Field of the invention
[0001] The invention relates to hard surface cleaning compositions comprising a peroxygen
bleach compound and a cationic nitrile. The invention particularly relates to liquid
hard surface cleaning compositions.
Background of the invention
[0002] In household and fabric cleaning and in other cleaning areas there is a need for
agents which bleach unsightly stains on substrates such as surfaces or fabric, which
help removing soil from such substrates and which disinfects them. Common agents for
this purpose are those which contain active chlorine, the most common being sodium
hypochlorite, which is widely used in cleaning compositions to decolourise soils or
stains, remove mould stains, assist in cleaning through reaction with soils and kill
microorganisms.
[0003] A problem which is associated with said compositions is that hypochlorite has an
unpleasant odour and, when accidentally mixed with an acidic product, can liberate
toxic amounts of chlorine gas. Therefore, there is a need for alternative bleaching
agents.
[0004] Other bleaching agents are known, particularly many kinds of peroxygen bleaching
compounds such as peroxides and peracids and their salts. However, the bleaching power
of peroxygen bleaching compounds as such generally falls short of that of hypochlorite
and therefore they are often used in conjunction with oxygen transfer or bleach activator
agents. Such agents generally operate by reacting with the peroxygen compound to form
an oxidative bleaching species which subsequently reacts with the substrate to be
bleached, cleaned or disinfected.
[0005] Like hypochlorite, peroxygen bleaching compounds are most effective at alkaline pH,
particularly at pH 9 and above.
[0006] Recently, various cationic nitriles, which contain the structural unit below, have
been reported to act as bleach activator agents.
-- N⊕-- CH2 -- CN X⊖
[0007] Typical examples of such compounds are disclosed in EP-A-0 303 520, EP-A-0 458 396
and EP-A-0 464 880 in which the organic groups attached to the positive nitrogen are
alkyl groups. In WO 98/23532, WO 98/23533, WO94/40661 is the positive nitrogen part
of a heterocyclic ring and in EP-A-0 790 244 part of a heterocyclic or carbocyclic
ring. In EP-A-0 897 974 the general formula comprises a large group of organic substituents
on the positive nitrogen, but N-methylmorpholiniumacetonitrile methosulphate is the
only compound actually disclosed.
[0008] These cationic nitriles have been disclosed to lead to good bleaching in combination
with a peroxygen compound and particularly with hydrogen peroxide or precursors thereof.
Without being bound by theory, the bleaching is believed to take place by a reactive
peroxy species formed in situ by oxidation of the cationic nitrile by the peroxygen
compound.
[0009] Although the cationic nitriles have been generally described as being useful in a
large variety of cleaning products for laundry, hard surfaces, toilet bowl, machine
dishwash and even dental applications, the practical examples described have so far
been limited to application in laundry cleaning for most of them. Due to the general
instability of these compounds at high pH, at which bleaching results are expected
to be best, the compounds have been described mostly for use in solid compositions
or for separate addition to an alkaline wash liquor. The use in cleaning compositions
packaged in dual compartment containers has been mentioned in passing for some heterocyclic
cationic nitriles in WO 98/23533.
[0010] There is, however, still a need for better peroxygen bleach systems for a variety
of cleaning purposes and particularly for hard surface cleaning and the systems actually
disclosed in the prior art are not completely satisfactory.
Brief description of the invention
[0011] It has now been found that certain group of aliphatic and araliphatic cationic nitriles
in combination with a peroxygen compound are substantially superior to the cationic
nitriles descibed in the art so far for cleaning hard surfaces. Thus, the cationic
nitriles according to the invention are able to provide comparableor even better cleaning
at lower concentrations.
[0012] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide bleaching and cleaning
compositions which comprise a peroxygen bleach compound and an aliphatic or araliphatic
cationic nitrile bleach activator compound which give superior bleaching and cleaning.
[0013] It is another object of the invention to provide bleaching and cleaning compositions
comprising a peroxygen bleach compound and an aliphatic or araliphatic cationic nitril
bleach activator which can be used at the pH at which the combination of bleach and
bleach activator is effective.
