GB890696A - Moulded synthetic detergent compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

A moulded synthetic detergent composition consists of a moulded mass of one or more potassium n-alkyl sulphonates in which the alkyl groups contain 8-20 carbon atoms, the average carbon content being 12-16 carbon atoms; it is preferred that the alkyl groups should contain 14-16 carbon atoms. The bars are obtained directly by preparing ammonium n-alkyl sulphonate and displacing the ammonium base completely with potassium (see Group IV(b)), then heating the sulphonate until the water content is 20-25% by weight, after which 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%. Potassium sulphate is generally present in the bars, which may also contain perfume and dye.ALSO:Potassium n-alkyl sulphonates in which the alkyl group contains 8-20 carbon atoms, the average content being 12-16 carbon atoms, and which are used in the manufacture of moulded synthetic detergents (see Group III), are obtained by completely displacing the ammonium base by potassium (e.g. by means of potassium hydroxide) in the product obtained by the free radical addition of ammonium bisulphite to the appropriate 1-olefins (suitably derived from the cracking of paraffin wax) in aqueous alcohol. Unreacted hydrocarbons are removed by extraction with a light hydrocarbon, e.g. pentane, or by dilution with water followed by phase separation, before the ammonium base is displaced. After the formation of the potassium salt, alcohol is distilled off from the sulphonate layer, and the mixture heated until the water content reaches 20%-25% by weight; at this point the thick slurry at 100 DEG C. is dropped on to a chilled roll where it solidifies, is chipped off, and finally air-dried to a water-content of 1%-10% by weight.