Intimate admixtures of salts of 2,2'-oxydisuccinate (ODS) with selected glycolipid based surfactants to improve the flow and handling characteristics of the (ODS) salt

Abstract

A process for improving the flowability of compositions containing ODS is disclosed which includes employing the salt of ODS in intimate admixture with a nonionic glycolipid surfactant as the major ODS containing constituent of the composition.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to the preparation and use of intimate admixtures of saccharide or glycolipid surfactants with selected salts of 2,2'-oxydisuccinic acid (ODS) to improve the flow characteristics of the ODS salt, so the ODS can be more easily used in detergent formulations. 2,2'-oxydisuccinic acid salts, when used in detergent formulations, are effective sequestering agents and are thus useful as builders in household, institutional and industrial detergent compositions. Many of the salt forms are, however, highly hygroscopic and cake and become very difficult to handle.

2. Related Art

Preparation of ODS salts is well known and U.S. Pat. No. 3,128,287 to Berg, U.S. Pat. No. 3,635,830 to Lamberti et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,907 to MacBrair et al. all disclose methods of preparing ODS as well as compositions which use ODS.

Copending patent application U.S. Ser. No. 08/198,401 to Gutierrez et al. also discloses an improved method for obtaining ODS salts and U.S. Ser. No. 08/339,374 based on 93-R331 -EDG, Gutierrez et al., now abandoned, discloses a method for reducing the hygroscopicity of ODS salts by preparation of the monosodium salt.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,568 to Shaw et al. recognizes that selected ODS salts are hygroscopic and attempts to solve the problem by an aqueous zeolite/ODS coagglomeration process which is said to result in a non-hygroscopic formulation. The amount of zeolite employed is very high and takes up space in the formulation.

The use of intimate admixtures containing hygroscopic ODS salts and selected saccharide or glycolipid surfactants which improve the handling characteristics of ODS salts when used with detergent compositions is thus seen to be desirable. As mentioned above, there have been different approaches to the problem of employing ODS salts with detergent formulations to reduce their hygroscopicity. However, none of these approaches has been completely satisfactory.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an intimate admixture of selected saccharide or glycolipid surfactants with an ODS salt to improve the handling characteristics of the ODS salt, for use in detergent compositions.

This and other objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The attainment of the above objects is made possible by this invention which includes the preparation of an intimate admixture of specified long chain alkyl, mono- or disaccharide glycolipid surfactants with an ODS salt to result in a free flowing powder and the use of this admixture in detergent compositions.

In general, the glycolipid surfactant must be a stable solid and employ a narrow range alkyl group of C.sub.8-18 where the average number of carbon atoms does not vary by more than 2 carbons, e.g., C.sub.14-16 or C.sub.10-12. (A broad range of alkyl such as "coco" is not as effective) in combination with a monosaccharide or a disaccharide. The group linking the alkyl with the saccharide is not important to the functionality of the glycolipid in the instant invention. Suitable linkages are well known in the art and include amides, esters, glycosidic linkages, long chain acetates, alkylidine and the like. In fact, it is likely that any hygroscopic builder will benefit from forming an intimate admixture with such glycolipid surfactants.

It has been found that intimate admixtures of selected alkyl saccharide glycolipid surfactants with hygroscopic builders such as the salts of ODS allow easy handling of the ODS because the mixture remains substantially free flowing and powdery. This is so even though the ODS salts still absorb almost the same amount of water as if they were not mixed. This is a sufficient amount of water to render them unsuitable in the absence of the alkyl saccharide. The suitable mixtures contain about 1 part ODS salt to about 1.4 to 4 parts or even more alkyl saccharide surfactant, i.e., from about 1:1.4 parts ODS salt to alkyl saccharide to about 1:30 and preferably about 1:4 parts ODS to alkyl saccharide. The alkyl saccharides that are suitable as well as methods for their preparation are well known in the art and have been fully described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,296,588 and 5,336,765 incorporated herein by reference.

