EP4619495A1 - Optical brightener composition and laundry care composition comprising the same - Google Patents

Abstract

An optical brightener composition comprises a diaminostilbene optical brightener and a solvent system. The solvent system comprises an ester of an organic acid and a polyol. The optical brightener composition facilitates the handling and dosage of the diaminostilbene optical brightener in, for example, the manufacture of laundry care compositions.

Description

OPTICAL BRIGHTENER COMPOSITION AND LAUNDRY CARE COMPOSITION COMPRISING THE SAME

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention is directed to compositions comprising an optical brightener and a solvent system. The optical brightener compositions are liquids that do not show crystallization of the optical brightener after being stored for long periods. The invention is also directed to laundry care composition comprising such optical brightener compositions.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The use of whitening agents, either optical brighteners or hueing agents, in textile and laundry applications is well known in the art. As textile substrates age, their color tends to fade or yellow due to exposure to light, air, soil, and natural degradation of the fibers that comprise the substrates. Whitening agents, visually brighten these textile substrates and counteract the fading and yellowing of the substrates. For example, optical brighteners typically absorb ultraviolet light and emit blue light, and the emitted blue light helps to counteract the yellow light reflected from the surface of an aged textile substrate. Whitening agents may be found in laundry detergents, fabric softeners, or rinse aids and are therefore applied to textile substrates during the laundering process.

[0003] Many optical brighteners are solid powders under standard conditions. Accurately incorporating powder optical brighteners into laundry detergents, fabric softeners, and/or rinse aids during the manufacturing process can be difficult. Accordingly, manufacturers frequently make a high-activity, liquid premix with the optical brightener to facilitate handling and dosing during the manufacturing process. However, these liquid premixes are not stable for very long — the optical brightener begins to crystallize soon after the premix is made. Thus, manufacturers are forced to make relatively small batches of liquid premix that can be quickly consumed before this crystallization renders the premix unusable. Frequent preparation of these liquid premixes consumes valuable production time and equipment, adding cost and time to the manufacturing process. Further, preparation of these liquid premixes still requires the manufacture to contend with the difficulties and industrial hygiene challenges presented by handling powder optical brighteners, such as dust formation and nuisance dusting/contamination.

[0004] Accordingly, a need remains for optical brightener compositions that address the difficulties faced by manufacturers outlined above. In particular, a need remains for high-activity optical brightener compositions (i.e., compositions containing a high percentage of optical brightener) that are homogeneous, flowable liquids under standard conditions or that can be rendered homogeneous, flowable liquids with mild heating. Further, a need remains for high activity optical brightener compositions that do not exhibit significant crystallization of the optical brightener when stored for extended periods of time. The optical brightener compositions described herein seek to satisfy these unmet needs.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In a first embodiment, the invention provides an optical brightener composition comprising a diaminostilbene optical brightener and a solvent system. The solvent system comprises an ester of an organic acid and a polyol. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides an optical brightener composition comprising:

(a) about 20 wt.% to about 60 wt.% of a diaminostilbene optical brightener; and

(b) about 40 wt.% to about 80 wt.% of a solvent system, the solvent system comprising:

(i) an alkyl ester of an organic acid, wherein the organic acid comprises at least one carboxyl group and at least one hydroxy group; and

(ii) a polyol selected from the group consisting of alkanediols, alkanediol oligomers, alkanetriols, and mixtures thereof.

[0006] In a second embodiment, the invention provides a laundry care composition comprising a laundry care ingredient and an optical brightener composition as described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In a first embodiment, the invention provides an optical brightener composition comprising a diaminostilbene optical brightener and a solvent system.

[0008] The optical brightener in the composition can be any suitable diaminostilbene optical brightener. Suitable diaminostilbene brighteners include, but are not limited, the compounds of Formula (I) below

In Formula (I), M and A are independently selected from the group consisting of cations of Group 1 elements (i.e. , alkali metals). R¹ is selected from the group consisting of -OCH₃, -NH(CH₃), -NH(C₂H₅), -N(C₂H₅)2, -NH(CH₂CH₂OH), -N(CH₃)(CH₂CH₂OH), -N(CH₂CH₂OH)₂, morpholin-4-yl, -NH(C₆H₅), -N(CH₂CH₂OH)(CH₂CH₂CONH₂), and -N(CH₂CH(OH)CH₃)₂. R₂ and R₃ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and — SO₃Na. When R² is — SO₃Na and R³ is hydrogen, the — SO₃Na can be in either the 3- or 4-position on the phenyl ring. When both R² and R³ are — SO₃Na, they are in the 2-position and the 5-position on the phenyl ring. In a preferred embodiment, the diaminostilbene optical brightener is a compound of Formula (X) below

In Formula (X), M and A are independently selected from the group consisting of cations of Group 1 elements (i.e. , alkali metals). In a preferred embodiment, M and A are independently selected from the group consisting of a potassium cation and a sodium cation. In one such preferred embodiment, both M and A are each a potassium cation. In another such preferred embodiment, M is a potassium cation and A is a sodium cation. In yet another of such preferred embodiment, both M and A are sodium cations, which corresponds to the diaminostilbene optical brightener Fluorescent Brightener 28 (CAS No. 4193-55-9). Fluorescent Brightener 28 has the structure of Formula (XX) below

(XX)

[0009] The optical brightener composition can comprise any suitable amount of the diaminostilbene optical brightener. Preferably, the optical brightener composition comprises about 20 wt.% or more, about 25 wt.% or more, about 30 wt.% or more, or about 35 wt.% or more of the diaminostilbene optical brightener, based on the total weight of the composition. In another preferred embodiment, the optical brightener composition comprises about 60 wt.% or less, about 55 wt.% or less, about 50 wt.% or less, about 45 wt.% or less, or about 40 wt.% or less of the diaminostilbene optical brightener, based on the total weight of the composition. Thus, in a series of preferred embodiments, the optical brightener composition comprises about 20 wt.% to about 60 wt.% (e.g., about 20 wt.% to about 55 wt.%, about 20 wt.% to about 50 wt.%, about 20 wt.% to about 45 wt.%, or about 20 wt.% to about 40 wt.%), about 25 wt.% to about 60 wt.% (e.g., about 25 wt.% to about 55 wt.%, about 25 wt.% to about 50 wt.%, about 25 wt.% to about 45 wt.% , or about 25 wt.% to about 40 wt.%), about 30 wt.% to about 60 wt.% (e.g., about 30 wt.% to about 55 wt.%, about 30 wt.% to about 50 wt.%, about 30 wt.% to about 45 wt.% , or about 30 wt.% to about 40 wt.%), or about 35 wt.% to about 60 wt.% (e.g., about 35 wt.% to about 55 wt.%, about 35 wt.% to about 50 wt.%, about 35 wt.% to about 45 wt.% , or about 35 wt.% to about 40 wt.%) of the diaminostilbene optical brightener, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0010] In addition to the diaminostilbene optical brightener, the optical brightener also comprises a solvent system for solubilizing the diaminostilbene optical brightener. The solvent system comprises an ester of an organic acid and a polyol as described below.

[0011] The solvent system can comprise any suitable ester of an organic acid. Preferably, the organic acid from which the ester is derived comprises at least one carboxyl group and at least one hydroxy group. More preferably, the organic acid from which the ester is derived is an alpha hydroxy acid (i.e. , the hydroxy group is bonded to the carbon atom directly adjacent to the carbonyl carbon atom of the carboxyl group). Suitable alpha hydroxy acids include, but are not limited to, glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, citric acid, and mixtures thereof. In another preferred embodiment, the ester of an organic acid is an alkyl ester, with C1-C4 alkyl esters being particularly preferred. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the ester of an organic acid is selected from the group consisting of methyl glycolate, ethyl glycolate, n-propyl glycolate, isopropyl glycolate, methyl lactate, ethyl lactate, propyl lactate, isopropyl lactate, diethyl malate, triethyl citrate, and mixtures thereof.

[0012] The solvent system can comprise any suitable polyol. Preferably, the polyol is selected from the group consisting of alkanediols, alkanediol oligomers, alkanetriols, and mixtures thereof. The term “alkanediol oligomers” is used herein to refer to oligomeric polyols formally composed of alkanediol monomers, such as diethylene glycol (i.e., 2,2'-oxydi(ethan-1-ol) or 2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethanol), triethylene glycol (i.e., 2,2'-[ethane-1 ,2-diylbis(oxy)]di(ethan-1-ol) or 2-[2-(2- hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethanol), tetraethylene glycol (i.e., 2-[2-[2-(2- hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy]ethanol), and similar compounds. Preferably, the polyol has a structure in which adjacent hydroxy groups and/or ether groups of the polyol are separated by no more than four (4) carbon atoms. In other words, the polyol preferably has a structure in which (i) the longest run of aliphatic carboncarbon bonds separating adjacent hydroxy groups in the polyol is four or fewer carbon atoms in length or (ii) the longest run of aliphatic carbon-carbon bonds separating an ether group and an adjacent hydroxy group in the polyol is four or fewer carbon atoms in length. Thus, 1 ,6-hexanediol (i.e., hexane-1 ,6-diol) is not such a preferred alkanediol because the two hydroxy groups are separated by a run of aliphatic carbon-carbon bonds that is six carbon atoms in length. However, 1 ,3- hexanediol (i.e., hexane-1 , 3-diol) and 1 ,4-hexanediol (i.e., hexane-1 ,4-diol) are examples of such preferred alkanediols because the two hydroxy groups are separated by runs of aliphatic carbon atoms that are only three and four carbon atoms in length, respectively. Similarly, hexylene glycol (i.e., 2-methylpentane-2,4- diol) is another example of such a preferred alkanediol because the two hydroxy groups are separated by a run of aliphatic carbon atoms that is only three carbon atoms in length.

