 10%, by weight of the composition, of a potassium higher alkylaryl sulphonate having the general formula: <FORM:0850274/III/1> where x is 1-5 and R is an alkyl group of 1-24 carbon atoms, at least one of which contains not less than 8 carbon atoms; (ii) 6.5-7.5% of the sodium or potassium salt of a lower alkylaryl sulphonic acid having the general formula: <FORM:0850274/III/2> where R1 is an alkyl group of 1-3 carbon atoms, R11 is an alkyl group of 1-3 carbon atoms or hydrogen, and R1 and R11 may be joined to form a ring; (iii) 20% of potassium pyro- or tripoly-phosphate; and (iv) either (a) 4-7% of a fatty monoalkanolamide having 8-12 carbon atoms in the acyl radical or the condensation product of 1 mole of such an alkanolamide with 1 mole of ethylene oxide, or (b) 2-10% of a fatty dialkanolamide having 8-18 carbon atoms in the acyl radical. (i) may be potassium tert.- octyl-, keryl-, or nonyl-benzene sulphonate, the nonyl- or dodecyl-toluene sulphonate or a higher alkylbenzene sulphonate in which the side chain is derived from polypropylene and contains 12-15 carbon atoms, but the preferred compound is potassium dodecyl (propylene tetramer) benzene sulphonate. (ii) may be sodium or potassium xylene-, toluene-, ethylbenzene-, cumene-, or tetralin-sulphonate. (iv) (a) may be the monoethanolamide of lauric acid, coconut oil acid or of a 1:1 mixture of caprylic and capric acids, the monoisopropanolamide of lauric acid, or the condensation product of 1 mole of ethylene oxide with 1 mole of either lauric monoethanolamide or lauric monoisopropanolamide, while (iv) (b) may be the diethanolamide of capric, lauric, or tallow fatty acids; it is preferred to use a mixture of 3.2% lauric monoisopropanolamide and 3.8% lauric diethanolamide. The composition may include up to 4% of a water soluble alkali metal, suitably potassium silicate, provided that the solution is adjusted to pH 11.4 or above by the addition of alkali, such as potassium hydroxide. The presence of small amounts of inorganic salts introduced as impurities may be tolerated, but should be kept to minimal amounts. Perfumes, dyes, and optical brighteners may also be incorporated.