Suitable glycolipids include nonionic aldonamides including mono- and disaccharide derivatives such as aldobionamides. An aldobionamide is defined as the amide of an aldobionic acid (or aldobionolactone) and an aldobionic acid in turn is defined as a sugar substance (e.g., any cyclic sugar) in which the aldehyde group (generally found at the C.sub.1 position on the sugar) has been replaced by carboxylic acid which upon drying cyclizes to an aldonolactone. Aldobionamides are based on compounds comprising two saccharide units, (e.g., lactobionamide or maltobionamide) or they may be based on compounds comprising more than two saccharide units as long as the polysaccharide has a terminal sugar unit with an aldehyde group available. Aldonamides, on the other hand, can be based on single saccharide units.

In Williams et al., Archives of Biochem. and Biophysics, 195(1 ):145-151 (1979), there are described glycolipids prepared by linking aldobionic acids to alkylamines through an amide bond.

In addition, the amide link can be reversed to form a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,254,281, for example, alkyl N-methyl glucamides are also suitable in the intimate admixtures of the invention. Alkylpolyglycosides described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,663,069 are suitable.

Disaccharide compounds such as lactobionamides or maltobionamides are suitable compounds. Other examples of aldobionamides (disaccharides) which may be used include cellobionamides, melibionamides and gentiobionamides.

A specific example of an aldobionamide which may be used for purposes of the invention is the disaccharide lactobionamide set forth below: ##STR1##

wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical (e.g., alkyl groups and monoalkene groups which groups may be C.sub.8-18 where the average number of carbon atoms does not vary by more than 2 carbon atoms except that R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 cannot be hydrogen at the same time.

Suitable aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals include saturated and mono-unsaturated radicals including but not limited to octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, allyl, undecenyl, and oleyl.

The ODS compounds of the invention are salts of ODS acid.

ODS Acid ##STR2##

Formula I

ODS acid (Formula I) or ODS salts may be prepared by methods known in the art. Such methods are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,128,287 to Berg and U.S. Pat. No. 3,635,830 to Lamberti et al. discussed above and incorporated herein by reference. As noted, the 3,635,830 patent also discloses detergent compositions containing ODS or salts thereof.

In general, the salts are prepared by a simple acid-base reaction between the ODS acid of Formula I and the desired aqueous solution of alkali metal hydroxide in the appropriate molar ratio. The reaction mixture is heated and agitated to effect reaction. The sample solutions are then either freeze dried overnight or evaporated to dryness on a roto evaporator under vacuum to obtain the appropriate salt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention, which improves the flowability of normally hygroscopic ODS builder salts is an intimate admixture of

(a) an ODS salt selected from the group consisting of tetraalkali metal, tri-alkali metal and di-alkali metal salts of ODS; and

(b) a nonionic glycolipid selected from the group consisting of aldonamides, polyhydroxy fatty acid amides and polyhydroxy fatty acid esters. Aldonamides include alkyl lactobionamides, alkyl maltobionamides. Polyhydroxy fatty acid amides include alkyl N-methyl glucamides. Polyhydroxy fatty acid esters include alkyl glucoside fatty acid ester such as methyl glucoside monolaurate. The mixture is then incorporated into a detergent composition so that the major portion of the builder present in the detergent composition is the ODS salt from the admixture. A detergent composition containing the major portion of its ODS as the salt with improved flowability is also contemplated as is a method for improving the handling characteristics of ODS by intimately admixing it with selected glycolipids.

The selected ODS salt can be used as a builder in its water-soluble salt form in a wide variety of detergent or laundry additive compositions.

Detergent compositions incorporating the mixture of this invention contain as essential components from about 0.5% to about 98% of a surfactant and from about 2% to about 99.5% of the selected mixture which contributes as a detergency builder and as a surfactant. Additional non-glycolipid surfactants that are useful in the present invention are the anionic (soap and nonsoap), non-glycolipid nonionic, zwitterionic and ampholytic compounds. The chemical nature of these additional detergent compounds aside from their being non-glycolipid to distinguish them from the surfactants of the intimate admixture is not an essential feature of the present invention. Moreover, such detergent compounds are well known to those skilled in the detergent art and the patent and printed literature are replete with disclosures of such compounds. Typical of such literature is "Surface Active Agents" by Schwartz, Perry and Berch, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. The ODS builder can be used either as the sole builder or where desired can be used in conjunction with other well-known builders, examples of which include water-soluble salts of phosphates, pyrophosphates, orthophosphates, polyphosphates, phosphonates, carbonates, polyhydroxy-sulfonates, polyacetates, carboxylates, polycarboxylates, succinates, zeolites and the like.

