Peroxyacid and a process for the preparation of peroxyacids

Abstract: 6,6'-terephthal-di(amidoperoxyhexanoic) acid is a new peroxyacid compound. It can be prepared by peroxidation of 6,6'-terephthal-di(amidohexanoic) acid. Conveniently, the peroxidation is achieved employing a solution of 6,6'-terephthal-di(amidohexanoic) acid in sulphuric acid solution reacted with a solution of Caro's acid, the concentration of sulphuric acid in the reaction mixture being chosen such that the 6,6'-terephthal-di(amidoperoxyhexanoic) acid is insoluble in the reaction mixture, but that the 6,6'-terephthal-di(amidohexanoic) acid is soluble therein.

Description: The present invention relates to a novel peroxyacid as well as to a process for the preparation of peroxyacids. The detergents industry constantly seeks to improve the cleansing performance of its compositions, and in a effort to do so under low temperature washing conditions has investigated the incorporation of quite small amounts of peroxyacids. Most of the peroxyacids contemplated have been organic peroxycarboxylic acid compounds containing at least 7 carbon atoms and many of them have exhibited poor solubility in aqueous media, a feature usually shared with the corresponding carboxylic acid from which they are or could be derived. There have been many different processes proposed for the manufacture of organic peroxyacids, including the poorly soluble ones. A number have used sulphuric acid as a main constituent of the reaction mixture. Parker et al in JACS 77:4037-41 and/or JACS 79:1929-32 suggested the drop-wise addition of concentrated hydrogen peroxide to a sulphuric acid solution of a long chain aliphatic mono or dicarboxylic acid. Hutchins, in USP 4 119 660, discloses in column 1 that there are a number of problems with the Parker process, such as rate of peracid formation and/or small particle size of peracid product and accordingly, he suggests an alternative procedure in which the hydrogen peroxide and sulphuric acid reagents are premixed, and the solid carboxylic acid is subsequently introduced therein. Hutchins asserts that the acidity of his reaction mixture is of crucial importance, being at least 69% sulphuric acid in order to attain an unexpected decrease in reaction time, compared even with an acidity of 66.5%. Virtually the same procedure had been proposed nearly 20 years earlier by Krimm in USP 2 813 896, the difference being that the exemplified amounts of sulphuric acid were numerically lower than the range identified by Hutchins. Camden in USP 4 233 235 discloses a continuous process for making similar long chain aliphatic peroxyacids and asserts in column 4 that batch processes, presumably for the same products, exhibit more safety problems and produce smaller crystals. In his process, he employs balanced continuous addition of reagents to and continuous withdrawal of product a constant residence time of his reagents in the reaction mixture. Bettle in USP 4 314 949 discloses that in a preferred method of making aliphatic percarboxylic acids, particulate carboxylic acid is added to a peroxide/sulphuric acid mixture. Hutchins in a second patent, USP 4 244 884, discloses a variation to the Camden continuous process, in which he recycles mother liquor separated from the product. It will be observed that in column 3, he asserts that the carboxylic acid added to the reaction mixture typically precipitates in situ, so that most of it is in the solid form. He also indicates that the inherent reaction between carboxylic acids and hydrogen peroxide can present safety problems, since it can become uncontrollable if it is not carefully controlled. Peroxyacids are often needed in smaller quantities than justify the capital outlay inherent in a continuously operated process. Consequently, it would be desirable to devise a batch process variation that can be readily carried out so as to avoid the formation of hazardous compositions during the entire process. In the course of investigations which have lead to the instant invention, the inventors have found that there are a number of different factors which must be balanced in order to retain a viable and safe process. A wide range of compositions containing relatively high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and organic material, such as carboxylic acids are conventionally viewed as hazardous on account of their tendency to decompose spontaneously. Thus, too much hydrogen peroxide in solution causes safety problems. Since the solubility of the carboxylic acid is usually rather low, it means that peroxide concentration must be kept low by increase in the water and/or sulphuric acid contents. In that context, the water content of the reaction mixture needs to be kept low because it has been demonstrated by Hutchins in obtaining USP 4 119 660 that the sulphuric acid content of the reaction is of very considerable importance in achieving a fast rate of reaction and formation of a high molecular weight peroxyacid. This may be a way of saying that the reaction equation demonstrates the value of having very little water present, since the extent of formation of percarboxylic acid is the equilibrium mixture in the liquid phase is clearly