WO2001014507A1 - Tenside composition - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a tenside composition from anionic tensides on the basis of Guerbet alkyl sulfates and other tensides that has excellent washing results already at temperatures of up to 40 °C.

Description

 surfactant

The present invention relates to a surfactant composition containing a combination of anionic surfactants based on Guerbet alkyl sulfates and other surfactants, and a detergent for textiles which contains this surfactant combination.

The surfactants contained in the detergents are most effective when they are completely dissolved. A physical parameter for the dissolving behavior of surfactants is the so-called Krafft point, which is a term for the temperature at which the solubility of ionic surfactants increases sharply due to the formation of micelles. Detergents preferably contain surfactants whose Krafft point is above the washing temperature.

While in the past household laundry consisted mainly of textiles made of cotton, which was washed at temperatures of 60 ° C and above, modern textiles are usually sensitive to higher temperatures. Consumers are therefore increasingly choosing washing temperatures of up to 40 ° C. However, the known surfactants often only show their optimal effectiveness at temperatures of 60 ° C.

JP08188793 A and JP08188794 A describe surfactant compositions which contain a combination of primary alkyl sulfates and Guerbet alkyl sulfate. Good biodegradability and a good cleaning effect against lipid-containing soiling are advertised.

The present invention was accordingly based on the object of providing a surfactant composition which shows outstanding effectiveness even at wash temperatures up to 40 ° C. and which can be used in detergents for textile household laundry. Surprisingly, it was found that a combination of special anionic surfactants based on Guerbet alkyl sulfates and at least one further surfactant shows great washing activity even at washing temperatures up to 40 ° C. and is suitable for being incorporated into detergents for household laundry.

The present invention accordingly relates to a surfactant composition which contains a combination of Guerbet alkyl sulfates with 12 to 22 carbon atoms and at least one further surfactant.

The Guerbet alkyl sulfates used according to the invention are obtained by sulfonating the Guerbet alcohols.

Guerbet alcohols are well-known compounds that are used as raw materials for the cosmetic industry. They result from the condensation of primary and secondary alcohols in the presence of strong alkali bases according to the reaction scheme

2 R-CH ₂ -CH ₂ -OH → R-CH (CH ₂ -CH ₂ -R) -CH ₂ -OH + H ₂ 0.

The starting compounds for the sulfonation are usually prepared from alcohols having 6 to 9 carbon atoms.

The Guerbet alkyl sulfates used according to the invention are generally used in the form of their sodium, potassium or ammonium salts. They show better solubility and thus also improved washing performance compared to the corresponding linear fatty talc sulfates.

The content of Guerbet alkyl sulfates in the composition according to the invention is preferably 1 to 40% by weight, particularly preferably 5 to 35% by weight and in particular 6 to 28% by weight, in each case based on the overall composition.

Nonionic, anionic, amphoteric and / or cationic surfactants can be contained as further surfactants. The total content of other surfactants is on average preferably 1 to 40% by weight, particularly preferably 5 to 35% by weight and in particular 12 to 28% by weight, in each case based on the total composition.

The Guerbet alkyl sulfates and the other surfactants are preferably present in the composition according to the invention in a weight ratio of 10: 1 to 1:10, in particular 5: 1 to 1: 5 and particularly preferably 2: 1 to 1: 2.

The composition according to the invention preferably contains nonionic surfactants as further surfactants, in particular those selected from the alkoxylated alcohols, alkyl glycosides, alkoxylated fatty acid alkyl esters, amine oxides, polyhydroxy fatty acid amides or any mixtures thereof. The nonionic surfactants are preferably used in an amount of 1 to 25% by weight, in particular 1 to 15% by weight, based on the total composition.

The alkoxylated, advantageously ethoxylated, especially primary alcohols used are preferably those having 8 to 18 carbon atoms and an average of 1 to 12 moles of ethylene oxide (EO) per mole of alcohol, in which the alcohol radical can be linear or preferably methyl-branched in the 2-position or can contain linear and methyl-branched radicals in the mixture, as are usually present in oxo alcohol radicals. However, alcohol ethoxylates with linear residues of alcohols of native origin with 12 to 18 carbon atoms, for example from coconut, palm, tallow or oleyl alcohol, and an average of 2 to 8 EO per mole of alcohol are particularly preferred. Preferred ethoxylated alcohols include, for example, C _12- ι ₄ alcohols containing 3 EO, 7 EO or 4 EO, _C9-11 alcohol containing 7 EO, C _13-15 - alcohols containing 3 EO, 5 EO, 7 EO or 8 EO, C ₁₂ . ₁₈ alcohols with 3 EO, 5 EO or 7 EO and mixtures of these, such as mixtures of C ₁₂ . ₁₄ alcohol with 3 EO and C ₁₂ . ₁₈ alcohol with 7 EO. The degrees of ethoxylation given represent statistical averages, which can be an integer or a fraction for a specific product. Preferred alcohol ethoxylates have a narrow homolog distribution (narrow range ethoxylates, NRE). In addition to these nonionic surfactants, fatty alcohols with more than 12 EO can also be used. Examples of this are tallow fatty alcohol with 14 EO, 25 EO, 30 EO or 40 EO. Nonionic surfactants which contain EO and PO groups together in the molecule can also be used according to the invention. Here, block copolymers with EO-PO block units or PO-EO block units can be used, but also EO-PO-EO copolymers or PO-EO-PO copolymers. Of course Mixed alkoxylated nonionic surfactants can also be used, in which EO and PO units are not distributed in blocks but statistically. Such products can be obtained by the simultaneous action of ethylene and propylene oxide on fatty alcohols.

Alkyl glycosides have the general formula RO (G) _x , in which R is a primary straight-chain or methyl-branched, in particular methyl-branched aliphatic radical having 8 to 22, preferably 12 to 18, carbon atoms and G is the symbol which stands for a glycose unit with 5 or 6 carbon atoms, preferably for glucose. The degree of oligomerization x, which indicates the distribution of monoglycosides and oligoglycosides, is any number between 1 and 10; x is preferably 1.2 to 1.4.

Another class of preferably used nonionic surfactants, which are used either as the sole nonionic surfactant or in combination with other nonionic surfactants, are alkoxylated, preferably ethoxylated or ethoxylated and propoxylated fatty acid alkyl esters, preferably with 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, in particular Fatty acid methyl esters as described, for example, in Japanese patent application JP 58/217598 or which are preferably prepared by the process described in international patent application WO-A-90/13533.

Examples of amine oxides are N-coconut alkyl-N, N-dimethylamine oxide and N-tallow alkyl-N, N-dihydroxyethylamine oxide. The amount of the amine oxides and the fatty acid alcoholamides is preferably not more than that of the ethoxylated fatty alcohols, in particular not more than half of them.

Polyhydroxy fatty acid amides have the formula III,

R ¹

I

R-CO-N- [Z] III

in the RCO for an aliphatic acyl radical with 6 to 22 carbon atoms, R ¹ for hydrogen, an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl radical with 1 to 4 carbon atoms and [Z] for one linear or branched polyhydroxyalkyl radical having 3 to 10 carbon atoms and 3 to 10 hydroxyl groups. The polyhydroxy fatty acid amides are known substances which can usually be obtained by reductive amination of a reducing sugar with ammonia, an alkylamine or an alkanolamine and subsequent acylation with a fatty acid, a fatty acid alkyl ester or a fatty acid chloride.

The group of polyhydroxy fatty acid amides also includes compounds of the formula IV,

R ¹ -OR ²

I

R-CO-N- [Z] IV

in which R represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl radical having 7 to 12 carbon atoms, R ^{1 represents} a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl radical or an aryl radical having 2 to 8 carbon atoms and R ^{2 represents} a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl radical or is an aryl radical or an oxyalkyl radical having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, C _1-4 alkyl or phenyl radicals being preferred and [Z] being a linear polyhydroxyalkyl radical whose alkyl chain is substituted by at least two hydroxyl groups, or alkoxylated, preferably ethoxylated or propylene derivatives of this residue.

[Z] is preferably obtained by reductive amination of a sugar, for example glucose, fructose, maltose, lactose, galactose, mannose or xylose. As is known, the N-alkoxy- or N-aryloxy-substituted compounds can be converted into the desired polyhydroxy fatty acid amides by reaction with fatty acid methyl esters in the presence of an alkoxide as catalyst.

Other anionic surfactants that can be used are, for example, those of the sulfonate and sulfate type. The surfactants of the sulfonate type are preferably C ₉ . ₁₃ alkyl benzene sulfonates, olefin sulfonates, ie mixtures of alkene and hydroxyalkane sulfonates and disulfonates, as they ι for example, C _{12 8} - onoolefinen with terminal or internal double bond by sulfonation with gaseous sulfur trioxide and subsequent alkaline or acidic hydrolysis of the sulfonation products , into consideration. Also suitable are alkanesulfonates which are composed of C ₁₂ . ₁₈ -alkanes, for example by sulfochlorination or sulfoxidation with subsequent hydrolysis or Neutralization can be obtained. The esters of α-sulfofatty acids (ester sulfonates), for example the α-sulfonated methyl esters of hydrogenated coconut, palm kernel or tallow fatty acids, are also suitable.

As alk (en) yl sulfates are the alkali and especially the sodium salts of the sulfuric acid half esters of C ₁₂ -C ₁₈ fatty alcohols, for example from coconut fatty alcohol, tallow fatty alcohol, lauryl, myristyl, cetyl or stearyl alcohol or the C ₁₀ -C ₂₀ oxo alcohols and those half-esters of secondary alcohols of this chain length are preferred. Also preferred are alk (en) yl sulfates of the chain length mentioned which contain a synthetic, straight-chain alkyl radical prepared on a petrochemical basis and which have a degradation behavior analogous to that of the adequate compounds based on oleochemical raw materials. From the washing, the C ₁₂ -C ₁₆ alkyl sulfates and C ₁₂ are - C ₁₅ alkyl sulfates and C ₁₄ -C ₁₅ alkyl sulfates of preferably.

