CA2311378C - Detergent composition containing optimally sized bleach activator particles - Google Patents

Abstract

A bleach-containing detergent composition which contains a peroxygen bleaching compound and a bleach activator is disclosed. The bleach activator is in the form of particles having a mean particle diameter of 200 microns to 2000 microns. Also disclosed are bleach activator particles in the form of substantially cylindrically-shaped extrudates having a mean extrudate length of from about 500 microns to about 3500 microns and a mean extrudate diameter of from about 450 microns to about 850 microns.

Description

DETERGENT COMPOSTTION CONTAINING OPTIMALLY SIZED
BLEACH ACTIVATOR PARTICLES
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a detergent composition containing a peroxygen bleaching compound and bleach activator particles having a selected particle size for improved stability and performance.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As is known, surface bleaching of textiles is bleaching wherein the bleaching mechanism takes place on the textile surface and, thereby, removes stains and/or soils. Typical bleaching compositions contain peroxygen bleaches capable of yielding hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solutions and bleach activators to enhance bleach performance. It has long been known that peroxygen bleaches are effective for stain and/or soil removal from textiles, but that they are also extremely temperature dependent. Such bleaches are essentially only practicable and/or effective in bleaching solutions, i.e., a bleach and water mixture, wherein the solution temperature is above about 60°C. At bleach solution temperatures of about 60°C, peroxygen bleaches are only partially effective and, therefore, in order to obtain a desirable level of bleaching performance extremely high levels of peroxygen bleach must be added to the system. This is economically impracticable for largo-scale commercialization of modern detergent products. As the bleach solution temperature is lowered below 60°C, peroxygen bleaches are rendered ineffective, regardless of the level of peroxygen bleach added to the system. The temperature dependence of peroxygen bleaches is significant because such bleaches are commonly used as a detergent adjuvant in textile wash processes that utilize an automatic household washing machine at wash water temperatures below 60°C. Such wash temperatures are utilized because of textile care and energy considerations. As a consequence of such a wash process, there has been much industrial research to develop substances, generally referred to as bleach activators, that render peroxygen bleaches effective at bleach solution temperatures below 60°C.
Numerous substances have been disclosed in the art as effective bleach activators. For example, bleach activators having the general formula R-C-L
wherein R is an alkyl goup and L is a leaving goup, have been disclosed in the art.
Such bleach activators have typically been incorporated into detergent products as an admixed ganule, agglomerate or other type of particle. However, one problem with such bleach activators is maintaining the stability of the activator prior to use by the consumer. The bleach activator granule or agglomerate has a tendency to degrade over time which is exacerbated by exposure to environmental effects such as heat and humidity. As a consequence of this, the ganule, agglomerate or other particulate form of the bleach activator must be relatively large in comparison to the other detergent ingedients in a typical granular detergent product. This, in turn, causes another problem associated with detergent product segegation in that the larger bleach activator particles tend to accumulate at or near the top of the detergent box while relatively smaller particle sized detergent ingedients accumulate at or near the bottom of the box. Additionally, particle segegation occurs during the detergent manufacturing process, leading to increased box to box variability for the detergent active ingredients. The net result of such an undesirable product segegation is dac~ased performance since the user scoops the product from the top to the bottom and each scoop has a disproportionate amount of bleach activator or other detergent ingredient, and similarly, the performance of product from different boxes is affected by variance in the detergent composition. Thus, it would be desirable to have a detergent composition containing a bleach activator which has improved stability prior to use, and which does not significantly segregate poor to packaging or while stored in the detergent producx box. Additionally, it would be desirable to have such a detergent composition which also has acceptable physical properties, for example, acceptable Bow properties for bulk handling of the composition as part of largo-scale detergent manufacturing.
Yet another problem with the aforementioned bleach activators relates to the inability to advertise the sanitization effects of the above-mentioned bleacldbleach activator systems on fabrics. Currently, most governmem regulation agencies require that sanitization add claims for fabric care can only be made if a relatively high level of microbes are consistently removed from the laundered fabrics as a result of using the bleach-containing detergent product. In the past, however, the relatively large granule, agglomd ate or other particle form of the bleach activator has inhibited tech sanitization advertising claims in that the product segregation effects of such larger particles prevented the consistent removal of high levels of microbes from the laundered fabrics. The bleaclJbleach activator delivery during the laundering process varied too widely to satisfy most govennmental agency requirements for sanitization advertising claims. It would therefore be desirable to have a bleach-containing composition detergent which can be used to sanitize fabrics.
Accordingly, there remains a need in the art to have detergent composition containing a bleach activator which has improved stability prior to use. Also, there is a need in the art for a detergent composition containing a bleach activator which does not significantly segregate while stored in the detergent product box and has acceptable physics! properties. Yet another need in the art remains for such a detergent composition which has a more consistent bleachlbleach activator delivery.
BACKGRO~ ART
The following references relate to detergent compositions comaining bleach activators and/or antimicrobials: U.S. Patent 4,412,934 to Chung et al (Procter &
Gamble); U.S. Patent 5,021,182 to Jentsch (Roman A. Epp); U.S. Patent 5,489,434 to Oaken et al (Ecolab) and U.S. Patent 4,422,950 to Kemper et al (Lever Brothers Company).
SII~.(ARY nF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a detergent composition containing a peroxygen bleaching compound a~ a bleach activator in the form of particles, preferably in the form of substeulbaliy cylindrically shaped exaudates, having a selected relatively small particle size. The smaller sized bleach activator particles unexpectedly remain stable over extended storage periods and reduce product segrega'on in the detergent box in which they are co»tainod as they more closely mirror the particle size of other conventional detergent ingnoaients. Additionally, the bleach activator particles have acceptable flow properties and allow the detergent composition to deliver sanitization effects to the launder ed fabrics more consistently.
As used herein, the tam "particles" refer to agglomerates, flakes, extrudates, or other shaped particles. The phrase "cylindrically shaped extrudates" means an extruded particle having a stuface shape ~ by a straight line moving parallel to a faced straight line and intaaecxing a fixed planar dosed cxuve. An "effective amount" of a d~ergent composition containing a bleach activator is any amount capable of measurably improving both soil removal from and sanitization of the fabric when it is washed by the consumer. In general, this amount may vary quite widely.
As used herein, the terms "disinfecting", "disinfection", "antibacterial", "germ kill", and "sanitization" are intended to mean killing microbes commonly found in and on fabrics requiring laundering. Fxampies of various microbes include germs, bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi/spores. As used ha~ein, "free water" level means the level on a pa centage by weight basis of water in the detergent composition which is not bound up or in another detergent ingredient such as zeolite; it is the water level in excess of any water entrained in, adsorbed in, or otherwise bound up in other detergent ingredients.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a bleach-containing detergent composition is provided. The detergent composition comprises: (a) a particulate peroxygen bleaching compound capable of yielding hydrogen peroxide in an aqueous solution; (b) a bleach activator which is nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate, wherein the molar ratio of hydrogen peroxide yielded by (a) to bleach activator (b) is greater than 1.0, and said bleach activator is in the form of substantially cylindrically-shaped extrudate having a mean extrudate length of from 500 microns to 3500 microns and a mean extrudate diameter of from 450 microns to 850 microns, said extrudate containing less than 3% free moisture, and wherein the particle size of said peroxygen belaching compound closely mirrors that of said bleach activator.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of using the detergent composition to sanitize fabrics is provided. The method comprises the step of contacting said fabrics with an effective amount of a detergent composition as described herein in an aqueous solution to sanitize the fabrics. All percentages and ratios used herein are expressed as percentages by weight (anhydrous basis) unless otherwise indicated.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a detergent composition containing bleach activator particles which have good stability prior to use and acceptable physical properties. It is also an object of the invention to provide a detergent composition containing a bleach activator which does not significantly segregate while stored in the detergent product box. Another object of the invention is to provide such a detergent product which can be used to sanitize fabrics. These and other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims.

