Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention is related to non-aqueous liquid detergent compositions.
Background of the Invention
[0002] Detergent compositions have traditionally contained a number of non-active ingredients.
This has resulted in the increase in volume of the compositions and thus the packaging
therefore. It is now considered highly desirable to reduce the volume of detergent
compositions due to environmental considerations and produce more compact detergent
formulations. One means to achieve this is to reduce the amount of non active ingredients
such as water in detergent compositions. Reducing and preferably removing non active
ingredients, particularly water results in a more compact composition. This in turn
results in the need for less packaging material and smaller more manageable containers.
[0003] Thus, it is an object of the present invention to formulate non-aqueous detergent
compositions which exhibit at least the same cleaning performance of an equivalent
aqueous detergent composition.
[0004] In order to achieve the required cleaning performance, it is desirable to incorporate
surfactants comprising 2 vicinal hydroxyl groups selected from poly hydroxy fatty
acid amides, alkyl mono or di(alkoxy) glyceryl ethers, alkane 1,2-diols, alkyl glycerates
and N-alkyl-lactobionamides. This is because such surfactants are especially effective
with respect to their greasy stain removal performance.
[0005] Unfortunately, it has been found that said surfactants comprising 2 vicinal hydroxyl
groups are not soluble in non-aqueous compositions and form precipitates.
[0006] Thus, it is a further object of the present invention to incorporate these surfactants
comprising 2 vicinal hydroxyl groups in non-aqueous compositions without the precipitation
of the surfactant in the composition.
[0007] In response to this object it has now been found that these surfactants comprising
2 vicinal hydroxyl groups can indeed be solubilized in non-aqueous detergent compositions.
This is achieved by the addition of a boron comprising compound such as boric acid.
[0008] Without wanting to be bound by theory it is believed that the boron comprising compound
interacts with the hydroxyl groups of the surfactant to form complexes. These complexes
disrupt the crystallinity of the surfactant and thereby prevent its precipitation.
[0009] Another advantage of the present invention is that certain ingredients such as dye
transfer inhibition systems which are not compatible with an aqueous environment can
be incorporated into non-aqueous liquid detergent compositions. This contributes to
overall cleaning performance of liquid detergent compositions.
Summary of the Invention
[0010] The present invention is a non-aqueous liquid detergent composition comprising a
surfactant comprising 2 vicinal hydroxyl groups selected from poly hydroxy fatty acid
amides, alkyl mono- or di(alkoxy)glyceryl ethers, alkane 1,2-diols, alkyl glycerates
and N-alkyl-lactobionamides characterized in that said composition further comprises
a boron comprising compound wherein the molar ratio of said surfactant to said boron
comprising compound is equal or lower than 2:1.
[0011] All amounts, parts and percentages are given as a % weight of the total composition
unless otherwise stated.
Detailed description of the Invention
[0012] The present invention is a non-aqueous liquid detergent composition comprising a
surfactant comprising 2 vicinal hydroxyl groups. Said surfactant is solubilized in
the non-aqueous composition by the incorporation of a boron comprising compound.
[0013] As used herein the term non aqueous compositions refers to compositions which are
substantially non-aqueous and comprise less than 5% water, preferably from 0.1% to
3% water.
[0014] The term detergent composition as used herein refers to complete formulations, premixes
and liquid anhydrous bases in which other solid ingredients such as builders and bleaches
may be suspended.
Surfactants comprising 2 vicinal hydroxyl groups
[0015] According to the present invention the compositions comprise a surfactant comprising
2 vicinal hydroxyl groups and mixtures thereof. Suitable surfactants comprising 2
vicinal hydroxyl groups include; surfactants derived from poly hydroxy fatty acid
amides, alkyl mono or di(alkoxy) glyceryl ethers, alkane 1,2 diols, alkyl glycerates
and N-alkyl lactobionamides.
[0016] The compositions of the present invention comprise from 2% to 80%, preferably from
5% to 50% , most preferably from - 5% to 15% of said surfactant comprising 2 vicinal
hydroxyl groups.
[0017] According to the present invention highly preferred surfactants comprising 2 vicinal
hydroxyl groups are polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants and mixtures thereof.
Suitable poly hydroxy fatty acid amides for use herein are according to the formula:

wherein R¹ is H, C₁-C₄ hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxy ethyl, 2-hydroxy propyl or a mixture
thereof, preferably C₁-C₄ alkyl, more preferably C₁ or C₂ alkyl most preferably C₂
alkyl, R₂ is C₅₋₃₁ hydrocarbyl, preferably straight chain C₇₋C₁₉ alkyl or alkenyl,
more preferably straight chain C₁₁₋₁₇ alkyl or alkenyl or mixture thereof and Z is
a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl having a linear hydrocarbyl chain with at least 2 hydroxyls
directly connected to the chain, or an alkoxylated derivative (preferably ethoxylated
or propoxylated) thereof. Z preferably is derived from a reducing sugar in a reductive
amination reaction; more preferably Z is a glycityl. Suitable reducing sugars include
glucose, fructose, maltose, lactose, galactose mannose and xylose. Z is preferably
selected form the group cons -CH₂-(CHOH)
n-CH₂OH, CH(CH₂OH)-(CHOH)
n-1-CH₂OH, -CH₂-(CHOH)₂(CHOR')(CHOH)-CH₂OH, where n is an integer from 3 to 5, inclusive,
and R' is H or a cyclic or aliphatic monosaccharide and alkoxylated derivatives thereof.
Most preferred are glycityls wherein n is 4, particularly -CH₂-(CHOH)₄-CH₂OH. Z can
be 1-deoxylactityl, 1-deoxyglucityl, 2-deoxyfructityl, 1-deoxymaltityl, 1-deoxylactityl,
1-deoxygalactityl, 1-deoxymannityl, 1-deomaltotriotityl.
[0018] R₁ can be for example N-methyl, N-ethyl, N-propyl, N-isopropyl, N-butyl, N-2-hydroxy
ethyl, or N-2-hydroxy propyl. R₂ is a straight C₁₁₋₁₅ alkyl or alkenyl chain or mixtures
thereof. The compositions according to the present invention comprise from 2% to 80%,
preferably from 5% to 50%, most preferably from 5% to 15% of poly hydroxy fatty acid
amide surfactants.
[0019] Other suitable surfactants comprising 2 vicinal hydroxy groups are selected from
the group consisting of alkyl mono or di(alkoxy)glyceryl ethers, alkane 1,2- diols,
alkyl glycerates and N-alkyl lactobionamides.
[0020] Suitable alkyl mono or di (alkoxy) glyceryl ethers are C₈₋₁₈ alkyl mono (alkoxy)
glyceryl ethers according to the formula :
R - O -[CH₂CH₂O]
n-CH₂-CHOH-CH₂OH
wherein R is a C₈₋₁₈ alkyl or alkenyl group and n is from 0 to 6.
[0021] Suitable alkyl di(alkoxy) glyceryl ethers are C₈₋₁₈ alkyl di(alkoxy) glyceryl ethers
according to the formula :
R - O -[CH₂CH₂O]
n-CH₂-CHOH-CH₂-O-CH₂-CHOH-CH₂OH
or
R - O -[CH₂CH₂O]
n-CH₂-CHOH-CH₂-O-CH-CH₂OH
CH₂OH
where R is a C₈₋₁₈ alkyl or alkenyl group and n is from o to 6.
[0022] Suitable alkane diols are C₈₋₁₈ alkyl 1,2 diols, preferably C₁₀₋₁₂ alkyl 1,2 diols.
Suitable alkylglycerates are C₈₋₁₈ alkylglycerates according to the formula :
R-OOC-CHOH-CH₂OH
where R is preferably C₁₀₋₁₂.
[0023] Suitable N-alkyl lactobionamides are N-C₈₋₁₈ alkyl lactobionamides according to the
formula :