Other suitable anionic surfactants are sulfonated fatty acid glycerol esters. Fatty acid glycerol esters are to be understood as the mono-, di- and triesters and their mixtures as obtained in the production by esterification of a monoglycerol with 1 to 3 moles of fatty acid or in the transesterification of triglycerides with 0.3 to 2 moles of glycerol become. Preferred sulfonated fatty acid glycerol esters are the sulfonation products of saturated fatty acids having 6 to 22 carbon atoms, for example caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, myristic acid, lauric acid, paimitic acid, stearic acid or behenic acid.

The sulfuric acid monoesters of the straight-chain or branched C _7-21 alcohols ethoxylated with 1 to 6 mol of ethylene oxide, such as 2-methyl-branched C _9-11 alcohols with an average of 3.5 mol of ethylene oxide (EO) or C _12-18 - Fatty alcohols with 1 to 4 EO are suitable. Because of their high foaming behavior, they are used in cleaning agents only in relatively small amounts, for example in amounts of 1 to 5% by weight.

Other suitable anionic surfactants are also the salts of alkylsulfosuccinic acid, which are also referred to as sulfosuccinates or as sulfosuccinic acid esters and which are monoesters and / or diesters of sulfosuccinic acid with alcohols, preferably fatty alcohols and especially ethoxylated fatty alcohols. Preferred sulfosuccinates contain C _8-18 fatty alcohol residues or mixtures thereof. Particularly preferred sulfosuccinates contain a fatty alcohol residue that differs from ethoxylated fat derives alcohols, which are non-ionic surfactants (see description below). Again, sulfosuccinates whose fatty alcohol residues are derived from ethoxylated fatty alcohols with a narrow homolog distribution are particularly preferred. It is also possible to use alk (en) ylsuccinic acid with preferably 8 to 18 carbon atoms in the alk (en) yl chain or salts thereof.

Soaps can also be considered as further anionic surfactants. Saturated and unsaturated fatty acid soaps are suitable, such as the salts of lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, hydrogenated erucic acid and behenic acid, and in particular from natural fatty acids, e.g. Coconut, palm kernel, olive oil or tallow fatty acids, derived soap mixtures.

The anionic surfactants, including the soaps, can be in the form of their sodium, potassium or ammonium salts and also as soluble salts of organic bases, such as mono-, di- or triethanolamine. The anionic surfactants are preferably in the form of their sodium or potassium salts, in particular in the form of the sodium salts.

The surfactant composition according to the invention can be used in all conventional detergents and cleaning agents, such as textile detergents, manual and machine dishwashing detergents, household cleaners and cleaning agents for the commercial sector. They can be assembled as desired, i.e. in liquid to gel and also in solid media. The solid agents include the powders and extrudates, granules and moldings (tablets).

A further area of application of the surfactant composition according to the invention is cosmetic products.

For use in detergents and cleaning agents or as detergents or cleaning agents, the surfactant composition according to the invention preferably contains at least one water-soluble and / or water-insoluble, organic and / or inorganic builder and further conventional ingredients, in particular organic and / or in particular inorganic bleaching agents, Enzymes, complexing agents, sequestering agents, electrolytes, pH regulators and other auxiliaries, such as optical brighteners, bitterns, color transfer inhibitors, foam regulators, additional bleach activators, dyes and fragrances.

Organic builder substances can, if desired, be present in amounts of up to 40% by weight, in particular up to 25% by weight and preferably from 1% by weight to 8% by weight.

Particularly suitable water-soluble inorganic builder materials are polymeric alkali metal phosphates, which can be in the form of their alkaline neutral or acidic sodium or potassium salts. Examples of this are tetrasodium diphosphate, disodium dihydrogen diphosphate, pentasodium triphosphate, so-called sodium hexametaphosphate and the corresponding potassium salts or mixtures of sodium and potassium salts. In particular, crystalline or amorphous alkali alumosilicates are used as water-insoluble, water-dispersible inorganic builder materials, in amounts of up to 50% by weight, preferably not more than 40% by weight, and in liquid compositions in particular from 1% by weight to 5% by weight. used. Among these, the detergent-grade crystalline sodium aluminosilicates, in particular zeolite A, P and / or X, are preferred. Quantities close to the upper limit mentioned are preferably used in solid, particulate compositions. Suitable aluminosilicates in particular have no particles with a grain size above 30 μm and preferably consist of at least 80% by weight of particles with a size below 10 μm. Your calcium binding capacity is usually in the range of 100 to 200 mg CaO per gram.

Suitable substitutes or partial substitutes for the aluminosilicate mentioned are crystalline alkali silicates, which can be present alone or in a mixture with amorphous silicates. The alkali silicates which can be used as builders in the agents according to the invention preferably have a molar ratio of alkali oxide to SiO ₂ below 0.95, in particular from 1: 1.1 to 1:12 and can be amorphous or crystalline. Preferred alkali silicates are the sodium silicates, in particular the amorphous sodium silicates, with a Na ₂ O: SiO ₂ molar ratio of 1: 2 to 1: 2.8. Those with a Na ₂ O: SiO ₂ molar ratio of 1: 1.9 to 1: 2.8 can be produced by the process of European patent application EP 0 425 427. Crystalline sheet silicates of the general formula Na ₂ Si _x 0 _{2x + 1} y H ₂ O are preferably used as crystalline silicates, which may be present alone or in a mixture with amorphous silicates, in which x, the so-called named module, a number from 1, 9 to 4 and y is a number from 0 to 20 and preferred values for x are 2, 3 or 4. Crystalline layered silicates which fall under this general formula are described, for example, in European patent application EP 0 164 514. Preferred crystalline layered silicates are those in which x assumes the values 2 or 3 in the general formula mentioned. In particular, both β- and δ-sodium disilicate (Na ₂ Si ₂ O ₅ y H ₂ O) are preferred, whereby β-sodium disilicate can be obtained, for example, by the method described in international patent application WO 91/08171. δ-sodium silicates with a modulus between 1.9 and 3.2 can be produced according to Japanese patent applications JP 04/238 809 or JP 04/260 610. Practically anhydrous crystalline alkali silicates of the above general formula, in which x denotes a number from 1.9 to 2.1, can also be prepared from amorphous alkali silicates, as in European patent applications EP 0 548 599, EP 0 502 325 and EP 0 452 428 described, can be used in agents according to the invention. In a further preferred embodiment of agents according to the invention, a crystalline layered sodium silicate with a modulus of 2 to 3 is used, as can be produced from sand and soda by the process of European patent application EP 0 436 835. Crystalline sodium silicates with a modulus in the range from 1.9 to 3.5, as can be obtained by the processes of European patent EP 0 164 552 and / or EP 0 293 753, are used in a further preferred embodiment of agents according to the invention. In a preferred embodiment of agents according to the invention, a granular compound of alkali silicate and alkali carbonate is used, as is described, for example, in international patent application WO 95/22592 or as is commercially available, for example, under the name Nabion® 15. If alkali aluminosilicate, in particular zeolite, is also present as an additional builder substance, the weight ratio of aluminosilicate to silicate, in each case based on anhydrous active substances, is preferably 1:10 to 10: 1. In compositions which contain both amorphous and crystalline alkali silicates, the weight ratio of amorphous alkali silicate to crystalline alkali silicate is preferably 1: 2 to 2: 1 and in particular 1: 1 to 2: 1.

The zeolite used can be, for example, finely crystalline, synthetic and bound water-containing zeolite, such as zeolite A, zeolite P or mixtures of A and P. Zeolite MAP® (commercial product from Crosfield) may be mentioned, for example, as commercially available zeolite P. Zeolites of the faujasite type may be mentioned as further preferred and particularly suitable zeolites. Together with the zeolites X and Y, the mineral faujasite belongs to the faujasite types within the zeolite structure group 4, which is characterized by the double six-ring subunit D6R (compare Donald W. Breck: "Zeolite Molecular Sieves", John Wiley & Sons, New York, London, Sydney, Toronto, 1974, page 92). In addition to the faujasite types mentioned, the zeolite structure group 4 also includes the minerals chabazite and gmelinite as well as the synthetic zeolites R (chabazite type), S (gmelinite type), L and ZK-5. The latter two synthetic zeolites have no mineral analogues.

Faujasite-type zeolites are made up of ß-cages, which are linked tetrahedrally via D6R subunits, the ß-cages being arranged in a diamond similar to the carbon atoms. The three-dimensional network of the zeolites of the faujasite type used in the process according to the invention has pores of 2.2 and 7.4 Å, the unit cell also contains 8 cavities with a diameter of approximately 13 Å and can be calculated using the formula Na ₈₆ [(AIO ₂ ) ₈₆ (SiO ₂ ) ₁₀₆ ] ^• 264 H ₂ O. The network of zeolite X contains a void volume of approximately 50%, based on the dehydrated crystal, which represents the largest empty space of all known zeolites (zeolite Y: approx. 48% void volume, faujasite: approx. 47% void volume). (All data from: Donald W. Breck: "Zeolite Molecular Sieves ,,, John Wiley & Sons, New York, London, Sydney, Toronto, 1974, pages 145, 176, 177).