The detergent composition of the invention essentially comprises two components, namely, a peroxygen bleaching compound and a bleach activator in the form of particles having a specified mean particle diameter. In a preferred mode, the particles are in substantially cylindrically-shape extrudate form. Preferably, the peroxygen bleaching compound is capable of yielding hydrogen peroxide in an aqu~us solution. The detergent composition of the invention is unexpectedly stable with respect to the bleach activator in terms of maintaining or not degrading over extended storage periods prior to use. Preferably, one or more binder materials are included in the bleach activator particles or extrudates including, but not limited to, palmitic acid, a detersive surfactant, polyethylene glycol and other fatty acids and poiyacrylates.
While not intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that by selecting a particle size as described herein, the binder materials in the specific particles or extrudates gravitate or migrate toward the surface of the individual particles, thereby inhibiting excessive exposure of the bleach activator to envrrotunental conditions such as heat and moisture prior to use. As a consequence, the bleach activator particles including those that are substantially cylindrically-shaped exttudates do not degrade and remain stable, while also beating a particle size closely mirroring the size of the other detergent ingredients in the detergent composition. As mentioned, the added unanimity of particle size rends the detergent composition less susceptible to product segregation in the detergent box prior to use. As is known, product segegation oaxns during handling, transporting, and storing the detergent composition prior to use; the vibrating, shaking and otherwise movement of the detergent product box causes the composition to segregate by particle size.
The detergent composition of the present invention reduces this problem via a selected choice of particle size and shape.
In that regard, the mean particle diameta~ of the particles are from about 200 microns to about 2000 microns, more preferably from about 300 microns to about I000 micxons, and most preferably from about 350 microns to about 750 microns.
More preferably, she particles are substantially cylindrically-shaped exttudates having a mean exttudate length of from about 500 micxons to about 3500 microns, snore preferably from about 700 microns to about 3000 microns, and most preferably from about 900 microns to about 2500 microns. Preferably, the mean extcudate diameter is from about 450 microns to about 850 rnicxons, more preferably from about microns to about 800 microns, and most preferably from about 550 microns to about 750 microns. The mean particle and extrudate diameters can be min a variety of ways, one of which is to measure a representative sample of the extrudates using a microscope and dexamining the mean via calculation. The mean diameter can be determined similarly or via extrapolation from the extrusion die hole diameter.
To yield acceptable flow properties for bulk handling of the particles, a finely divided inorganic powder may be added as a flow aid to the surface of the particles.