In the detergent composition, in addition to the surfactant and builder there may be optionally present additional ingredients which enhance the performance of the detergent composition. Typical examples thereof include the well known soil suspending agents, hydrotropes, corrosion inhibitors, dyes, perfumes fillers, optical brighteners, enzymes, suds boosters, suds depressants, germicides, anti-tarnishing agents, cationic detergents, softeners, buffers and the like.

The detergent compositions of the present invention may be in any of the usual physical forms for such compositions, such as powders, beads, flakes, bars, tablets, noodles, liquids, pastes and the like, powders are, however, preferred. The detergent compositions are prepared and utilized in the conventional manner. The wash solutions thereof desirably have a pH from about 7 to about 12, preferably from about 9 to about 11. In this manner, alkalinity from sodium or other cations is available to convert the salts into a form which will readily sequester undesirable cations such as magnesium and calcium.

The following examples are designed to illustrate, but not to limit, the practice of the instant invention. All percentages and parts herein are by weight unless indicated otherwise. All ratios herein are weight ratios unless indicated otherwise.

EXAMPLE 1

Tetrasodium oxydisuccinate (Na.sub.4 ODS) and disodium oxydisuccinate (Na.sub.2 ODS), obtained by the wellknown Michael addition of calcium maleate to malate, were prepared, purified and dried. These salts were in turn dry blended to form intimate admixtures in 50 ml crystallizing dishes, with either lauryl N-methyl glucamide, tetradecyl lactobionamide, cocobionamide, C.sub.14 maltobionamide or methyl glucoside monolaurate in varying ratios builder:surfactant and stored at 25.degree. C. 65% relative humidity (R.H.) for variable periods of time. Glucose, sorbitol and mixtures of these carbohydrates were also investigated to determine the effect of the hydrophilic sugar group without the alkyl chain. Table 1 shows the results of this study.

Samples of ODS were either stored as is or mixed with sugar surfactant or monosaccharide in a 50 ml crystallizing dish of 50 cm.times.35 cm size at a relative humidity of 65% (saturated sodium nitrite solution) at 25.degree. C. Samples were removed periodically, weighed and returned to the chamber. Percent water uptake was based on the amount of builder present:

% uptake=g of water absorbed/g of builder When only the monosaccharides or just the sugar surfactants were present, the percent uptake was based on the saccharide, i.e., % uptake=g of water/g of saccharide TABLE 1______________________________________ NO. % DAYS % WATER PROPERTY______________________________________Na.sub.4 ODS 4 59 liquidTetradecyl 8 0 solidLactobionamide(C.sub.14 -LBM)C.sub.14 Maltobionamide 4 1 solid(C.sub.14 -MBM)Cocolactobionamide 8 9 solid(Coco-LBM)Methyl Glucoside 8 0 flowable solidMonolaurate(MGC.sub.12)Lauryl N-methyl 8 0 solidGlucamide(C.sub.12 -NMG)Glucose (comparative) 2 0 solidSorbitol (comparative) 2 1.4 solidNa.sub.4 ODS/C.sub.14 -LBM 1:2 8 64 flowable solidNa.sub.4 ODS/C.sub.14 -MBM 1:2 8 55 flowable solidNa.sub.4 ODS/Coco-LBM 8 62 flowable sticky solid1:2Na.sub.4 ODS/C.sub.12 -NMG 1:2 6 58 flowable solidNa.sub.4 ODS/C.sub.12 -NMG 1:1 6 58 very sticky solidNa.sub.4 ODS/C.sub.12 -NMG 6 51 very sticky solid1:0.5Na.sub.4 ODS/MGC.sub.12 1:2 8 52 slightly sticky solid______________________________________

The sugar surfactants and monosaccharides are relatively non-hygroscopic in their uptake of water. Na.sub.4 ODS absorbs 59% water. In the presence of sugar surfactants, this builder absorbs similar amounts of water, however, the mixtures retain the free flowing nature of the pure surfactant. Cocolactobionamide, however, being a mixture of several chain lengths, and having a slightly higher water absorption on its own, forms sticky, solid mixtures on exposure to high humidity.