[0014] It is a further object of the invention to provide a process for hard surface cleaning
comprising the step of applying to the hard surface a cleaning composition comprising
a peroxygen bleach compound and an aliphatic or araliphatic cationic nitrile bleach
activator compound
Hereinafter the phrases 'clean' and 'cleaning' will also comprise 'bleach' and 'bleaching'
Detailed description of the invention
[0015] All amounts mentioned are in percent by weight based on the total composition unless
specifically mentioned otherwise.
[0016] The cationic nitriles, which the invention provides, have the general formula:

wherein R
1 is an alkyl group of 3-10 carbon atoms, a phenyl-substituted alkyl group with a total
of 7-12 carbon atoms, or a (alkyl-substituted) phenyl group of 6-10 carbon atoms,
R
2 and R
3 are independently methyl or ethyl groups and X
⊖ is a counterion.
[0017] Preferably, if R
1 is an alkyl group it is linear and most preferably has 3-6 carbon atoms. If R
1 is a phenyl-substituted alkyl group it preferably has the structure R
4-C
6H
4-(CH
2)
n- wherein R
4 is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, most preferably hydrogen, and n is 1-4. Preferably
R
2 and R
3 are methyl.
[0018] Suitable counterions X
⊖ are anions derived from inorganic or organic acids and include e.g.: chloride, bromide,
sulphate, tosylate, methosulphate and surfactant anions such as decribed in EP-A-0
464 880. Counterions of unquestionable peroxide stability, such as tosylate and methosulphate,
are particularly preferred.
[0019] The invention provides hard surface cleaning compositions comprising one or more
of the cationic nitriles above and a peroxygen bleach compound.
[0020] The cationic nitriles are preferably present in the cleaning compositions in an amount
of 0.01-10%, more preferably 0.05-5%, most preferably at least 0.1%
[0021] The peroxygen bleach compound may be any peroxide or peroxide generating system known
in the art such as dihydrocarbon peroxides, diacyl peroxides, hydrocarbon hydroperoxides,
organic and inorganic peracids and persalts and in particular hydrogen peroxide.
[0022] Preferred peroxygen bleach compounds are hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, PAP and
alkali metal or alkaline earth metal monoperoxosulphate salts. Hydrogen peroxide is
particularly suitable. The amount of peroxygen compound is preferably chosen such
that the composition will contain 0.1-10% active oxygen, more preferably 0.5-5%, most
preferably at least 1%.
[0023] The molar ratio between peroxygen compound and cationic nitrile is preferably between
100:1 and 1:5, more preferably between 50:1 and 1:1, most preferably above 3:1, or
even 10:1.
[0024] The compositions according to the invention are suitable for a wide variety of cleaning
operations, including cleaning of laundry, carpets and other fabric material. They
are particularly suitable for cleaning hard surfaces. They may be provided as solids
e.g. as a powder as granules or in tablet form. To the extend that a peroxygen compound
is available as a stable solid it can be incorporated in these solid compositions.
Stable solid peroxygen compounds such as perborate and percarbonate are well known
in the art of laundry detergents. The solid compositions are dissolved in water to
produce a cleaning solution ready for use.
[0025] However, for hard surface cleaning it is most convenient when the compositions according
to the invention are liquids, preferably aqueous liquids. Such compositions clean
most effectively if they have a pH of 6 or above, preferably 6.5 or above, more preferably
between 7 and 12.
[0026] The compositions according to the invention preferably comprise one or more detergent
surfactants chosen from anionic, cationic, nonionic, zwitterionic or amphoteric surfactants
well known in the art.
[0027] Suitable anionic surfactants which may be combined with the amines according to the
invention are water-soluble salts of organic sulphuric acid esters and sulphonic acids
having in the molecular structure an alkyl group containing 8-22 C atoms or an alkylaryl
group containing 6-20 C atoms in the alkyl part.
[0028] Examples of such anionic surfactants are the water soluble salts of:
- long chain (i.e. 8-22 C-atom) alcohol sulphates (hereinafter referred to as PAS),
especially those obtained by sulphating the fatty alcohols produced by reducing the
glycerides of tallow or coconut oil;
- alkylbenzene-sulphonates, such as those in which the alkyl group contains from 6 to
20 carbon atoms;
- secondary alkanesulphonates.