This flow aid includes, but is not limited to, finely divided aluminositicates, silicas, crystalline layered silicates, MAP zeolites, citrates, amorphous silicates, sodium carbonate, and mixtures thereof. It is preferable for the level of the flow aid to be from about 0.1% to about 10'/0, more preferably from about 1% to about 7%, and most preferably from about 1.5% to about 5% by weight of the detergent composition. The most preferable flow aid is aluminosilicate.
The peroxygen bleaching compound is preferably selected from the group consisting of sodium perborate monohydrate, sodium perborate tetrahydrate, sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate, sodium pyrophosphate peroxyhydrate, urea peroxyhydrate, sodium peroxide and mixtures thereof. It is preferable for the detergent composition of the invention to contain less than about 3%, more preferably less than about 2.5%, and most preferably less than about 2% by weight of free water. While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that by maintaining this relatively low level of free water in the composition, the propensity of the bleach activator to degrade via hydrolysis prior to use is lowered. Thus, the stability of the bleach activator is enhanced and prolonged even further as a re~lt of a selected free water level as set forth herein.
The selected relatively smaller particle size the bleach activator particles, especially the cylindrically-shaped extrudates, result in a more consistent delivery of activator to the aqueous laundering solution. Stated differa~tly, the variation around the target level of bleach activator to be delivered to the wash solution is unexpectedly reduced as result of using the aforeme~ioned substantially cylindrically-shapod extrudatee;. Fortuitously, this allows the detergent composition to deliver the bleach activator at a more consistent level to achieve sanitization effects on the lauadexed fabrics. Moat governmental agencies require very fittle variation amend bleach activator or other sanitiang agent target levels in order for sanitization advertising claims to be legally made to the public. Thus, the invention also provides a suitable and convenient nartlwd of sanitizing fabrics which may be suitable for public advertising. Preferably, the number of microbes present on said fabrics is reduced by at least about 50%, more preferably reduced by at least about 90%, and most preferably reduced by at least about 99.9%. This sanitizing method is interchangeably used with disirifeaing, antibacterial, germ killing, odor-causing germ killing methods in accordance with the invention.
Additionally, the speaflc bleach activator and peroxygen bleaching composition in the detergent composition are preferably present at specific molar ratios of hydrogen peroxide to bleach activator. Such compositions provide extremely effective and efficient surface bleaching of textiles which thereby remove stains andlor soils from the textiles. Such compositions are particularly effective at removing dingy soils from textiles. Dingy soils are soils that build up on textiles after numerous cycles of usage and washing and, thus, result in a white textile having a gray tint. These soils tend to be a blend of particulate and greasy materials.
The removal of this type of soil is sometimes referred to as "dingy fabric clean up". The bleach-containing detergent compositions of this invention provide such bleaching over a wide range of bleach solution temperatures. Such bleachung is obtained in bleach solutions wherein the solution temperature is at least about 5°C. Without the bleach activator, such peroxygen bleaches would be ineffective andlor impracticable at temperatures below about 60°C.
Much lower levels of the bleach activators within the invention are required, on a molar basis, to achieve the same level of surface bleaching performance that is obtained with similar bleach activators containing only from about 2 to about carbon atoms in the longest linear alkyl chain extending from and including the carbomrl carbon. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that such efficiency is achieved because the bleach activators within the invention exhibit s<uface activity.
This can be explained as follows. The bleaching mechanism generally, and the surface bleaching mechanism in particular, are not completely understood.
However, it is generally believed that the bleach activator undergoes nucleophilic attack by a perhydroxide anion, which is ga~erated from the hydrogen peroxide evolved by the peroxygen bleach, to form a percarboxylic acid. This reaction is commonly referred to as perhydrolysis. The percarboxylic acid then forms a reactive dimer with its anion which, in turn, evohres a singlet oxygen which is believed to be the active bleaching component. It is theorized that the singlet oxygen must be evolved at or near the textile surface in order to provide surface bleaching. Otherwise, the singlet oxyg~
will provide bleaching, but not at the textile surface. Such bleaching is known as solution bleaching, i.e., the bleaching of soils in the bleach solution.
To ensure that the singlet oxygen is more effiaently evolved at the textile surface, it is essential that the longest linear alkyl chain extending from and including the carbonyl carbon of the percarboxylic acid have from about 6 to about 12 carbon atoms. Such percarboxylic acids are surface active and, therefore, term to be concernrated at the textile surface. Percarboxylic acids containing fewer carbon atoms in such alkyl chain have similar redox potentials, but do not have the ability to concentrate at the textile surface. Therefore, the bleach activators within the inve~ion are extremely effcient because much lower levels, on a molar basis, of such bleach activators are required to get the same level of surface bleaching performance as with similar bleach activators containing fewer carbon atoms in such an alkyl chain, which are not within the invention.
Optimum surface bleaching performance is obtained with bleaching solutions wherein the pH of such solution is between about 8.5 and 10.5 and preferably between 9 and 10. It is preferred that such pH be geater than 9 not only to optimize surface bleaching performance, but also to prevent the bleaching solution from having an undesirable odor. It has been observed that once the pH of the bleaching solution drops below 9, the bleaching solution has an undesirable odor. Such pH can be obtained with substances commonly iuwwn as buffering agents, which are optional components of the bleaching compositions herein.
In a highly preferred embodiment of the invention, the substantially cylindrically shaped extrudate comprises, by weight of the extnrdate, from about 60% to about 95% of a bleach activator, from about 0.1% to about 10% of palmitic acid, from about 0.1% to about 10'/0 of a detersive surfactant, from about 0.1% to about 10% of polyethylene glycol, and from about 0.1% to about 10% of fatty acid.
The bleach activator for the bleaching systems useful herein preferably has the following shucdwe:
O
R~-L
wherein R is an alkyl group containing from about 5 to about 18 carbon atoms wherein the longest linear alkyl chain extending from and including the carbomrl carbon contains from about 6 to about 12 carbon atoms and L is a leaving group, the conjugate acid of which has a pKo in the range of from about 4 to about 13, preferably from about 6 to about 1 I, most preferably from about 8 to about 11.
L can be esse~iaily any suitable leaving group. A leaving group is any goup that is displaced from the bleach for as a consequence of the nucioophilic attack on the bleach activator by the pefiydroxide anion. This, the perhydrolysis r~cxion, ruts in the formation of the p~rboxylic acid. Gaierally, for a group to be a suitable leaving group it must exert an electron attracting effect.
This facilitates the nucleophilic attach by the perhydroxide anion.
The L goup must be sufficiently reactive for the reaction to occur within the optinwm time frame (e.g., a wash cycle). However, if L is too reactive, this activator will be diflxcuh to stabilize. These characteristics are generally paralleled by the pKa of the conjugate acid of the leaving group, although exceptions to this com~ion are known.

WO 99127061 PCTlUS98/19999 Preferred bleach activators are those of the general formula:
RS O RS O
R1-N ~-RZ-C-L or Rl ~-N-R2-C-L
wherein Rl is an alkyl group containing from about 6 to about 12 carbon atoms, R2 is an alkylene containing from 1 to about b carbon atoms, RS is H or allcyl, aryl, or alkaryl containing from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and L is selected from the group consisting of -O -O
O
-N-C-R6-N~~ N

I
Y
-N-C-CH

Y P

-Nw ~NR4 -O-CH~-CH~CH2 -O-CH ~ H~HZ -O-C=cHR4 and > >
O Y
-N-If -CH.--R4 vvhd~in R6 is an alkylene, arylene, or alkarylene group containing from about 1 to about 14 carbon atoms, R3 is an alkyl chain containing from about 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, R4 is H or R3, and Y is H or a solubilizing group. Y is preferably selected from the group consisting of -S03M", -COOM'~, -CO~i, -COZM", -SO,~

M+, (-N+R'3)X' and Ot-N(R'3), wherein R' is an alkyl chain containing from about I to about 4 carbon atoms, M is a ration which provides solubility to the bleach activator and X is an anion which provides solubility to the bleach activator.
Preferably, M is an alkali metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium ration, with sodium and potassium being most preferred, and X is an anion selected from the goup consisting of halide, hydroxide, methylsulfate and acetate anions. More preferably, Y is -S03-M', -C02H and -COOM'. It should be noted that bleach activators with a leaving group that does not contain a solubilizing goup should be well dispersed in the bleach solution in order to assist in their dissolution.
Preferred is:

-O
wherein R3 is as defined above and Y is -S03M' or -COOZvi' wherein M is as defined above.
Especially preferred bleach activators are those wherein Rl is a linear alkyl chain containing from about 6 to about 12 carbon atoms, R2 is a linear alkylene chain containing from about 2 to about 6 carbon atoms, RS is H, and L is selected from the goup consisting of -O ~ -p and -O
wherein R3 is as defined above, Y is -S03M' or -COOM' and M is as defined above.
A preferred bleach activator is:
O
I) C~
O ~CI -R, 'N
wherein R1 is H, alkyl, aryl or alkaryl. This is described in U.S. Patent 4,966,723, Hodge et al.