affected directly by residual water content. RCO 2 H + H 2 O 2 = RCO 3 H + H 2 O However, to set against the foregoing, the inventors have also found that the solubility of the product is very dependent upon the acidity of the reaction mixture, and increases very markedly as the acidity increases. The inventors have further correlated such a finding with two other observations. Both the proportionate recovery of the product, an important factor in a batch process, and also the inherent degree of safety of operation of the process vary inversely to the acidity of the aqueous phase. Peracids containing a single amido group have been disclosed by Burns in USP4634551. Although his disclosure read on to both aliphatic and aromatic monoamidoperacids, Burns disclosed the manufacture and isolation of solely aliphatic monoamidoperacids. In Example IX, Burns employed a precursor to generate in solution, but did not isolate, benzoyl amidoperhexanoic acid - C 6 H 5 -CO-NH-(CH 2 ) 5 -CO 3 H. Subsequent investigation has shown that it could be isolated, but decomposed quickly in storage, losing 63 % of its active oxygen (Avox) within 1 week stored in the dark at 32°C in a glass phial. This result is disclosed in USP 5098598, which has been published on March 24, 1992, but enjoys a priority date of December 24, 1988, i.e. before the priority of the present application. According to the present invention, there is provided as a new compound, 6,6'-terephthal-di(amidoperoxyhexanoic) acid. The peroxyacid according to the present invention, can be obtained by reaction between the corresponding carboxylic acid, 6,6'-terephthal-di(amidohexanoic) acid, and the peroxidising species, ie hydrogen peroxide or H 2 SO 5 . Preferably, the peroxyacid is obtained without the carboxylic acid passing out of solution. This makes the process simpler and safer to control because it avoids the variable of the carboxylic acid being present as a separate phase from the aqueous phase in which the desired reaction takes place. Under certain conditions, the resultant peroxyacid has been found to enjoy lower solubility than the carboxylic acid from which it has been formed in the prevailing aqueous composition, and consequently precipitates out of solution as it is formed. Conveniently, the peroxyacid according to the present invention can be prepared by a process employing the following process steps: 1. In step 1, the carboxylic acid is dissolved in concentrated aqueous sulphuric acid that contains no more than 25% w/w of water; 2. In step 2, an equilibrium mixture of Caro's acid is made by mixing i) hydrogen peroxide, ii) sulphuric acid and iii) water said mixture containing from 5 to 30% hydrogen peroxide, a complementary amount of sulphuric acid such that, in conjunction with the amount of sulphuric acid present in the carboxylic acid solution of step 1, the concentration of sulphuric acid in the reaction mixture at the end of step 3 is as defined therein, and the balance water, with agitation and cooling to below 50°C, the A value, being the weight ratio of sulphuric acid to the total of water plus sulphuric acid in a composition, for the Caro's acid solution (A2) being not greater than the A value of the carboxylic acid solution produced in step 1 (A1) or lower; 3. In step 3, a reaction mixture is formed by introducing the product of step 1 with agitation into a body of Caro's acid formed in step 2 and is maintained at a temperature in the range of from 0 to 50°C, the rate of introduction being controlled such that the carboxylic acid remains entirely in solution before it reacts with hydrogen peroxide or permonosulphuric acid and the introduction is stopped no later than when the composition of the aqueous phase has reached a point selected within the ranges for i), ii) and iii) of 3 to 15% hydrogen peroxide, 55 to 80% sulphuric acid, and the balance being at least 10% water, with the consequence that the A value of the aqueous phase of the reaction mixture in step 3 remains constant or increases as the carboxylic acid solution is introduced therein; 4. Solid peroxyacid product produced during step 3 is separated from aqueous phase and retained as product. Herein, for the purpose of determining how much of each of sulphuric acid, water and hydrogen peroxide is present in a composition, for example the Caro's acid solution, the figures given represent the respective amounts of the three components that would be present if the equilibration reaction did not take place. Thus, for example, the figure for sulphuric acid includes the proportion which in fact has been converted to peroxymonosulphuric acid as well as the proportion which remained unconverted, and similarly the figure for hydrogen peroxide includes the proportion which was also converted to peroxymonosulphuric acid. As a result of so controlling the nature of the carboxylic acid feedstock, in conjunction with the composition of the Caro's acid phase, the peroxyacid can be prepared by a process which needs only a comparatively low sulphuric acid content during at least a major proportion of the reaction time than has previously been suggested for a directly comparable batch process. The manner of addition of the carboxylic acid