Detergent composition containing stable bleach activator granules

Abstract: The present application provides stable bleach activator granules comprising: a) a peroxygen bleach activator having the structure: wherein R is C 1-20 branched or straight chain alkyl, alkoxylated alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkylaryl; R' and R'' are independently H, C 1-4 alkyl, aryl; and L is a leaving group; b) a pliable binding material selected from materials having a melting completion temperature of greater than about 40°C; and c) a solubilizing aid selected from the group consisting of magnesium sulfate, alkali aryl sulfonate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone or mixtures thereof. The granules can also include additional stiffeners, such as calcium or magnesium silicate, or silica.

Description: This invention relates to stable bleach activator granules and compositions containing them. The granules according to the invention contain activators with the structure: wherein R is a C 1-20 straight of branched chain alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, alkylaryl or substituted aryl, n is an integer from 1-10, and M is H, an alkali metal, alkaline earth, or ammonium counterion, which activator is formed by sulphonating and neutralising an activator intermediate; and in addition a binding material formed in situ when the activator intermediate is sulfonated and neutralized; and a stiffener selected to increase the durability of the granules. These activator granules may be combined with either a peroxygen bleach base or a detergent base, which preferably includes a source of peroxide, and, optionally, surfactants, builders and other detergent adjuncts. In a preferred embodiment, various granule additives are used to improve the solubility, durability, appearance and other important characteristics of the granules. This application relates to a development of the invention disclosed in EP-A-0373743. Brief Description of the Prior Art : Bleach activators have been widely described in the literature. For example, Boldingh et al., GB-A-1,147,871, describes bleaching and detergent compositions containing an inorganic persalt and acyloxyalkyl or acyl benzene sulfonates. It is claimed that such esters provide improved bleaching temperatures below 70°C when compared to compositions using the persalt alone. These activators are represented by the formula: wherein X = branched or straight chain alkyl or acyl radical containing 6-17 carbon atoms; R = H or alkyl radical having 1-7 carbon atoms; and M = an alkali metal, or ammonium radical. Chung et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,934, discloses bleaching compositions containing a peroxygen bleaching compound and a bleach activator of the general formula wherein R is an alkyl group containing from about 5 to about 18 carbon atoms; L is a leaving group, the conjugate acid of which has a pK a in the range of about 6 to about 13. Chung et al. focuses on alkanoyloxy benzene sulfonates, which have been previously disclosed in G.B. 864,798, Hampson et al. Thompson et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,778, discloses bleach activators of the structure wherein R is C 4-14 alkyl, R 1 is H or C 1-3 alkyl, X is -Cl, - OCH 3 , or -OCH 2 CH 3 , and L is a leaving group whose conjugate acid has a pK a of 4-30. The apparently crowded alpha carbon in the Thompson et al. compound may present hindered perhydrolytic reactivity. Hardy et al., U.S. 4,681,952, discloses the use of a bleach activator compound of the formula [RX] m AL, wherein R is hydrocarbyl, C 6-20 alkyl substituted aryl, or alkoxylated hydrocarbyl; X is O, SO 2 , N(R 1 ) 2 , (R 1 )P→ O or (R 1 )N→ O, wherein for m=1, A includes and L can be oxybenzene sulfonate. Burns et al., U.S. 4,634,551, discloses the use of amide esters of the formula wherein R 1 and R 2 are alkyl(ene) aryl(ene) or alkylaryl(ene) with 1-14 carbon atoms and R 5 is H, an alkyl, aryl, or alkylaryl group with 1-10 carbon atoms. Nakagawa et al., U.S. 3,960,743, disclose polymeric activators having the general structure in which R is purported to be C 1-16 carbon atoms, a halo- or hydroxyl-substituted C 1-16 alkyl or a substituted aryl group, B is hydrogen or a C 1-3 alkyl group, M is hydrogen, C 1-4 alkyl or alkali metal, wherein n is an integer of at least one when M is an alkyl group or n is an integer of least two when M is hydrogen or alkali metal. The polymeric activators of Nakagawa et al., however, suffer from a fatal defect. They do not disclose, teach or suggest perhydrolysis leaving groups . Schirmann et al., U.S. 4,221,675, discloses substituted acyloxy N-acetamides of the structure The activators used in accordance with the present invention do not contain a nitrogen heteroatom as does the activator of Schirmann et al. Moreover, in Schirmann et al., the group in question, an amide, does not bind to the acyl portion of the compound via an oxygen bond. Schirmann et al. do not teach or suggest what peracid is generated or where perhydrolysis occurs. Applicants have demonstrated that the alpha acyloxy, N-acetylacetamide compounds disclosed in Schirmann et al. provide minimal perhydrolysis at site of the amide bond, if at all, and thus do not effectively generate the desired peracid, peralkanoyloxyacetic acid. Thus, Schirmann et al. also do not have an effective leaving group. Various references have taught how to formulate bleach activator granules using activators of the prior art. For example, Corey et al., U.S. 3,661,789, Green et al., U.S. 4,009,113, Wevers U.S. 4,087,369, Saran, U.S. 4,372,868, Gray et al., U.S. 4,399,049 Gray, U.S. 4,444,674, Thompson et al., U.S.4,483,778, Murphy et al., U.S. 4,486,327, Thompson et al., U.S. 4,539,130, Chung et al.,E.P. 106,634, Parfomak, GB-A-2,178,075 and Divo,U.S. 4,681,695,all discuss ways of combining a peroxygen bleach activator with some binding or enrobing material. Fong et al., U.S. 4,778,618 and U.S. 4,959,187, disclose and claim peracid precursors or bleach activators having the structure: wherein R is C 1-20 branched or straight chain alkyl, alkoxylated alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkylaryl; R' and R" are independently H, C 1-4 alkyl, aryl; and L is a leaving group. EP-A-0 283 252 discloses peracid precursors of the formula Ac-L, wherein Ac is the acyl moiety of a carboxylic acid having an optionally substituted, linear or branched C 6-20 alkyl or alkenyl or C 6-20 alkyl-substituted aryl moiety and L is a leaving group the conjugate acid of which has a pKa of 4-13, combined with an antioxidant. The precursor and antioxidant may be in the form of particles incorporating a binder. However the presence of a stiffener or of a binder which is formed in situ is not