Preferred bleach activators are:
O O
Rl II _L or R2 ~-O I I-L

wherein Rl is H or an alkyl group containing from about 1 to about 6 carbon atoms and R2 is an alkyl goup containing from about 1 to about 6 carbon atoms and L
is as defined above.
Preferred bleach activators are also those of the above general formula wherein L is as defined in the general formula, and Rl is H or an alkyl group containing from about 1 to about 4 carbon atoms. Even more prefernod are bleach activators of the above general formula wherein L is as defined in the genera!
formula and Rl is a H.
More preferred bleach activators are those of the above general formula wherein R is a linear alkyl chain containing from about 5 to about 9 and preferably from about 6 to about 8 carbon atoms and L is selected from the group consisting of _N~_~ ~ -I »'' U

I
Y Y

-O -O
Y , -O--CH~--CH--EH2, -O~~CHR3, _"~~, wherein R, R2, R3 and Y are as definod above.
Particularly prefer ed bleach activators are those of the above general formula wherein R is an alkyl group containing from about 5 to about 12 carbon atoms wherein the longest linear portion of the alkyl chain extending from and w0 99127061 PCT/US98/19999 including the carbonyl carbon is from about 6 to about 12 carbon atoms, and L
is selected from the goup consisting of -O ~ -O Y and -O
herein R2 is an alkyl chain containing from about 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, and Y
is -S03M' or -COO~t' wherein M is an alkali metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium canon.
Especially preferred bleach activators are those of the above general formula wherein R is a linear alkyl chain containing from about 5 to about 9 and preferably from about 6 to about 8 carbon atoms and L is selected from the group consisting of -O Y -O Y and > >
'O a RAY
wherein RZ is as defined above and Y is -SOalVt", -COO'M~, or -COzH, wherein M
is as defined above.
The most prefarod bleach activators have the formula:
O
R-C- O SO~~'' whd~ein R is a linear alkyl chain containing from about 5 to about 9 and preferably from about 6 to about 8 carbon atoms and M is sodium or potassium. Preferably, the bleach activator herein is sodium nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate (NOBS), sodium benzoyloxybenzenesulfonate (BOBS), sodium iauroyloxybenzene sulfonate (LOBS) or pare-decanoyloxybenzoic acid (DOBA).
Further particularly preferred for use in the present invention bleaching compositions are the following bleach activators which are particularly safe for use with machines having natural rubber parts. This is believed to be the result of not producing oily diacylperoxide (DAP) species by the perhydrolysis reaction of these amido acid-derived bleach activators, but rather foaming insoluble crystalline solid DAP's. These solids are believed to not form a coating film and thus natural rubber parts are not exposed to DAP's for extended periods of time. These preferred bleach activators are members selected from the group consisting of a) a bleach activator of the general formula:
O O ~ O
R'~-C-N-R2-C-L, R'~-N-C-RZ-C-L

or mixtures thereof; wherein R1 is an alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl group containing from about 1 to about I4 carbon atoms, R2 is an alkylene, arylene or alkarylene group containing from about I to about 14 carbon atoms, RS is H or an alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl group containing from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and L is a leaving group;
b) benzoxazin-type bleach activators of the general formula:
6C--R~
wherein Rl is H, alkyl, alkaryl, aryl, arylalkyl, and wherein R2, R3, R4, and RS may be the same or different subsdtue~ts selected from H, COOR6 (wharein R6 is H or an alkyl group) and carbonyl functions;
c) N-acyl caprolactam bleach activators of the formula:

O ~-CH2-CH ;
Rg-C-N~C~~~~CH2 wherein R6 is H or an alkyl, aryl, alkoxyaryl or alkaryi group containing from 1 to 12 carbons; and d) mixtures of a), b) and c).
Preferred bleach activators of type a) are those wherein RI is an alkyl group containing from about 6 to about 12 carbon atoms, R2 contains from about 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, and RS is H or methyl. Particularly preferred bleach activators are those of the above general formulas wherein R1 is an alkyl goup containing from about 7 to about 10 carbon atoms and R2 contains from about 4 to about 5 carbon atoms.
Preferred bleach activators of type b) are those wherein R2, R3, R4, and RS
are H and Rl is a phenyl goup.
The preferred aryl moieties of said N-acyl caprolactam bleach activators of type c) have the formula R6-CO' wherein R6 is H or an alkyl, aryl, alkoxyaryl, or alkaryl goup containing from 1 to 12 carbons, preferably from 6 to 12 carbon atoms. In highly preferr~ embodiments, R6 is a member selected from the goup consisting of phenyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, 2,4,4-trimethylpentyl, decenyl and mixtures thereof.
Amide Derived,Bleach Actiyators - The bleach activators oftype a) employed in the present invention are amide substituted compounds of the general formulas:
R'E-C-N-R2-C-L, R'~--N~-R2 ~-L
IR'~ Rs or mixtures thereof wherein R1, R2 and R$ are as defined above and L can be essentially any suitable leaving group. Preferred bleach activators are those of the above general formula wheran Rl, R2 and RS are as defined for the peroxyacid and L is selected from the group consisting of Y R3 RaY
Y , and O O
-N-C-R' -N N -N~-CH-R4 , R3 ~ ~ , ~a Y
I
Y

I I
-O-CHI-CI-~CHZ -O-CI~C-CH=CH2 _p~_.R~

IS

R ~ Y
-O-C=C HR4 , and -N-~-C H-R4 and mixtures thereof, wherein R1 is an alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl goup containing from about I to about 14 carbon atoms, R3 is an alkyl chain containing from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, R4 is H or R3, and Y is H or a solubilizing goup.
The preferred solubilizing goups are -SO -M+, -CO -M+, -SO -M+, -N+(R3)4X- and O<--N(R3)3 and most preferab y -S03-M~ and -C02~1VI+
wherein R3 is an alkyl chain containing from about 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, M is a ration which provides solubility to the bleach activator and X is an anion which provides solubility to the bleach activator. Preferably, M is an alkali metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium canon, with sodium and potassium being most preferred, and X is a halide, hydroxide, methylsulfate or acetate anion.
It should be noted that bleach activators with a leaving group that does not contain a solubilizing goups should be well dispersed in the bleaching solution in order to assist in their dissolution.
Preferred bleach activators are those of the above general formula wherein L
is selected from the goup consisting of -O Y -O ~ Y -O R3Y
' , and wherein R3 is as defined above and Y is -S03'~VI+, -C02-lvi+, or -COI, wherein M is as defined above.
Another important class of bleach activators, including those of type b) and type c), Provide organic pera~ds as described herein by ring-opening as a consoquence of the nucdeophilic attack on the carbonyl carbon of the cyclic ring by the perhydroxide anion. For instance, this ring-opening reaction in type c) activators irrvolves attack at the caprolactam ring carbonyl by hydrogen peroxide or its anion. Since attack of an aryl caprolactam by hydrogen peroxide or its anion occurs preferably at the exocyciic carbonyl, obtaining a significant fraction of ring-opening may require a catalyst. Another example of ring-opening bleach activators can be found in type b) activators, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,966,723, Hodge et al, issued Oct. 30, 1990.
Benzoxazin-t<me Bleach Activators - Such activator compounds disclosed by Hodge include the activators of the benzoxazin-type, having the formula:

O
~,C-R~
'N
including the substituted benzoxazins of the type C~
,Q

wherein R1 is H, alkyl, alkaryl, aryl, arylallcyl, and wherein R2, R3, R4, and RS
may be the same or differed substituents selectcd from H, halogen, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, hydroxyl, alkoxyl, amino, alkyl amino, COOR6 (whercin R6 is H or an alkyl group) and carbonyl functions.
A preferred activator of the benzoxazin-type is:
o~.,~-~o When the activators are used, optimum surface bleaching performance is obtained with washing solutions whcrein the pH of such solution is betwetn about 8.5 and 10.5 and preferably betwecn 9.5 and 10.5 in order to facilitate the perhydrolysis reaction. Such pH can be obtainod with substances commonly known as buffering agents, which are optional components of the bleaching systans herein.
]~T-Acvl r~ylBleach Activators - The N-acyl caprolactam bleach activators of type c) employed in the presait invention have the formula:
O
O ~-CHZ--Chi \
Rs-C-~CH2-CH2~CH2 wherein R6 is H or an alkyl, aryl, alkoxyaryl, or alkaryl goup containing from 1 to 12 carbons. Caprolactam activators wherein the R6 moiety contains at least about b, preferably from 6 to about 12, carbon atoms provide hydrophobic bleaching which affords nucleophilic and body soil clean-up, as noted above. Caprolactam *rB

activators wherein R6 comprises from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms provide hydrophilic bleaching species which are particularly efficient for bleaching beverage stains. Mixtures of hydrophobic and hydrophilic caprolactams, typically at weight ratios of 1:5 to 5:1, preferably 1:1, can be used herein for mixed stain removal benefits.
ITlghly preferred N-aryl caprolactams are selected from the group consisting of benzoyl caprolactam, octanoyl caprolactam, nonanoyl caprolactam, 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoyl caprolactam, decanoyl caprolactam, undecenoyl caprolactam, and mixtures thereof. Methods for making N-aryl caprolactams are well known in the art.
Contrary to the teachings of U.S. Pat. 4,545,784, the bleach activator is preferably not absorbed onto the peroxygen bleaching compound. To do so in the presence of other organic detersive ingredients could cause safety problems.
The bleach activators of type a), b) or c) will comprise at least about 0.1%, preferably from about 0.1 % to about 50~/0, more preferably from about 1 % to about 30%, most preferably from about 3% to about 25%, by weight of bleaching system or detergent composition.
The preferred amido-derived and caprolactam bleach activators herein can also be used in combination with rubber-safe, enzyme-safer hydrophilic activators tech as TAED, typically at weight ratios of amido-derived or caprolactam activators:TAED in the range of 1:5 to 5:1, preferably about 1:1.
The Peroxv~;en Bleaching Com~und The peroxygen bleaching systems useful heran are those capable of yielding hydrogen peroxide in an aqueous liquor. These compounds are well lrnown in the art and include hydrogen peroxide and the alkali metal peroxides, organic peroxide bleaching compounds such as urea peroxide, and inorganic persalt bleaching compounds, such as the alkali metal perborates, percarbonates, perphosphates, and the like. ll~~xtures of two or more such bleaching compounds can also be used, if desir ad.
Preferred pexoxygen bleaching compounds include sodium perborate, commercially available in the form of mono-, tri-, and tetra hydrate, sodium pyrophosphate peroxyhydrate, urea peroxyhydrate, sodium percarbonate, and sodium peroxide. Particularly preferred are sodium perborate tetrahydrate, sodium perborate monohydrate and sodium pacarbonate. Percarbonate is especially preferred because it is very stable during storage and yet still dissolves very quickly in the bleaching liquor. It is believed that such rapid dissolution results in the formation of higher levels of percarboxylic acid and, thus, enhanced surface bleaching performance.
I-bghly preferred percarbonate can be in uncoated or coated form. The average particle size of uncoated percarbonate ranges from about 400 to about 1200 microns, most preferably from about 400 to about 600 microns. If coated percarbonate is used, the preferred coating materials include mixtures of carbonate and sulphate, silicate, borosilicate, or fatty carboxylic acids.
The peroxygen bleaching compound will comprise at least about 0.1%, preferably from about 1% to about 75%, more preferably from about 3% to about 40'/0, most preferably from about 3% to about 25%, by weight of bleaching system or detergent composition. The weight ratio of bleach activator to peroxygen bleaching compound in the bleaching system typically ranges from about 2:1 to 1:5.
Preferred ratios range from about 1:1 to about 1:3. The molar ratio of hydrogen peroxide yielded by the peroxygen bleaching compound to the bleach activator is greater than about 1.0, more preferably greater than about 1.5, and most preferably from about Z.0 to about 10. Preferably, the bleaching compositions herein comprise from about 0.5 to about 20, most preferably from about 1 to about 10, wt.% of the peroxygen bleaching compound.
The bleach activatorlbleachirig compound systems herein are useful per se as blue. However, such bleaching systems are espeaaily useful in compositions which can comprise various detersive adjuncts such as surfactants, builders and the like.
Preferably, adjunct detergent ingrodients sdec~ed from the group c~nsistirtg of ~ soil rdeaae agents, dispes~ng agems, optical brightalers, ands suppressors, fabric softeners, enzyme ~abiliz~s, perfumes, dyes, fillers, dye inln'bitors and mixtures thereof are included in the composition of the invention. The following are representative acamplaa of the d~ga~t surl~~ants useful in the pr~a~rt detergent composition. Water-soluble salts of the higher fatty acids, i.e., "soaps", are useful anionic surfactants in the compositions herein.. This includes alkali metal soaps such as the sodium, potassium, ammonium, and aikylolammonium salts of higher fatty acids containing from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms, and preferably from about 12 to about 18 carbon atoms. Soaps can be made by direct sapon>Scation of fats and oils or by the neutralization of Eros fatty acids.
Particularly useful are the sodium and potassium salts of the mixtures of fatty acids derived from cocomm~t oil and tallow, i.e., sodium or potassium tallow and coconut soap.