[0029] Also suitable are the salts of:
- alkylglyceryl ether sulphates, especially of the ethers of fatty alcohols derived
from tallow and coconut oil;
- fatty acid monoglyceride sulphates;
- sulphates of ethoxylated aliphatic alcohols containing 1-8 ethyleneoxy groups;
- alkylphenol ethyleneoxy-ether sulphates with from 1 to 8 ethyleneoxy units per molecule
and in which the alkyl groups contain from 4 to 14 carbon atoms;
- the reaction product of fatty acids esterified with isethionic acid and neutralised
with alkali.
[0030] Suitable nonionic surfactants can be broadly described as compounds produced by the
condensation of simple alkylene oxides, which are hydrophilic in nature, with an organic
hydrophobic compound which may be aliphatic or alkylaromatic in nature. The length
of the hydrophilic or polyoxyalkylene chain which is attached to any particular hydrophobic
group can be readily adjusted to yield a water-soluble compound having the desired
balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic elements. This enables the choice of nonionic
surfactants with the right HLB.
[0031] Particular examples include the condensation products of aliphatic alcohols having
from 8 to 22 carbon atoms in either straight or branched chain configuration with
ethylene oxide, such as a coconut alcohol ethylene oxide condensates having from 2
to 15 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of coconut alcohol; condensates of alkylphenols
having C6-C15 alkyl groups with 5 to 25 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alkylphenol;
condensates of the reaction product of ethylenediamine and propylene oxide with ethylene
oxide, the condensates containing from 40 to 80% of ethyleneoxy groups by weight and
having a molecular weight of from 5,000 to 11,000.
[0032] Other examples are: alkylglycosides, which are condensation products of long chain
aliphatic alcohols and saccharides; tertiary amine oxides of structure RRRN0, where
one R is an alkyl group of 8 to 20 carbon atoms and the other R's are each alkyl or
hydroxyalkyl groups of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, e.g. dimethyldodecylamine oxide; tertiary
phosphine oxides of structure RRRP0, where one R is an alkyl group of 8 to 20 carbon
atoms and the other R's are each alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups of 1 to 3 carbon atoms,
for instance dimethyl-dodecylphosphine oxide; and dialkyl sulphoxides of structure
RRS0 where one R is an alkyl group of from 10 to 18 carbon atoms and the other is
methyl or ethyl, for instance methyltetradecyl sulphoxide; fatty acid alkylolamides;
alkylene oxide condensates of fatty acid alkylolamides; alkyl mercaptans. Ethoxylated
aliphatic alcohols are particularly preferred.
[0033] Suitable amphoteric surfactants are derivatives of aliphatic secondary and tertiary
amines containing an alkyl group of 8 to 20 carbon atoms and an aliphatic group substituted
by an anionic water-solubilising group, for instance sodium 3-dodecylamino-propionate,
sodium 3-dodecylaminopropane-sulphonate and sodium N-2-hydroxy-dodecyl-N-methyltaurate.
[0034] Suitable cationic surfactants are quaternary ammonium salts having one or two alkyl
or aralkyl groups of from 8 to 20 carbon atoms and two or three small aliphatic (e.g.
methyl) groups, for instance cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide.
[0035] Suitable zwitterionic surfactants are derivatives of aliphatic quaternary ammonium,
sulphonium and phosphonium compounds having an aliphatic group of from 8 to 18 carbon
atoms and an aliphatic group substituted by an anionic water-solubilising group, for
instance 3-(N,N-dimethyl-N-hexadecylammonium)-propane-1-sulphonate betaine, 3-(dodecyl
methyl-sulphonium)-propane-1-sulphonate betaine and 3-(cetylmethyl-phosphonium)-ethanesulphonate
betaine.
[0036] Further examples of suitable surfactants are compounds commonly used as surface-active
agents given in the well-known textbooks "Surface Active Agents", Volume I by Schwartz
and Perry and "Surface Active Agents and Detergents", Volume II by Schwartz, Perry
and Berch.
[0037] A surfactant system is preferably present in a total amount of between 0.1 and 20%,
more preferably between 0.5 and 10%.