disclosed. DE-A-3 417 820 discloses a process for preparing a wash additive in tablet form in which a mixture of bleach activator, nonionic surfactant and nitrogen-containing compounds is granulated and then tabletted with the aid of a binder. EP-A-0 051 987 discloses agglomerated bleach activator compositions comprising a peracid precursor such as acyl phenol sulphonate, a binder having a melting point of no more than than 40°C, and silica or silicate as a surface-coating agent. The binder is not formed in situ and the incorporation of a stiffener is not disclosed. The prior art does not disclose, teach or suggest the use of stiffeners, such as calcium silicate, magnesium silicate, or silica, in compositions of the type herein described. The present invention provides, in one embodiment, stable bleach activator granules comprising: a) a peroxygen bleach activator having the structure: wherein R is a C 1 - 20 straight or branched chain alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, alkylaryl or substituted aryl, n is an integer from 1-10, and M is H, an alkali metal, alkaline earth, or ammonium counterion, which activator is formed by sulphonating and neutralising an activator intermediate; b) a binding material formed in situ when the activator intermediate is sulfonated and neutralized; and c) a stiffener which improves the durability while not significantly affecting the solubility of the granules. In another embodiment, the invention provides an activated oxidant bleach or detergent comprising (a) the bleach activator granules as described hereinabove, combined with: (b) a detergent base which comprises: i) builders; ii) fillers; iii) optionally, a surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic, nonionic, cationic, amphoteric, zwitterionic surfactants, and mixtures thereof; and c) a bleach-effective amount of a source of hydrogen peroxide, which acts in combination with the activator granules of a). It is therefore an object of this invention to provide improved stable bleaching activator granules as hereinbefore described. It is another object of this invention to provide bleaching activator granules as hereinbefore described having improved durability, solubility and processibility. It is yet another object of this invention to provide bleach activator granules which have as a majority of their content, the bleach activator compound. It is a further object of this invention to provide an oxidant bleach or detergent composition which includes the stable bleach activator granules. Brief Description of the Drawing Fig. 1 shows a flow chart describing the manufacture of the bleach activator granules. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments The present invention provides stable bleach activator granules comprising: a) a peroxygen bleach activator having the same structure: wherein R is a C 1-20 straight or branched chain alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, alkylaryl or substituted aryl, n is an integer from 1-10, and M is H, an alkali metal, alkaline earth, or ammonium counterion, which activator is formed by sulphonating and neutralising an activator intermediate; b) a binding material formed in situ when the activator intermediate is sulfonated and neutralized; and c) a stiffener which improves the durability while not significantly affecting the solubility of the granules. For example calcium silicate, magnesium silicate, silica, or mixtures thereof may be included in the stable bleach activator granules as the stiffener. U.S. 4,778,618 and U.S. 4,959,187 disclosed and claimed the activators which the Applicants process into the present inventive granules. The advantages of said activators are amply discussed in the specification of said patent. Additionally of interest is US-A-5 091 560 which discloses methods of acylating the hydroxycarboxylic acids which can be predecessors to the activators of this invention. These types of activators are referred to as alkanoylglycolate or alkanoyloxyacetic acid esters, since their base carbonyl group is More preferably, the phenyl sulfonate esters of alkanoyloxyacetic acid are found to present distinct advantages over other bleach activators, for instance, in reactivity, solubility and relative ease of manufacture. Of particular interest from U.S. Patent 4,778,618 is a particularly preferred activator, namely, where R is preferably C 5 -C 12 alkyl, and M is an alkali metal cation. Subsequent to the filing of the application which resulted in U.S. Patent 4,778,618, it was discovered that additional desirable sulfonated precursors, which are generally named polyglycolate esters, could be co-produced along with the above precursors, which are called alkanoyloxyglycoylphenyl sulfonates (also known as alkanoyloxyacetyloxyphenyl sulfonates). This is because the parent carboxylic acid which forms the moiety frequently contains some generally low amounts of oligomers, in which the oxyacetyl group is repeated. Thus, in US-A- 5 182 045 a preferred precursor is claimed, having the structure shown below: wherein R* is preferably C 1-20 alkyl, M is preferably H or an alkali metal counterion, and n is >1, preferably 2-10. These particular precursors are also advantageously produced by sulfonating the appropriate intermediate and neutralizing the sulfonated intermediate thereafter to provide peracid precursors, as prescribed in a preferred method. This preferred method of synthesis of these type of preferred compounds is disclosed in co-pending application EP-A-0 506 308. In the following discussion, certain definitions are utilized: Peracid precursor is equivalent to bleach activator. Both terms generally relate herein to reactive esters which have a leaving group substituent, which during perhydrolysis, actually cleaves off. Perhydrolysis is the reaction which occurs when a peracid precursor or activator is combined in a reaction medium (aqueous medium) with an effective amount of a source of hydrogen peroxide. The leaving group, L, is basically a substituent which is attached via an oxygen bond to the acyl portion of the ester and which can be replaced by a perhydroxide anion (OOH - ) during perhydrolysis. The basic reaction is: The leaving group, as discussed above, is basically capable of being displaced by perhydroxide anion in aqueous medium. Unlike other prior art precursors, the activator is not limited to leaving groups having particular solubility or reactivity criteria due to the reactiveness of the acyl of the inventive precursor. It, is, however, preferred that the conjugate acid of the leaving group have a pKa of between about 4 to 20, more preferably, about 6 to 15. The activators incorporated in the granules of the present invention comprise phenol sulfonate leaving groups. One