Additional anionic surfactants which suitable for use herein include the water-soluble salts, preferably the alkali metal, ammonium and allcylolammonium salts, of organic sulfuric reaction products having in their molecular structure a straight-chain alkyl group containing from about 10 to about 20 carbon atoms and a sulfonic acid or sulfuric acid ester group. (Included in the term "alkyl" is the alkyl portion of acyl groups.) Examples of this group of synthetic surfactants are the sodium and potassium alkyl sulfates, especially those obtained by sulfating the higher alcohols (C8-18 carbon atoms) such as those produced by reducing the giycerides of tallow or coconut oil; and the sodium and potassium alkylbenzene sulfonates in which the alkyl group contains from about 9 to about 15 carbon atoms, in straight chain, e.g., those of the type described in U.S. Patents 2,220,099 and 2,477,383. Especially valuable are linear straight chain alkylbanzene sulfonates in which the average number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group is from about 11 to 13, abbreviated as 011-13 L~
anionic its suitable for use herein are the sodium alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates, G~poaauy those ethers of higher alcohols derived from tallow and coconut oil; sodium coconut oil fatty sect monoglycaide sulfonates and sulfates;
sodium or potassium of ethylene oxide per molecule and wha~ein the atlryt groups contain from about 8 to about 12 carbon atoms; and sodium or potassium salts of alkyl ethylene oxide ether containing about 1 to about 10 u~ts of ethylene oxide per molecule and wheran the alkyl group contains from about 10 to about carbon atoms.
In addition, suitable anionic surfruxants include the water-soluble salts of -- - esters of alpha sulfonated~ fatty acids containing, from about 6 to 20 carbon atoms in the fatty acid group and from about 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the ester group;
water-soluble salts of 2-acyloxya>fau~e-1-sulfonic acids containing from about 2 to 9 carbon atoms in the acyl group and from about 9 to about 23 carbon atoms in the alkane moiety; alkyl ether containing from about 10 to 20 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and from about I to 30 moles of ethyl~e oxide; water-soluble salts of olefin and paraffin a~lfonates containing from about 12 to 20 carbon atoms;
and beta alkyloxy alkane suifonatea containing from about 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and from about 8 to 20 carbon atoms in the alkane moiety.
Preferred a~sential aniorbe surfactants for the detergent composition are 010-18 ~~ ~e neonate and 010.18 alkyl sulfate. If desired, low moisture (less than about 25% water) alkyl sulfate paste can be the sole ingredient in the surfa~ant paste. Most preferred arc 010-18 ~~'l sulfates, linear or branched, and any of prur>aiy, secondary or tertiary. A preferred embodiment of the present ion is wherein the surfactant paste comprises from about 20~/o to about 40'/0 of a mixture of sodium C10-13 linear alkylbenzene sulfonate and sodium C12-16 ~'1 sulfate in a weight ratio of about 2:1 to 1:2.
Water-soluble nonionic surfactants are also useful in the instant invention.
Such nonionic materials include compounds produced by the condensation of alkylene oxide goups (hydrophilic in nature) with an organic hydrophobic compound, which may be aliphatic or alkyl aromatic in nature. The length of the polyoxyalkylene group which is condensed with any particular hydrophobic goup can be readily adjusted to yield a water-soluble compound having the desired degree of balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic elements.
Suitable nonionic surfactants include the polyethylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenols, e.g., the condensation products of alkyl phenols having an alkyl group containing from about 6 to 15 carbon atoms, in either a straight chain or branched chain configuration, with from about 3 to 12 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alkyl phenol. Included are the water-soluble and water-dispersible condensation products of aliphatic alcohols containing from 8 to 22 carbon atoms, in either straight chain or branched configuration, with from 3 to 12 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.
An additional goup of nonionics suitable for use herein are semi-polar nonionic surfactants which include water-soluble amine oxides containing one alkyl moiety of from abut 10 to 18 carbon atoms and two moieties selected from the group of alkyl and hydroxyalkyl moieties of from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms;
water-soluble phosphine oxides containing one alkyl moiety of about 10 to 18 carbon atoms and two_moieties selected-from the.group.consisting of alkyl. groups and hydroxyalkyl groups containing from about 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and water-soluble sulfoxides containing one alkyl moiety of from about 10 to 18 carbon atoms and a moiety selected from the goup consisting of alkyl and hydroxyalkyl moieties of from about 1 to 3 carbon atoms.
Preferred nonionic surfactants are of the fonmula Rl(OC2H4)nOH, wherein Rl is a C 10-C 16 alkyl goup or a C8-C 12 alkyl phenyl goup, and n is from 3 to aboitt 80.
Particularly preferred are condensation products of C 12-C 15 alcohols wtth from about 5 to about 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, e.g., C 12-C 13 ~c°h°l condensed with about 6.5 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.
Additional suitable nonionic surfactants include polyhydroxy fatty acid amides.
Examples are N-methyl N-1-deoxyglucityl cocoamide and N-methyl N-1-deoxygluatyl oleamide. Processes for making polyhydroxy fatty acid amides are known and can be found in Wilson, U.S. Patent No. 2,965,576 and Schwartz, U.S. Patent No.
2,703,798 .

Ampholytic surfactants include derivatives of aliphatic or aliphatic derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines in which the aliphatic moiety can be straight chain or branched and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains from about 8 to I8 carbon atoms and at least one aliphatic substituent contains an anionic water-solubilizing goup.
Zwitterionic surfactants include derivatives of aliphatic, quaternary, ammonium, phosphonium, and sulfonium compounds in which one of the aliphatic substituents contains from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms.
Cationic surfactants can also be included in the present invention. Cationic surfactants comprise a wide variety of compounds characterized by one or more organic hydrophobic goups in the ration and generally by a quaternary nitrogen associated with an acid radical. Pentavalent nitrogen ring compounds are also considered quaternary nitrogen compounds. Suitable anions are halides, methyl sulfate and hydroxide. Tertiary amines can have characteristics similar to cationic surfactants at washing solution pH values less than about 8.5. A more complete disclosure of these and other cationic surfactants useful herein can be found in U.S.
Patent 4,228,044, Cambre, issued October 14, 1980.
Cationic surfactants are often used in detergent compositions to provide fabric softening and/or antistatic benefits. Antistatic agentswhich provide some softening benefit and which are preferred herein are the quaternary ammonium salts described in U.S. Patent 3,936,537, Baskerville, Jr. et al., issued February 3, 1976 .
In addition to a detersive surfactant, at least one suitable adjunct detergent ingedient such as a builder is preferably included in the detergent composition. For example, the builder can be selected from the goup consisting of aluminosilicates, crystalline layered silicates, MAP zeolites, citrates, amorphous silicates, .
polycarboxylates, sodium carbonates and mixtures thereof. Other suitable auxiliary builders are described hereinafter.
Preferred builders include aluminosilicate ion exchange materials and sodium carbonate. The aluminosilicate ion exchange materials used herein as a detergent builder preferably have both a high calcium ion exchange capacity and a high exchange rate. Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that such high calcium ion exchange rate and capacity are a firnction of several interrelated factors which derive from the method by which the aluminosilicate ion exchange material is produced. In that regard, the aluminosilicate ion exchange materials used herein are preferably produced in accordance with Corkill et al, U.S. Patent No.