[0038] The composition according to the invention preferably also contains a sequestering
agent to bind metal ions, particularly transition metal ions, which could otherwise
destabilise the peroxygen compound. Suitable sequestering agents are e.g. ethylenediamine
tetraacetate, amino-polyphosphonates (such as those in the DEQUEST™ range). Phosphates
and a wide variety of other poly-functional organic acids and salts, can also optionally
be employed. Preferred sequestering agents are selected from dipicolinic acid, ethylenediamine
tetra acetic acid (EDTA) and its salts, hydroxyethylidene diphosphonic acid (Dequest
2010), ethylenediamine tetra(methylene-phosphonic acid) (Dequest 2040), diethylene-triamine
penta(methylene-phosphonic acid) (Dequest 2060) and their salts. Sequestering agents
are generally used in an amount of 0.01-5%, preferably 0.05-2%.
[0039] Apart from sequestering agents particularly suitable for binding transition metal
ions, as mentioned above, the cleaning compositions according to the invention may
also usefully contain a sequestering agent suitable for binding Ca ions. Suitable
sequestering agents for this purpose are well known in the art and include compounds
such as: alkali metal tripolyphosphate, pyrophosphate and ortho- phosphate, sodium
nitrilotriacetic acid salt, sodium methylglycine-diacetic acid salt, alkali metal
citrate, carboxymethyl malonate, carboxymethyloxysuccinate, tartrate, mono- and di-succinate
and oxydisuccinate.
[0040] For certain cleaning applications it is most useful if the composition contains a
thickening system which will improve the composition's ability to cling to a non-horizontal
surface, thus imcreasing the contact time of the composition with the soiled surface.
Many thickening systems are known from the art of thickening hypochlorite bleach compositions.
Such systems often consist of two or more different detergent surfactants, or of one
or more such surfactants in combination with an electrolyte such as an inorganic salt.
Examples of such thickening systems are combinations of tertiary amine oxides containing
one long alkyl chain e.g. having 8-22 Catoms and two shorter alkyl chains e.g. having
1-3 C-atoms with anionic surfactants.
[0041] More examples of such thickening systems are described in EP-A-079697, EP-A-110544,
EP-A-137551, EP-A-145084, EP-A-244611, EP-A-635568, WO95/08611, DE-A-19621048 and
the literature cited in these patent applications.
[0042] Other suitable thickening systems comprise various polymeric substances such as natural
and chemically modified polysaccharides and synthetic polymers such as those of acrylic
acid or copolymers thereof with other monomers. Such synthetic polymers are e.g. sold
under the trademarks: ACUSOL, CARBOPOL, POLYGEL, RHEOVIS, STRUCTURE and ALCOGUM.
[0043] Another way to improve cling of the final composition to a non-horizontal surface
is to cause it to foam on dispensing through the addition of a foaming surfactant
to at least one partial composition and the use of an appropriate dispensing device
such as foaming trigger sprays known in the art.
[0044] Many peroxygen compounds have limited stability in strongly alkaline solutions and
are therefore stored preferably at mildly alkaline, neutral or acid pH. Hydrogen peroxide
is reasonably stable up to pH 10.
[0045] To improve long term stability of the cleaning compositions it may be advisable to
keep various ingredients of the composition apart until the moment of use. Thus, it
may be preferred to keep the cationic nitrile separate from the peroxygen compound
and/or from a pH adjusting compound which is present in the total composition to adjust
the pH of the end product to the desired value suitable for adequate cleaning. A suitable
arrangement for this is to provide separate "partial" compositions which together
contain all the required ingredients of the total composition and which are mixed
just before use.
[0046] Accordingly, the invention also provides liquid cleaning compositions consisting
of at least two liquid partial compositions which are held separate from each other
in a single container comprising at least two chambers or reservoirs or compartments
(hereinafter referred to as 'chambers') wherein at least one partial composition comprises
a peroxygen compound, at least one partial composition comprises a cationic nitrile
and at least one partial composition comprises a pH adjusting compound which on mixing
of the partial compositions is able to set the pH of the final composition to a desired
value at which the combination of the cationic nitrile and the peroxygen compound
are active. Each partial composition has a pH such that the components of that partial
composition are adequately stable on storage.