synthesis of phenol sulfonate esters which could possibly be adapted for use herein is disclosed in Zielske, U.S. 4,735,740 commonly assigned to the Clorox Company. However, it is especially preferred to synthesize activators and phenyl sulfonate leaving groups using the techniques disclosed in co-pending application EP-A-0506308. It is to be noted that such technique in EP-A-0 506 308 is a so-called "post-sulfonation" process, wherein the desired compound is obtained by the following general reaction: wherein, in the above formulae, R is an alkyl group, M* is either H or an alkali metal cation and M is an alkali metal cation. Equation I provides the formation of the starting material, chloroacetoxybenzene, sometimes referred to as "CLAB," and is described in WO 92/16491. Equation II provides the formation of the intermediate, alkanoyloxyacetyloxybenzene, (sometimes referred to herein as "NOGB" for a preferred exemplar, nonanoyloxyacetyloxybenzene) and is described in WO 92/16492. Equations III and IV provide the sulfonation of the NOGB intermediate and the subsequent neutralization, to result in the acidic precursor, alkanoyloxyglycoylphenylsulfonic acid (sometimes referred to herein as "NOGPSA" for a preferred exemplar, nonanoylglycoylphenylsulfonic acid) and the desired end product, alkanoyloxyglycoylphenylsulfonate (sometimes referred to herein as "NOGPS" for a preferred exemplar, nonanoylglycoylphenylsulfonate). These processes are described in US-A-5 153 341, and especially, in the previously described EP-A-506 308. As will be later discussed, the preferred sulfonation and neutralization procedures described in EP-A-0 506 308, which use so-called "quenching agents" to dramatically improve yields of phenyl sulfonate esters, led to the discoveries of the need for the inventive solubilizing aids and stiffeners disclosed and claimed herein. In EP-A0 373 743 granules are formed by combining the hereinbefore described activators with pliable binding materials having a melting completion temperature of at least about 40°C. Preferably, a filler material was included which could control solubility of the granule and for good handling characteristics. The following discussion in 1-2 below reviews these preferred binder and filler materials. 1. Binder Material As discussed further below, according to the present invention at least some of the binder materials are formed in situ during the sulfonation and neutralization of appropriate activator intermediates when the method described in the co-pending application EP-A-0 506 308 is utilized. For example, when the quenching agent, as therein defined, used is linear alkyl benzene, the agent, when also sulfonated and neutralized along with the activator intermediate, favorably produces the binder linear alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS). The binder material formed in situ in accordance with the invention may optionally be supplemented by additional binder material. The binder material, whether added or formed in situ , preferably should be an organic material which has a melting completion temperature (melting point) above about 40°C, more preferably above about 50°C. The material should not react with either the activator, or, if the granules are combined with an oxidant-containing detergent, with the components of such detergent during storage thereof. The binder should ideally irreversibly bind water, yet be soluble or dispersable in aqueous solution, preferably at low temperatures. The binder should also be able to form a paste or doughy mass suitable for forming noodles, and after processing, granules. Workability, viscosity, pliability, and miscibility in water, of the binder should be optimal, depending on the process used. Types of materials suitable for use as additional binders include, without limitation: Organic Materials 1. Nonionic Surfactants. 2. Anionic Surfactants. 3. Cationic Surfactants. 4. Film-forming polymers. 5. C 12 -C 18 Fatty acids or salts thereof. 6. C 12 -C 24 Aliphatic alcohols. 7. Relatively low molecular weight polyethylene glycols (2,000-10,000). 8. Sodium alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonate (sodium coconut oil, fatty acids monoglyceric sulfonates and sulfates); sodium alkyl ether sulfonates; alkylphenol-ethylene oxide ether sulfate; and esters of alpha-sulfonated fatty acid. The sulfonated compounds listed can constitute binder material formed in situ in accordance with the invention, or additional binding material. 9. Acrylic acid, hydroxyacrylic acid, methacrylic acid polymers; co-polymers of ethylene styrene and vinyl methyl ether (e.gs., Versicol® & Gantrez®). 10. Cellulose acetate esters, cellulose acetate sulfate, cellulose sulfates, hydroxyethyl cellulose sulfate, methylcellulose sulfate, hydroxypropylcellulose sulfate. 11. Starch, starch/ether. 12. Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. 13. Polyvinyl alcohol. 14. Gelatin. 15. HPL (National Starch & Chemical Corp., (an amylopectin food starch). 16. Cross-linked pre-gelatinized amylose (e.g., Clearjel®, National Starch & Chemical Corp.). The binder material imparts physical integrity to the particle which is important in particle crush durability. Although organic binders are preferred as additional binding material, certain silicates may also be suitable for use. Other additional binders disclosed in Chung et al., EP 106 634 are suitable for use. The binder also aids in the dispersion of the particle and solubilization of the precursor. Preferred additional binder materials were selected from the following classes of compounds: Calsoft® F90, Calsoft® L40 and Biosoft® D62 from the linear alkylbenzene sulfonates; Carbowax® 3350, 4600, 8000 and 20000, from polyethylene glycols; Span® 40 from substituted sorbitans; Triton® CF54 from alkyl aryl polyethoxy adducts; Pluronic® F125 from block copolymers of propylene and ethylene oxide; Alfonic R 1618-80, Brij-58, and Neodol R 45-13 from ethoxylated alcohols; sodium palmitate from fatty acid salts; and polyacrylic acid. Of these the Calsoft R materials, Alfonic R 1618-80 and Carbowax R 4600 (polyethylene glycol, Mol.wt. = 4,600) were found to be most preferred. The especially preferred additional binding materials consist of a 50/50 wt./wt. combination of Calsoft R L40 (a C 11.5 linear alkyl benzene sulfonate, sodium salt, 40% active, from Pilot Chemical Co.) and Alfonic R 1618-80 (a C 16-18 ethoxylated alcohol, with about 10.7 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, 100% active, from Vista Chemicals); and Carbowax R 4600 and Calsoft R L40 in 50/50 wt.wt. mixture, based on actives. Preferred additional binder additives include sodium polyacrylate (e.g., Acusol R , Rohm&Haas), microcrystalline waxes (e.gs., Michem R LUBE 124, Michem R Emulsion 48040 and Michem R Emulsion 04010, from Michelman Corp.) and mixtures thereof. 