wherein R is a C₈₋₁₈ alkyl or alkenyl group.
[0024] The surfactant comprising 2 vicinal hydroxyl groups of the present invention is solubilized
in the non-aqueous composition by the incorporation of a boron comprising compound.
Boron comprising compound
[0025] The boron comprising compound employed herein can be boric acid or one of its salts,
or mixtures thereof. Preferred salts are the alkanolamine salts of tetraborate or
metaborate. Most preferred are boric acid and monoethanolamine borate. According to
the present invention the compositions comprise from 0.1% to 10%, preferably from
0.5% to 5%, most preferably from 2% to 4% of the boron comprising compound.
[0026] According to the present invention the molar ratio of said surfactant comprising
2 vicinal hydroxyl groups to said boron comprising compound material is equal or lower
than 2:1, preferably equal or lower than 1.5:1, most preferably equal or lower than
1:1.
[0027] The rest of the liquid detergent composition according to the present invention is
made of conventional detergency ingredients, i.e. other surfactants, builders, bleaches,
enzymes, polymers, brighteners and others.
[0028] The liquid detergent compositions herein may additionally comprise as an optional
ingredient from 2% to 90%, preferably from 5% to 50% of an organic surface-active
agent selected from anionic, nonionic, cationic and zwitterionic surface active agents
and mixtures thereof.
[0029] According to the present invention the compositions may further comprise a dye transfer
inhibition system. Suitable dye transfer inhibiting systems for use herein include
DTI systems comprising a non-iron metallo catalyst. Suitable non-iron metallo catalysts
may be selected from:
a) non-iron metallo porphin and water-soluble or water-dispersible derivatives thereof;
b) non-iron metallo porphyrin and water-soluble or water-dispersible derivatives thereof;
c) non-iron metallo phthalocyanine and water-soluble or water-dispersible derivatives
thereof;
The preferred usage range of the catalyst in the wash is 10⁻⁸ molar to 10⁻³ molar,
more preferred 10⁻⁶ - 10⁻⁴ molar.
[0030] The essential metallo porphin structure may be visualized as indicated in Formula
I in the accompanying drawings. In Formula I the atom positions of the porphin structure
are numbered conventionally and the double bonds are put in conventionally. In other
formula, the double bonds have been omitted in the drawings, but are actually present
as in I.
[0031] Preferred metallo porphin structures are those substituted at one or more of the
5, 10, 15 and 20 carbon positions of Formula I (Meso positions), with a phenyl or
pyridyl substituent selected from the group consisting of

wherein n and m may be 0 or 1; A is selected from water-solubilizing group, e.g.,
sulfate, sulfonate, phosphate, and carboxylate groups; and B is selected from the
group consisting of C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, C₁-C₁₀ polyethoxy alkyl or C₁-C₁₀ hydroxy alkyl.
[0032] Preferred molecules are those in which the substituents on the phenyl or pyridyl
groups are selected from the group consisting of
-CH₃, -C₂H₅, -CH₂CH₂CH₂SO₃-, -CH₂--, and -CH₂CH(OH)CH₂SO₃-, -SO₃
A particularly preferred metallo phorphin is one in which the molecule is substituted
at the 5, 10, 15, and 20 carbon positions with the substituent

This preferred compound is known as metallo tetrasulfonated tetraphenylporphin.
The symbol X¹ is (=CY-) wherein each Y, independently, is hydrogen, chlorine, bromine,
fluorine or meso substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl, aryl, alkaryl or heteroaryl.
[0033] The symbol X² of Formula I represents an anion, preferably OH⁻ or Cl⁻. The compound
of Formula I may be substituted at one or more of the remaining carbon positions with
C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or oxyalkyl groups.

Porphin derivatives also include chlorophyls, chlorines, i.e. isobacterio chlorines
and bacteriochlorines.
[0034] Metallo porphyrin and water-soluble or water-dispersible derivatives thereof have
a structure given in formula II.

where X can be alkyl, alkyl carboxy, alkyl hydroxyl, vinyl, alkenyl, alkyl sulfate,
alkylsulfonate, sulfate, sulfonate, aryl.
[0035] The symbol X² of Formula II represents an anion, preferably OH⁻ or Cl⁻.
[0036] The symbol X
i can be alkyl, alkylcarboxy, alkylhydroxyl, vinyl, alkenyl, alkylsulfate, alkylsulfonate,
sulfate, sulfonate.
[0037] Metallo phthalocyanine and derivatives have the structure indicated in Formula III,
wherein the atom positions of the phthalocyanine structure are numbered conventionally.
The anionic groups in the above structures contain cations selected from the group
consisting of sodium and potassium cations or other non-interfering cations which
leave the structures water-soluble. Preferred phthalocyanine derivatives are metallo
phthalocyanine trisulfonate and metallo phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate.