[0047] Furthermore the invention provides liquid cleaning compositions obtained through
mixing of the above mentioned liquid partial compositions. Also, the invention provides
a container comprising two or more chambers holding the liquid partial compositions.
[0048] For the purposes of this invention a 'partial composition' is defined as a solution
of a component, or a mixture of more, but not all, components of the final composition,
which solution is held in a separate chamber of the container containing the total
composition. Two or more partial compositions together make up the final composition
according to this aspect of the invention.
[0049] A container suitable for holding the hard surface cleaning compositions according
to this aspect of the invention has at least as many separate chambers as the number
of partial compositions making up the total composition. Such container may have one
outer wall embracing all chambers which are separated from each other by partion walls
inside the container or, alternatively, it may be made up of a plurality of separate
containers, equivalent to the chambers, which are held together by some external means,
such as a connecting part of the walls or a sleeve surrounding them, in such a way
that they can be held and handled as one container. A dispensing system is provided
in that each chamber is provided with an outlet opening through which the partial
composition is dispensed. These outlet openings may all lead to a separate mixing
chamber in which the dispensed amounts of the partial compositions mix just before
being applied to the substrate through a dispensing opening in the mixing chamber.
Alternatively, the outlet openings may all lead to the outside of the container in
such a way that the dispensed amounts of the partial compositions are all applied
simultaneously to the same area of the substrate so as to mix while being applied
to the substrate or immediately after application onto the substrate. To this end
the outlet openings will generally be positioned in close proximity to each other
such that all partial compositions are poured, squirted or sprayed onto the same area
of the substrate in one action. The outlet openings may be provided with a nozzle
system designed to further improve the mixing of the partial components on leaving
the container. Alternatively, the container may be provided with a multiple spray
system able to either produce a single spray of a mixture of all the partial compositions
or simultaneous sprays of each partial composition directed to the same area of a
substrate whereafter the partial compositions mix on the substrate.
[0050] For practical reasons, such as ease of construction and handling, the container preferably
comprises no more than two chambers each holding a partial composition which compositions
together make up the final composition. This implies that for the same reasons the
compositions according to this aspect of the invention are preferably made up of two
partial compositions. Additionally the container may comprise a mixing chamber as
outlined above.
[0051] The amounts of the partial compositions making up the final composition need not
necessarily all be equal as long as care is taken that the concentration of each component
in each of the partial compositions is chosen such that on mixing of the envisaged
amounts of the partial compositions the right concentration of each component is present
in the final composition. The volume of each chamber of the container is adapted to
the amount of the partial composition contained in that chamber which is required
to make up the total amount of the final composition. The total liquid volume of the
final composition to be obtained from the container in general will be determined
by the total volume of the container, excluding the volume of the mixing chamber,
if present.
[0052] The dispensing or outlet openings or other dispensing means of the various chambers
in the container are dimensioned such that one single dispensing action dispenses
the right amounts of all partial compositions necessary to properly make up the final
in which each component is present in the required concentration. The dispensing or
spray system may be so dimensioned that the final composition is dispensed as a foam.
[0053] Although there is no theoretical limitation as to the size and shape of the containers,
for practical purposes, such as ease of handling and dispensing, the containers will
generally have a total volume of 0.1 - 2 liters, preferably at least 0.25 l, but preferably
not more than 1.5 l. Also for practical purposes two-chamber containers preferably
have chambers of about equal volume, holding about equal amounts of each of the two
partial compositions.
[0054] Optionally cleaning compositions according to the invention may further comprise
1% or more of a solvent of the formula R
1-O-(EO)
m-(PO)
n-R
2, wherein
R
1 and R
2 are independently C1-6 alkyl or H, but not both hydrogen, m and n are independently
0-5.
Suitable examples of such solvents are di-ethylene glycol mono-butyl ether, mono-ethylene
glycol mono-butyl ether, propylene glycol butyl ether, isopropanol, ethanol, butanol
and mixtures thereof.
Typically, the level of solvent in cleaning compositions is 1-10%.