4,605,509 (Procter & Gamble), Preferably, the aluminosilicate ion exchange material is in "sodium" form since the potassium and hydrogen forms of the instant aluminosiGcate do not exhibit the as high of an exchange rate and capacity as provided by the sodium form.
Additionally, the aluminosilicate ion exchange material preferably is in over dried form so as to facilitate production of crisp detergent agglomerates as described herein. The aluminosilicate ion exchange materials used herein preferably have particle size diameters which optimize their effectiveness as detergent builders. The term "particle size diameter" as used herein represents the average particle size diameter of a given aluminosilicate ion exchange material as determined by conventional analytical techniques; such as microscopic determination and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The preferred particle size diameter of the aluminosilicate is from about 0.1 micron to about 10 microns, more preferably from about 0.5 microns to about 9 microns. Most preferably, the particle size diameter is from about I microns to about 8 microns.
Preferably, the aluminosilicate ion exchange material has the formula Nazl(AJ02)z.(SiO~,JxH20 wherein z and y are integers of at least 6, the molar ratio of z to y is from about 1 to about 5 and x is from about 10 to about 264. More preferably, the aluminosdicate has the formula Na 12[(AIO~ 12~(Si~ 12J~20 wherein x is from about. 20 to about 30,preferably about .27. .These preferred aluminosilicates are available commercially, for example under designations Zeolite A, ZeoGte B and Zeolite X. Alternatively, naturally-occurring or synthetically derived aluminosilicate ion exchange materials suitable for use herein can be made as described in Krummel et al, U.S. Patent No.~.3,985,669.
The aluminosilicates used herein are further characterized by their ion exchange capacity which is at least about 200 mg equivalent of CaC03 hardness/gram, calculated on an anhydrous basis, and which is preferably in a range from about 300 to 352 mg equivalent of CaC03 hardness/gram. Additionally, the instant aluminosilicate ion exchange materials are still further characterized by their calcium ion exchange rate which is at least about 2 grains Ca'i";'/gallon/minuteJ-gram/gaUon, and more preferably in a range from about 2 grains Ca'f'+/gallon/nunute!-gam/gallon to about 6 gains Ca~"'~/gallon/minuteJ-gam/gallon In order to make the present invention more readily understood, reference is made to the following examples, which are intended to be illustrative only and not intended to be limiting in scope.
Exam len s I-IV
TM
The following ingredients are added to a Littleford FM batch mixer: 83% of sodium nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate ("HOBS"); 6% of palmitic acid, 3% of sodium linear alkylbenzene sulfonate surfactant; 6% of polyethylene glycol (MW =
4000);
and 2% of Cg fatty acid. The mixture is blended and fed to a lab extruder (Fuji TM
Paudel Co. Ltd., Dome Granulator, DG-LI) and extruded through dies having diameters of 350 microns, 500 microns, 700 microns and 890 microns, respectively.
Each of the four di8'erent diameter substantially cylindrically-shaped extrudates are sized to a mean length of 2000 microns and blended into a bleach-containing detergent composition having the following formula:
Component ~, ~,I ~ ~V
C12-16 ~~' Kyle I I.0 1 I.0 1 I.0 11.0 sulfonate C 14-15 ~Yl sulfateJC 1,~ I 5 10.4 10.4 10.4 10.4 atlcyl ethoxy sulfate Neodo123-6.51 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 Polyacrylate (MW=4500) 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 Polyethylene glycol 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 (MW-4000) Sodium Sulfate . - 10.5 10.5 10.5 10.5 Aluminosilicate 26.6 26.6 26.6 26.6 Sodium carbonate 21.0 21.0 21.0 21.0 Protease enzyme 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 Sodium perborate monohydrate 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 Lipase enzyme 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 Cellulase enzyme 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 NOBS extrudates (S00 micron 6.0 - - -diameter) NOBS extnrdates (700 micron - 6.0 - -diameter) NOBS extrudates (350 micron - - - 6.0 diameter) NOBS extrudates (890 micron - - 6.0 -diameter) Free water 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 Minors (bound water, perfume, ~ ~,$ ~,$
etc.) 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 1 C12-13 dkYl ethoxylate (E0=6.5) commercially available from Shell Oil Company.
Each of the Example I, B, III and IV compositions are tested for bleach activator storage stability and product segregation tendency according to the following test method described in detail hereinafter.
For the storage stability test, fight samples of 20 grams of the compositions exemplified above are individually placid into separate glass jars and sealed.
Each of the four sets of glass jars are mixed by rotating the jars in planetary motion. The jars are then opened and placed in a controlled environment room maintained at 80°F
(26.7°C) and 60'/o relative humidity. Each weds, starting with week 0 and ending at weds 8, the convents of the jars are analyzed for bleach activator (e.g., NOBS) level, and using regression analysis, the complete aet of data is converted to a bleach activator level remaining in the stored product. In this test, good stability is indicated why the bleach activator level remaining in the stored product is at least 90'/0 of the starting level.
For determining the product segregation tendency, the following procedure is condudad.
S~p~tion Tendency Test I . Two funnels aro set up on a ring stand with the stem on top such that is a-distan<x of 37 em betv~neen the-neck of the top fiumd and the bottom of the lower firnnd a~ there is enough space to position a small jar under the lower funnel;
2. Add 100 grams of the detergent composition to the jar, seal the jar and rotate it in a plan~ary motion to mix thoroughly the coMa~ts;
3. Stopper the top fimnd and pour the jar contents in the top fuzmd;
4. Stopper the bottom fiumd, and remove the stopper from the top funnel to allow contents to flow into bottom funnel;
S. Tare an dnpty jar on a wdgh scale and allow the contems from the funnel to flow into the jar until the weight is 25 grams;