Still a number of considerations are significant in selecting variants of or substituents
in the basic porphin or azaporphin structure. In the first place, one would choose
compounds which are available or can be readily synthesized.
[0038] Beyond this, the choice of the substituent groups can be used to control the solubility
of the catalyst in water or in detergent solutions. Yet again, especially where it
is desired to avoid attacking dyes attached to solid surfaces, the substituents can
control the affinity of the catalyst compound for the surface. Thus, strongly negatively
charged substituted compounds, for instance the tetrasulfonated porphin, may be repelled
by negatively charged stained surfaces and are therefore most likely not to cause
attack on fixed dyes, whereas the cationic or zwitterionic compounds may be attracted
to, or at least not repelled by such stained surfaces.
[0039] Another dye transfer inhibition system for use herein comprises polyamine N-oxide
containing polymers and metallo catalysts.
[0040] Polyamine N-oxide polymers which contain units having the following structure formula
:

wherein
P is a polymerisable unit, whereto the R-N-O group can be attached to or wherein
the R-N-O group forms part of the polymerisable unit or a combination of both.
A is

-O-,-S-,

x is or O or 1;
R are aliphatic, ethoxylated aliphatics, aromatic, heterocyclic or alicyclic groups
or any combination thereof whereto the nitrogen of the N-O group can be attached or
wherein the nitrogen of the N-O group is part of these groups.
[0041] The N-O group can be represented by the following general structures :

wherein R1, R2, R3 are aliphatic groups, aromatic, heterocyclic or alicyclic groups
or combinations thereof, x or/and y or/and z is 0 or 1 and wherein the nitrogen of
the N-O group can be attached or wherein the nitrogen of the N-O group forms part
of these groups
[0042] The N-O group can be part of the polymerisable unit (P) or can be attached to the
polymeric backbone or a combination of both. Suitable polyamine N-oxides wherein the
N-O group forms part of the polymerisable unit comprise polyamine N-oxides wherein
R is selected from aliphatic, aromatic, alicyclic or heterocyclic groups.
[0043] One class of said polyamine N-oxides comprises the group of polyamine N-oxides wherein
the nitrogen of the N-O group forms part of the R-group. Preferred polyamine N-oxides
are those wherein R is a heterocyclic group such as pyridine, pyrrole, imidazole,
pyrrolidine, piperidine and derivatives thereof. Another class of said polyamine N-oxides
comprises the group of polyamine N-oxides wherein the nitrogen of the N-O group is
attached to the R-group.
[0044] Other suitable polyamine N-oxides are the polyamine oxides whereto the N-O group
is attached to the polymerisable unit.
Preferred class of these polyamine N-oxides are the polyamine N-oxides having the
general formula (I) wherein R is an aromatic, heterocyclic or alicyclic groups wherein
the nitrogen of the N-0 functional group is part of said R group.
[0045] Examples of these classes are polyamine oxides wherein R is a heterocyclic compound
such as pyridine, pyrrole, imidazole and derivatives thereof.
[0046] Another preferred class of polyamine N-oxides are the polyamine oxides having the
general formula (I) wherein R are aromatic, heterocyclic or alicyclic groups wherein
the nitrogen of the N-0 functional group is attached to said R groups. Examples of
these classes are polyamine oxides wherein R groups can be aromatic such as phenyl.
[0047] Any polymer backbone can be used as long as the amine oxide polymer formed is water-soluble
and has dye transfer inhibiting properties. Examples of suitable polymeric backbones
are polyvinyls, polyalkylenes, polyesters, polyethers, polyamide, polyimides, polyacrylates
and mixtures thereof.
[0048] The amine N-oxide polymers of the present invention typically have a ratio of amine
to the amine N-oxide of 10 : 1 to 1: 1000000. However the amount of amine oxide groups
present in the polyamine oxide polymer can be varied by appropriate copolymerization
or by appropriate degree of N-oxidation. Preferably, the ratio of amine to amine N-oxide
is from 3:1 to 1:1000000. The polymers of the present invention actually encompass
random or block copolymers where one monomer type is an amine N-oxide and the other
monomer type is an N-oxide or not.
[0049] The amine oxide unit of the polyamine N-oxides has a pKa < 10, preferably pKa < 7,
more preferred pKa < 6. The polyamine oxides can be obtained in almost any degree
of polymerisation. The degree of polymerisation is not critical provided the material
has the desired water-solubility and dye-suspending power. Typically, the average
molecular weight is within the range of 500 to 1000,000; more preferred 1000 to 500,000;
most preferred 5000 to 100,000.
[0050] The polyamine N-oxides of the present invention are typically present from 0.01 to
10%, more preferably from 0.05 to 1%, most preferred from 0.05 to 0.5 % by weight
of the dye transfer inhibiting composition.
[0051] Dye transfer inhibition systems comprising said polyamine N-oxide containing polymers
may additionally comprise a metallo catalyst.
[0052] The preferred usage range of the catalyst in the wash is 10⁻⁸ molar to 10⁻³ molar,
more preferred 10⁻⁶ - 10⁻⁴ molar. The essential metallo porphin structure may be visualized
as indicated in Formula I in the accompanying drawings. In Formula I the atom positions
of the porphin structure are numbered conventionally and the double bonds are put
in conventionally. In other formula, the double bonds have been omitted in the drawings,
but are actually present as in I.
[0053] Preferred metallo porphin structures are those substituted at one or more of the
5, 10, 15 and 20 carbon positions of Formula I (Meso positions), with a phenyl or
pyridyl substituent selected from the group consisting of