[0013] Alkanediols suitable for use in the solvent system include, but are not limited to, ethylene glycol (i.e., ethane-1 ,2-diol), 1 ,2-propanediol (i.e., propane-1 ,2- diol), 1 ,3-propanediol (i.e., propane-1 , 3-diol), 1 ,2-butanediol (i.e., butane-1 ,2-diol), 1 ,3-butanediol (i.e., butane-1 .3-diol), 1 ,4-butanediol (i.e., butane-1 ,4-diol), hexylene glycol (i.e., 2-methylpentane-2,4-diol), and mixtures thereof. Alkanediol oligomers suitable for use in the solvent system include, but are not limited to, diethylene glycol (i.e., 2,2'-oxydi(ethan-1-ol) or 2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethanol). Alkanetriols suitable for use in the solvent system include, but are not limited to, glycerol (i.e., propane-1 ,2,3- triol). In a preferred embodiment, the polyol is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1 ,2-propanediol, 1 ,3-propanediol, 1 ,3-butanediol, 1 ,4-butanediol, hexylene glycol, glycerol, diethylene glycol, and mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the polyol is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1 ,2- propanediol, 1 ,3-propanediol, 1 ,3-butanediol, glycerol, diethylene glycol, and mixtures thereof.

[0014] In certain preferred embodiments, the polyol has a molar mass of about 100 g/mol or less. For example, in one such preferred embodiment, the polyol has a molar mass of about 100 g/mol or less when the concentration of diaminostilbene optical brightener in the composition is 30 wt.% or more. It is believed that utilizing a lower molar mass polyol in such higher activity compositions will allow the composition to remain a flowable liquid when stored under ambient, indoor conditions. If the intended use environment does not require a flowable liquid at ambient, indoor conditions, then higher molar mass polyols may be suitable for use in these high-activity compositions.

[0015] The optical brightener composition can comprise any suitable amount of the solvent system. Preferably, the solvent system accounts for the balance of the weight/mass of the optical brightener composition (i.e., the weight/mass of the diaminostilbene optical brightener and the weight/mass of the solvent system equal the total weight/mass of the optical brightener composition). Thus, the solvent system preferably comprises about 40 wt.% or more, about 45 wt.% or more, about 50 wt.% or more, or about 55 wt.% or more of the optical brightener composition, based on the total weight of the composition. In another preferred embodiment, the solvent system preferably comprises about 80 wt.% or less, about 75 wt.% or less, about 70 wt.% or less, or about 65 wt.% or less of the optical brightener composition, based on the total weight of the composition. Thus, in a series of preferred embodiments, the solvent system comprises about 40 wt.% to about 80 wt.% (e.g., about 40 wt.% to about 75 wt.%, about 40 wt.% to about 70 wt.%, or about 40 wt.% to about 65 wt.%), about 45 wt.% to about 80 wt.% (e.g., about 45 wt.% to about 75 wt.%, about 45 wt.% to about 70 wt.%, or about 45 wt.% to about 65 wt.%), about 50 wt.% to about 80 wt.% (e.g., about 50 wt.% to about 75 wt.%, about 50 wt.% to about 70 wt.%, or about 50 wt.% to about 65 wt.%), or about 55 wt.% to about 80 wt.% (e.g., about 55 wt.% to about 75 wt.%, about 55 wt.% to about 70 wt.%, or about 55 wt.% to about 65 wt.%) of the optical brightener composition, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0016] The alkyl ester of an organic acid and the polyol can be present in the solvent system in any suitable relative amounts. In a preferred embodiment, the alkyl ester of an organic acid comprises about 5 wt.% to about 99 wt.% (e.g., about 10 wt.% to about 99 wt.%) of the total weight of the solvent system. For example, when the alkyl ester of an organic acid is diethyl malate, the diethyl malate preferably can comprise about 45 wt.% to about 70 wt.% (e.g., about 49 wt.% to about 68 wt.%) of the total weight of the solvent system. In another preferred embodiment, the alkyl ester of an organic acid is ethyl glycolate, and the ethyl glycolate can comprise about 75 wt.% to about 95 wt.% (e.g., about 80 wt.% to about 92 wt.%) of the total weight of the solvent system. When the alkyl ester of an organic acid is ethyl lactate, the ethyl lactate preferably can comprise about 5 wt.% to about 80 wt.% (e.g., about 5 wt.% to about 77 wt.%, about 5 wt.% to about 15.5 wt.%, about 7.5 wt.% to about 15.5 wt.%, or about 7.5 wt.% to about 11 .5 wt.%) of the total weight of the solvent system. In another preferred embodiment, the alkyl ester of an organic acid is methyl lactate, and the methyl lactate can comprise about 45 wt.% to about 70 wt.% (e.g., about 49 wt.% to about 68 wt.%) of the total weight of the solvent system. When the alkyl ester of an organic acid is propyl lactate, the propyl lactate preferably can comprise about 50 wt.% to about 70 wt.% (e.g., about 51 wt.% to about 68 wt.%) of the total weight of the solvent system. In yet another preferred embodiment, the alkyl ester of an organic acid is triethyl citrate, and the triethyl citrate can comprise about 40 wt.% to about 65 wt.% (e.g., about 42 wt.% to about 60 wt.%) of the total weight of the solvent system.

[0017] The polyol preferably comprises about 1 wt.% to about 95 wt.% (e.g., about 1 wt.% to about 60 wt.%) of the total weight of the solvent system. For example, when the polyol is ethylene glycol, the ethylene glycol preferably can comprise about 8 wt.% to about 40 wt.% of the total weight of the solvent system. In another preferred embodiment, the polyol is 1 ,3-propanediol, and the 1 ,3- propanediol can comprise about 15 wt.% to about 50 wt.% (e.g., about 16 wt.% to about 48 wt.%) of the total weight of the solvent system. When the polyol is 1 ,2- propanediol (also known as propylene glycol), the 1 ,2-propanediol preferably can comprise about 15 wt.% to about 95 wt.% (e.g., about 15 wt.% to about 90 wt.%, about 15 wt.% to about 60 wt.%, about 16 wt.% to about 57 wt.%, about 84.5 wt.% to about 92.5 wt.%, or about 84.5 wt.% to about 88.5 wt.%) of the total weight of the solvent system. In another preferred embodiment, the polyol is 1 ,3-butanediol, and the 1 ,3-butanediol can comprise about 5 wt.% to about 60 wt.% (e.g., about 9 wt.% to about 58 wt.%) of the total weight of the solvent system. When the polyol is 1 ,4- butanediol, the 1 ,4-butanediol preferably can comprise about 15 wt.% to about 55 wt.% (e.g., about 20 wt.% to about 51 wt.%) of the total weight of the solvent system. In yet another preferred embodiment, the polyol is hexylene glycol, and the hexylene glycol can comprise about 1 wt.% to about 10 wt.% of the total weight of the solvent system. When the polyol is diethylene glycol, the diethylene glycol preferably can comprise about 10 wt.% to about 45 wt.% (e.g., about 14 wt.% to about 43 wt.%) of the total weight of the solvent system.

[0018] The following list identifies the components of certain preferred solvent systems that can be employed in the optical brightener composition disclosed herein.

1 . The polyol is 1 ,3-butanediol, and the alkyl ester of an organic acid is selected from the group consisting of methyl lactate, diethyl malate, triethyl citrate, and mixtures thereof.

2. The alkyl ester of an organic acid is triethyl citrate, and the polyol is

1 ,3-butanediol.

3. The alkyl ester of an organic acid is diethyl malate, and the polyol is

1 ,3-butanediol.

4. The alkyl ester of an organic acid is methyl lactate, and the polyol is

1 ,3-butanediol.

5. The alkyl ester of an organic acid is methyl lactate, and the polyol is hexylene glycol.

6. The alkyl ester of an organic acid is triethyl citrate, and the polyol is 1 ,2-propanediol. 7. The alkyl ester of an organic acid is diethyl malate, and the polyol is 1 ,2-propanediol.

8. The alkyl ester of an organic acid is ethyl lactate, and the polyol is 1 ,2- propanediol.

The foregoing list is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting — it merely identifies certain solvent systems that the inventors believe to be particularly useful and wish to identify with particularity. Additional preferred embodiments of the solvent are described in the other portions on the description.

[0019] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the optical brightener composition comprises the diaminostilbene optical brightener, an alkyl ester of lactic acid (preferably, ethyl lactate), and 1 ,2-propanediol. In a more specific embodiment, the optical brightener composition preferably comprises about 35 wt.% of the diaminostilbene optical brightener, about 5 wt.% to about 10 wt.% of an alkyl ester of lactic acid (preferably, ethyl lactate), and about 55 wt.% to about 60 wt.% of 1 ,2-propanediol. In yet another preferred embodiment, the optical brightener composition comprises about 35 wt.% of the diaminostilbene optical brightener, about 5 wt.% to about 7.5 wt.% of an alkyl ester of lactic acid (preferably, ethyl lactate), and about 57.5 wt.% to about 60 wt.% of 1 ,2-propanediol.