solution to the Caro's acid solution and the composition of the two reactants means that any change in the composition of the aqueous phase in the reaction is constantly towards instead of through hazardous compositions. Accordingly, the process can be easily halted, and indeed the process sequence is so designed that reagent addition terminates before a hazardous composition region is reached. Also, the manner of introduction of the carboxylic acid means that the total amount of dissolved organic compounds is kept at very low levels in the reaction mixture throughout the process when peroxidising species are present. This again acts as a feature promoting safe operation of the process. Advantageously, the use of such a process also avoids the method of Parker et al which comprised the introduction of hydrogen peroxide solution into a carboxylic acid/sulphuric acid. The Parker method not only produces the rather small crystals according to its critic, Hutchins, but suffers far more seriously from the fact that the composition of the aqueous sulphuric acid phase inevitably passes into a region of extreme hazard in or around about 85/90% sulphuric acid content as a result of gradual addition of the hydrogen peroxide solution. It also maximises the amount of organic material that is present in the aqueous phase when a peroxidising species is present, which decreases safety during the operation of the process. Whilst Parker's method can just be contemplated on a laboratory scale behind suitably protective screens, it is absolutely impractical for commercial plant operation. Accordingly, it will be recognised that the use of such a process combines the advantages of operating with a preformed Caro's acid solution with the advantages of employing the carboxylic acid in a liquid form. It will be recognised that there are a number of variables under the control of the process operator. These include, in particular, the composition of the carboxylic acid solution, the composition of the Caro's acid solution, the overall weight ratio of the two solutions employed and the temperature of the reaction mixture in step 3. Sulphuric acid concentrations that it is practical to employ in step 1 are as low as around 80%, such as from 80 to 85%, although sulphuric acid concentrations of at least 90% such as at least 95% w/w can be employed. The solutions can be made in step 1 readily by mixing the two components at a suitable temperature to promote the dissolution process, and preferably under enclosed conditions so as to prevent or minimise the loss or particles of carboxylic acid into the atmosphere. Either ambient or elevated temperature solutions can be produced, preferably not exceeding 60°C. It is particularly convenient for the solution after it has been made to have a temperature that does not exceed the temperature adopted in step 3, although to accelerate dissolution of the carboxylic acid, the sulphuric acid solvent may be heated during the dissolution and subsequently cooled or allowed to cool to the desired temperature for its introduction into the reaction mixture. It will be seen that the technique enables the process operator to avoid the use of finely ground solid particles advocated by Bettle in his above-identified US patent specification, and thereby avoids the dust and hazard implications of Bettle's process. It will be further recognised that such beneficial conditions would be significantly more risky if the dissolution were to take place in the presence of peroxidising species. The composition of the Caro's acid solution made in step 2 is decided in conjunction with the composition of the sulphuric acid solvent for the carboxylic acid so that the total amount of sulphuric acid provided by both compositions is appropriate for the selected conditions in step 3. Where the one composition provides a relatively high amount of sulphuric acid, then the other composition tends to provide a correspondingly low amount of sulphuric acid. One other and implicit factor taken into account when determining the actual concentration of sulphuric acid in the Caro's acid to provide the complementary amount is the overall volume of liquor in the reaction mixture at the end of introduction of the carboxylic acid solution in step 3 relative to the amount of percarboxylic acid solids. Where the ratio of the two is low, the concentration of sulphuric acid in the Caro's acid is also relatively low and vice versa in order to attain the same sulphuric acid concentration in the aqueous phase of the reaction mixture at the end of the introduction of the carboxylic acid solution. The resultant difference in the strength of the Caro's acid solution is naturally more pronounced when a higher strength sulphuric acid concentration is employed for dissolving the carboxylic acid. The concentration of sulphuric acid in the Caro's acid solution is normally selected in the range of 5 to 70% w/w, is often at least 35% w/w and commonly in the range 40 to 65% w/w. It is often convenient to start with a composition containing somewhat lower amounts of sulphuric acid than indicated, such as an intermediate range of from 45 to 55% w/w or even 40-45% w/w, and a correspondingly higher amount