Granular N-alkyl ammonium acetonitrile compositions
Reference Number: N 03-02A
Inventors: Blondeau, Sarah P.; Huestis, Susan P.; Jaszenovics, Agnes; Piche, Gregory M.; Sandoval, David C.; Sibert, William P.
Owner: NISTAC
USPTO Link:6183665
Invention Summary
In one aspect of the present invention, nitrites are provided in substantially solid
form having the structure of Formula I ##STR3##
wherein A is a saturated ring formed by five atoms in addition to the N.sub.1 atom,
the five saturated ring atoms being four carbon atoms and a heteroatom, the substituent
R.sub.1 bound to the N.sub.1 atom of the Formula I structure including either (a)
a C.sub.1-24 alkyl or alkoxylated alkyl where the alkoxy is C.sub.2-4, (b) a C.sub.4-24
cycloalkyl, (c) a C.sub.7-24 alkaryl, (d) a repeating or nonrepeating alkoxy or alkoxylated
alcohol, where the alkoxy unit is C.sub.2-4, or (e) --CR.sub.2 R.sub.3 C.tbd.N where
R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are each H, a C.sub.1-24 alkyl, cycloalkyl, or alkaryl, or a repeating
or nonrepeating alkoxyl or alkoxylated alcohol where the alkoxy unit is C.sub.2-4.
The Formula I compounds have a quaternary nitrogen atom (N.sub.1), requiring the
presence of at least one counterion (Y) to be associated therewith, which is illustrated
in Formula I as "Y.sup.-, " but as understood can be monovalent, or multivalent. Y
includes counterions, or organic and inorganic anions, such as chloride, bromide,
nitrate, alkyl sulfate, bisulfate, sulfate, tosylate, and mesylate. Especially preferred
are methyl sulfate, sulfate, bisulfate, tosylate, and mixtures thereof. Z will be
in the range of 0 to 10. These compounds, or salts, are particularly well suited to
granule bleaching and cleaning compositions.
The nitrites with the Formula I structure are particularly useful when formulated
as compositions that include a source of active oxygen, and these compositions provide
excellent bleaching in alkaline solutions.
Preferred embodiments include lower alkyls substituted at the N.sub.1, e.g. N-methyl
morpholinium acetonitrile, N-ethyl morpholinium acetonitrile, N-butyl morpholinium
acetonitrile, which are illustrated by Formula II (with "n" preferably being 0 to
24 and where "Y" is one of the above described counterions). ##STR4##
A particularly preferred embodiment is an N-methyl morpholinium acetonitrile salt
where "n" of Formula II is 0. Preferred embodiments are in granule form such that
the nitrites are stabilized and protected even when formulated or admixed with ether
components. Especially preferred are granules produced when the nitrile salts are
in liquid or semi-liquid form (that is, as a "melt" or in suspension or solution)
and combined with siliceous solids. These particular types of granules have a high
content of the nitrile actives.
Compositions including these nitriles are useful, for example, in laundry products,
such as bleaching additives, detergents, detergent boosters, detergents with bleach,
bleaches, bleaching aids, stain removers, and spot treatment products such as stain
removers, prewash and presoak laundry aids. Among the advantages derived from such
compositions are improved cleaning, stain removal, spot removal, whitening, and brightening
of treated articles.