[0020] The optical brightener compositions disclosed herein preferably are homogeneous, flowable liquids at ambient, indoor conditions (e.g., 20-25 °C). Preferably, the optical brightener compositions have a melting point below 0 °C. The optical brightener compositions preferably remain homogeneous, flowable liquids when stored at ambient, indoor conditions for extended periods (e.g., 90 days or more) and do not exhibit appreciable crystallization of the diaminostilbene optical brightener. However, in certain embodiments, the optical brightener composition can be a homogeneous, viscous liquid or semisolid at ambient, indoor conditions, provided such viscous liquid or semisolid can be readily rendered a flowable liquid upon heating, for example, to temperatures up to about 60 °C. As described above, a flowable liquid form facilitates handling and dosing of the composition and the diaminostilbene optical brightener contained therein.

[0021] The optical brightener composition can be used in the manufacture of laundry care products, such as laundry detergents, fabric softeners, and/or rinse aids. Thus, in an additional embodiment, the invention provides a laundry care composition comprising at least one laundry care ingredient and an optical brightener composition as described above. The laundry care composition can comprise any embodiment(s) of the optical brightener composition described above. [0022] The optical brightener composition can be present in the laundry care composition in any suitable amount. Typically, the amount of optical brightener composition is determined by (1 ) the concentration of the diaminostilbene optical brightener in the optical brightener composition and (2) the desired final concentration of diaminostilbene optical brightener in the laundry care composition. In other words, a diaminostilbene optical brightener composition is added to the laundry care composition in whatever amount is needed to provide the final, desired concentration of optical brightener in the laundry care composition. The diaminostilbene optical brightener preferably is present in the laundry care composition in an amount from about 0.0001 wt.% to about 1 wt.% (e.g., about 0.001 wt.% to about 1 wt.%, about 0.005 wt.% to about 1 wt.%, or about 0.01 wt.% to about 1 wt.%) or about 0.05 wt.% to about 0.75 wt.% (e.g., about 0.05 wt.% to about 0.5 wt.% or about 0.05 wt.% to about 0.3 wt.%), based on the total weight of the laundry care composition. Thus, if the optical brightener composition contains 35 wt.% of the diaminostilbene optical brightener, the optical brightener preferably would be present in/added to the laundry care composition in an amount of about 0.00028 wt.% to about 2.9 wt.% (e.g., about 0.0028 wt.% to about 2.9 wt.%, 0.014 wt.% to about 2.9 wt.%, about 0.028 wt.% to about 2.9 wt.%, 0.14 wt.% to about 2.15 wt.%, about 0.14 wt.% to about 1 .4 wt.%, about 0.14 wt.% to about 0.86 wt.%), based on the total weight of the laundry care composition. Alternatively, if the optical brightener composition contains 45 wt.% of the diaminostilbene optical brightener, the optical brightener preferably would be present in/added to the laundry care composition in an amount of 0.00022 wt.% to about 2.3 wt.% (e.g., about 0.0022 wt.% to about 2.3 wt.%, about 0.01 wt.% to about 1.7 wt.%, about 0.01 wt.% to about 1.2 wt.%, about 0.01 wt.% to about 0.7 wt.%), based on the total weight of the laundry care composition [0023] The laundry care composition can contain any suitable laundry care ingredient. Suitable laundry care ingredients are described and discussed in the paragraphs that follow.

LAUNDRY CARE INGREDIENTS

Surfactant system

[0024] The laundry care compositions of the present invention may comprise from about 0.001 wt.% (e.g., from about 0.01 wt.%), more typically from about 0.10 to 80% by weight of a surfactant. In one aspect, such compositions may comprise from about 5% to 50% by weight of surfactant. Surfactants utilized can be of the anionic, nonionic, amphoteric, ampholytic, zwitterionic, or cationic type or can comprise compatible mixtures of these types. Anionic and nonionic surfactants are typically employed if the fabric care product is a laundry detergent. On the other hand, cationic surfactants are typically employed if the fabric care product is a fabric softener.

Anionic surfactant

[0025] Useful anionic surfactants can themselves be of several different types. For example, 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 alkylolammonium salts of higher fatty acids containing from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms, or even from about 12 to about 18 carbon atoms. Soaps can be made by direct saponification of fats and oils or by the neutralization of free fatty acids. Particularly useful are the sodium and potassium salts of the mixtures of fatty acids derived from coconut oil and tallow, i.e., sodium or potassium tallow and coconut soap.

[0026] Preferred alkyl sulphates are C8-18 alkyl alkoxylated sulphates, preferably a C12-15 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl alkoxylated sulphates. Preferably the alkoxylating group is an ethoxylating group. Typically, the alkyl alkoxylated sulphate has an average degree of alkoxylation from 0.5 to 30 or 20, or from 0.5 to 10. The alkyl group may be branched or linear. The alkoxylated alkyl sulfate surfactant may be a mixture of alkoxylated alkyl sulfates, the mixture having an average (arithmetic mean) carbon chain length within the range of about 12 to about 30 carbon atoms, or an average carbon chain length of about 12 to about 15 carbon atoms, and an average (arithmetic mean) degree of alkoxylation of from about 1 mol to about 4 mols of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, or mixtures thereof, or an average (arithmetic mean) degree of alkoxylation of about 1 .8 mols of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, or mixtures thereof. The alkoxylated alkyl sulfate surfactant may have a carbon chain length from about 10 carbon atoms to about 18 carbon atoms, and a degree of alkoxylation of from about 0.1 to about 6 mols of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, or mixtures thereof. The alkoxylated alkyl sulfate may be alkoxylated with ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, or mixtures thereof. Alkyl ether sulfate surfactants may contain a peaked ethoxylate distribution. Specific examples include C12-C15 EO 2.5 Sulfate, C14-C15 EO 2.5 Sulfate and C12-C15 EO 1.5 Sulfate derived from NEODOL® alcohols from Shell and C12-C14 EO3 Sulfate, C12- C16 EO3 Sulfate, C12-C14 EO2 Sulfate and C12-C14 EO1 Sulfate derived from natural alcohols from Huntsman. The AES may be linear, branched, or combinations thereof. The alkyl group may be derived from synthetic or natural alcohols such as those supplied by the tradename Neodol® by Shell, Safol®, Lial®, and Isalchem® by Sasol or midcut alcohols derived from vegetable oils such as coconut and palm kernel. Another suitable anionic detersive surfactant is alkyl ether carboxylate, comprising a C10-C26 linear or branched, preferably C10-C20 linear, most preferably C16-C18 linear alkyl alcohol and from 2 to 20, preferably 7 to 13, more preferably 8 to 12, most preferably 9.5 to 10.5 ethoxylates. The acid form or salt form, such as sodium or ammonium salt, may be used, and the alkyl chain may contain one cis or trans double bond. Alkyl ether carboxylic acids are available from Kao (Akypo®), Huntsman (Empicol®) and Clariant (Emulsogen®).

[0027] Other useful anionic surfactants can include the alkali metal salts of alkyl benzene sulfonates, in which the alkyl group contains from about 9 to about 15 carbon atoms, in straight chain (linear) or branched chain configuration. In some examples, the alkyl group is linear. Such linear alkylbenzene sulfonates are known as "LAS." In other examples, the linear alkylbenzene sulfonate may have an average number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group of from about 11 to 14. In a specific example, the linear straight chain alkylbenzene sulfonates may have an average number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group of about 11 .8 carbon atoms, which may be abbreviated as C11 .8 LAS. Preferred sulphonates are C10-13 alkyl benzene sulphonate. Suitable alkyl benzene sulphonate (LAS) may be obtained, by sulphonating commercially available linear alkyl benzene (LAB); suitable LAB includes low 2-phenyl LAB, such as those supplied by Sasol under the tradename Isochem® or those supplied by Petresa under the tradename Petrelab®, other suitable LAB include high 2-phenyl LAB, such as those supplied by Sasol under the tradename Hyblene®. A suitable anionic detersive surfactant is alkyl benzene sulphonate that is obtained by DETAL catalyzed process, although other synthesis routes, such as HF, may also be suitable. In one aspect a magnesium salt of LAS is used. Suitable anionic sulfonate surfactants for use herein include water-soluble salts of C8-C18 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl sulfonates; C11-C18 alkyl benzene sulfonates (LAS), modified alkylbenzene sulfonate (MLAS) as discussed in WO 99/05243, WO 99/05242, WO 99/05244, WO 99/05082, WO 99/05084, WO 99/05241 , WO 99/07656, WO 00/23549, and WO 00/23548; methyl ester sulfonate (MES); and alpha-olefin sulfonate (AOS). Those also include the paraffin sulfonates may be monosulfonates and/or disulfonates, obtained by sulfonating paraffins of 10 to 20 carbon atoms. The sulfonate surfactant may also include the alkyl glyceryl sulfonate surfactants.