of water, for example 25 to 45% w/w, so that advantage can be taken of employing a relatively lower sulphuric acid concentration in the reaction mixture. The hydrogen peroxide content is chosen preferably within the range 10 to 20% and especially 12 to 18% w/w. Advantage can therefore be taken for the carboxylic acid to be peroxidised under conditions removed from hazardous regions. However, in yet other embodiments, it is possible to employ intermediate range strength Caro's acid solutions in conjunction with any of the carboxylic acids , provided that the total amount of sulphuric acid in the reaction mixture in step 3 is sufficiently high for the peroxycarboxylic acid to precipitate out. Such a process variation is preferably operated in conjunction with either an extended period of introduction of the carboxylic acid solution into the reaction mixture and/or an extended post-introduction or digestion phase. For use in conjunction with the more insoluble acids, the sulphuric acid concentration in the Caro's acid solution is usually at least 35% w/w. Progressively, the practical lower limit for sulphuric acid strength falls below 35% as the solubility of the carboxylic acid becomes higher. For convenience herein, reference is made from time to time to the term "A value" of an aqueous composition by which is meant the fraction obtained by dividing the sulphuric acid weight therein, S, by the sum of the weight of sulphuric acid and water therein, [S + W]. An important factor in the invention process comprises the difference in strength of the sulphuric acid solutions used in steps 1 and 2, which can be expressed as the difference in A value (ΔA) between the two reagent solutions, A1 - A2. The minimum and maximum difference in ΔA value is respectively about 0 and 0.9. During step 2, the formation of Caro's acid is strongly exothermic, and accordingly, the composition is normally cooled by the provision of a cooling jacket or coils through which a cold fluid is pumped or by passage through a cooling heat exchanger. Conveniently, the cooling is so controlled as to produce a temperature at or similar to the process temperature of step 3. It will be recognised as a benefit of the instant process that a significant proportion of the heat inherent in conducting a peroxidation in a sulphuric acid/hydrogen peroxide reaction medium can be generated and removed prior to the organic compounds being present, thereby minimising the risks of a self-accelerating decomposition procedure being set in train, inadvertently. The temperature of the reaction mixture is preferably maintained within a sub-range of the broad range particularly from 15 to 30°C. Maintenance of mixture in the preferred temperature sub-range assists in promoting an effective balance of crystal nucleation and growth of the peroxyacid, to attain a product which can be recovered more easily and a reaction mixture of reasonable viscosity. One of the important aspects of the present process resides in step 3, namely controlling the rate of introduction of the carboxylic acid solution into the body of Caro's acid solution. Qualitatively, the rate is slow and progressive, by which latter term is meant that solution is introduced as a stream or in the form of extremely small increments which for practical purposes is in essence like a stream. The rate is controlled so as to prevent the carboxylic acid precipitating out when it encounters the body of Caro's acid solution. A suitable rate can naturally be established for each starting material under the prevailing conditions by small scale tests and prior observation of the solubility profile for the starting material. The most preferred rate from the viewpoint of maximising through-put is that which is virtually bordering upon the rate at which carboxylic acid would begin to precipitate out in any significant extent. It will be recognised of course that such a rate will be dependent upon the temperature, and the composition of the aqueous phase as well as the nature of the carboxylic acid composition that is introduced. The rate of introduction of the carboxylic acid solution in step 3 may be kept constant during the entire introduction of the carboxylic acid, at its initial rate, but in a preferred variation the rate is increased as the reaction progresses. The increase tends to be least in the initial stages and accelerates towards the end of the reaction. Thus, when so operated, the rate tends to follow the change in sulphuric acid content of the aqueous phase. It will also be seen that the increase in addition rate tends to enable cooling equipment to be matched better to the plant capacity. Initially, the difference between the Caro's acid body of fluid and the carboxylic acid solution is at its greatest, so that the heat of dilution is at its greatest. Later on, when the difference in composition is smaller, so that the heat of dilution is correspondingly smaller per unit addition of carboxylic acid solution, the rate of introduction of the solution is greater so that there is a tendency to balance the two effects. This enables the process user to optimise the size of his cooling capacity. A further advantage of the manner of introduction of the