GB861052A - Moulded synthetic detergent compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention comprises in moulded form, ammonium salts of n-alkyl sulphonic acids containing an average of 12-16 carbon atoms in the alkyl group or a mixture of the ammonium and sodium, potassium, calcium, barium, magnesium, aluminium or other metal salt of n-alkyl sulphonic acids containing 8-20 carbon atoms (see also Group III). Suitably, the sulphonates are prepared by reacting appropriate olefinic materials with ammonium bisulphite in aqueous alcohol, de-oiling by solvent extraction or dilution with water to remove unchanged hydrocarbons and when the mixed salts are required, adding an appropriate metal base to displace some of the combined ammonia; the alcohol is then distilled off and water thereafter removed to leave a slurry which is solidified on cooling and is suitable for moulding. Examples relate to the ammonium salts of n-dodecyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl and C4-15 and C12-16 n-alkyl sulphonates and various calcium, sodium or magnesium ammonium mixed salts of n-alkyl sulphonic acids containing 8-20 carbon atoms.ALSO:A moulded synthetic detergent composition consists of a moulded mass of at least one ammonium alkyl-sulphonate, the alkyl radical being a straight-chain radical of 12-16 carbon atoms, preferably dodecyl, tetradecyl or hexadecyl. Where a mixture of two or more sulphonates are used, the alkyl groups present should differ by not more than 3 carbon atoms. If required, n-alkylsulphonates of alkali metals such as sodium, and potassium, of alkaline-earth metals such as magnesium, calcium or barium, or of aluminium may be included, the alkyl groups here containing 8-20 carbon atoms, and the ratio of metal sulphonate to ammonium sulphonate being 10-15 mol. per cent to 75 mol. per cent or more. The bars are obtained directly following the preparation of the ammonium alkyl sulphonate (see Group IV (b)) by displacing the ammonium radical by the appropriate metal base to the desired extent (if at all) and then heating the sulphonate until the water content is 20-25% by weight whereupon the thick slurry at 100 DEG C. is dropped on to a chilled roll, where it solidifies, is then chipped off, and finally air-dried to a water content of 1-10% by weight. Ammonium sulphate is generally present in the bars, which may also contain 5-65% by weight of fillers, perfume, and dye.