In the context of the present invention, the term “zeolite of the faujasite type” denotes all three zeolites which form the faujasite subgroup of the zeolite structure group 4. In addition to zeolite X, zeolite Y and faujasite and mixtures of these compounds can also be used according to the invention, pure zeolite X being preferred.

Mixtures or cocrystallizates of zeolites of the faujasite type with other zeolites, which do not necessarily have to belong to the zeolite structural group 4, can also be used according to the invention, the advantages of the process according to the invention being particularly evident when at least 50 % By weight of the zeolites are faujasite-type zeolites. The aluminum silicates which are used in the process according to the invention are commercially available and the methods for their preparation are described in standard monographs.

Examples of commercially available X-type zeolites can be described by the following formulas:

Na ₈₆ [(AIO ₂ ) ₈₆ (SiO ₂ ) ₁₀₆ ] ^• x H ₂ O,

K ₈₆ [(AIO ₂ ) ₈₆ (SiO ₂ ) ₁₀₆ ] ^• x H ₂ O,

Ca ₄ oNa ₆ [(AIO ₂ ) ₈₆ (SiO ₂ ) ₁₀ 6] ^■ x H ₂ O,

Sr ₂₁ Ba ₂₂ [(AIO ₂ ) ₈₆ (SiO ₂ ) ₁₀₆ ] ^■ x H ₂ O,

in which x can have values between 0 and 276 and the pore sizes range from 8.0 to 8.4 Å.

Preferably commercially available and within the scope of the inventive method is used, for example, a co-crystallizate of zeolite X and zeolite A (ca. 80 wt .-% zeolite X) which is marketed by CONDEA Augusta SpA under the trade name VEGOBOND AX ^® and through the formula

nNa ₂ O ^• (1-n) K ₂ O ^■ AI ₂ O ₃ ^■ (2 - 2.5) SiO ₂ ^■ (3.5 - 5.5) H ₂ O

can be described.

Y-type zeolites are also commercially available and can be expressed, for example, by the formulas

Na ₅₆ [(AIO ₂ ) ₅₆ (SiO ₂ ) ₁₃₆ ] ^■ x H ₂ O,

K ₅₆ [(AIO ₂ ) ₅₆ (Si0 ₂ ) ₁₃₆ ] "x H ₂ 0, in which x stands for numbers between 0 and 276 and have a pore size of 8.0 A.

The particle sizes of the zeolites of the Fauja-sit type used in the process according to the invention are in the range from 0.1 to 100 μm, preferably between 0.5 and 50 μm and in particular between 1 and 30 μm, in each case using standard particle size determination methods measured.

Of course, it is also possible to use the generally known phosphates as builder substances, provided that such use should not be avoided for ecological reasons. Of the large number of commercially available phosphates, the alkali metal phosphates, with particular preference for pentasodium or pentapotassium triphosphate (sodium or potassium tripolyphosphate), have the greatest importance in the detergent and cleaning agent industry.

Alkali metal phosphates is the general term for the alkali metal (especially sodium and potassium) salts of the various phosphoric acids, in which a distinction can be made between metaphosphoric acids (HPO ₃ ) _n and orthophosphoric acid H ₃ PO _{4 in} addition to higher molecular weight representatives. The phosphates combine several advantages: They act as alkali carriers, prevent limescale deposits on machine parts and lime incrustations in tissues and also contribute to cleaning performance.

Sodium dihydrogen phosphate, NaH ₂ PO ₄ , exists as a dihydrate (density 1.91, preferably ^"3 , melting point 60 °) and as a monohydrate (density 2.04, preferably ^{" 3} ). Both salts are white, water-soluble powders, which lose water of crystallization when heated and at 200 ° C into the weakly acidic diphosphate (disodium hydrogen diphosphate, Na ₂ H ₂ P ₂ O ₇ ), at higher temperature in sodium trimetaphosphate (Na ₃ P ₃ 0 ₉ ) and Maddrell's salt (see below). NaH ₂ PO _{4 is} acidic; it occurs when phosphoric acid is adjusted to a pH of 4.5 with sodium hydroxide solution and the mash is sprayed. Potassium dihydrogen phosphate (primary or monobasic potassium phosphate, potassium biphosphate, KDP), KH ₂ PO ₄ , is a white salt with a density of 2.33 ^'3 , has a melting point of 253 ° [decomposition to form potassium polyphosphate (KPO ₃ ) J and is easily soluble in water. Disodium hydrogen phosphate (secondary sodium phosphate), Na ₂ HPO ₄ , is a colorless, very easily water-soluble crystalline salt. It exists anhydrous and with 2 mol. (Density 2.066 like ³ , water loss at 95 °), 7 mol. (Density 1, 68 like ³ , melting point 48 ° with loss of 5 H ₂ O) and 12 mol. Water (density 1 , 52 like ^"3 , melting point 35 ° with loss of 5 H ₂ O), becomes anhydrous at 100 ° and changes to diphosphate Na ₄ P ₂ O ₇ when heated more. Disodium hydrogenphosphate is lost by neutralizing phosphoric acid with soda solution Using phenolphthalein as an indicator Dipotassium hydrogen phosphate (secondary or dibasic potassium phosphate), K ₂ HPO ₄ , is an amorphous, white salt that is easily soluble in water.

Trisodium phosphate, tertiary sodium phosphate, Na ₃ PO ₄ , are colorless crystals, which like dodecahydrate have a density of 1.62 ^"3 and a melting point of 73-76 ° C (decomposition), as decahydrate (corresponding to 19-20% P ₂ O _{5) 5)} a density of 2.536 have like ³ has a melting point of 100 ° C and in anhydrous form (corresponding to 39-40% P ₂ O. trisodium phosphate is readily soluble in water with an alkaline reaction and is prepared by evaporating a solution of exactly 1 mole of Disodium phosphate and 1 mole of NaOH. Tripotassium phosphate (tertiary or triphase potassium phosphate), K ₃ PO ₄ , is a white, deliquescent, granular powder with a density of 2.56 ^"3 , has a melting point of 1340 ° and is in water with an alkaline reaction easily soluble. It arises, for example, when heating Thomas slag with coal and potassium sulfate. Despite the higher price, the more soluble, therefore highly effective, potassium phosphates are often preferred over corresponding sodium compounds in the cleaning agent industry.

Tetrasodium diphosphate (sodium pyrophosphate), Na ₄ P ₂ O ₇ , exists in anhydrous form (density 2.534, preferably ³ , melting point 988 °, also given as 880 °) and as decahydrate (density 1, 815-1, 836, gladly ^"3 , melting point 94 ° Substances are colorless crystals that are soluble in water with an alkaline reaction. Na ₄ P ₂ O ₇ is formed when disodium phosphate is heated to> 200 ° or by reacting phosphoric acid with soda in a stoichiometric ratio and dehydrating the solution by spraying Decahydrate complexes heavy metal salts and hardness formers and therefore reduces the hardness of the water. Potassium diphosphate (potassium pyrophosphate), K ₄ P ₂ O ₇ , exists in the form of the trihydrate and is a colorless, hygroscopic powder with a density of 2.33 ^"3 , which is soluble in water, the pH of the 1% solution at 25 ° being 10.4. Condensation of the NaH ₂ PO ₄ or the KH ₂ PO ₄ produces higher moles. Sodium and potassium phosphates, in which one can differentiate cyclic representatives, the sodium or potassium metaphosphates and chain-like types, the sodium or potassium polyphosphates. A large number of terms are used in particular for the latter: melt or glow phosphates, Graham's salt, Kurrol's and Maddrell's salt. All higher sodium and potassium phosphates are collectively referred to as condensed phosphates.

The technically important pentasodium triphosphate, Na ₅ P ₃ O ₁₀ (sodium tripolyphosphate), is an anhydrous or non-hygroscopic, water-soluble salt of the general formula NaO- [P (O) (ONa) -0] _n that crystallizes with 6 H ₂ O. -Na with n = 3. Approx. 17 g of the salt free from water of crystallization dissolve in 100 g of water at room temperature, approx. 20 g at 60 ° and around 32 g at 100 °; After heating the solution at 100 ° for two hours, hydrolysis produces about 8% orthophosphate and 15% diphosphate. In the production of pentasodium triphosphate, phosphoric acid is reacted with sodium carbonate solution or sodium hydroxide solution in a stoichiometric ratio and the solution is dewatered by spraying. Similar to Graham's salt and sodium diphosphate, pentasodium triphosphate dissolves many insoluble metal compounds (including lime soaps, etc.). Pentapotassium triphosphate, K ₅ P ₃ O ₁₀ (potassium tripolyphosphate), is commercially available, for example, in the form of a 50% strength by weight solution (> 23% P ₂ O ₅ , 25% K ₂ 0). The potassium polyphosphates are widely used in the detergent and cleaning agent industry. There are also sodium potassium tripolyphosphates which can also be used in the context of the present invention. These occur, for example, when hydrolyzing sodium trimetaphosphate with KOH:

(NaPO ₃ ) ₃ + 2 KOH - Na ₃ K ₂ P ₃ O ₁₀ + H ₂ O

According to the invention, these can be used just like sodium tripolyphosphate, potassium tripolyphosphate or mixtures of these two; Mixtures of sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium potassium tripolyphosphate or mixtures of potassium tripolyphosphate and sodium potassium tripolyphosphate or mixtures of sodium tripolyphosphate and potassium tripolyphosphate and sodium potassium tripolyphosphate can also be used according to the invention. Organic cobuilders which can be used in the washing and cleaning agents according to the invention are, in particular, polycarboxylates, polymeric polycarboxylates, aspartic acid, polyacetal, dextrins, other organic cobuilders (see below) and phosphonates. These classes of substances are described below.