2. Filler/Diluent A filler or diluent can be used to control solubility of the granule and to assure optimal processibility of the noodle. The diluent also helps in the dispersion of the precursor by allowing the particles to break up more readily when placed into an aqueous medium. The nature of the diluent should be such that it does not react with the other components of the particles, is readily soluble, not highly hygroscopic and can be powdered to the same size as the precursor. The filler is any inert salt such as Na 2 SO 4 , Na 2 CO 3 , NaHCO 3 , NaCl, boric acid, borax, and other alkali metal salts. It is preferable that water-insoluble materials be limited, e.g., CaCO 3 , MgCO 3 , etc. 3. Forming the Granules In EP-A-0 373 743, the activator, binder and diluent/filler were combined, usually with additional water (although some binders, e.g., surfactants, are supplied by manufacturers as aqueous solutions, so the amount of added water can be limited or varied as needed) in order to form a workable paste or doughy mass. The process of preference was referred to as extrusion, in which material as hereinbefore described was processed into a doughy mass and extruded through a dieplate or other sizing means to form long noodles. Such noodles were then dried and chopped or spheronized or otherwise formed into granules. Alternatively, the granules could be formed by agglomeration or spray bed process, both of which form a part of the invention. In EP-A-0 373 743, the noodles were prepared by first dry mixing the solid components of the formulation, which includes activator, diluent, and optional colorant, to form an evenly distributed dry powder. This mixture was then added to a fluid hot melted binder or to a warm aqueous solution of binder to form a doughy mass. The doughy mass could be further moistened to aid processing by the addition of 2-15% water by weight of the mixture. The substantially homogeneous mass was then extruded through a .25mm-2mm diameter die hole. Noodle extrudate was then dried to a water content of preferably less than 3% by weight of the processed noodle unless MgSO 4 was not present, in which case, the content was less than about 1%. The dried noodles were then chopped down to lengths not greater than 5 mm, preferably 1-2mm. By reference to Figure 1, a flow diagram of the process, a simplified description of a non-limiting embodiment of the process can be demonstrated. The dry components (activator, diluent and optional colorant) were dry-mixed to form a dry preblend 2. Secondly, the liquid components (surfactants, polymers, i.e., binders, and water) were mixed to form a liquid preblend 4. These two product streams were added in a mixer 6 which forms the doughy mass. The mass was passed through to an extruder 8. In practice, the mixer 6 and the extruder 8 can be combined in one apparatus. This can comprise an inverted-funnel-shaped hopper provided with screws in the bottom thereof. The screws would work the mass and channel it to a die plate, grate, or other means of reducing the mass size. As the mass was forced out of the die, it produced long "noodles," which then fell into a sizer 10. The sizer can be a shaker bed, which is a vibrating bed which breaks the noodles up into the desired shapes and sizes of granules. The sizer could alternatively be a set of vibrating knife blades that cut the noodles as they pass through the die, in which case the process can be continuous. The fines were collected by screening and recycled. For example, the fines, particles less than about 0.1 mm in length, could be shaken off to a collector 12, which preferably recycles the fines to the extruder 8. The granules could then be dried in a drier 16, then outputted to a collector 18, with fines again siphoned off via a fines collector 14, which preferably recycles such fines. The finished granules 20 were then packaged or further taken via conveyor to be combined with a detergent base, or an oxidant base, as desired. In a preferred method of forming the inventive activator granules, the synthesis of a preferred activator, alkanoyloxyglycoylphenyl sulfonate, and the "noodling" step are combined. In co-pending application EP-A-0 506 308, it is described how in the use of toluene and linear alkyl benzene as quenching agents in the synthesis of the phenyl sulfonate precursor, sulfonation and neutralization of the quenching agents desirably results in sodium toluene sulfonate and linear alkyl benzene sulfonate, respectively. Accordingly, these two respective solubility and binding agents will combine with the phenyl sulfonate precursors to form the inventive noodles. As can be well appreciated, the benefit of such procedure is that the separate addition of solubility and/or binding agents can be avoided, resulting in very significant processing advantages and materials costs savings. However, as also described in such co-pending application EP-A-0 506 308, the sulfonation and neutralization procedures therein additionally resulted in very high yields of the desired precursor. Additionally, the use of the preferred synthesis in said application EP-A-0 506 308 resulted in other challenges to applicants. For example, this synthesis usually resulted in precursors of an amorphous phase whereas those under the prior synthesis, e.g., of U.S. Patent 4,778,618, were crystalline in nature. This preferred synthesis resulted in noodles which are stickier, more elastic, and less durable than those produced via the prior synthesis. Accordingly, it was found desirable to add so-called "stiffening materials," such as those described in 6. Stiffeners, below. 4. The Granules The granules provided by the teachings of EP-A-373 743 had increased storage stability over unprocessed precursor, good crush durability properties and dissolve readily in the wash water. Such noodle particles preferably comprise from 50-99, more preferably 80-97 percent precursor, from 0.5-25 more preferably 3-15, percent binder, from 0-25, more preferably 0-5, most preferably .1-5, percent diluent and from 0-20 percent water based on the weight of the processed noodle. An optional colorant can also be present in the noodle in the range of from 0-5 percent by weight of the processed noodle. All ingredients of this particle composition are evenly distributed throughout the particle. The granule size is an important factor in storage stability and solubility of the particle. It is preferred that the noodles have a diameter in the range of 2 to .25, more preferably 1.5 to 0.3, most preferably 1.0 to 0.5 mm. Optimally, they will be 0.75 mm in diameter. The length of the particle is preferred to be from 0.1 to 5 mm, more preferably 