[0055] Other minor components may be present in the compositions according to the invention,
such as microbiocidally active compounds or components to improve their consumer appeal
such as perfumes and dyes. Many other optional components customary in the art of
cleaning compositions may be present as well.
[0056] The compositions according to the invention give excellent cleaning on a variety
of soils, such as common kitchen soils, and are able to bleach the well known stains
of black mould often occuring in damp spaces. Furthermore, at pH 6.5 or above the
cationic nitriles according to the invention effectively boost the antimicrobial properties
of peroxides, particularly hydrogen peroxide, thus giving the compositions according
to the invention improved hygenic properties. For this purpose a peroxide/nitile ratio
of between 2:1 and 1:5 is preferred. The combination is active against gram-negative
as well as gram-positive bacteria.
[0057] The cleaning process according to the invention comprises the step of applying a
cleaning composition as described above to the surface to be cleaned. If the composition
is a solid it is to be converted previously into a solution in a suitable solvent,
preferably water. Preferably the cleaning compositions are freshly prepared just before
being applied to the surface. A conveniently procedure for this comprises the application
of the composition from a multi-chamber container as described above.
[0058] The compositions may be applied to the surface in any convenient way. They are preferably
applied directly to the surface, such as by spraying, pouring or any similar operation,
but they may also first be applied to a cleaning implement, such as a wipe, cloth
or towel, whereafter the surface is cleaned with the implement.
Examples:
[0059] Various cationic nitrile/hydrogen peroxide combinations were tested on their ability
to remove a light model oily kitchen soil: 'curcumin/oil' on Decamel. The soil comprises
sunflower oil and curcumin (the principal pigment in curry powder).
[0060] Decamel tiles (7.5 x 7.5 cm
2 square) were cleaned using Jif™ LAC and thoroughly rinsed using distilled water and
dried before application of the soil. Care was taken not to contaminate the cleaned
surface, especially by touch as otherwise red streaking occurs when the soil is applied.
[0061] The soil was prepared by adding 0.5 g of powdered curcumin pigment to 9.5 g of commercial
sunflower oil and stirring the mixture for 5 minutes. 90g of absolute ethanol was
then slowly added to the mixture and the resulting solution stirred for at least 10
minutes prior to application to the substrate.
[0062] The curcumin/oil/ethanol solution was sprayed onto the vertical Decamel tiles using
a 'COBALT' gravity feed spray gun (ex. SIP, 500 ml pot capacity, 1.5 mm nozzle) attached
to a compressor. Care was taken to ensure even soil coverage and it is important that
the curcumin/oil solution was constantly swirled whilst in the spray gun 'cup', in
order to maintain a homogeneous solution. The soiled tiles were allowed to stand for
a minimum of 1 hour allowing evaporation of the ethanol solvent, producing a slightly
tacky yellow coloured oil film. The colour of treated tiles fades over time (due to
photobleaching) and soiled tiles were prepared on the same day as they were used.
[0063] A circular glass ring (diameter 5 cm) was placed over the centre of the soiled tile
and 5 ml of the cleaning solution pipetted into the enclosed area. The glass template
was pressed flat onto the tile surface for 30 seconds (preventing leakage of the cleaning
solution) after which time the template was removed and the tile immediately rinsed
under demineralised water and then allowed to dry for up to 30 minutes. At least two
replicate soiled tiles were treated with each bleach system. The level of soil removal
was visually assessed by trained panellists using a half integer scale ranging from
0 (no soil removal) to 5 (complete soil removal). The resulting data were statistically
analysed to yield mean soil removal. The nitriles which were tested are mentioned
in table I below. R
1-R
3 refer to the general formula above, except for compounds 4 and 5 which are cationic
nitriles according to the prior art, mentioned in EP-A-0 464 880 and EP-A-0 897 974
respectively. In all cases the counter ion was Br
⊖.