Usable organic builders are, for example, the polycarboxylic acids which can be used in the form of their sodium salts, polycarboxylic acids being understood to mean those carboxylic acids which carry more than one acid function. For example, these are citric acid, adipic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, sugar acids, aminocarboxylic acids, nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), as long as such use is not objectionable for ecological reasons, and mixtures of these. Preferred salts are the salts of polycarboxylic acids such as citric acid, adipic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, tartaric acid, sugar acids and mixtures of these.

The acids themselves can also be used. In addition to their builder effect, the acids typically also have the property of an acidifying component and thus also serve to set a lower and milder pH of detergents or cleaning agents. Citric acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, gluconic acid and any mixtures thereof can be mentioned in particular.

Polymeric polycarboxylates are also suitable as builders, for example the alkali metal salts of polyacrylic acid or polymethacrylic acid, for example those with a relative molecular weight of 500 to 70,000 g / mol.

In the context of this document, the molecular weights given for polymeric polycarboxylates are weight-average molecular weights M _{w of} the particular acid form, which were determined in principle by means of gel permeation chromatography (GPC), a UV detector being used. The measurement was carried out against an external polyacrylic acid standard, which provides realistic molecular weight values due to its structural relationship to the polymers investigated. This information differs significantly from the molecular weight information for which polystyrene sulfonic acids are used as standard. The molecular weights measured against polystyrene sulfonic acids are generally significantly higher than the molecular weights given in this document. Suitable polymers are, in particular, polyacrylates, which preferably have a molecular weight of 2,000 to 20,000 g / mol. Because of their superior solubility, the short-chain polyacrylates which have molar masses from 2000 to 10000 g / mol, and particularly preferably from 3000 to 5000 g / mol, can in turn be preferred from this group.

Also suitable are copolymeric polycarboxylates, in particular those of acrylic acid with methacrylic acid and of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid with maleic acid. Copolymers of acrylic acid with maleic acid which contain 50 to 90% by weight of acrylic acid and 50 to 10% by weight of maleic acid have proven to be particularly suitable. Their relative molecular weight, based on free acids, is generally 2,000 to 70,000 g / mol, preferably 20,000 to 50,000 g / mol and in particular 30,000 to 40,000 g / mol.

The (co) polymeric polycarboxylates can be used either as a powder or as an aqueous solution. The content of (co) polymeric polycarboxylates in the agents is preferably 0.5 to 20% by weight, in particular 3 to 10% by weight.

To improve water solubility, the polymers can also contain allylsulfonic acids, such as, for example, allyloxybenzenesulfonic acid and methallylsulfonic acid, as monomers.

Also particularly preferred are biodegradable polymers composed of more than two different monomer units, for example those which contain salts of acrylic acid and maleic acid as well as vinyl alcohol or vinyl alcohol derivatives as monomers or those which contain salts of acrylic acid and 2-alkylallylsulfonic acid and sugar derivatives as monomers ,

Further preferred copolymers are those which are described in German patent applications DE-A-43 03 320 and DE-A-44 17 734 and preferably contain acrolein and acrylic acid / acrylic acid salts or acrolein and vinyl acetate as monomers.

Also to be mentioned as further preferred builder substances are polymeric aminodicarboxylic acids, their salts or their precursor substances. Pole are particularly preferred lyaspartic acids or their salts and derivatives, of which it is disclosed in German patent application DE-A-195 40 086 that, in addition to cobuilder properties, they also have a bleach-stabilizing effect.

Other suitable builder substances are polyacetals, which can be obtained by reacting dialdehydes with polyolcarboxylic acids which have 5 to 7 carbon atoms and at least 3 hydroxyl groups. Preferred polyacetals are obtained from dialdehydes such as glyoxal, glutaraldehyde, terephthalaldehyde and their mixtures and from polyol carboxylic acids such as gluconic acid and / or glucoheptonic acid.

Other suitable organic builder substances are dextrins, for example oligomers or polymers of carbohydrates, which can be obtained by partial hydrolysis of starches. The hydrolysis can be carried out by customary, for example acid or enzyme-catalyzed, processes. They are preferably hydrolysis products with average molar masses in the range from 400 to 500,000 g / mol. A polysaccharide with a dextrose equivalent (DE) in the range from 0.5 to 40, in particular from 2 to 30, is preferred, DE being a customary measure of the reducing action of a polysaccharide compared to dextrose, which has a DE of 100 , is. Both maltodextrins with a DE between 3 and 20 and dry glucose syrups with a DE between 20 and 37 as well as so-called yellow dextrins and white dextrins with higher molar masses in the range from 2000 to 30000 g / mol can be used.

The oxidized derivatives of such dextrins are their reaction products with oxidizing agents which are capable of oxidizing at least one alcohol function of the saccharide ring to the carboxylic acid function. Such oxidized dextrins and processes for their preparation are known, for example, from European patent applications EP-A-0 232 202, EP-A-0 427 349, EP-A-0 472 042 and EP-A-0 542 496 as well as international patent applications WO 92 / 18542, WO 93/08251, WO 93/16110, WO 94/28030, WO 95/07303, WO 95/12619 and WO 95/20608. An oxidized oligosaccharide according to German patent application DE-A-196 00 018 is also suitable. A product oxidized at C _{6 of} the saccharide ring can be particularly advantageous. Oxydisuccinates and other derivatives of disuccinates, preferably ethylenediaminisisuccinate, are further suitable cobuilders. Ethylenediamine-N, N ^'- disuccinate (EDDS) is preferably in the form of its sodium or magnesium salts. Glycerol disuccinates and glycerol trisuccinates are also preferred in this context. Suitable amounts are 3 to 15% by weight in formulations containing zeolite and / or silicate.

Further usable organic cobuilders are, for example, acetylated hydroxycarboxylic acids or their salts, which may optionally also be in lactone form and which contain at least 4 carbon atoms and at least one hydroxyl group and a maximum of two acid groups. Such cobuilders are described, for example, in international patent application WO 95/20029.

Another class of substances with cobuilder properties are the phosphonates. These are, in particular, hydroxyalkane or aminoalkane phosphonates. Among the hydroxyalkane phosphonates, 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonate (HEDP) is of particular importance as a cobuilder. It is preferably used as the sodium salt, the disodium salt reacting neutrally and the tetrasodium salt in an alkaline manner (pH 9). Preferred aminoalkane phosphonates are ethylenediaminetetramethylenephosphonate (EDTMP), diethylenetriaminepentamethylenephosphonate (DTPMP) and their higher homologs. They are preferably in the form of the neutral sodium salts, e.g. B. as the hexasodium salt of EDTMP or as the hepta and octa sodium salt of DTPMP. HEDP is preferably used as the builder from the class of the phosphonates. The aminoalkanephosphonates also have a pronounced ability to bind heavy metals. Accordingly, it may be preferred, particularly if the agents also contain bleach, to use aminoalkanephosphonates, in particular DTPMP, or to use mixtures of the phosphonates mentioned.

In addition, all compounds that are able to form complexes with alkaline earth metal ions can be used as cobuilders.

Builder substances are contained in the washing or cleaning agents according to the invention preferably in amounts of up to 60% by weight, in particular from 5% by weight to 40% by weight. Among the compounds which serve as bleaching agents and supply H ₂ O ₂ in water, sodium percarbonate, sodium perborate tetrahydrate and sodium perborate monohydrate are of particular importance. Further bleaching agents that can be used are, for example, peroxopyrophosphates, citrate perhydrates and H ₂ O ₂ -producing peracidic salts or peracids, such as persulfates or persulfuric acid. The urea peroxohydrate percarbamide can also be used, which can be described by the formula H ₂ N-CO-NH ₂ Η ₂ 0 ₂ . In particular, when using the agents for cleaning hard surfaces, for example in automatic dishwashing, they can, if desired, also contain bleaching agents from the group of organic bleaching agents, although their use is in principle also possible for agents for textile washing. Typical organic bleaching agents are the diacyiperoxides, such as dibenzoyl peroxide. Other typical organic bleaching agents are peroxy acids, examples of which include alkyl peroxy acids and aryl peroxy acids. Preferred representatives are peroxybenzoic acid and its ring-substituted derivatives, such as alkylperoxybenzoic acids, but also peroxy-α-naphthoic acid and magnesium monoperphthalate, the aliphatic or substituted aliphatic peroxyacids, such as peroxylauric acid, peroxystearic acid, ε-phthalimidoperoxyidoproic acid, phthalimide, phthalimide o-carboxybenzamidoperoxycaproic acid, N-nonenylamidoperadipic acid and N-nonenylamidopersuccinate, and aliphatic and araliphatic peroxydicarboxylic acids, such as 1, 12-diperoxycarboxylic acid, 1, 9-diperoxyazelaic acid, diperoxysebacic acid, diperoxydiperbutyldiacid, diperoxybriperoxydiacid, diperoxybrassoxydiacid, diperoxybrasyldiacid, 4-diacid, N, N-terephthaloyl-di (6-aminopercaproic acid) can be used.

Chlorine or bromine-releasing substances can also be used as bleaching agents in surfactant mixtures for automatic dishwashing. Suitable materials which release chlorine or bromine include, for example, heterocyclic N-bromo- and N-chloramides, for example trichloroisocyanuric acid, tribromoisocyanuric acid, dibronoisocyanuric acid and / or dichloroisocyanuric acid (DICA) and / or salts thereof with cations such as potassium and sodium. Hydantoin compounds, such as 1,3-dichloro-5,5-dimethylhydanthoin, are also suitable. If a surfactant mixture according to the invention contains bleaching agents, these are present in amounts of preferably up to 50% by weight, in particular from 5% by weight to 30% by weight, while in the disinfectants according to the invention Bleaching agents are preferably contained from 0.5 wt .-% to 40 wt .-%, in particular from 5 wt .-% to 20 wt .-%.