0.5 to 3 mm long. The particles are preferably cylindrical in shape. Alternatively, they may be spherical, with the preferred diameters given above. In the granules, the proportions of ingredients should be preferably between 99:0.5:0.5 to 50:25:25 activator: binder: diluent, more preferably 98:1:1-75:12.5:12.5. High amounts of activator are desirable in order to enhance the finished product's performance and to reduce the overall percentage of activator granules in the detergent for cost efficiency. The particles should dissolve in water within about 10 minutes at 21°C. However, as a result of utilizing the preferred method for preparing phenyl sulfonate esters in EP-A-0 506 308, it was additionally discovered that there was a need to include additional materials within the finished noodles/granules. For example, where solubility was problematic, it was found that the optional solubilizing aids of 5 below significantly enhanced solubility, although the noodles produced by the method of EP-A-0 506 308 have improved solubility versus the prior method of manufacture. Where durability of the particle was a concern, for example, where linear alkyl benzene was used as the quenching agent in making the phenyl sulfonate esters, stiffeners as in 6 below were found to significantly improve such durability. In this execution, the preferred precursor content is 10-99%, more preferably 20-99% and most preferably 30-99%. 5. The Solubilizing Aids A preferred solubilizing aid may be selected from the group consisting of magnesium sulfate, alkali aryl sulfonate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone and mixtures thereof. Magnesium sulfate is a common, neutral hydratable inorganic salt. It is available from Malinckrodt. MgSO 4 is used herein as a solubilizing agent when the preferred precursor, alkanoyloxyacetyloxyphenylsulfonate, is of crystalline nature. This is because it has been found that the solubility of noodles made of such precursors can be surprisingly improved by such inclusion. The use of MgSO 4 is distinct from its use in noodles containing precursors made by the synthesis of EP-A-0 506 308. There, it is used as a stabilizing and stiffening aid, as further described in 6. Stiffeners, below. The alkali aryl sulfonates can be selected from sodium, potassium, or lithium salts, with sodium most preferred. These aryl sulfonates are selected from the group consisting of cumene sulfonate, toluene sulfonate, xylene sulfonate, benzene sulfonate, and the like. They are commonly referred to as hydrotropes. In the instance where toluene is used as the organic quenching agent in the procedure of EP-A-0 506 308, the toluene sulfonate can be created in situ. There are many manufacturers of these aryl sulfonates, such as, e.g., Stepanate SXS, from Stepan Chemical Company. The polyvinyl pyrrolidones are available from GAF Corporation. They have a preferred molecular weight range of 5,000 to 50,000, more preferably 10,000 to 20,000. These materials may be present in the inventive granules at about 0 to 50%, more preferably 0.5 to 25%, and most preferably at about 0.5 to 15%, by weight of the granule. 6. Stiffeners When the preferred procedure for making the desired activators, alkanoyloxyglycoylphenyl sulfonate esters, as disclose in the co-pending application EP-A-0 506 308, was used, it was found that the resulting noodles could be quite soft and pliable. According to the present invention, in order to stiffen or rigidify such noodles, it was found necessary to resort to stiffeners. Calcium or magnesium silicate were found to satisfy this requirement. Other silicas may be acceptable, such as fumed or precipitated silica. Magnesium or calcium silicate are typically used to fortify masonry, concrete and other materials. Yet, use of these materials in the inventive granules was found to dramatically improve their durability while not significantly affecting solubility. These magnesium or calcium silicates also advantageously absorb liquids in order to further bolster the noodles. Moreover, the use of such materials may even help to disperse the inventive granules in the aqueous wash medium since they may make the granules more "fragile." A source of the preferred calcium silicate stiffener is Micro Cel®C or Silasorb® from Celite Corporation. These stiffeners should be present in an amount of preferably about .1-50%, more preferably 1-20%, and most preferably 3-7%, by weight of the granule. Additionally, in some instances, where the method of EP-A-0 506 308 is used to produce the inventive noodles, a further co-stiffener, or co-binder, adjunct may be needed. In such case, materials which have heretofore been described within as fillers or even binders serve now a different purpose: rather than assist primarily in solubilization of binding, they will function as rigidifiers. And while it may appear that some of these materials may overlap with other defined additives herein, applicants have only intended the use of materials for this particular discrete purpose. Thus, further co-stiffeners include herein carboxymethylcellulose, sodium toluene sulfonate or other aryl sulfonates, sodium silicate, sodium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, ligninsulfonate (e.g., Kelig), stearic acid, cyclodextrin, xanthan gum, guar gum, microcrystalline waxes, monoglycerides, and polyacrylates (e.g., Carbopol®). 7. The Bleach or Detergent Compositions The activator granules of the invention may be combined with an oxidant bleach or detergent base, said base comprising: builders; and optionally, a surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic, nonionic, cationic, amphoteric, zwitterionic surfactants, and mixtures thereof; and a bleach-effective amount of a source of hydrogen peroxide to interact with the activator granules. Each of these components, and adjunct materials suitable for use herein are further discussed below: 8. Builders The builders are typically alkaline builders, i.e., those which in aqueous solution will attain a pH of 7-14, preferably 9-12. Examples of inorganic builders include the alkali metal and ammonium carbonates (including sesquicarbonates and bicarbonates), phosphates (including orthophosphates, tripolyphosphates and tetrapyrophosphates), aluminosilicates (both natural and synthetic zeolites), and mixtures thereof. Carbonates are especially desirable for use in this invention because of their high alkalinity and effectiveness in removing hardness ions which may be present in hard water, as well as their low cost. Carbonates can be used as the predominant builder. Silicates (Na 2 O:SiO 2 , modulus of 4:1 to 1:1, most preferably about 3:1 to 1:1) can also be used. Silicates, because of their solubility in water and ability to form a glassy matrix, can also be advantageously used a: a binder for the detergent. Organic builders are also suitable for use, and are selected from the group consisting of the alkali metal and ammonium sulfosuccinates, polyacrylates, polymaleates, copolymers of acrylic acid and maleic acid or maleic anhydride, citrates and mixtures thereof. 