carboxylic acid manifests itself in the convenient rate of nucleation and smooth deposition of peroxyacid product, thereby forming especially under preferred core operating conditions a relatively large and readily filtered crystalline product The total period for introducing the carboxylic acid solution is often selected within the range of from 30 to 200 minutes, the preferred section of the range depending upon the solubility of the carboxylic acid under the prevailing conditions, the better the solubility, the shorter the permissible introduction period. As has been referred to hereinbefore, solubility increases with both increase in sulphuric acid content and increase in temperature. To some extent, at least, a relative decrease in inherent solubility can be compensated by an increase in reaction temperature. The period of introduction is often selected in the range of from 45 to 90 minutes at a preferred reaction mixture temperature in step 3 of from 15 to 30°C. It is of course suitable to employ a slower rate of introduction of the carboxylic acid solution, such as selected in the range of 90 to 150 minutes, but at the expense of reduced through-put. From the product quality stand point, though, it is often at least as good as at the slightly faster rate of introduction. Whilst the reaction process may be terminated as soon as all the carboxylic acid feedstock has been introduced, it is preferable to allow a further period in which the reaction can progress more fully to completion and if desired to allow some digestion of the crystalline product. This is particularly desirable if ΔA is in the region of at least 0.4. A convenient post-introduction period is often up to about 150 minutes and in some instances is from 10 to 60 minutes. In other instances when ΔA was high, it can conveniently comprise 60 to 120 minutes. Thus, a convenient combined period comprises about 80 to 100 minutes at around ambient temperature reaction, though it may sometimes last from 100 to about 150 minutes. The total amount of carboxylic acid solution to be introduced per unit volume of Caro's acid solution will depend, of course, upon the actual composition of each, and especially upon the concentration of carboxylic acid in the sulphuric acid solvent. In many instances the carboxylic acid concentration will be chosen within the range of from 20 to 40% w/w, depending upon the solubility of the material and the viscosity of the resultant solution. At the lower end of the carboxylic acid concentrations, eg 20 to 25% solutions, the carboxylic acid solution : Caro's acid weight ratio will be commonly selected within the range of from 1.5:1 to 1:1.7. As the carboxylic acid concentration increases, the ratio tilts in favour of more Caro's acid, towards the ratio range of from 1:1.8 to about 1:2.5 at a carboxylic acid concentration of about 35%. The overall range span is therefore normally from 1.5:1 to 1:2.5. In many embodiments roughly half, say 40 to 60% of the total sulphuric acid is introduced as solvent for the carboxylic acid and the balance in the Caro's acid solution. In some other embodiments in which ΔA is high, the proportion of sulphuric acid in the carboxylic acid solution is rather higher, and in the range of 60 to 75%. Either way, in view of the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the Caro's acid solution preferably comprising at least 10% w/w, it means that the amount of hydrogen peroxide employed is normally significantly in excess of the stoichiometric amount. The aqueous phase of the reaction mixture normally contains a higher weight fraction and in many embodiments a substantially higher weight fraction of sulphuric acid at the end compared with the start of step 3, depending upon ΔA. Whilst it would be feasible, in those embodiments in which there is a significant increase in sulphuric acid fraction, to choose to operate by introducing the carboxylic acid solution until a predecided maximum sulphuric acid content is attained, the actual point being selected in the light of the solubility of the carboxylic acid and the percarboxylic acid, it is often more convenient to prepare in steps 1 and 2 the appropriate amounts of the two solutions so as to attain that sulphuric acid content when they are fully mixed together. The target proportions of sulphuric acid and water in the aqueous phase of the reaction mixture at the end of the reaction period are chosen normally in the light of the solubility characteristics of the carboxylic acid reactant and peroxycarboxylic product and normally within the ranges of about 55 to 80% w/w sulphuric acid and about 10 to 40% water. The final sulphuric acid content is often selected in the range of about 60 to 67% w/w in the aqueous phase and in addition, which corresponds to an A value that is often from 0.7 to 0.75, although it can fall below 60% w/w, such as from about 55 to 60% w/w and the selected final A value would accordingly be less than 0.7, such as from 0.6 to 0.7. The reaction in step 3 can be carried out in the presence of additional solids material, which in practice is normally an extra amount of the peroxyacid, such as produced in a previous batch. The amount of such additional solids is often