In order to achieve an improved bleaching effect when washing or cleaning at temperatures of 60 ° C. and below, bleach activators can be incorporated as the sole component or as an ingredient of component b). Bleach activators which can be used are compounds which, under perhydrolysis conditions, give aliphatic peroxocarboxylic acids having preferably 1 to 10 C atoms, in particular 2 to 4 C atoms, and / or optionally substituted perbenzoic acid. Suitable substances are those which carry O- and / or N-acyl groups of the number of carbon atoms mentioned and / or optionally substituted benzoyl groups. Preferred are multiply acylated alkylenediamines, in particular tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED), acylated triazine derivatives, in particular 1,5-diacetyl-2,4-dioxohexahydro-1,3,5-triazine (DADHT), acylated glycolurils, in particular tetraacetylglycoluril (TAGU), N- Acylimides, especially N-nonanoylsuccinimide (NOSI), acylated phenolsulfonates, especially n-nonanoyl- or isononanoyloxybenzenesulfonate (n- or iso-NOBS), carboxylic acid anhydrides, especially phthalic acid anhydride, acylated polyhydric alcohols, especially triacetyl alcohols, especially triac 5-diacetoxy-2,5-dihydrofuran.

In addition to the conventional bleach activators or in their place, so-called bleach catalysts can also be incorporated into the moldings. These substances are bleach-enhancing transition metal salts or transition metal complexes such as, for example, Mn, Fe, Co, Ru or Mo salt complexes or carbonyl complexes. Mn, Fe, Co, Ru, Mo, Ti, V and Cu complexes with N-containing tripod ligands as well as Co, Fe, Cu and Ru amine complexes are also used as bleaching catalysts

Enzymes which can be used in the agents are those from the class of oxidases, proteases, lipases, cutinases, amylases, pullulanases, cellulases, hemicellulases, xylanases and peroxidases and mixtures thereof, for example proteases such as BLAP®, Optimase®, Opticlean® , Maxacal®, Maxapem®, Alcalase®, Esperase® and / or Savinase®, amylases such as Termamyl®, Amylase-LT®, Maxamyl®, Duramyl® and / or Purafect® OxAm, lipases such as Lipolase®, Lipomax®, Lumafast® and / or Lipozym®, cellulases such as Celluzyme® and or Carezame®. Fungi or bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Streptomyces griseus, Humicola lanuginosa, Humicola insolens, Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes or Pseudomo- nas cepacia obtained enzymatic agents. The enzymes which may be used, as described for example in European patent EP 0 564 476 or in international patent applications WO 94/23005, can be adsorbed on carrier substances and / or embedded in coating substances in order to protect them against premature inactivation. They are contained in the surfactant mixtures according to the invention preferably in amounts of up to 10% by weight, in particular from 0.2% by weight to 2% by weight, particular preference being given to enzymes stabilized against oxidative degradation, for example from international ones Patent applications WO 94/02597, WO 94/02618, WO 94/18314, WO 94/23053 or WO 95/07350, known, can be used.

The color transfer inhibitors that are suitable for use in agents according to the invention include in particular polyvinylpyrrolidones, polyvinylimidazoles, polymeric N-oxides such as poly (vinylpyridine-N-oxide) and copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone with vinylimidazole.

Graying inhibitors have the task of keeping the dirt detached from the hard surface and in particular from the textile fiber suspended in the liquor. Water-soluble colloids of mostly organic nature are suitable for this, for example starch, glue, gelatin, salts of ether carboxylic acids or ether sulfonic acids of starch or cellulose or salts of acidic sulfuric acid esters of cellulose or starch. Water-soluble polyamides containing acidic groups are also suitable for this purpose. Starch derivatives other than those mentioned above can also be used, for example aldehyde starches. Cellulose ethers such as carboxymethyl cellulose (sodium salt), methyl cellulose, hydroxyalkyl cellulose and mixed ethers such as methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl hydroxypropyl cellulose, methyl carboxymethyl cellulose and mixtures thereof, for example in amounts of 0.1 to 5% by weight, based on the composition, are preferably used ,

The agents can contain derivatives of diaminostilbenedisulfonic acid or their alkali metal salts as optical brighteners. Suitable are, for example, salts of 4,4'-bis (2-anilino-4-morpholino-1, 3,5-triazinyl-6-amino) stilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid or compounds of similar structure which are used instead of morpholino Group carry a diethanolamino group, a methylamino group, an anilino group or a 2-methoxyethylamino group. Brighteners of the substituted type can also be used Diphenylstyryl be present, for example the alkali salts of 4,4'-bis (2-sulfostyryl) diphenyl, 4,4'-bis (4-chloro-3-sulfostyryl) diphenyl, or 4- (4-chlorostyryl) - 4 '- (2-sulfostyryl) diphenyls. Mixtures of the aforementioned optical brighteners can also be used.

In particular when used in machine washing and cleaning processes, it can be advantageous to add conventional foam inhibitors to the agents. Suitable foam inhibitors are, for example, soaps of natural or synthetic origin, which have a high proportion of C ₁₈ -C ₂₄ fatty acids. Suitable non-surfactant-like foam inhibitors are, for example, organopolysiloxanes and their mixtures with microfine, optionally silanized silica, and also paraffins, waxes, microcrystalline waxes and their mixtures with silanized silica or bisfatty acid alkyl diamides. Mixtures of different foam inhibitors are also used with advantages, for example those made of silicone, paraffins or waxes. The foam inhibitors, in particular silicone and / or paraffin-containing foam inhibitors, are preferably bound to a granular, water-soluble or dispersible carrier substance. Mixtures of paraffins and bistearylethylenediamide are particularly preferred.

To combat microorganisms, washing or cleaning agents can contain antimicrobial agents. Depending on the antimicrobial spectrum and mechanism of action, a distinction is made between bacteriostatics and bactericides, fungistatics and fungicides, etc. Important substances from these groups are, for example, benzalkonium chlorides, alkylarylsulfonates, halophenols and phenol mercuric acetate. In the context of the teaching according to the invention, the terms antimicrobial action and antimicrobial active substance have the customary meaning, as used, for example, by KH Wallhäuser in "Practice of Sterilization, Disinfection - Preservation: Germ Identification - Industrial Hygiene" (5th ed. - Stuttgart; New York : Thieme, 1995), all of the substances described there having an antimicrobial effect can be used, and suitable antimicrobial active substances are preferably selected from the groups of alcohols, amines, aldehydes, antimicrobial acids or their salts, carboxylic acid esters, acid amides, phenols, phenol derivatives , Diphenyls, diphenylalkanes, urea derivatives, oxygen and nitrogen acetals and formals, benzamidines, isothiazolines, phthalimide derivatives, pyridine derivatives, antimicrobial surface-active compounds, guanidines, anti- microbial amphoteric compounds, quinolines, 1, 2-dibromo-2,4-dicyanobutane, iodo-2-propyl-butyl-carbamate, iodine, iodophores, peroxo compounds, halogen compounds and any mixtures of the above.

The antimicrobial active ingredient can be selected from ethanol, n-propanol, i-propanol, 1,3-butanediol, phenoxyethanol, 1,2-propylene glycol, glycerol, undecylenic acid, benzoic acid, salicylic acid, dihydracetic acid, o-phenylphenol, N- Methylmorpholine-acetonitrile (MMA), 2-benzyl-4-chlorophenol, 2,2'-methylene-bis- (6-bromo-4-chlorophenol), 4,4'-dichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether (dichlosan) , 2,4,4'-trichloro-2 ^, -hydroxydiphenyl ether (trichlosan), chlorhexidine, N- (4-chlorophenyl) -N- (3,4-dichlorophenyl) urea, N, N '- (1, 10-decanediyldi-1-pyridinyl-4-ylidene) bis (1-octanamine) dihydrochloride, N, N'-bis (4-chlorophenyl) -3,12-diimino-2,4, 11, 13-tetraaza-tetradecanediimidamide, glucoprotamines, antimicrobial surface-active quaternary compounds, guanidines including the bi- and polyguanidines, such as 1,6-bis- (2-ethylhexyl-biguanido-hexane) dihydrochloride, 1,6-di- (N ₁ , N ₁ '-phenyldiguanido-N ₅ , N ₅ ') -hexane-tetrahydochloride, 1, 6-di- (N ₁ , N ₁ '-phenyl-

N _L N ^ methyldiguanido-Ns.Ns'J-hexane-dihydrochloride, 1, 6-di- (N ₁ , N ₁ '-o-chlorophenyldiguanido-N ₅ , N ₅ ') -hexane-dihydrochloride, 1, 6-di- (N ₁₎ N ₁ '-2,6-dichlorophenyldiguanido-N ₅ , N ₅ ') hexane dihydrochloride, 1, 6-di- [N ₁ , N ₁ '-beta- (p-methoxyphenyl) diguanido-N ₅ , N ₅ '] -hexanes-dihydrochloride, 1, 6-di- (N ₁ , N ₁ ' -alpha-methyl-.beta.-phenyldiguanido-N ₅ , N ₅ ') -hexane dihydrochloride, 1, 6-di- (N ₁ , N ₁ '-p-nitrophenyldiguanido-N ₅ , N ₅ ') hexane dihydrochloride, omega: omega-di-