9. Fillers/Diluents The same materials as used in the manufacture of the granules can be used herein as fillers for the detergent. Salts such as NaC1, Na 2 SO 4 , and borax, are preferred. Organic diluents, such as sugar, are possible. 10. Surfactants Surfactants will generally be added to detergent formulations for removal of particular targeted soils, e.gs., nonionic surfactants on oily soils, and anionic surfactants on particulate soils. However, oxidant bleach compositions may contain little or even no surfactant. Particularly effective surfactants appear to be anionic surfactants. Examples of such anionic surfactants may include the ammonium, substituted ammonium (e.g., mono-, di-, and tri-ethanolammonium), alkali metal and alkaline earth metal salts of C 6 -C 20 fatty acids and rosin acids, linear and branched alkyl benzene sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkane sulfonates, olefin sulfonates, hydroxyalkane sulfonates, fatty acid monoglyceride sulfates, alkyl glyceryl ether sulfates, acyl sarcosinates and acyl N-methyltaurides. Preferred are aromatic sulfonated surfactants. Of particular preference are linear and branched C 6-18 alkyl benzene sulfonates, both the salts thereof as well as the acidic form. Most preferred are the acidic alkyl benzene sulfonates such as Biosoft® S100 and S130, with the latter especially preferred. Other preferred surfactants of use include linear ethoxylated alcohols, such as those sold by Shell Chemical Company under the brand name Neodol. Other suitable nonionic surfactants can include other linear ethoxylated alcohols with an average length of 6 to 16 carbon atoms and averaging about 2 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol; linear and branched, primary and secondary ethoxylated, propoxylated alcohols with an average length of about 6 to 16 carbon atoms and averaging 0-10 moles of ethylene oxide and about 1 to 10 moles of propylene oxide per mole of alcohol; linear and branched alkylphenoxy (polyethoxy) alcohols, otherwise known a: ethoxylated alkylphenols, with an average chain length of 8 to 16 carbon atoms and averaging 1.5 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol; and mixtures thereof. Further suitable nonionic surfactants may include polyoxyethylene carboxylic acid esters, fatty acid glycerol esters, fatty acid and ethoxylated fatty acid alkanolamides, certain block copolymers of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide, and block polymers of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide with propoxylated ethylene diamine. Also included are such semi-polar nonionic surfactants like amine oxides, phosphine oxides, sulfoxides, and their ethoxylated derivatives. Suitable cationic surfactants may include the quaternary ammonium compounds in which typically one of the groups linked to the nitrogen atom is a C 12 -C 18 alkyl group and the other three groups are short chained alkyl groups which may bear substituents such as phenyl groups. Further, suitable amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants which contain an anionic water-solubilizing group, a cationic group and a hydrophobic organic group may include amino carboxylic acids and their salts, amino dicarboxylic acids and their salts, alkylbetaines, alkyl aminopropylbetaines, sulfobetaines, alkyl imidazolinium derivatives, certain quaternary ammonium compounds, certain quaternary phosphonium compounds and certain tertiary sulfonium compounds. Other examples of potentially suitable zwitterionic surfactants can be found described in Jones, U.S. 4,005,029, at columns 11-15, which are incorporated herein by reference. Further examples of anionic, nonionic, cationic and amphoteric surfactants which may be suitable for use in this invention are depicted in Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology , Third Edition, Volume 22, pages 347-387, and McCutcheon's Detergents and Emulsifiers , North American Edition, 1983. As mentioned hereinabove, other common detergent adjuncts may be added if a bleach or detergent bleach product is desired. If, for example, a detergent composition is desired, the following ranges (weight %) appear practicable: 0.5-50.0% Hydrogen Peroxide Source 0.05-25.0% Precursor 1.0-50.0% Surfactant 1.0-50.0% Builder 5.0-99.9% Filler, stabilizers, dyes, Fragrances, brighteners, etc. 11. Hydrogen Peroxide Source The hydrogen peroxide source may be selected from the alkali metal salts of percarbonate, perborate, persilicate and hydrogen peroxide adducts. Most preferred are sodium percarbonate, and sodium perborate mono- and tetrahydrate. Other peroxygen sources may be possible, such as alkaline earth and alkali metal peroxides, monopersulfates and monoperphosphates. The range of peroxide to activators is preferably determined as a molar ratio of peroxide to activator. Thus, the range of peroxide to each activator is a molar ratio of from about 1:1 to 20:1, more preferably about 1:1 to 10:1 and most preferably about 1:1 to 5:1. This is also the definition of a bleach effective amount of the hydrogen peroxide source. It is preferred that this activator peroxide composition provide about 0.5 to 100 ppm peracid A.O., and most preferably about 1 to 50 ppm peracid A.O., and most preferably about 1 to 20 ppm peracid A.O., in aqueous media. A description of, and explanation of, A.O. measurement is found in the article of Sheldon N. Lewis, "Peracid and Peroxide Oxidations," In: Oxidation , 1969, pp. 213-258, which is incorporated herein by reference. Determination of the peracid can be ascertained by the analytical techniques taught in Organic Peracids , (Ed. by D. Swern), Vol. 1, pp. 501 et seg. (Ch.7) (1970). 