[0028] Anionic surfactants of the present invention may exist in an acid form, and said acid form may be neutralized to form a surfactant salt which is desirable for use in the present detergent compositions. Typical agents for neutralization include the metal counterion base such as hydroxides, e.g., NaOH or KOH. Further preferred agents for neutralizing anionic surfactants of the present invention and adjunct anionic surfactants or cosurfactants in their acid forms include ammonia, amines, or alkanolamines. Alkanolamines are preferred. Suitable non-limiting examples including monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, and other linear or branched alkanolamines known in the art; for example, highly preferred alkanolamines include 2-amino-1 -propanol, 1 -aminopropanol, monoisopropanolamine, or 1-amino-3-propanol.

Nonionic surfactant

[0029] Preferably, the laundry care composition comprises a nonionic detersive surfactant. Suitable nonionic surfactants include alkoxylated fatty alcohols. The nonionic surfactant may be selected from ethoxylated alcohols and ethoxylated alkyl phenols of the formula R(OC2H4),OH, wherein R is selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals containing from about 8 to about 15 carbon atoms and alkyl phenyl radicals in which the alkyl groups contain from about 8 to about 12 carbon atoms, and the average value of n is from about 5 to about 15. Other non-limiting examples of nonionic surfactants useful herein include: C8-C18 alkyl ethoxylates, such as, NEODOL® nonionic surfactants from Shell; C6-C12 alkyl phenol alkoxylates where the alkoxylate units may be ethyleneoxy units, propyleneoxy units, or a mixture thereof; C12-C18 alcohol and C6-C12 alkyl phenol condensates with ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block polymers such as Pluronic® from BASF; C14-C22 mid-chain branched alcohols, BA; C14-C22 mid-chain branched alkyl alkoxylates, BAEx, wherein x is from 1 to 30; alkylpolysaccharides; specifically alkylpolyglycosides; polyhydroxy fatty acid amides; and ether capped poly(oxyalkylated) alcohol surfactants. Specific examples include C12-C15 EO7 and C14-C15 EO7 NEODOL® nonionic surfactants from Shell, C12-C14 EO7 and C12- C14 EO9 Surfonic® nonionic surfactants from Huntsman.

[0030] Highly preferred nonionic surfactants are the condensation products of Guerbet alcohols with from 2 to 18 moles, preferably 2 to 15, more preferably 5-9 of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. Suitable nonionic surfactants include those with the trade name Lutensol® from BASF. Lutensol XP-50 is a Guerbet ethoxylate that contains an average of about 5 ethoxy groups. Lutensol XP-80 and containing an average of about 8 ethoxy groups. Other suitable non-ionic surfactants for use herein include fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers, alkylpolyglucosides and fatty acid glucamides, alkylpolyglucosides based on Guerbet alcohols.

Amphoteric surfactant

[0031] The surfactant system may include amphoteric surfactant, such as amine oxide. Preferred amine oxides are alkyl dimethyl amine oxide or alkyl amido propyl dimethyl amine oxide, more preferably alkyl dimethyl amine oxide and especially coco dimethyl amino oxide. Amine oxide may have a linear or midbranched alkyl moiety.

Ampholytic Surfactants

[0032] The surfactant system may comprise an ampholytic surfactant. Specific, non-limiting examples of ampholytic surfactants include: aliphatic derivatives of secondary or tertiary amines, or aliphatic derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines in which the aliphatic radical can be straight- or branched-chain. One of the aliphatic substituents may contain at least about 8 carbon atoms, for example from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, and at least one contains an anionic water-solubilizing group, e.g., carboxy, sulfonate, sulfate. See U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,678 at column 19, lines 18-35, for suitable examples of ampholytic surfactants.

Zwitterionic surfactant

[0033] Zwitterionic surfactants are known in the art, and generally include surfactants which are neutrally charged overall, but carry at least one positive charged atom/group and at least one negatively charged atom/group. Examples of zwitterionic surfactants include: derivatives of secondary and tertiary amines, derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines, or derivatives of quaternary ammonium, quaternary phosphonium or tertiary sulfonium compounds. See U.S. Patent No. 3,929,678 at column 19, line 38 through column 22, line 48, for examples of zwitterionic surfactants; betaines, including alkyl dimethyl betaine and cocodimethyl amidopropyl betaine, Cs to Cis (for example from C12 to Cis) amine oxides and sulfo and hydroxy betaines, such as N-alkyl-N,N-dimethylammino-1- propane sulfonate where the alkyl group can be Cs to C18 and in certain embodiments from C10 to C14. A preferred zwitterionic surfactant for use in the present invention is the cocoamidopropyl betaine.

Cationic surfactants

[0034] Examples of cationic surfactants include quaternary ammonium surfactants, which can have up to 26 carbon atoms specific. Additional examples include a) alkoxylate quaternary ammonium (AQA) surfactants as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,136,769; b) dimethyl hydroxyethyl quaternary ammonium as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,922; c) polyamine cationic surfactants as discussed in WO 98/35002, WO 98/35003, WO 98/35004, WO 98/35005, and WO 98/35006, which is herein incorporated by reference; d) cationic ester surfactants as discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,228,042, 4,239,6604,260,529 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,022,844, which is herein incorporated by reference; and e) amino surfactants as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,221 ,825 and WO 00/47708, which is herein incorporated by reference, and specifically amido propyldimethyl amine (APA). Useful cationic surfactants also include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,222,905, Cockrell, issued Sep. 16, 1980, and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,239,659, Murphy, issued Dec. 16, 1980, both of which are also incorporated herein by reference. Quaternary ammonium compounds may be present in fabric enhancer compositions, such as fabric softeners, and comprise quaternary ammonium cations that are positively charged polyatomic ions of the structure NR4⁺, where R is an alkyl group or an aryl group.

Adjunct Cleaning Additives

[0035] The laundry care compositions of the invention may also contain adjunct cleaning additives. The precise nature of the cleaning adjunct additives and levels of incorporation thereof will depend on the physical form of the laundry care composition, and the precise nature of the cleaning operation for which it is to be used.

[0036] The adjunct cleaning additives may be selected from the group consisting of builders, structurants or thickeners, clay soil removal/anti-redeposition agents, polymeric soil release agents, polymeric dispersing agents, polymeric grease cleaning agents, enzymes, enzyme stabilizing systems, bleaching compounds, bleaching agents, bleach activators, bleach catalysts, brighteners, dyes, hueing agents, dye transfer inhibiting agents, chelating agents, suds suppressors, softeners, and perfumes. This listing of adjunct cleaning additives is exemplary only, and not by way of limitation of the types of adjunct cleaning additives which can be used. In principle, any adjunct cleaning additive known in the art may be used in the instant invention.

Polymers

[0037] The composition may comprise one or more polymers. Non-limiting examples, all of which may be optionally modified, include polyethyleneimines, carboxymethylcellulose, poly(vinyl-pyrrolidone), poly (ethylene glycol), poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(vinylpyridine-N-oxide), poly(vinylimidazole), polycarboxylates or alkoxylated substituted phenols (ASP), as described in WO 2016/041676. An example of ASP dispersants, include but are not limited to, HOSTAPAL BV CONC S1000 available from Clariant. [0038] Polyamines may be used for grease, particulate removal or stain removal. A wide variety of amines and polyaklyeneimines can be alkoxylated to various degrees to achieve hydrophobic or hydrophilic cleaning. Such compounds may include, but are not limited to, ethoxylated polyethyleneimine, ethoxylated hexamethylene diamine, and sulfated versions thereof. Useful examples of such polymers are HP20 available from BASF or a polymer having the following general structure: bis((C₂H₅O) (C2H4O)n)(CH3)-N+-CxH2x-N+-(CH3)-bis((C2H₅O)(C2H4O)n) wherein n = from 20 to 30, and x = from 3 to 8, or sulphated or sulphonated variants thereof. Polypropoxylated-polyethoxylated amphiphilic polyethyleneimine derivatives may also be included to achieve greater grease removal and emulsification. These may comprise alkoxylated polyalkylenimines, preferably having an inner polyethylene oxide block and an outer polypropylene oxide block. Detergent compositions may also contain unmodified polyethyleneimines useful for enhanced beverage stain removal. PEI's of various molecular weights are commercially available from the BASF Corporation under the trade name Lupasol® Examples of suitable PEI’s include, but are not limited to, Lupasol FG®, Lupasol G-35®. [0039] The composition may comprise one or more carboxylate polymers, such as a maleate/acrylate random copolymer or polyacrylate homopolymer useful as polymeric dispersing agents. Alkoxylated polycarboxylates such as those prepared from polyacrylates are also useful to provide clay dispersancy. Such materials are described in WO 91/08281 . Chemically, these materials comprise polyacrylates having one ethoxy side-chain per every 7-8 acrylate units. The sidechains are of the formula -(CH2CH2O)m (CH2)nCHs wherein m is 2-3 and n is 6-12. The side-chains are ester or ether-linked to the polyacrylate "backbone" to provide a "comb" polymer type structure.

[0040] Preferred amphiphilic graft co-polymer(s) comprise (i) polyethylene glycol backbone; and (ii) at least one pendant moiety selected from polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol and mixtures thereof. An example of an amphiphilic graft copolymer is Sokalan HP22, supplied from BASF. [0041] Alkoxylated substituted phenols as described in WO 2016/041676 are also suitable examples of polymers that provide clay dispersancy. Hostapal BV Cone S1000, available from Clariant, is one non-limiting example of an ASP dispersant, . [0042] Preferably the composition comprises one or more soil release polymers. Suitable soil release polymers are polyester soil release polymers such as Repel-o-tex polymers, including Repel-o-tex SF, SF-2 and SRP6 supplied by Rhodia. Other suitable soil release polymers include Texcare polymers, including Texcare SRA100, SRA300, SRN100, SRN170, SRN240, SRN260 SRN300 and SRN325 supplied by Clariant. Other suitable soil release polymers are Marloquest polymers, such as Marloquest SL, HSCB, L235M, B, G82 supplied by Sasol. Other suitable soil release polymers include methyl-capped ethoxylated propoxylated soil release polymers as described in US 9,365,806.