(N ₁ , N ₁ '-phenyldiguanido-N ₅ , N ₅ ') -di-n-propylether-dihydrochloride, omega: omega'-Di- (N ₁ , N ₁ '- p-chlorophenyldiguanido-N ₅ , N ₅ ') -di-n-propylether-tetrahydrochloride, 1, 6-di- (N ₁ , N ₁ ' -2,4-di-chlorophenyldiguanido-N ₅ , N ₅ ') hexane-tetrahydrochloride, 1, 6-di- (N ₁ , N ₁ '-p-methylphenyldiguanido-N ₅ , N ₅ ') hexane dihydrochloride, l .e-DKN _ϊ .N ^ AS-trichlorophenyldiguanido-Ns.Ns') - hexane-tetrahydrochloride, 1, 6-di- [N ₁ , N ₁ '-alpha- (p-chlorophenyl) ethyldiguanido-N ₅ , N ₅ '] hexane dihydrochloride, omega: omega-di- (N ₁ , N ₁ '-p- chlorophenyldiguanido-N ₅ , N ₅ ') m-xylene-di-hydrochloride, 1, 12-di- (N ₁ , N ₁ ' -p-chlorophenyldiguanido-N ₅ , N ₅ ') dodecane-dihydrochloride, 1, 10- Di- (N ₁ , N ₁ '-phenyldiguanido-N ₅ , N ₅ ') -decane-tetrahydrochloride, l. ^ - DKN _L NZ-phenyl-diguanido-N ₅ , N ₅ ') dodecane-tetrahydrochloride, 1, 6 -Di- (N ₁ , N ₁ '-o-chlorophenyldiguanido- N ₅ , N ₅ ') hexane-dihydrochloride, 1, 6-di- (N ₁ , N ₁ '-o-chlorophenyldiguanido- N ₅ , N ₅ ' ) hexane tetrahydrochloride, ethylene-bi s- (1-tolyl biguanide), ethylene bis (p-tolyl biguanide), ethylene bis (3,5-dimethylphenyl biguanide), ethylene bis (p-tert-amylphenyl biguanide), ethylene bis (nonylphenyl biguanide) ), Ethylene bis (phenyl biguanide), ethylene bis (N-butylphenyl biguanide), ethylene bis (2,5-diethoxyphenyl biguanide), ethylene bis (2,4-dimethylphenyl biguanide), ethyl len-bis (o-diphenyl biguanide), ethylene bis (mixed amyl naphthyl biguanide), N-butyl ethylene bis (phenyl biguanide), trimethylene bis (o-tolyl biguanide), N-butyl trimethyl bis (phenyl bi- guanide) and the corresponding salts such as acetates, gluconates, hydrochlorides, hydrobromides, citrates, bisulfites, fluorides, polymaleates, N-cocoalkylsarcosinates, phosphites, hypophosphites, perfluorooctanoates, silicates, sorbates, salicylates, maleates, tartretylates, fumarate tetraates , Iminodiacetates, cinnamates, thiocyanates, arginates, pyromellitates, tetracarboxybutyrates, benzoates, glutarates, monofluorophosphates, perfluoropropionates and any mixtures thereof. Halogenated xylene and cresol derivatives, such as p-chlorometacresol or p-chloro-meta-xylene, and natural antimicrobial active ingredients of vegetable origin (for example from spices or herbs), animal and microbial origin are also suitable. Preferably, antimicrobial surface-active quaternary compounds, a natural antimicrobial agent of plant origin and / or a natural antimicrobial agent of animal origin, most preferably at least one natural antimicrobial agent of plant origin from the group comprising caffeine, theobromine and theophylline, and essential oils such as Eugeneol , Thymol and geraniol, and / or at least one natural antimicrobial active ingredient of animal origin from the group comprising enzymes such as protein from milk, lysozyme and lactoperoxidase, and / or at least one antimicrobial surface-active quaternary compound with an ammonium, sulfonium, phosphonium , iodonium or arsonium group, peroxo compounds and chlorine compounds. Substances of microbial origin, so-called bacteriocins, can also be used.

The quaternary ammonium compounds (QAV) suitable as antimicrobial active substances have the general formula (R ¹ ) (R ² ) (R ³ ) (R ⁴ ) N ⁺ X ^~ , in which R to R ^{4 are} identical or different

C ₇ -C ₂₈ aralkyl radicals or heterocyclic radicals, two or, in the case of an aromatic integration, such as in pyridine, even three radicals together with the nitrogen atom forming the heterocycle, for example a pyridinium or imidazolinium compound, and X ^"represent halide ions, sulfate ions , Hydroxide ions or similar anions For optimum antimicrobial activity, at least one of the radicals preferably has a chain length of 8 to 18, in particular 12 to 16, carbon atoms.

QAV can be prepared by reacting tertiary amines with alkylating agents such as methyl chloride, benzyl chloride, dimethyl sulfate, dodecyl bromide, but also ethylene oxide. The alkylation of tertiary amines with a long alkyl residue and two methyl groups succeeds particularly easily, also the quaternization of tertiary amines with two long residues and a methyl group can be carried out with the help of methyl chloride under mild conditions. Amines which have three long alkyl radicals or hydroxy-substituted alkyl radicals are not very reactive and are preferably quaternized with dimethyl sulfate.

Suitable QAC are, for example, benzalkonium chloride (N-alkyl-N, N-dimethyl-benzylammonium chloride, CAS No. 8001-54-5), benzalkon B (m, p-dichlorobenzyldimethyl-C12-alkylammonium chloride, CAS No. 58390- 78-6), benzoxonium chloride (benzyl dodecyl bis (2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium chloride), cetrimonium bromide (N-hexadecyl-N, N-trimethylammonium bromide, CAS No. 57-09-0), benzetonium chloride ( N, N-dimethyl-N- [2- [2- [p- (1, 1, 3,3-tetramethylbutyl) phenoxy] ethoxy] ethyl] benzylammonium chloride, CAS No. 121-54-0), Dialkyldimethylammonium chloride such as di-n-decyldimethylammonium chloride (CAS No. 7173-51-5-5), didecyldimethylammonium bromide (CAS No. 2390-68-3), dioctyldimethylammoniumchloric, 1-cetylpyridinium chloride ( CAS No. 123-03-5) and Thiazolinio-did (CAS No. 15764-48-1) and their mixtures. Particularly preferred QAV are the benzalkonium chlorides with C ₈ -C ₁₈ -alkyl radicals, in particular C ₁₂ -C ₁₄ -alkyl-benzyl-dimethyl-ammonium chloride.

Benzalkonium halides and / or substituted benzalkonium halides are commercially available, for example, as Barquat® ex Lonza, Marquat® ex Mason, Variquat® ex Witco / Sherex and Hyamine® ex Lonza, and Bardac® ex Lonza. Other commercially available antimicrobial agents are N- (3-chloroallyl) hexaminium chloride such as Dowicide® and Dowicil® ex Dow, benzethonium chloride such as Hyamine® 1622 ex Rohm & Haas, methylbenzethonium chloride such as Hyamine® 10X ex Rohm & Haas, cetylpyridinium chloride such as cepacol chloride ex Merrell Labs.

The antimicrobial active ingredients are used in amounts of from 0.0001% by weight to 1% by weight, preferably from 0.001% by weight to 0.8% by weight, particularly preferably from 0.005% by weight to 0.3% by weight .-% and in particular from 0.01 to 0.2 wt .-% used. The agents can contain UV absorbers, which absorb onto the treated textiles and improve the lightfastness of the fibers and / or the lightfastness of the other formulation components. UV absorbers are understood to mean organic substances (light protection filters) which are able to absorb ultraviolet rays and which taken energy in the form of longer-wave radiation, for example to release heat again. Compounds which have these desired properties are, for example, the compounds and derivatives of benzophenone which are active by radiationless deactivation and have substituents in the 2- and / or 4-position. Substituted benzotriazoles, phenyl-substituted acrylates (cinnamic acid derivatives), optionally with cyano groups in the 2-position, salicylates, organic Ni complexes and natural substances such as umbelliferone and the body's own urocanoic acid are also suitable. Biphenyl and especially stilbene derivatives as described, for example, in EP 0728749 A and which are commercially available as Tinosorb® FD or Tinosorb® FR ex Ciba are of particular importance. 3-Benzylidene camphor or 3-benzylidene norcampher and its derivatives, for example 3- (4-methylbenzylidene) camphor, as described in EP 0693471 B1, are to be mentioned as UV-B absorbers; 4-aminobenzoic acid derivatives, preferably 2-ethylhexyl 4- (dimethylamino) benzoate, 2-octyl 4- (dimethylamino) benzoate and amyl 4- (dimethylamino) benzoate; Esters of cinnamic acid, preferably 2-ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnamate, propyl 4-methoxycinnamate, isoamyl 4-methoxycinnamate, 2-ethylhexyl 2-cyano-3,3-phenylcinnamate (octocrylene); Esters of salicylic acid, preferably salicylic acid 2-ethylhexyl ester, salicylic acid 4-isopropylbenzyl ester, salicylic acid homomethyl ester; Derivatives of benzophenone, preferably 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-4'-methylbenzophenone, 2,2'-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone; Esters of benzalmalonic acid, preferably 4-methoxybenzmalonic acid di-2-ethylhexyl ester; Triazine derivatives, such as 2,4,6-trianilino- (p-carbo-2'-ethyl-1'-hexyloxy) -1, 3,5-triazine and octyl triazone, as described in EP 0818450 A1 or dioctyl butamido triazone (Uvasorb® HEB); Propane-1,3-diones, such as 1- (4-tert-butylphenyl) -3- (4'methoxyphenyl) propane-1,3-dione; Ketotricyclo (5.2.1.0) decane derivatives, as described in EP 0694521 B1. Also suitable are 2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulfonic acid and its alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, alkylammonium, alkanolammonium and glucammonium salts; Sulfonic acid derivatives of benzophenones, preferably 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-5-sulfonic acid and their salts; Sulfonic acid derivatives of 3-benzylidene camphor, such as 4- (2-oxo-3-bomylidene-methyl) benzene-sulfonic acid and 2-methyl-5- (2-oxo-3-bornylidene) sulfonic acid and their salts.