Table I
|
R1 |
R2 |
R3 |
1 |
2-phenylethyl |
methyl |
methyl |
2 |
n-butyl |
methyl |
methyl |
3 |
phenylmethyl |
methyl |
methyl |
4* |
methyl |
methyl |
methyl |
5** |
R1 + R2 = morpholinium |
methyl |
* Cationic nitrile according to EP-A-0 464 880 |
** Cationic nitrile according to EP-A-0 897 974 |
[0064] The scores are given in Table II below. Small series of soiled tiles were produced
and treated together, always including one duplicate set of tiles treated with only
hydrogen peroxide as a reference. Due to the fact that soiling of the tiles is not
completely reproducible between series, only results measured against the same reference
may be compared (one row in the table). All test solutions contained 3% hydrogen peroxide.
The cationic nitrile was always used in 1%. All test solutions had pH 10.5.
Table II
Reference cleaning |
|
nitrile |
cleaning |
|
nitrile |
cleaning |
2.0 |
|
1 |
3.8 |
|
|
|
2.2 |
|
2 |
3.7 |
|
|
|
1.2 |
|
2 |
2.9 |
|
5 |
2.3 |
1.7 |
|
4 |
2.1 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
|
3 |
3.4 |
|
|
|
[0065] From table II it can be seen that the N-methyl-morpholinium nitrile from the prior
art performed significantly less than the cationic nitrile 2 according to the invention.
Also, whereas all cationic nitriles according to the invention performed much better
than hydrogen peroxide alone, the nitrile 4 according to the prior art was only marginally
better than hydrogen peroxide alone.
1. Cationic nitriles according to the general formula:

wherein R
1 is an alkyl group of 3-10 carbon atoms, a phenyl-substituted alkyl group with a total
of 7-12 carbon atoms, or a (alkyl-substituted) phenyl group of 6-10 carbon atoms,
R
2 and R
3 are independently methyl or ethyl groups and X
⊖ is a counterion.
2. Cationic nitriles according to claim 1 wherein if R1 is an alkyl group it is linear and has 3-6 carbon atoms and if R1 is a phenyl-substituted alkyl group it has the structure R4-C6H4-(CH2)n- wherein R4 is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, most preferably hydrogen, and n is 1-4.
3. Cationic nitriles according to claims 1 or 2 wherein X⊖ is derived from an organic or inorganic acid.
4. Hard surface cleaning compositions comprising a peroxy bleaching compound and a cationic
nitrile, wherein the cationic nitrile has a structure according to the general formula:

wherein R
1 is an alkyl group of 3-10 carbon atoms, a phenyl-substituted alkyl group with a total
of 7-12 carbon atoms, or a (alkyl-substituted) phenyl group of 6-10 carbon atoms,
R
2 and R
3 are independently methyl or ethyl groups and X
⊖ is a counterion.
5. Hard surface cleaning compositions according to claim 4 wherein if R1 is an alkyl group it is linear and has 3-6 carbon atoms and if R1 is a phenyl-substituted alkyl group it has the structure R4-C6H4-(CH2)n- wherein R4 is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, most preferably hydrogen, and n is 1-4.
6. Hard surface cleaning compositions according to claims 4 or 5 wherein X⊖ is derived from an organic or inorganic acid.
7. Hard surface cleaning compositions according to claims 4-6 wherein the peroxygen bleach
compound is hydrogen peroxide.
8. Hard surface cleaning compositions according to claims 4-7 wherein the molar ratio
between peroxide compound and cationic nitrile is between 100:1 and 1:5.
9. Hard surface cleaning compositions according to claims 4-8 which are aqueous liquids
having pH 6 or above.
10. Hard surface cleaning compositions according to claim 9 consisting of at least two
liquid partial compositions which are held separate from each other in a single container
comprising at least two chambers or reservoirs or compartments (hereinafter referred
to as 'chambers') wherein at least one partial composition comprises a peroxygen compound,
at least one partial composition comprises a cationic nitrile and at least one partial
composition comprises a pH adjusting compound which on mixing of the partial compositions
is able to set the pH of the final composition to a desired value at which the combination
of the cationic nitrile and the peroxygen compound are active.
11. Hard surface cleaning compositions obtained through mixing of the partial compositions
according to claim 10.
12. Process for cleaning hard surfaces comprising the step of applying to the surface
a cleaning composition according to any one of claims 4-11 in the form of a solution.
13. Process according to claim 12 wherein the solution is freshly prepared just before
being applied to the the surface.