selected in the range of from 0 to 10% w/w based upon the weight of the reaction mixture. Its presence can promote a larger average particle size for the product. The reaction can be carried out in conventional reaction vessels or tanks equipped with means to thoroughly agitate the mixture, preferably avoiding excessive shear so as to minimise fragmentation of the product crystals. The vessels and pipework should preferably be made from materials that are resistant to corrosion from aqueous sulphuric acid solutions, such as from appropriate grades of steel or be lined with a suitably resistant elastomeric lining. The particulate peroxyacid product is separated from the aqueous phase at the end of the reaction. Conventional solid/liquid separating devices can be used, including filters or centrifuges. By virtue of the way in which the product is made, we have found that it has only a low residual carboxylic acid content. Thus, in many instances, not only is the product rather pure, but a high conversion to the percarboxylic acid is achieved. The solid phase is retained as the product, and usually contains a substantial weight of aqueous phase. Since sulphuric acid impurity tends to impair the stability of peroxyacid, it is preferable to water-wash and dry the product. Alternatively, or additionally, it can be desirable to effect desensitisation of the peroxyacid before it is allowed to dry out. This can be effected by known techniques, such as the in situ partial neutralisation of the entrained sulphuric acid with a suitable alkali such as a sodium or magnesium hydroxide and/or by mixing the damp product with a desensitiser such a boric acid or sodium or magnesium sulphate that is prepared beforehand. The mother liquor contains a significant content of hydrogen peroxide/permonosulphuric acid. In order to improve the economics of the process, the mother liquor can be recycled at least in part after its composition has been adjusted to approximately that of the Caro's acid solution produced in step 2. Such adjustment is made by diluting the mother liquor with water to reduce the A value and concentrated hydrogen peroxide solution to increase the residual hydrogen peroxide level. The dilutions can be sequential or simultaneous. In practice, it is often not possible to recycle the entire volume of mother liquor because the retained amount of liquor in general and sulphuric acid in particular is too great. In such circumstances, the loss of a fraction of the mother liquor acts as a means to remove byproducts from the reaction, and in particular degradation products of the carboxylic acid and thereby reduce the rate at which they would build-up during multiple recycle of the mother liquor. Periodically, the entire batch of mother liquor can be discarded, if desired. If desired, the mother liquor can be diluted with an aqueous medium, such as water itself or aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, such as enough for recycling or an excess amount. The net result of dilution is to reduce the solubility of the peroxyacid product, and thereby cause a further amount of precipitate to form, which can subsequently be recovered. An alternative or additional means for reducing the peroxyacid solubility comprises cooling the liquor, preferably to below about 10°C or by at least 10°C below the reaction temperature of step 3. Both procedures minimise the amount of carboxylic acid and peroxyacid product that is recycled, so that the extent of their degradation is also minimised. By reducing the residual content of organic species in solution, recycling the mother liquor is rendered a less hazardous procedure. The peroxyacid can be employed for the various known uses for such compounds, including incorporation in fabric bleaching or washing compositions, and especially those intended for operation at hand hot temperatures or lower, in disinfectant or sanitizing compositions for solid surfaces, liquid media or gasses, or as a reagent for oxidising reactions or for polymerisation or cross linking ethylenically unsaturated materials. Having described the invention in general terms, one embodiment thereof will now be described more fully by way of example only. Example 1 6,6'-terephthal-di(amidohexanoic) acid, 20 g, was dissolved in concentrated sulphuric acid solution, 98.0% w/w, 80g at ambient temperature. A Caro's acid solution, 83.5g, containing 37.4% w/w H 2 SO 4 , 20.8% w/w H 2 O 2 and 41.8% w/w H 2 O (A value 0.472) was prepared by mixing concentrated sulphuric acid, water and concentrated hydrogen peroxide with cooling to ambient temperature. The carboxylic acid solution was introduced with stirring into the Caro's acid solution continuously at a rate of 3.33g per minute for a period of 30 minutes, the reaction being maintained at 20-25°C. The mixture was stirred for a further 2 hours minutes at 30°C. The mixture was cooled to about 10°C and then quenched by mixing with an approximately equal volume of ice/water. The solid was separated by filtration and the solid washed with water until the filtrate had a pH of about pH5. The solid was then air dried. The resultant product, 19.9g, had a purity of 89.0% 6,6'-terephthal-di(amidoperoxyhexanoic) acid.