Derivatives of benzoylmethane, such as 1- (4'-tert-butylphenyl) -3- (4'-methoxyphenyl) propane-1,3-dione, 4-tert-, are particularly suitable as typical UV-A filters. Butyl-4'-methoxydibenzoylmethane (Parsol 1789), 1-phenyl-3- (4'-isopropylphenyl) propane-1, 3-dione and enamine compounds as described in DE 19712033 A1 (BASF). The UV-A and UV-B filters can of course also be used in mixtures. In addition to the soluble substances mentioned, insoluble light-protection pigments, namely finely dispersed, preferably nanoized metal oxides or salts, are also suitable for this purpose. Examples of suitable metal oxides are, in particular, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and, in addition, oxides of iron, zirconium, silicon, manganese, aluminum and cerium and mixtures thereof. Silicates (talc), barium sulfate or zinc stearate can be used as salts. The oxides and salts are already used in the form of the pigments for skin-care and skin-protecting emulsions and decorative cosmetics. The particles should have an average diameter of less than 100 nm, preferably between 5 and 50 nm and in particular between 15 and 30 nm. They can have a spherical shape, but it is also possible to use particles which have an ellipsoidal shape or a shape which differs from the spherical shape in some other way. The pigments can also be surface-treated, ie hydrophilized or hydrophobized. Typical examples are coated titanium dioxides, such as titanium dioxide T 805 (Degussa) or Eusolex® T2000 (Merck). Silicones, and in particular trialkoxyoctylsilanes or simethicones, are particularly suitable as hydrophobic coating agents. Micronized zinc oxide is preferably used. Further suitable UV light protection filters can be found in the overview by P.Finkel in SÖFW-Journal 122, 543 (1996).

The UV absorbers are usually used in amounts of from 0.01% by weight to 5% by weight, preferably from 0.03% by weight to 1% by weight.

In liquid to gel form, the composition contains common solvents, which include water-soluble or water-miscible organic solvents.

Solvents that can be used in the liquid to gel compositions come, for example, from the group of mono- or polyhydric alcohols, alkanolamines or glycol ethers, provided that they are miscible with water in the concentration range indicated. The solvents are preferably selected from ethanol, n- or i-propanol, butanols, ethylene glycol methyl ether, ethylene glycol ethyl ether, Ethylene glycol propyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol ethyl ether, propylene glycol methyl, ethyl or propyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl or ethyl ether, di-isopropylene glycol monomethyl or ethyl ether, or methoxy, ethoxy Butoxytriglycol, 1-butoxyethoxy-2-propanol, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol t-butyl ether and mixtures of these solvents. Solvents can be used in the liquid to gel detergents according to the invention in amounts between 0.1 and 20% by weight, but preferably below 15% by weight and in particular below 10% by weight.

To adjust the viscosity, one or more thickeners or thickening systems can be added to the composition according to the invention. The viscosity of the compositions according to the invention can be measured using customary standard methods (for example Brookfield RVD-VII viscometer at 20 rpm and 20 ° C., spindle 3) and is preferably in the range from 100 to 5000 mPas. Preferred compositions have viscosities of 200 to 4000 mPas, values between 400 and 2000 mPas being particularly preferred.

Suitable thickeners are usually polymeric compounds. These swelling agents are mostly organic, high-molecular substances that absorb liquids, swell and eventually convert into viscous real or colloidal solutions, come from the groups of natural polymers, modified natural polymers and fully synthetic polymers. The thickeners can be present in an amount of up to 5% by weight, preferably from 0.01 to 3% by weight, based on the finished composition.

Polymers derived from nature that are used as thickeners are, for example, agar agar, carrageenan, tragacanth, acacia, alginates, pectins, polyoses, guar flour, carob flour, starch, dextrins, gelatin and casein.

Modified natural products come primarily from the group of modified starches and celluloses, examples include carboxymethyl cellulose and other cellulose ethers, hydroxyethyl and propyl cellulose and core meal ether. A large group of thickeners that are widely used in a wide variety of applications are the fully synthetic polymers such as polyacrylic and polymethacrylic compounds, vinyl polymers, polycarboxylic acids, polyethers, polyimines, polyamides and polyurethanes.

Thickeners from the substance classes mentioned are commercially available and are sold, for example, under the trade names Acusol ^® -820 (methacrylic acid (stearyl alcohol-20-EO) ester-acrylic acid copolymer, 30% strength in water, Rohm & Haas), Dapral ^® -GT -282-S (alkyl polyglycol ether, Akzo), DeuteroP polymer 11

(Dicarboxylic acid copolymer, Schoener GmbH), Deuteron ^® -XG (anionic heteropolysaccharide based on β-D-glucose, D-manose, D-glucuronic acid, Schoener GmbH), Deuteron ^® -XN (non-ionic polysaccharide, Schoener GmbH), dicrylan ^® thickener-O (ethylene oxide adduct, 50% in water / isopropanol, Pfersse Chemie), EMA ^® -81 and EMA ^® -91 (ethylene-maleic anhydride copolymer, Monsanto), thickener-QR-1001 (polyurethane emulsion , 19-21% in water / diglycol ether, Rohm & Haas), Mirox ^® -AM (anionic acrylic acid-acrylic ester copolymer dispersion, 25% in water, Stockhausen), SER-AD-FX-1100 (hydrophobic urethane polymer, Servo Delden), Shellflo ^® -S (high molecular polysaccharide, stabilized with formaldehyde, Shell), Shellflo ^® -XA (xanthan biopolymer, stabilized with formaldehyde, Shell), Kelzan, Keltrol T (Kelco).

Preferred aqueous compositions contain 0.05 to 3% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 2% by weight and in particular 0.2 to 1.0% by weight, of a polysaccharide as thickener.

Another preferred polymeric thickener is xanthan, a microbial anionic heteropolysaccharide that is produced by Xanthomonas campestris and some other species under aerobic conditions and has a molecular weight of 2 to 15 million daltons. Xanthan is formed from a chain with ß-1, 4-bound glucose (cellulose) with side chains. The structure of the subgroups consists of glucose, mannose, glucuronic acid, acetate and pyruvate, the number of pyruvate units determining the viscosity of the xanthan.

Xanthan can be described by the following formula:

Basic unit of xanthan

Examples of other preferred synthetic thickeners are polyurethanes and modified (meth) acrylates.

Polyurethanes (PUR) are produced by polyaddition from dihydric and higher alcohols and isocyanates and can be described by the general formula I.

[-OR ¹ -O-CO-NH-R ² -NH-CO-] _n

in which R ^{1 is} a low molecular weight or polymeric diol radical, R ^{2 is} an aliphatic or aromatic group and n is a natural number. R ¹ is preferably a linear or branched C ₂ . ₁₂ -alk (en) yl group, but can also be a radical of a higher alcohol, whereby cross-linked polyurethanes are formed which differ from formula I given above in that the radical R ^{1 contains} further -O-CO-NH groups are bound. Technically important PUR are made from polyester and / or polyether diols and, for example, from 2,4- or 2,6-toluenediisocyanate (TDI, R ² = C ₆ H ₃ -CH ₃ ), 4,4'-methylene di (phenyl isocyanate) (MDI, R ² = C ₆ H ₄ -CH ₂ -C ₆ H ₄ ) or hexamethylene diisocyanate [HMDI, R ² = (CH ₂ ) ₆ ].

Commercial polyurethane-based thickeners are, for example, under the names AcrysoPPM 12 V (mixture of 3-5% modified starch and 14-16% PUR resin in water, Rohm & Haas), Borchigel ^® L75-N (nonionic PU dispersion, 50% ig in water, Borchers), Coatex ^® BR-100-P (PUR dispersion, 50% in water / butylglycol, Dimed), Nopco ^® DSX-1514 (PUR dispersion, 40% in water / butyltrigylcol.Henkel- Nopco), thickener QR 1001 (20% PUR emulsion in water / digylcol ether, Rohm & Haas) and Rilanit ^® VPW-3116 (PUR dispersion, 43% in water, Henkel) available.

Modified polyacrylates which can be used in the context of the present invention are derived, for example, from acrylic acid or methacrylic acid and can be described by the general formula II

R ³

[-CH ₂ -C-] _n

CXR ⁴

in which R ^{3 is} H or a branched or unbranched C _1-4 alk (en) yl radical, X is NR ⁵ or O, R ^{4 is} an optionally alkoxylated branched or unbranched, possibly substituted C ₈ . ₂₂ -alk (en) yl radical, R ^{5 is} H or R ⁴ and n is a natural number. Such modified polyacrylates are generally esters or amides of acrylic acid or an α-substituted acrylic acid. Preferred among these polymers are those in which R ^{3 represents} H or a methyl group. In the case of the polyacriamides (X = NR ⁵ ), both single (R ⁵ = H) and double (R ⁵ = R ⁴ ) N-substituted amide structures are possible, the two hydrocarbon radicals which are bonded to the N atom being independent of - one another from optionally alkoxylated branched or unbranched C ₈ . ₂₂ - Alk (en) yl residues can be selected. Among the polyacrylic esters (X = O), preference is given to those in which the alcohol has been obtained from natural or synthetic fats or oils and is additionally alkoxylated, preferably ethoxylated. Preferred degrees of alkoxylation are between 2 and 30, with degrees of alkoxylation between 10 and 15 being particularly preferred.