[0043] Preferably the composition comprises one or more polysaccharides which may in particular be chosen from carboxymethyl cellulose, methylcarboxymethylcellulose, sulfoethylcellulose, methylhydroxyethylcellulose, carboxymethyl xyloglucan, carboxymethyl xylan, sulfoethylgalactomannan, carboxymethyl galactomannan, hydroxyethyl galactomannan, sulfoethyl starch, carboxymethyl starch, and mixture thereof. Other polysaccharides suitable for use in the present invention are the glucans. Preferred glucans are Poly alpha-1 ,3-glucan which is a polymer comprising glucose monomeric units linked together by glycosidic linkages (i.e., glucosidic linkages), wherein at least about 50% of the glycosidic linkages are alpha-1 ,3-glycosidic linkages. Poly alpha-1 ,3-glucan is a type of polysaccharide. Poly alpha-1 ,3-glucan can be enzymatically produced from sucrose using one or more glucosyltransferase enzymes, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,000, and U.S. Patent Appl. Publ. Nos. 2013/0244288 and 2013/0244287 (all of which are incorporated herein by reference), for example.

[0044] Other suitable polysaccharides for use in the composition are cationic polysaccharides. Examples of cationic polysaccharides include cationic guar gum derivatives, quaternary nitrogen-containing cellulose ethers, and synthetic polymers that are copolymers of etherified cellulose, guar, and starch. When used, the cationic polymers herein are either soluble in the composition or are soluble in a complex coacervate phase in the composition formed by the cationic polymer and the anionic, amphoteric and/or zwitterionic surfactant component described hereinbefore. Suitable cationic polymers are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,962,418; 3,958,581 ; and U.S. Publication No. 2007/0207109A1 .

[0045] Polymers can also function as deposition aids for other detergent raw materials. Preferred deposition aids are selected from the group consisting of cationic and nonionic polymers. Suitable polymers include cationic starches, cationic hydroxyethylcellulose, polyvinylformaldehyde, locust bean gum, mannans, xyloglucans, tamarind gum, polyethyleneterephthalate and polymers containing dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, optionally with one or more monomers selected from the group comprising acrylic acid and acrylamide.

Additional Amines

[0046] Polyamines are known to improve grease removal. Preferred cyclic and linear amines for performance are 1 ,3-bis (methylamine)-cyclohexane, 4- methylcyclohexane-1 ,3-diamine (Baxxodur ECX 210 supplied by BASF) 1 ,3 propane diamine, 1 ,6 hexane diamine, 1 ,3 pentane diamine (Dytek EP supplied by Invista), 2-methyl 1 ,5 pentane diamine (Dytek A supplied by Invista). US6710023 discloses hand dishwashing compositions containing said diamines and polyamines containing at least 3 protonable amines. Polyamines according to the invention have at least one pka above the wash pH and at least two pka’s greater than about 6 and below the wash pH. Preferred polyamines with are selected from the group consisting of tetraethylenepentamine, hexaethylhexamine, heptaethylheptamines, octaethyloctamines, nonethylnonamines, and mixtures thereof commercially available from Dow, BASF and Huntman. Especially preferred polyetheramines are lipophilic modified as described in US9752101 , US9487739, US 9631163 Dye Transfer Inhibitor (DTI)

[0047] The composition may comprise one or more dye transfer inhibiting agents. In one embodiment of the invention the inventors have surprisingly found that compositions comprising polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents in addition to the specified dye give improved performance. This is surprising because these polymers prevent dye deposition. Suitable dye transfer inhibitors include, but are not limited to, polyvinylpyrrolidone polymers, polyamine N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, polyvinyloxazolidones and polyvinylimidazoles or mixtures thereof. Suitable examples include PVP-K15, PVP- K30, ChromaBond S-400, ChromaBond S-403E and Chromabond S-100 from Ashland Aquaion, and Sokalan HP165, Sokalan HP50, Sokalan HP53, Sokalan HP59, Sokalan® HP 56K, Sokalan® HP 66 from BASF. Other suitable DTIs are as described in WO2012/004134. When present in a subject composition, the dye transfer inhibiting agents may be present at levels from about 0.0001 % to about 10%, from about 0.01 % to about 5% or even from about 0.1 % to about 3% by weight of the composition.

Enzymes

[0048] Enzymes may be included in the laundry care compositions for a variety of purposes, including removal of protein-based, carbohydrate-based, or triglyceride-based stains from substrates, for the prevention of refugee dye transfer in fabric laundering, and for fabric restoration. Suitable enzymes include proteases, amylases, lipases, carbohydrases, cellulases, oxidases, peroxidases, mannanases, and mixtures thereof of any suitable origin, such as vegetable, animal, bacterial, fungal, and yeast origin. Other enzymes that may be used in the laundry care compositions described herein include hemicellulases, peroxidases, proteases, cellulases, endoglucanases, xylanases, lipases, phospholipases, amylases, glucoamylases, xylanases, esterases, cutinases, pectinases, keratanases, reductases, oxidases, phenoloxidases, lipoxygenases, ligninases, pullulanases, tannases, pentosanases, malanases, [3-glucanases, arabinosidases, hyaluronidases, chondroitinases, laccases, or mixtures thereof., esterases, mannanases, pectate lyases, and or mixtures thereof. Other suitable enzymes include Nuclease enzyme. The composition may comprise a nuclease enzyme. The nuclease enzyme is an enzyme capable of cleaving the phosphodiester bonds between the nucleotide subunits of nucleic acids. The nuclease enzyme herein is preferably a deoxyribonuclease or ribonuclease enzyme or a functional fragment thereof. Enzyme selection is influenced by factors such as pH-activity and/or stability optima, thermostability, and stability to active detergents, builders, and the like.

[0049] The enzymes may be incorporated into the laundry care composition at levels from 0.0001 % to 5% of active enzyme by weight of the laundry care composition. The enzymes can be added as a separate single ingredient or as mixtures of two or more enzymes.

[0050] In some embodiments, lipase may be used. Lipase may be purchased under the trade name Lipex from Novozymes (Denmark). Amylases (Natalase®, Stainzyme®, Stainzyme Plus®) may be supplied by Novozymes, Bagsvaerd, Denmark. Proteases may be supplied by Genencor International, Palo Alto, Calif., USA (e.g. Purafect Prime®) or by Novozymes, Bagsvaerd, Denmark (e.g. Liquanase®, Coronase®, Savinase® ). Other preferred enzymes include pectate lyases preferably those sold under the trade names Pectawash®, Xpect®, Pectaway® and the mannanases sold under the trade names Mannaway® (all from Novozymes A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark), and Purabrite® (Genencor International Inc., Palo Alto, California). A range of enzyme materials and means for their incorporation into synthetic laundry care compositions is disclosed in WO 9307263 A; WO 9307260 A; WO 8908694 A; U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,553,139; 4,101 ,457; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,507,219. Enzyme materials useful for liquid laundry care compositions, and their incorporation into such compositions, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,261 ,868.

Enzyme Stabilizing System

[0051] The enzyme-containing compositions described herein may optionally comprise from about 0.001 % to about 10%, in some examples from about 0.005% to about 8%, and in other examples, from about 0.01 % to about 6%, by weight of the composition, of an enzyme stabilizing system. The enzyme stabilizing system can be any stabilizing system which is compatible with the detersive enzyme. Such a system may be inherently provided by other formulation actives, or be added separately, e.g., by the formulator or by a manufacturer of detergent-ready enzymes. Such stabilizing systems can, for example, comprise calcium ion, boric acid, propylene glycol, short chain carboxylic acids, boronic acids, chlorine bleach scavengers and mixtures thereof, and are designed to address different stabilization problems depending on the type and physical form of the laundry care composition. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,537,706 for a review of borate stabilizers. Chelating Agent

[0052] Preferably, the laundry care composition comprises chelating agents and/or crystal growth inhibitor. Suitable molecules include copper, iron and/or manganese chelating agents and mixtures thereof. Suitable molecules include aminocarboxylates, aminophosphonates, succinates, salts thereof, and mixtures thereof. Non-limiting examples of suitable chelants for use herein include ethylenediaminetetracetates, N-(hydroxyethyl)-ethylene-diamine-triacetates, nitrilotriacetates, ethylenediamine tetraproprionates, triethylene-tetraamine- hexacetates, diethylenetriamine-pentaacetates, ethanoldiglycines, ethylenediaminetetrakis (methylenephosphonates), diethylenetriamine penta(methylene phosphonic acid) (DTPMP), ethylenediamine disuccinate (EDDS), hydroxyethanedimethylenephosphonic acid (HEDP), methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), and 1 ,2-diydroxybenzene-3,5- disulfonic acid (Tiron), salts thereof, and mixtures thereof. Tiron as well as other sulphonated catechols may also be used as effective heavy metal chelants. Other non-limiting examples of chelants of use in the present invention are found in U.S. Patent Nos. 7445644, 7585376 and 2009/0176684A1 . Other suitable chelating agents for use herein are the commercial DEQUEST series, and chelants from Monsanto, DuPont, and Nalco Inc.