12. Chelating Agents In some of the compositions herein, it is especially preferred to include a chelating agent, most preferably, an aminopolyphosphonate. These chelating agents assist in maintaining the solution stability of the peracids in order to achieve optimum performance. In this manner, they are acting to chelate heavy metal ions, which cause catalyzed decomposition of the in situ formed peracid, although this is a non-binding theory of their action and not limiting to Applicants. The chelating agent is selected from a number of known agents which are effective at chelating heavy metal ions. The chelating agent should be resistant to hydrolysis and rapid oxidation by oxidants. Preferably, it should have an acid dissociation constant (pK a ) of about 1-9, indicating that it dissociates at low pH's to enhance binding to metal cations. The most preferred chelating agent is an aminopolyphosphonate which is commercially available under the trademark Dequest®, from Monsanto Company. Examples thereof are Dequest 2000, 2041 and 2060. (See also Bossu, U.S. 4,473,507, column 12, line 63 through column 13, line 22). A polyphosphonate, such as Dequest® 2010, is also suitable for use. Other chelating agents, such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) may also be suitable for use. Still other new, preferred chelating agents are new propylenediaminetetraacetates, such as Hampshire 1,3 PDTA, from W.R. Grace, and Chel® DTPA 100#F, from Ciba-Geigy A.G. Mixtures of the foregoing may be suitable. Effective amounts of the chelating agent range from 1-1,000, more preferably 5-500, most preferably 10-100 ppm chelating agent, in the wash liquor. 12. Adjuncts : The standard detergent or oxidant bleach adjuncts can be included in the present invention. These include enzymes are especially desirable adjunct materials in these detergent or oxidant bleach products. However, it may be preferred to include an enzyme stabilizer. Proteases are one especially preferred class of enzymes. They are selected from acidic, neutral and alkaline proteases. The terms "acidic," "neutral," and "alkaline," refer to the pH at which the enzymes' activity are optimal. Examples of neutral proteases include Milezyme® (available from Miles Laboratory) and trypsin, a naturally occurring protease. Alkaline proteases are available from a wide variety of sources, and are typically produced from various microorganisms (e.g., Bacillis subtilisis ). Typical examples of alkaline proteases include Maxatase® and Maxacal® from International BioSynthetics, Alcalase®, Savinase® and Esperase®, all available from Novo Industri A/S. See also Stanislowski et al., U.S. 4,511,490. Further suitable enzymes are amylases, which are carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes. It is also preferred to include mixtures of amylases and proteases. Suitable amylases include Rapidase®, from Société Rapidase, Milezyme® from Miles Laboratory, and Maxamyl® from International BioSynthetics. Still other suitable enzymes are cellulases, such as those described in Tai, U.S. 4,479,881, Murata et al., U.S. 4,443,355, Barbesgaard et al., U.S. 4,435,307, and Ohya et al., U.S. 3,983,003. Yet other suitable enzymes are lipases, such as those described in Silver, U.S. 3,950,277, and Thom et al., U.S. 4,707,291. The hydrolytic enzyme should be present in an amount of about 0.01-5%, more preferably about 0.01-3%, and most preferably about 0.1-2% by weight of the detergent. Mixtures of any of the foregoing hydrolases are desirable, especially protease/amylase blends. Additionally, optional adjuncts include dyes, such as Monastral blue and anthraquinone dyes (such as those described in Zielske, U.S. 4,661,293, and U.S. 4,746,461). Pigments, which are also suitable colorants, can be selected, without limitation, from titanium dioxide, ultramarine blue (see also, Chang et al., U.S. 4,708,816), and colored aluminosilicates. Fluorescent whitening agents are still other desirable adjuncts. These include the stilbene, styrene, and naphthalene derivatives, which upon being impinged by ultraviolet light, emit or fluoresce light in the visible wavelength. These FWA's or brighteners are useful for improving the appearance of fabrics which have become dingy through repeated soilings and washings. Preferred FWA's are Tinopal® 5BMX-C and Tinopal® RBS, both from Ciba Geigy A.G., and Phorwite® RKH, from Mobay Chemicals. Examples of suitable FWA's can be found in GB-A-1,298,577, 2,076,011, 2,026,054, 2,026,566, 1,393,042; and U.S. Patents 3,951,960, 4,298,490 3,993,659, 3,980,713 and 3,627,758. Anti-redeposition agents, such as carboxymethylcellulose, are potentially desirable. Next, foam boosters, such as appropriate anionic surfactants, may be appropriate for inclusion herein. Also, in the case of excess foaming resulting from the use of certain surfactants, anti-foaming agents, such as alkylated polysiloxanes, e.g., dimethylpolysiloxane, would be desirable. Fragrances are also desirable adjuncts in these compositions, although the activators herein have much lower odor than the fatty acid esters such as those in Chung et al., U.S. 4,412,934. The additives may be present in amounts ranging from 0-50%, more preferably 0-30%, and most preferably 0-10%. In certain cases, some of the individual adjuncts may overlap in other categories. However, the present invention contemplates each of the adjuncts as providing discrete performance benefits in their various categories. The EXPERIMENTAL section below demonstrates the advantages of the inventive bleach activator granules and the detergents containing them. The data shown in Tables IV-XX constitutes background information whereas Tables XXI-XXIII are in accordance with the present invention. EXPERIMENTAL Bleach Activator Granules Wt.% Component 90 Precursor 2.5 Binder, C 16-18 ethoxylated alcohol (Alfonic® 1618-80 from Vista Chemical Co.). 2.5 Binder, C 12 sodium alkyl aryl sulfonate (Calsoft® L40 from Pilot Chemical Co.), on an actives basis. 5 Diluent, can be any inert salt such as Na 2 SO 4 , Na 2 CO 4 , NaCl, etc. Detergent Formulation COMPONENT Wt% Na Tripolyphosphate 33.21 HLAS 11.29 Na Perborate Monohydrate 7.46 Na 2 CO 3 40.40 Silicate 4.98 Moisture 2.66 100.00 Detergent + Activator Formulation Component Wt.% Na Tripolyphosphate 27.16 HLAS 9.23 Na Perborate Monohydrate 6.10 Na 2 CO 3 33.04 Silicate 4.07 Activator Granules 8.94 Na 2 SO 4 6.74 ®Alcosperse 0.32 Ultramarine Blue 0.15 FWA 0.32 ®Dequest 2006 0.50 ®Savinase 0.91 Fragrance 0.20 Moisture 2.32 100.00 Solubility and Crush Durability The results in TABLE VII show the solubility index and crush durability for several noodle compositions. The solubility index is defined as the time in minutes required for a 0.2 g sample to completely dissolve in 500 ml water at about 21°C under constant stirring to yield a 2cm vortex in a 1 liter beaker. The crush durability factor is the weight in grams required to crush a 2mm (length) granule between glass plates. Granules and Their Solubility Index and Crush Durability Binder %Activator %Binder %Diluent Solubility (Mins.) Crush Factor (in grams) ®Alfonic 90 10 0 5.23 40 1618-80 85 15 0 3.88 63 80 20 0 3.75 81 80 15 5 3.4 55 ®Calsoft F90 100 0 0 10.0 40 90 10 0 2.1 40 85 15 0 1.5 40 80 20 0 2.0 40 ®Calsoft L40 95 3 2 1.0 66 90 5 5 1.0 71 50/50 Blend 90 5 5 1.0 108 ®Alfonic 85 10 5 1.05 70 1618-80/Calsoft® L40 95 5 0 1.0 126 Perhydrolysis and Storage Stability The following granular dry bleaching compositions were prepared: Component Wt. in Grams Na Perborate Monohydrate 0.175 g (28 ppm A.O.) Na 2 CO 3 1.200 g Activator (via granule or powder) gram amount equivalent to 14 ppm A.O theoretical The perhydrolysis profiles of the above bleach compositions (see TABLE IX, below) were carried out in the presence of Tide (Procter & Gamble Company) detergent. The composition (approximate) of this detergent is shown below in TABLE VIII. Composition of Tide Detergent Component Wt.