Since the polymers that can be used are technical compounds, the designation of the radicals bound to X represents a statistical mean, which can vary in individual cases with regard to chain length or degree of alkoxylation. Formula II only provides formulas for idealized homopolymers. However, copolymers in which the proportion of monomer units which satisfy the formula II is at least 30% by weight can also be used in the context of the present invention. For example, it is also possible to use copolymers of modified polyacrylates and acrylic acid or salts thereof which still have acidic H atoms or basic -COO ^" groups.

Modified polyacrylates to be used with preference in the context of the present invention are polyacrylate-polymethacrylate copolymers which satisfy the formula IIa

R ⁷

I

[-CH ₂ -C-] _n llla,

C- (0-CH-CH ₂ ) _a OR ⁴

OR ⁶

in which R ^{4 represents} a preferably unbranched, saturated or unsaturated C _8-22 alk (en) yl radical, R ⁶ and R ⁷ independently of one another are H or CH ₃ , the degree of polymerization n is a natural number and the degree of alkoxylation a is a natural number is between 2 and 30, preferably between 10 and 20. R ⁴ is preferably a fatty alcohol residue obtained from natural or synthetic sources, the fatty alcohol in turn preferably being ethoxylated (R ⁶ = H). Products of the formula IIa are commercially strength, for example, under the name Acusol ^® 820 (Rohm & Haas) in the form of 30 wt .-% dispersions in water available. In the commercial product mentioned, R ^{4 is} a stearyl radical, R ⁶ is a hydrogen atom, R ⁷ is H or CH ₃ and the degree of ethoxylation a is 20.

Modified polyacrylates of the formula II can be used in the compositions according to the invention in an amount of 0.2 to 4% by weight, preferably 0.3 to 3% by weight and in particular 0.5 to 1.5% by weight, based on the entire composition.

In combination with the above-mentioned thickeners, additional complexing agents can be used to stabilize the viscosity. Examples of complexing agents are low molecular weight hydroxycarboxylic acids such as citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, or gluconic acid or salts thereof, citric acid or sodium citrate being particularly preferred. The complexing agents can be present in an amount of 1 to 8% by weight, preferably 3.0 to 6.0% by weight and in particular 4.0 to 5.0% by weight, based on the finished composition ,

Another object of the present invention is an agent for washing textiles, which contains the surfactant combination according to the invention. This textile detergent can be in liquid or solid, i.e. present in powder or granular form or as a so-called shaped body and also represent a so-called compound which is further processed as a preliminary product together with other preliminary products and starting materials to give the finished product.

In a preferred embodiment, such a detergent is in solid to granular form or as a shaped body and contains 1 to 10% by weight of Guerbet alkyl sulfate, 1 to 30% by weight of further surfactants, 1 to 25% by weight of builder substances, to up to 20% by weight of bleach, up to 10% by weight of bleach activator and possibly enzymes, complexing agents, sequestering agents, electrolytes, pH regulators and other auxiliaries, such as optical brighteners, graying inhibitors, color transfer inhibitors, foam regulators, colorants and fragrances.

In a further preferred embodiment, such an agent is in the form of a liquid detergent and contains 1 to 10% by weight of Guerbet alkyl sulfate and 1 to 30% by weight of further re surfactants, 1 to 25% by weight of builder substances, up to 20% by weight of bleach, up to 10% by weight of bleach activator, solvent and optionally enzymes, complexing agents, sequestering agents, electrolytes, pH regulators and other auxiliaries, such as optical brighteners, graying inhibitors, color transfer inhibitors, foam regulators, colorants and fragrances.

In a further embodiment, an anionic detergent compound contains 5 to 30% by weight of Guerbet alkyl sulfate, 50 to 70% by weight of anionic surfactant, 5 to 20% by weight of nonionic surfactant, optionally cationic surfactant and detergency booster, as well as water and salts , A preferred nonionic detergent compound contains 5 to 20% by weight of Guerbet alkyl sulfate, up to 10% by weight of anionic surfactant, 5 to 30% by weight of nonionic surfactant, carrier material for the nonionic surfactant, optionally cationic surfactant and detergency booster, and Water and salts.

Yet another object of the present invention is an agent for cleaning hard surfaces. Such an agent contains 1 to 10% by weight of Guerbet alkyl sulfate, 1 to 10% by weight of further surfactants, 1 to 20% by weight of builder substances, solvents and optionally enzymes, complexing agents, sequestering agents, electrolytes, pH regulators and other auxiliaries, such as dyes and fragrances.

Another object of the present invention is a means for manual cleaning of dishes. Such an agent contains 1 to 10% by weight of Guerbet alkyl sulfate, 1 to 40% by weight of further surfactants, 1 to 20% by weight of builder substances, solvents and optionally enzymes, complexing agents, sequestering agents, electrolytes, pH regulators and other auxiliaries, such as dyes and fragrances.

Examples

In a Launderometer soiled with lipstick textiles made of polyester finished cotton with detergents, the composition (in wt .-%) is shown in Table 1, at 40 ° C and 60 ° C. The reflectance values of the textiles were determined after washing (5-fold determination). The dosage was 3.8 g / l, the water hardness 16 ° d.

Table 1

Polymeric polycarboxylate (manufacturer: BASF AG) The reflectance values obtained show that significantly better washing results are obtained by using Guerbet alcohol sulfates instead of the corresponding linear alkyl sulfates.

Claims

claims

1. Surfactant composition containing a combination of Guerbet alkyl sulfates with 12 to 22 carbon atoms and at least one further surfactant.

2. Surfactant composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the

Guerbet alkyl sulfates are present in an amount of 1 to 40% by weight, preferably 5 to 35% by weight and in particular 12 to 28% by weight, in each case based on the total composition.

3. Surfactant composition according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the Guerbet alkyl sulfates and the other surfactants in a weight ratio of 10: 1 to 1:10, particularly preferably from 2: 1 to 1: 2 before

4. Surfactant composition according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the further surfactant or surfactants in an amount of 1 to 40 wt .-%, preferably 5 to 35 wt .-% and in particular 12 to 28 wt .-%, each based on the total composition.

5. Surfactant composition according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a further surfactant is a nonionic surfactant.

6. Surfactant composition according to claim 5, characterized in that the nonionic surfactant is selected from alkoxylated alcohols, alkyl glycosides, alkoxylated fatty acid alkyl esters, amine oxides, polyhydroxy fatty acid amides or any mixtures thereof.

7. Surfactant composition according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that water-soluble and / or water-insoluble, organic and / or inorganic builders, organic and / or in particular inorganic bleaches, enzymes, complexing agents, sequestering agents, electrolytes, pH regulators and other auxiliaries, such as optical brighteners, graying inhibitors, color transfer inhibitors, foam regulators, additional bleach activators, colorants and fragrances are included.

8. agent for washing textiles, characterized in that it contains a surfactant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Composition according to claim 8, characterized in that it contains 5 to 30% by weight of Guerbet alkyl sulfate, 50 to 70% by weight of anionic surfactant, 5 to 20% by weight of nonionic surfactant, optionally cationic surfactant and detergency booster, as well as water and salts.

10. Composition according to claim 8, characterized in that there are 5 to 20 wt .-% Guerbet alkyl sulfate, up to 10 wt .-% anionic surfactant, 5 to 30 wt .-% nonionic surfactant, carrier material for the nonionic surfactant, if necessary contains cationic surfactant and detergency booster, as well as water and salts.

11. Composition according to claim 8, characterized in that it is in solid to granular form or as a shaped body and 1 to 10 wt .-% Guerbet alkyl sulfate, 1 to 30 wt .-% further surfactants, 1 to 25 wt .-% Builder substances, up to 20% by weight of bleach, up to 10% by weight of bleach activator and, if appropriate, enzymes, complexing agents, sequestering agents, electrolytes, pH regulators and other auxiliaries, such as optical brighteners, graying inhibitors, color transfer inhibitors, foam regulators, dyeing agents and Contains fragrances.

12. Composition according to claim 8, characterized in that it is in liquid form and 1 to 10% by weight of Guerbet alkyl sulfate, 1 to 30% by weight of further surfactants, 1 to 25% by weight of builder substances, up to 20% by weight .-% bleach, up to 10 wt .-% bleach activator, solvent and possibly enzymes, complexing agents, sequestering agents, electrolytes, pH regulators and other auxiliaries, such as optical brighteners, graying inhibitors, color transfer inhibitors, foam regulators, colorants and fragrances.

13. Means for cleaning hard surfaces or for cleaning dishes, characterized in that it contains a surfactant composition according to one of claims 1 to 7.

14. Composition according to claim 13, characterized in that it is used for cleaning hard surfaces and 1 to 10 wt .-% Guerbet alkyl sulfate, 1 to 10 wt .-% further surfactants, 1 to 20 wt .-% builder substances, Contains solvents and possibly enzymes, complexing agents, sequestering agents, electrolytes, pH regulators and other auxiliaries, such as colorants and fragrances.

15. Composition according to claim 13, characterized in that it is used for manual cleaning of dishes and 1 to 10 wt .-% Guerbet alkyl sulfate, 1 to 40 wt .-% further surfactants, 1 to 20 wt .-% builder substances, Contains solvents and possibly enzymes, complexing agents, sequestering agents, electrolytes, pH regulators and other auxiliaries, such as colorants and fragrances.