Brighteners

[0053] Optical brighteners or other brightening or whitening agents (i.e. , optical brighteners other than the diaminostilbene brightener in the optical brightener composition) may be incorporated at levels of from about 0.01 % to about 1.2%, by weight of the composition, into the laundry care compositions described herein. Commercial optical brighteners, which may be used herein, can be classified into subgroups, which include, but are not necessarily limited to, derivatives of stilbene, pyrazoline, coumarin, carboxylic acid, methinecyanines, dibenzothiphene-5,5- dioxide, azoles, 5- and 6-membered-ring heterocycles, and other miscellaneous agents. Examples of such brighteners are disclosed in “The Production and Application of Fluorescent Brightening Agents,” M. Zahradnik, John Wiley & Sons, New York (1982). Specific, non-limiting examples of optical brighteners which may be useful in the present compositions are those identified in U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,856 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,646,015. Highly preferred Brighteners include 4, 4'-bis{[4-anilino- 6-morpholino-s-triazin-2-yl]-amino}-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonate, Disodium 4,4"-bis[(4,6-di- anilino-s-triazin-2-yl)-amino]-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonate and disodium 4,4'-bis-(2- sulfostyryl)biphenyl.

Bleaching Agents

[0054] It may be preferred for the composition to comprise one or more bleaching agents. Suitable bleaching agents include photobleaches, hydrogen peroxide, sources of hydrogen peroxide, pre-formed peracids and mixtures thereof. [0055] (1 ) photobleaches for example sulfonated zinc phthalocyanine sulfonated aluminum phthalocyanines, xanthene dyes and mixtures thereof;

[0056] (2) pre-formed peracids: Suitable preformed peracids include, but are not limited to compounds selected from the group consisting of pre-formed peroxyacids or salts thereof typically a percarboxylic acids and salts, percarbonic acids and salts, perimidic acids and salts, peroxymonosulfuric acids and salts, for example, Oxone ®, and mixtures thereof. Suitable examples include peroxycarboxylic acids or salts thereof, or peroxysulphonic acids or salts thereof. Particularly preferred peroxyacids are phthalimido-peroxy-alkanoic acids, in particular s-phthalimido peroxy hexanoic acid (PAP). Preferably, the peroxyacid or salt thereof has a melting point in the range of from 30oC to 60oC.

[0057] (3) sources of hydrogen peroxide, for example, inorganic perhydrate salts, including alkali metal salts such as sodium salts of perborate (usually mono- or tetra-hydrate), percarbonate, persulphate, perphosphate, persilicate salts and mixtures thereof.

Fabric Shading Dyes

[0058] The fabric shading dye (sometimes referred to as hueing, bluing or whitening agents) typically provides a blue or violet shade to fabric. Such dye(s) are well known in the art and may be used either alone or in combination to create a specific shade of hueing and/or to shade different fabric types. The fabric shading dye may be selected from any chemical class of dye as known in the art, including but not limited to acridine, anthraquinone (including polycyclic quinones), azine, azo (e.g., monoazo, disazo, trisazo, tetrakisazo, polyazo), benzodifurane, benzodifuranone, carotenoid, coumarin, cyanine, diazahemicyanine, diphenylmethane, formazan, hemicyanine, indigoids, methane, naphthalimides, naphthoquinone, nitro, nitroso, oxazine, phthalocyanine, pyrazoles, stilbene, styryl, triarylmethane, triphenylmethane, xanthenes and mixtures thereof. The amount of adjunct fabric shading dye present in a laundry care composition of the invention is typically from 0.0001 to 0.05 wt.% based on the total laundry care composition, preferably from 0.0001 to 0.005 wt.%. Based on the wash liquor, the concentration of fabric shading dye typically is from 1 ppb to 5 ppm, preferably from 10 ppb to 500 ppb.

[0059] Suitable fabric shading dyes include small molecule dyes, polymeric dyes, and dye-clay conjugates. Preferred fabric shading dyes are selected from small molecule dyes and polymeric dyes. Suitable small molecule dyes may be selected from the group consisting of dyes falling into the Colour Index (C.I., Society of Dyers and Colourists, Bradford, UK) classifications of Acid, Direct, Basic, Reactive, Solvent or Disperse dyes.

[0060] Suitable polymeric dyes include dyes selected from the group consisting of polymers containing covalently bound (sometimes referred to as conjugated) chromogens, (also known as dye-polymer conjugates), for example polymers with chromogen monomers co-polymerized into the backbone of the polymer and mixtures thereof. Preferred polymeric dyes comprise the optionally substituted alkoxylated dyes, such as alkoxylated triphenyl-methane polymeric colorants, alkoxylated carbocyclic and alkoxylated heterocyclic azo colorants including alkoxylated thiophene polymeric colorants, and mixtures thereof, such as the fabric-substantive colorants sold under the name of Liquitint® (Milliken, Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA).

[0061] Suitable dye clay conjugates include dye clay conjugates selected from the group comprising at least one cationic/basic dye and a smectite clay; a preferred clay may be selected from the group consisting of Montmorillonite clay, Hectorite clay, Saponite clay and mixtures thereof.

[0062] Pigments are well known in the art and may also be used in the laundry care compositions herein. -Suitable pigments include C.l Pigment Blues 15 to 20, especially 15 and/or 16, C.l. Pigment Blue 29, C.l. Pigment Violet 15, Monastral Blue and mixtures thereof. Builders

[0063] The laundry care compositions of the present invention may optionally comprise a builder. Builders selected from aluminosilicates and silicates assist in controlling mineral hardness in wash water, or to assist in the removal of particulate soils from surfaces. Suitable builders may be selected from the group consisting of phosphates polyphosphates, especially sodium salts thereof; carbonates, bicarbonates, sesquicarbonates, and carbonate minerals other than sodium carbonate or sesquicarbonate; organic mono-, di-, tri-, and tetracarboxylates, especially water-soluble non-surfactant carboxylates in acid, sodium, potassium or alkanolammonium salt form, as well as oligomeric or water-soluble low molecular weight polymer carboxylates including aliphatic and aromatic types; and phytic acid. These may be complemented by borates, e.g., for pH-buffering purposes, or by sulfates, especially sodium sulfate and any other fillers or carriers which may be important to the engineering of stable surfactant and/or builder-containing laundry care compositions. pH Buffer System

[0064] The laundry care compositions may also include a pH buffer system. The laundry care compositions herein may be formulated such that, during use in aqueous cleaning operations, the wash water will have a pH of between about 6.0 and about 12, and in some examples, between about 7.0 and 11 . Techniques for controlling pH at recommended usage levels include the use of buffers, alkalis, or acids, and are well known to those skilled in the art. These include, but are not limited to, the use of sodium carbonate, citric acid or sodium citrate, monoethanol amine or other amines, boric acid or borates, and other pH-adjusting compounds well known in the art. The laundry care compositions herein may comprise dynamic in-wash pH profiles by delaying the release of citric acid.

Structurant / Thickeners

[0065] Structured liquids can either be internally structured, whereby the structure is formed by primary ingredients (e.g., surfactant material) and/or externally structured by providing a three-dimensional matrix structure using secondary ingredients (e.g., polymers, clay and/or silicate material). The composition may comprise from about 0.01 % to about 5%, by weight of the composition, of a structurant, and in some examples, from about 0.1 % to about 2.0%, by weight of the composition, of a structurant. The structurant may be selected from the group consisting of diglycerides and triglycerides, ethylene glycol distearate, microcrystalline cellulose, cellulose-based materials, microfiber cellulose, biopolymers, xanthan gum, gellan gum, and mixtures thereof. In some examples, a suitable structurant includes hydrogenated castor oil, and non-ethoxylated derivatives thereof. Other suitable structurants are disclosed in US Patent No. 6,855,680. Such structurants have a thread-like structuring system having a range of aspect ratios. Further suitable structurants and the processes for making them are described in WO 2010/034736.

Suds Suppressors

[0066] Compounds for reducing or suppressing the formation of suds can be incorporated into the laundry care compositions described herein. Suds suppression can be of particular importance in the so-called “high concentration cleaning process” as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,489,455, 4,489,574, and in front-loading style washing machines.

[0067] A wide variety of materials may be used as suds suppressors, and suds suppressors are well known to those skilled in the art. See, for example, Kirk Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Third Edition, Volume 7, pages 430- 447 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1979). Examples of suds suppressors include monocarboxylic fatty acid, and soluble salts therein, high molecular weight hydrocarbons such as paraffin, fatty acid esters (e.g., fatty acid triglycerides), fatty acid esters of monovalent alcohols, aliphatic C18-C40 ketones (e.g., stearone), N- alkylated amino triazines, waxy hydrocarbons preferably having a melting point below about 100 °C, silicone suds suppressors, and secondary alcohols. Suds suppressors are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,954,347; 4,075,118; 4,265,779;

4,265,779; 3,455,839; 3,933,672; 4,652,392; 4,978,471 ; 4,983,316; 5,288,431 ; 4,639,489; 4,749,740; and 4,798,679.