Claims: 6,6'-terephthal-di(amidoperoxyhexanoic) acid. A process for the preparation of 6,6'-terephthaldi(amidoperoxyhexanoic) acid, characterised in that the process comprises the following process steps: i) In step 1, 6,6'-terephthal-di(amidohexanoic) acid is dissolved in concentrated aqueous sulphuric acid that contains no more than 25% w/w of water; ii) In step 2, an equilibrium mixture of Caro's acid is made by mixing i) hydrogen peroxide, ii) sulphuric acid and iii) water said mixture containing from 5 to 30% hydrogen peroxide, a complementary amount of sulphuric acid such that, in conjunction with the amount of sulphuric acid present in the 6,6'-terephthaldi(amidohexanoic) acid solution of step 1, the concentration of sulphuric acid in the reaction mixture at the end of step 3 is as defined therein, and the balance water, with agitation and cooling to below 50°C, the A value, being the weight ratio of sulphuric acid to the total of water plus sulphuric acid in a composition, for the Caro's acid solution (A2) being not greater than the A value of the carboxylic acid solution produced in step 1 (A1) or lower; iii) In step 3, a reaction mixture is formed by introducing the product of step 1 with agitation into a body of Caro's acid formed in step 2 and is maintained at a temperature in the range of from 0 to 50°C, the rate of introduction being controlled such that the 6,6'-terephthal-di(amidohexanoic) acid remains entirely in solution before it reacts with hydrogen peroxide or permonosulphuric acid and the introduction is stopped no later than when the composition of the aqueous phase has reached a point selected within the ranges for i), ii) and iii) of 3 to 15% hydrogen peroxide, 55 to 80% sulphuric acid, and the balance being at least 10% water, with the consequence that the A value of the aqueous phase of the reaction mixture in step 3 remains constant or increases as the 6,6'-terephthaldi(amidohexanoic) acid solution is introduced therein; iv) Solid 6,6'-terephthal-di(amidoperoxyhexanoic) acid product produced during step 3 is separated from aqueous phase and retained as product. A process according to claim 2, characterised in that the concentration of sulphuric acid in the Caro's acid solution is selected within the range of from 5 to 70% w/w. A process according to claim 3, characterised in that the concentration of sulphuric acid in the Caro's acid solution is selected within the range of from 35 to 65% w/w. A process according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the reaction mixture produced by the addition of all of the 6,6'-terephthaldi(amidohexanoic) acid solution into the Caro's acid solution has an A value of from 0.6 to 0.75. A process according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that the temperature of the reaction mixture in step iii) is from 15 to 35°C. A process according to claim 6, characterised in that the 6,6'-terephthal-di(amidohexanoic) acid solution is introduced into the Caro's acid solution over a period selected from 30 to 90 minutes.

Inventors: CARR GRAHAM, JAMES ALUN PRYCE, SANKEY JOHN PHILLIP, TROUGHTON NICHOLAS ARADOR, WILLSON ANDREW JOHN, CARR, GRAHAM, JAMES, ALUN PRYCE, SANKEY, JOHN PHILLIP, TROUGHTON, NICHOLAS ARADOR, WILLSON, ANDREW JOHN
Applicants: SOLVAY INTEROX LTD, SOLVAY INTEROX LIMITED
Application year: 1990
Main classification: C07C409
IPC codes: C07C409