6. Repeat 5 two more times and allow the remaining contents to flow into a fourth jar, 7. Analyze the bleach activator level in each jar, 8. The Coning Index (CI) = 100x(highest activator level - lowest activator level)/mean activator level, wherein the higher the CI, the greater the segregation tendency.
In the segregation test, a Coning Index (Cn of Beater than 80 is considered unacceptable and indicates excessive product segegation potential. The results of the stability and segegation tendency indicate that Examples I and II having mean extrudate diameters within the scope of invention unexpectedly have good activator stability and less product segregation tendency. Comparative Example III
having a mean extrudate diameter outside the scope of the invention has an unacceptable segegation potential, and comparative Example IV also having a mean extrudate diameter outside the scope of the invention has unacceptable bleach activator storage stability.
Examnles V-VII
As in Examples I-IV described above, NOBS extrudates are prepared in the same manner except the extrudates have a mean diameter of 850 microns.
TM
Thereafter, three batches ofNOBS extrudates are Bound in a Quadro CO-I1~11 to form extrudates having a mean length of 4000 microns (Example V), 2000 microns (Example Vn and 1000 microns (Ex$mple VIl), respectively. Each batch is blended into a bleach-containing detergent composition as exemplified in above in Examples I-IV. The activator stability and segegation tendency tests are conducted as in Examples I-IV. The results indicate that Examples VI and VII which are within the scope of the invention all unexpectedly have excellent stability and product segregation properties; whereas comparative Example V having a mean extrudate length outside the invention has an unacceptable segegation potential.
~g~nles VIII-X
As in Examples I-IV described above, sodium lauroyloxybenz~ne sulfonate ("i,OBS") extrudates are prepared, in the same manner as Example I and are contained in identical formulas as Example I except NOBS is replaced with LOBS.
Thereafter, three batches of LOBS extrudates are Bound in a Quadro CO-I~11 to form extrudates having a mean length of 4000 microns (Example VIII), 2000 microns (Example D~ and 1000 micxons (Example X), respectively. Each batch is blended into a bleach-containing detergent composition as exemplified in above in Examples I-IV. The activator stability and segegation tendency tests are conducted as in Examples I-IV. The results indicate that Examples IX and X which are within the scope of the invention all unexpectedly have excellent stability and product segegation properties, whereas comparative Example VBI having a mean extrudate length outside the invention has an unacceptable segregation potential.

Exam2es XI-XIII
As in Examples I-IV described above, pare-decanoyloxybenzoic acid ("DOBA") extrudates are prepared in the same manner as E~uample I and are contained in ide~ical formulas as Example I except NOBS is replaced with DOBA.
Thereafter, three batches of DOBA cxtrudatcs are ground in a Quadro CO-Nfill to form extrudates having a mean length of 4004 microns (Example XI), 2000 microns (Example XII) and 1000 microns (Example 30II), respectively. Each batch is blended into a bieach-containing detergent composition as exemplified in above in Examples I-IV. The activator stability and sermon tendency tests are conducted as in Examples I-IV. The resuhs indicate that Examples 3~ and 3~ which are within the scope of the invention all unexpectedly have excellent stability and product segregation Properties, whereas comparative Example XI having a mean extrudate length outside the invention has an unaccxptable segregation potential.
Synthesis of Lauroyloxy>x~xnesulfonate, Sodium Salt (LOBS) i ~.
Q i .. i 8 ~ 1 A 2 L three-necked round-bottomed Bask is » with a mechanical stirner, re8ux conda~ser, and gas inlet tube. The Bask is charged with lauroyl d~loride (~, Aldrich, 96g, 0.44 mol), tolu~e (500 mL), and anhydrous phenol sulfonate (~,, 78g, 0.40 men. With stirring under argon the reacxion mixture is heated to re8ux for 16 his.
After coolir4g to room tentperaturo the mixt~ue is dilutal with diethyl ether (500 mL), and the procipitated solids are co>>ected by filtration, wasl~d with additional diethyl ether, and .air dried. The dry solids are titrated with refiuxing methanol (750 mL).
After cooling to room temperature, filtering, and dr»ng, 1258 (83% of theory) of lauroyrloxybd~esulfonate, sodium sah (LOBS, ~, is obtained.

Example XV
Synthesis of p-Decanoyloxybenzoic Acid (DOBA) o al O O OOH
1. NaOH
d ~ ~ ( 2 hlCl A 2 L beaker is fitted with a mechanics! stirrer, pH electrode, and temperature prod.
The beaker is charged with p-hydroxybenzoic acid (5, Aldrich, 1388, 1.0 mol) and 1N sodium hydroxide (1.0 L, 1.0 mol), resulting in a solution having a pH of 11.2.
This solution is cooled to 10° C and docanoyl chloride (ø~ Aldtich, 95g, 0.5 mol) dissolved in 250 mL of diethyl ethar is added dropwise at 0- I S° C
over a period of 15 min while mainta;ning the pH at 10 with concurrent addition of 50% sodium hydroxide solution. ARer completion of addition of the decnnoyl chloride the solution pH is 10.1 and the solution tempaature was 10° C. Stirring is continued at pH 10 and 10° C for 10 minutes following completion of addition. The pH
of the reacxion mixture is then adjusted to 3 with conca~rated HCI, and the precipitated solids collaxed by filtration and air dried to yield 180 g of crude product.
Raxys~allization from 900 mL of 95% ethanol afforded 38g (40% of theory) of p-decanoyloxybenaoic aad (DOBA, ~, mp 125-129° C. Analysis of this product by I~TI~ indicated a purity of 93%, with the rernaind~ being 4-hydroxybenzoic acid.
Having thus de:aibed the imr~ion in detail, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that various may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is described in the apeafication.

Claims (8)

What is claimed is:

1. A bleach-containing detergent composition comprising:
(a) a particulate peroxygen bleaching compound capable of yielding hydrogen peroxide in an aqueous solution;
(b) a bleach activator which is nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate, wherein the molar ratio of hydrogen peroxide yielded by (a) to bleach activator (b) is greater than 1.0, and said bleach activator is in the form of substantially cylindrically-shaped extrudate comprising binder material and has a mean extrudate length of from 500 microns to 3500 microns and a mean extrudate diameter of from 450 microns to 850 microns, said extrudate containing less than 3% free moisture, and wherein the particle size of said peroxygen bleaching compound closely mirrors that of said bleach activator.

2. The detergent composition of claim 1 wherein said mean extrudate length is from 700 microns to 3000 microns.

3. The detergent composition of claim 1 wherein said mean extrudate diameter is from 500 microns to 800 microns.

4. The detergent composition of claim 1 wherein said mean extrudate length is from 900 microns to 2500 microns.

5. The detergent composition of claim 1 wherein said mean extrudate diameter is from 550 microns to 750 microns.

6. A method of sanitizing fabrics comprising the step of contacting said fabrics with an effective amount of a detergent composition according to claim 1 in an aqueous solution.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the number of microbes present on said fabrics is reduced by at least 90%.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the number of microbes present on said fabrics is reduced by at least 50%.