[0068] The laundry care compositions herein may comprise from 0% to about 10%, by weight of the composition, of suds suppressor. When utilized as suds suppressors, monocarboxylic fatty acids, and salts thereof, may be present in amounts up to about 5% by weight of the laundry care composition, and in some examples, may be from about 0.5% to about 3% by weight of the laundry care composition. Silicone suds suppressors may be utilized in amounts up to about 2.0% by weight of the laundry care composition, although higher amounts may be used. Monostearyl phosphate suds suppressors may be utilized in amounts ranging from about 0.1 % to about 2% by weight of the laundry care composition. Hydrocarbon suds suppressors may be utilized in amounts ranging from about 0.01 % to about 5.0% by weight of the laundry care composition, although higher levels can be used. Alcohol suds suppressors may be used at about 0.2% to about 3% by weight of the laundry care composition.

Suds Boosters

[0069] If high sudsing is desired, suds boosters such as the C10-C16 alkanolamides may be incorporated into the laundry care compositions from about 1 % to about 10% by weight of the laundry care composition. Some examples include the C10-C14 monoethanol and diethanol amides. If desired, water-soluble magnesium and/or calcium salts such as MgCl2, MgSCM, CaCl2, CaSO4, and the like, may be added at levels of about 0.1 % to about 2% by weight of the laundry care composition, to provide additional suds and to enhance grease removal performance.

Fillers and Carriers

[0070] Fillers and carriers may be used in the laundry care compositions described herein. As used herein, the terms “filler” and “carrier” have the same meaning and can be used interchangeably. Liquid laundry care compositions, and other forms of laundry care compositions that include a liquid component (such as liquid-containing unit dose laundry care compositions), may contain water and other solvents as fillers or carriers. Low molecular weight primary or secondary alcohols exemplified by methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, and phenoxyethanol are suitable. Monohydric alcohols may be used in some examples for solubilizing surfactants, and polyols such as those containing from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms and from 2 to about 6 hydroxy groups (e.g., 1 ,2-propanediol, 1 ,3-propanediol, 2,3- butanediol, ethylene glycol, and glycerin may be used). Amine-containing solvents may also be used. Methods of Use

[0071] The present invention includes methods for treating fabric with the laundry care compositions described above. Compact fluid detergent compositions that are suitable for sale to consumers are suited for use in laundry pretreatment applications, laundry cleaning applications, and home care applications. Such methods include, but are not limited to, the steps of contacting detergent compositions in neat form or diluted in wash liquor, with at least a portion of a fabric which may or may not be soiled and then optionally rinsing the fabric. The fabric material may be subjected to a washing step prior to the optional rinsing step. Machine laundry methods may comprise treating soiled laundry with an aqueous wash solution in a washing machine having dissolved or dispensed therein an effective amount of a machine laundry detergent composition in accordance with the invention. An "effective amount" of the detergent composition means from about 20 g to about 300g of product dissolved or dispersed in a wash solution of volume from about 5L to about 65L. The water temperatures may range from about 5° C. to about 100° C. The water to soiled material (e.g., fabric) ratio may be from about 1 :1 to about 30:1. The compositions may be employed at concentrations of from about 500 ppm to about 15,000 ppm in solution. In the context of a fabric laundry composition, usage levels may also vary depending not only on the type and seventy of the soils and stains, but also on the wash water temperature, the volume of wash water, and the type of washing machine (e.g., top-loading, front-loading, vertical-axis Japanese- type automatic washing machine).

[0072] The detergent compositions herein may be used for laundering of fabrics at reduced wash temperatures. These methods of laundering fabric comprise the steps of delivering a laundry detergent composition to water to form a wash liquor and adding a laundering fabric to said wash liquor, wherein the wash liquor has a temperature of from about 0 °C to about 20° C, or from about 0° C to about 15° C, or from about 0° C to about 9° C. The fabric may be contacted to the water prior to, or after, or simultaneous with, contacting the laundry detergent composition with water. Another method includes contacting a nonwoven substrate, which is impregnated with the detergent composition, with a soiled material. As used herein, "nonwoven substrate" can comprise any conventionally fashioned nonwoven sheet or web having suitable basis weight, caliper (thickness), absorbency, and strength characteristics. Non-limiting examples of suitable commercially available nonwoven substrates include those marketed under the trade names SONTARA® by DuPont and POLY WEB® by James River Corp.

[0073] Hand washing/soak methods, and combined hand washing with semiautomatic washing machines, are also included.

Packaging for the Compositions

[0074] The laundry care compositions described herein can be packaged in any suitable container including those constructed from paper, cardboard, plastic materials, and any suitable laminates. An optional packaging type is described in European Application No. 94921505.7.

Multi-Compartment Pouch

[0075] The laundry care compositions described herein may also be packaged as a multi-compartment laundry care composition.

Other Adjunct Ingredients

[0076] A wide variety of other ingredients may be used in the laundry care compositions described herein, including, for example, other active ingredients, carriers, hydrotropes, processing aids, dyes or pigments, solvents for liquid formulations, solid or other liquid fillers, erythrosine, colloidal silica, waxes, probiotics, surfactin, aminocellulosic polymers, Zinc Ricinoleate, perfume microcapsules, rhamnolipds, sophorolipids, glycopeptides, methyl ester ethoxylates, sulfonated estolides, cleavable surfactants, biopolymers, silicones, modified silicones, aminosilicones, deposition aids, hydrotropes (especially cumene-sulfonate salts, toluene-sulfonate salts, xylene-sulfonate salts, and naphalene salts), PVA particle-encapsulated dyes or perfumes, pearlescent agents, effervescent agents, color change systems, silicone polyurethanes, opacifiers, tablet disintegrants, biomass fillers, fast-dry silicones, glycol distearate, starch perfume encapsulates, emulsified oils including hydrocarbon oils, polyolefins, and fatty esters, bisphenol antioxidants, micro-fibrous cellulose structurants, properfumes, styrene/acrylate polymers, triazines, soaps, superoxide dismutase, benzophenone protease inhibitors, functionalized TiO2, dibutyl phosphate, silica perfume capsules, and other adjunct ingredients, choline oxidase, triarylmethane blue and violet basic dyes, methine blue and violet basic dyes, anthraquinone blue and violet basic dyes, azo dyes basic blue 16, basic blue 65, basic blue 66 basic blue 67, basic blue 71 , basic blue 159, basic violet 19, basic violet 35, basic violet 38, basic violet 48, oxazine dyes, basic blue 3, basic blue 75, basic blue 95, basic blue 122, basic blue 124, basic blue 141 , Nile blue A and xanthene dye basic violet 10, an alkoxylated triphenylmethane polymeric colorant; an alkoxylated thiophene polymeric colorant; thiazolium dye, mica, titanium dioxide coated mica, bismuth oxychloride, and other actives.

Anti-oxidant

[0077] The laundry care composition may optionally contain an anti-oxidant present in the composition from about 0.001 to about 2% by weight. Preferably, the antioxidant is present at a concentration in the range 0.01 to 0.08% by weight. Mixtures of anti-oxidants may be used.

[0078] One class of anti-oxidants used in the present invention is alkylated phenols. Hindered phenolic compounds are a preferred type of alkylated phenols having this formula. A preferred hindered phenolic compound of this type is 3,5-di- tert-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene (BHT).

[0079] Furthermore, the anti-oxidant used in the composition may be selected from the group consisting of a-, 0- y-, 6--tocopherol, ethoxyquin, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1 ,2- dihydroquinoline, 2,6-di-tert-butyl hydroquinone, tert-butyl hydroxyanisole, lignosulphonic acid and salts thereof, and mixtures thereof.

[0080] The laundry care compositions described herein may also contain vitamins and amino acids such as: water soluble vitamins and their derivatives, water soluble amino acids and their salts and/or derivatives, water insoluble amino acids viscosity modifiers, dyes, nonvolatile solvents or diluents (water soluble and insoluble), pearlescent aids, pediculocides, pH adjusting agents, preservatives, skin active agents, sunscreens, UV absorbers, niacinamide, caffeine, and minoxidil.

[0081] The laundry care compositions of the present invention may also contain pigment materials such as nitroso, monoazo, disazo, carotenoid, triphenyl methane, triaryl methane, xanthene, quinoline, oxazine, azine, anthraquinone, indigoid, thionindigoid, quinacridone, phthalocyanine, botanical, and natural colors, including water soluble components such as those having C.l. Names. [0082] The laundry care compositions of the present invention may also contain antimicrobial agents. Cationic active ingredients may include but are not limited to n-alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, alkyl dimethyl ethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, dialkyl dimethyl quaternary ammonium compounds such as didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, N,N-didecyl-N-methyl-poly(oxyethyl) ammonium propionate, dioctyl didecyl ammonium chloride, also including quaternary species such as benzethonium chloride and quaternary ammonium compounds with inorganic or organic counter ions such as bromine, carbonate or other moieties including dialkyl dimethyl ammonium carbonates, as well as antimicrobial amines such as Chlorhexidine Gluconate, PHMB (Polyhexamethylene biguanide), salt of a biguanide, a substituted biguanide derivative, an organic salt of a quaternary ammonium containing compound or an inorganic salt of a quaternary ammonium containing compound or mixtures thereof.

[0083] In one aspect, such method comprises the steps of optionally washing and/or rinsing said surface or fabric, contacting said surface or fabric with any composition disclosed in this specification then optionally washing and/or rinsing said surface or fabric is disclosed, with an optional drying step.

