Methods for modifying cellulosic polymers in ionic liquids

Abstract

Sulfation or sulfonation of cellulose and cellulose ethers is conducted in an ionic liquid such as a quaternary ammonium salt. Detergent compositions containing the sulfated or sulfonated reaction product are suitable for fabric cleansing.

Description

Claims

1. A method for preparing a modified, cellulose-based biopolymer, comprising reacting a sulfation or sulfonation agent, or mixture thereof, with a cellulose or cellulose ether biopolymer, or mixture thereof, in a reaction medium comprising an ionic liquid.

2. A method according to claim 1, comprising: (a) at least partially dissolving said biopolymer in an ionic liquid;(b) adding a sulfation or sulfonation agent to said biolpolymer and converting the biopolymer into a sulfated or sulfonated biopolymer.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the sulfation or sulfonation agent is selected from the group consisting of chlorosulfonic acid, SO3.pyridine complex, sulfuric acid, sulfamic acid, SO3, and mixtures thereof.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the cellulose ether is selected from the group consisting of a nonionic cellulose ether, a cationic cellulose ether, an anionic cellulose ether, and combinations thereof.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the ionic liquid comprises a cationic component including a heteroatom having substituents such that the heteroatom is a cationic center, said cationic component being selected from the group consisting of components having the following formulae:

6. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of adding a recovery solvent and separating the modified biopolymer.

7. The method according to claim 6 wherein the recovery solvent is selected from the group consisting of water, C1-C6 alcohols, C2-C6 ethers, acetone, and mixtures thereof.

8. The method according to claim 7 further comprising the step of recycling the ionic liquid for re-use.

9. A sulfated or sulfonated cellulose-based biopolymer produced by the method according to claim 1.

10. A fabric care composition, comprising at least one sulfated or sulfonated biopolymer produced according to the method of claim 1, and at least one additional fabric care component.

11. The fabric care composition of claim 10, wherein the fabric care component is selected from the group consisting of perfumes, dyes, dye fixative agents, sizings, skin conditioning actives, vitamins, enzymes, surfactants, antimicrobial agents, builders, chelants, bleaches, bleach catalysts, bleaching boosters, bleach activators, softeners, suds suppressants, radical initiators, ultraviolet protection agents, wrinkle resistant agents, fire retardants, brighteners, and mixtures thereof.