and

wherein n and m may be 0 or 1; A is selected from water-solubilizing group, e.g.,
sulfate, sulfonate, phosphate or carboxylate groups; and B is selected from the group
consisting of C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, C₁-C₁₀ polyethoxy alkyl and C₁-C₁₀ hydroxy alkyl.
[0054] Preferred molecules are those in which the substituents on the phenyl or pyridyl
groups are selected from the group consisting of
-CH₃, -C₂H₅, -CH₂CH₂CH₂SO₃-, -CH₂--, and -CH₂CH(OH)CH₂SO₃-,-SO₃
A particularly preferred metallo phorphin is one in which the molecule is substituted
at the 5, 10 15, and 20 carbon positions with the substituent

This preferred compound is known as metallo tetrasulfonated tetraphenylporphin.
The symbol X¹ is (=CY-) wherein each Y, independently, is hydrogen, chlorine, bromine,
fluorine or meso substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl, aryl, alkaryl or heteroaryl.
[0055] The symbol X² of Formula I represents an anion, preferably OH⁻ or Cl⁻. The compound
of Formula I may be substituted at one or more of the remaining carbon positions with
C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or oxyalkyl groups.

Porphin derivatives also include chlorophyls, chlorines, i.e. isobacterio chlorines
and bacteriochlorines.
[0056] Metallo porphyrin and water-soluble or water-dispersible derivatives thereof have
a structure given in formula II.

where X can be alkyl, alkyl carboxy, alkyl hydroxyl, vinyl, alkenyl, alkyl sulfate,
alkylsulfonate, sulfate, sulfonate, aryl.
[0057] The symbol X² of Formula II represents an anion, preferably OH⁻ or Cl⁻.
[0058] The symbol X can be alkyl, alkylcarboxy, alkylhydroxyl, vinyl, alkenyl, alkylsulfate,
alkylsulfonate, sulfate, sulfonate.
[0059] Metallo phthalocyanine and derivatives have the structure indicated in Formula III,
wherein the atom positions of the phthalocyanine structure are numbered conventionally.
The anionic groups in the above structures contain cations selected from the group
consisting of sodium and potassium cations or other non-interfering cations which
leave the structures water-soluble. Preferred phthalocyanine derivatives are metallo
phthalocyanine trisulfonate and metallo phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate.

Another form of substitution possible for the present invention is substitution
of the central metal by Fe, Mn, Co Rh, Cr, Ru, Mo or other transition metals.
[0060] Still a number of considerations are significant in selecting variants of or substituents
in the basic porphin or azaporphin structure. In the first place, one would choose
compounds which are available or can be readily synthesized.
[0061] Beyond this, where it is desired to avoid attacking dyes attached to solid surfaces,
the substituents can control the affinity of the catalyst compound for the surface.
Thus, strongly negatively charged substituted compounds, for instance the tetrasulfonated
porphin, may be repelled by negatively charged stained surfaces and are therefore
most likely not to cause attack on fixed dyes, whereas the cationic or zwitterionic
compounds may be attracted to, or at least not repelled by such stained surfaces.
[0062] According to the present invention the composition may comprise a number of additional
compounds commonly used in liquid detergent compositions such solvents, chelants,
enzymes, perfumes, dyes which are well known and described in the art.
[0063] The present invention may be illustrated by the following examples wherein all the
ingredients listed below are combined.