[0084] Drying of such surfaces or fabrics may be accomplished by any one of the common means employed either in domestic or industrial settings. The fabric may comprise any fabric capable of being laundered in normal consumer or institutional use conditions, and the invention is suitable for cellulosic substrates and in some aspects also suitable for synthetic textiles such as polyester and nylon and for treatment of mixed fabrics and/or fibers comprising synthetic and cellulosic fabrics and/or fibers. As examples of synthetic fabrics are polyester, nylon, these may be present in mixtures with cellulosic fibers, for example, polycotton fabrics.

The solution typically has a pH of from 7 to 11 , more usually 8 to 10.5. The compositions are typically employed at concentrations from 500 ppm to 5,000 ppm in solution. The water temperatures typically range from about 5°C to about 90°C. The water to fabric ratio is typically from about 1 :1 to about 30:1.

[0085] The following examples further illustrate the subject matter described above but, of course, should not be construed as in any way limiting the scope thereof. EXAMPLE 1

[0086] The following example demonstrates the production of several optical brightener compositions according to the invention as well as several alternative optical brightener compositions. The example also provides data showing the stability of those compositions over time.

[0087] Several 10 gram samples were made by combining approximately 35 wt.% of a diaminostilbene optical brightener, specifically Fluorescent Brightener 28 (CAS No. 4193-55-9) (“FB28”), and a solvent system comprising an alkyl ester of an organic acid and a polyol. The amount of FB28 as well as the identity and amount of the alkyl ester of an organic acid and polyol used in making each sample is set forth in Table 1 below.

[0088] Each sample was prepared by combining the specified amount of the components and mixing for approximately 5 minutes using a FlackTek Speed Mixer DAC 400.1 FVZ running at 1 ,500 rpm. The samples were then stored and aged at ambient, indoor conditions. Each sample was then pulled for visual inspection at 90 days after mixing. Samples that remained a flowable liquid and showed no visual signs of crystallization of FB28 were given a “Pass” grade, and samples that were no longer flowable liquids and/or showed visual signs of crystallization of FB28 were given a “Fail” grade. The results of this grading are shown in Table 1 below.

Table 1 . Composition and stability grading of various 35 wt.% optical brightener compositions.

[0089] As can be seen from the data above, the present invention provides numerous options for high-activity optical brightener compositions. These data can 1 further be used to spot trends in the behavior and characteristics of the optical brightener compositions. For example, none of the compositions made with 1 ,5- pentanediol or 1 ,6-hexanediol remained passed the stability test after 90 days ageing. This is believed to be due to the relatively long run of aliphatic carboncarbon bonds separating the two hydroxy groups, which diminishes the compound’s ability to solubilize the diaminostilbene optical brightener. One stable composition was made with a relatively low amount (e.g., approximately 1 wt.% of the solvent system) of hexylene glycol as the polyol. However, those compositions made with hexylene glycol that contained high amounts of hexylene glycol and/or higher alkyl esters (e.g., ethyl or propyl esters of the organic acid) were not stable after ageing. Generally, the optical brightener compositions made with lower molecular weight polyols (e.g., ethylene glycol, 1 ,2-propanediol, and 1 ,3-propanediol) exhibited greater stability than those made with higher molecular weight polyols. However, based on observations made, it is believed those optical brightener compositions made with the preferred class of polyol given failing grades at 90 days could be easily rendered a flowable liquid with heating to a temperature of 60 °C or less. As noted above, the preferred class of polyols have a structure in which adjacent hydroxy groups and/or ether groups of the polyol are separated by no more than four (4) carbon atoms.

EXAMPLE 2

[0090] The following example demonstrates the production of several optical brightener compositions according to the invention as well as several alternative optical brightener compositions. The example also provides data showing the stability of those compositions over time.

[0091] Several 10 gram samples were made by combining approximately 45 wt.% of a diaminostilbene optical brightener, specifically Fluorescent Brightener 28 (CAS No. 4193-55-9) (“FB28”), and a solvent system comprising an alkyl ester of an organic acid and a polyol. The amount of FB28 as well as the identity and amount of the alkyl ester of an organic acid and polyol used in making each sample is set forth in Table 2 below. The samples were mixed and graded in the manner described in Example 1 . The results of the grading are set forth in Table 2 below.

Table 2. Composition and stability grading of various 45 wt.% optical brightener compositions.

[0092] As can be seen from the data in Table 2, the higher concentration of the diaminostilbene optical brightener in these compositions made it more difficult to produce compositions that remained stable after 90 days ageing. However, successful compositions were made, and some trends can still be observed from these data. First, as with Example 1 , no stable composition could be produced using 1 ,5-pentanediol or 1 ,6-pentanediol. Second, the optical brightener compositions made with lower molecular weight polyols (e.g., ethylene glycol, 1 ,2-propanediol, and 1 ,3-propanediol) generally exhibited greater stability than those made with higher molecular weight polyols. However, based on observations made, it is believed those optical brightener compositions made with the preferred class of polyol given failing grades at 90 days could be easily rendered a flowable liquid with heating to a temperature of 60 °C or less. As noted above, the preferred class of polyols have a structure in which adjacent hydroxy groups and/or ether groups of the polyol are separated by no more than four (4) carbon atoms.

[0093] All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. [0094] The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the subject matter of this application (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open- ended terms (i.e. , meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the subject matter of the application and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the subject matter unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the subject matter described herein.

[0095] Preferred embodiments of the subject matter of this application are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the claimed subject matter. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the subject matter described herein to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the abovedescribed elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the present disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1 . An optical brightener composition comprising:

(a) about 20 wt.% to about 60 wt.% of a diaminostilbene optical brightener; and

(b) about 40 wt.% to about 80 wt.% of a solvent system, the solvent system comprising:

(i) an alkyl ester of an organic acid, wherein the organic acid comprises at least one carboxyl group and at least one hydroxy group; and

(ii) a polyol selected from the group consisting of alkanediols, alkanediol oligomers, alkanetriols, and mixtures thereof, wherein (i) the longest run of aliphatic carbon-carbon bonds separating adjacent hydroxy groups in the polyol is four or fewer carbon atoms in length or (ii) the longest run of aliphatic carbon-carbon bonds separating an ether group and an adjacent hydroxy group in the polyol is four or fewer carbon atoms in length.

2. The optical brightener composition of claim 1 , wherein composition comprises about 35 wt.% to about 45 wt.% of a diaminostilbene optical brightener.

3. The optical brightener composition of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the diaminostilbene optical brightener is a compound of Formula (XX) below

4. The optical brightener composition of any of claims 1 -3, wherein the organic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid.

5. The optical brightener composition of claim 4, wherein the alpha hydroxy acid is selected from the group consisting of glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, citric acid, and mixtures thereof.

6. The optical brightener composition of any of claims 1 -5, wherein the alkyl ester of an organic acid comprises at least one C1-C4 alkyl group.

7. The optical brightener composition of claim 6, wherein the alkyl ester of an organic acid is selected from the group consisting of methyl glycolate, ethyl glycolate, n-propyl glycolate, isopropyl glycolate, methyl lactate, ethyl lactate, propyl lactate, isopropyl lactate, diethyl malate, triethyl citrate, and mixtures thereof.

8. The optical brightener composition of any of claims 1 -7, wherein the polyol is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1 ,2-propanediol,

1 ,3-propanediol, 1 ,3-butanediol, 1 ,4-butanediol, hexylene glycol, glycerol, diethylene glycol, and mixtures thereof.

9. The optical brightener composition of claim 8, wherein the polyol is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1 ,2-propanediol,

1 ,3-propanediol, 1 ,3-butanediol, glycerol, diethylene glycol, and mixtures thereof.

10. The optical brightener composition of any of claims 1 -3, wherein the polyol is 1 ,3-butanediol, and the alkyl ester of an organic acid is selected from the group consisting of methyl lactate, diethyl malate, triethyl citrate, and mixtures thereof.

11 . The optical brightener composition of any of claims 1 -3, wherein the alkyl ester of an organic acid is triethyl citrate, and the polyol is 1 ,3-butanediol.

12. The optical brightener composition of any of claims 1-3, wherein the alkyl ester of an organic acid is diethyl malate, and the polyol is 1 ,3-butanediol.

13. The optical brightener composition of any of claims 1 -3, wherein the alkyl ester of an organic acid is methyl lactate, and the polyol is 1 ,3-butanediol.

14. The optical brightener composition of any of claims 1 -3, wherein the alkyl ester of an organic acid is methyl lactate, and the polyol is hexylene glycol.

15. The optical brightener composition of any of claims 1 -3, wherein the alkyl ester of an organic acid is triethyl citrate, and the polyol is 1 ,2-propanediol.

16. The optical brightener composition of any of claims 1 -3, wherein the alkyl ester of an organic acid is diethyl malate, and the polyol is 1 ,2-propanediol.

17. The optical brightener composition of any of claims 1 -3, wherein the alkyl ester of an organic acid is ethyl lactate, and the polyol is 1 ,2-propanediol.

18. A laundry care composition comprising (i) a laundry care ingredient and (ii) the optical brightener composition of any of claims 1 -17.

19. The laundry care composition of claim 18, wherein the laundry care ingredient is a surfactant.