The above data suggests that it is possible for water to structure itself between the builder and the polar sugar head group of the surfactant while little, if any, resides between the hydrophobic long chain groups (hydrophobic-hydrophilic (HpHp) interactions). Even though the amount of water absorbed by the mixture of surfactant and builder is equivalent to that of pure builder, very little liquefaction occurs. This phenomena may be due to the combined effects of both hydrogen bonding and HpHp interactions as stated above.

A mixture of builder and monosaccharide, on the other hand, would only interact via hydrogen bonding (absence of HpHp interaction) and can, therefore, liquify on exposure to high humidity. Mixtures of different alkyl chain lengths, as for example in coco, appear to differ in HpHp, giving mixtures having a sticky feel.

EXAMPLE 2

A powdered detergent composition having the following composition is prepared.

______________________________________INGREDIENTS %______________________________________Admixture of 1:2 tetrasodium 2,2'-oxydisuccinate 36and C.sub.14 lactobionamideZeolite 4A 14.0C.sub.8-14 alkylbenzene sulfonate 12.0Tallow alcohol sulfate 6.0Optical brightener 0.1Sodium carbonate 16.0Sodium silicate 1.4 ratio Na.sub.2 O:SiO.sub.2 2.5Enzymes 1.4Balance Water to 100______________________________________

It is expected that the mixture added to the detergent will have good flow properties over a composition containing just the tetrasodium salt of ODS.

It is understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modification or changes in the light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application and the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for improving the flowability of flowable granular compositions containing oxydisuccinic acid (ODS) comprising:

preparing an intimate admixture consisting essentially of of an alkali metal salt of said ODS with a glycolipid surfactant selected from the group consisting of alkyl maltobionamides, having the structure set forth below: ##STR3## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different and when different, differ by no more than 2 carbon atoms and are an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical of 8 to 18 carbon atoms;

alkyl lactobionamides of the structure set forth below; ##STR4## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different and when different, differ by no more than 2 carbon atoms and are an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical of 8 to 18 carbon atoms;

and an alkyl N-methyl glucamides having an alkyl group of 8 to 18 carbon atoms; in a ratio of said ODS to said glycolipid of 1:1.4 to 1:4.

2. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said glycolipid is selected from the group consisting of tetradecyl lactobionamide, tetradecyl maltobionamide, lauryl N-methyl glucamide, methyl glucoside monolaurate and mixtures thereof.

3. A composition prepared by the method of claim 1.

4. A detergent composition comprising about 0.5 to 98% of a nonglycolipid surfactant and about 2% to about 99.5% of an intimate flowable granular admixture consisting essentially of an alkali metal salt of oxydisuccinic acid (ODS) and a glycolipid surfactant selected from the group consisting of alkyl substituted maltobionamide having the structure set forth below: ##STR5## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different and where different, differ by no more than 2 carbon atoms and are an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical of 8 to 18 carbon atoms;

an alkyl substituted lactobionamide having the structure set forth below: ##STR6## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different and when different, differ by no more than 2 carbon atoms and are an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical of 8 to 18 carbon atoms;

and an alkyl N-methyl glucamides having an alkyl group of 8 to 18 carbon atoms; in a ratio of said ODS to said glycolipid of 1:1.4 to 1:4.

5. A composition as defined in claim 4 wherein said glycolipid is selected from the group consisting of tetradecyl lactobionamide, tetradecyl maltobionamide, lauryl N-methyl glucamide, methyl glucoside monolaurate and mixtures thereof.