% Na 2 CO 3 14.7 Na Tripolyphosphate 37.9 [Na 2 O]SiO 2 4.0 Na LAS 4.0 Na AEOS 13.0 Tinopal® AMS (brightener) 0.21 Water (moisture) 5.5 Na 2 SO 4 20.8 100.00% Although this particular detergent base is used, other anionic or nonionic based detergents could be utilized as well. The active oxygen profiles were obtained in the following manner: The bleaching compositions were placed in 1,000 mL water at 21.7°C, at 100 ppm hardness (3/1 Ca +2 /Mg +2 ), 1.5 mMol. NaHCO 3 , with the detergent content at 1.287 g/L. The solution pH was adjusted to 10.5. The water was stirred at a rate so as to yield a 3cm vortex, in a standard 2 liter beaker, and the amount of active oxygen (A.O.) from peracid generated was determined iodometrically. The results are shown in TABLE IX below, which demonstrate the benefit of using a granulated activator over the powdered activator, which was claimed in U.S. Patent 4,778,618. The granulated activator disperses more rapidly than the powdered activator, thus yielding a higher active oxygen level over a longer period of time. Perhydrolysis Profile of Granulated versus Powdered Activator Example % A.O. of theoretical @ various times (minutes) t=2 t=6 t=12 Granule 93 84 81 Powder 45 71 82 Storage stability of dry bleach compositions containing the activator were determined under the following conditions: The compositions were placed in open glass vials and stored in a storage room which maintained a constant temperature of about 32°C and a relative humidity of about 85%. After storage, the samples were measured for their activator content by determining the yield of peracid A.O. in solution at six and twelve minutes. The percent activator of various samples after storage are shown in TABLE X. Storage Stability in Open Glass Vials 32°C, 85% relative humidity Sample % of original A.O. remaining Time in days t=0 t=2 t=7 t=10 Activator /LAS , 90/10 100 100 79 66 Activator (Powder) 100 76 9 5 The results in TABLE X show that granulated activator is significantly more storage stable than the powdered activator. After ten days storage, the granules exhibit a 44% A.O. loss, while the powder experiences about 95% A.O. loss. In the test below, storage stability of the noodled/granulated activator was compared against the powdered activator. The conditions were: 32°C, 70% relative humidity stored in an anionic (phosphate) base (see, e.g., the formulation of TABLE VI, above). The granules contained 90% nonanoyloxyacetate, phenol sulfonate ester; 5% Na 2 SO 4 , and 5% binder (LAS and Carbowax® 8000, Carbowax® 4600, Alfonic® 1416-80, each at 50/50 wt./wt.). % A.O. yield of theoretical Binder t=0 t = 1 week t=2 weeks Carbowax® 8000/LAS 88% 83% 73% Carbowax® 4600/LAS 88% 83% 73% Alfonic® 1416-80/LAS 83% 80% 73% Powdered Activator 63% 25% 0% Further tests were conducted comparing the granulated/noodled activator against the powdered activator, but this time, as a detergent composition. In this case, the activator evaluated was nonanoyloxyacetate, phenol sulfonate ester. The data were obtained in the presence of the detergent formulation of TABLE V above. 1.4g of the detergent was added to 1,000 ml of water at 21°C in a 2 liter beaker and stirred at a rate so as to yield a 3 cm vortex. The results are reported below, in TABLE XII. Perhydrolysis Profile of Noodled Activator versus Powdered Activator Sample % A.O. of theoretical at various times (t) in days t=4 t=8 t=12 Activator 88 88 78 Activator (Powder) 62 66 56 Further experiments conducted tested the performance of particular surfactants in the detergent base with which the activator granules were combined. Surprisingly, Applicants discovered that performances of certain long chain linear alkyl benzene sulfonates demonstrably improved cleaning performance. Chain length Distributions: C 10 C 11 C 12 C 13 C 14 Mol. Wt. 1. Biosoft® S130 -- -- 17% 50% 28% 340 2. Biosoft® S100 20% 43% 32% 4% 1% 316 A nonphosphate detergent having the formulation as in TABLE XIV below used surfactants 1 and 2 shown in TABLE XIII in the detergent base. These two examples were tested in wash water at about 21°C, 100 ppm hardness and the results reported in TABLE XV. Nonphosphate Detergent + Activator Formulation Component Wt.% Na 2 CO 3 61.13 HLAS 11.34 Na Perborate Monohydrate 7.49 Silicate 6.48 Activator Noodle 9.97 Minors, including Na 2 SO 4, UMB, Enzyme, Moisture, etc. 3.59 100.00 The following performance data were thereby obtained: Performance Comparison Soil/Fabric % Soil Removal (E) Surfactant Sebum on Cotton Sebum on Polyester Sebum on Polycotton Biosoft® S130 71.9 92.6 81.6 Biosoft® S100 62.2 73.8 69.1 LSD(t-test) (95% confidence) 7.6 3.9 9.8 Average Scores For % S.R. on all Fabrics Biosoft® S130 82.0 Biosoft® S100 68.4 LSD (t-test) (95% confidence) 4.4 The above data demonstrate that selection of surfactant can have a significant effect on performance in detergent compositions containing the inventive activator granules. Thus, it has been shown that longer chain anionic sufactants are especially desirable for implementation in Applicants' detergent systems. In another test, the effect on performance is reviewed when sodium perborate tetrahydrate is used as the oxidant, the surfactant chain length is varied, and the builder system is non-phosphate. The formulation in TABLE XIV, above, was used, with conditions of: perborate tetrahydrate crystals with particle size of U.S. mesh grade 30; 21°C, 100 ppm water hardness; and nonphosphate builder system (pH 10-10.5). The results are shown in TABLE XVI. % A.O. of peroxide yield at 12 minutes Surfactant Perborate x4H 2 O Perborate x 1H 2 O Biosoft® S130 31% 95% Biosoft® S100 91% 95% Neodol® 25-9 95% 95% The above results demonstrate that in a non-phosphate system, the chain length of the surfactant can influence solubility of the perborate tetrahydrate, when the surfactant is anionic. Further, the effect is not influenced by pH in the 9.8 - 11.0 range, water hardness (0-200ppm), and temperature below 32°C. Because of this effect, it is preferred to use perborate monohydrate in a non-phosphate system which, as shown in TABLE XVI, is soluble. In yet another test below, the solubility difference between the phosphate detergent formulation containing sodium perborate monohydrate in TABLE VI and an identical formulation containing sodium perborate tetrahydrate were compared. The amount of particulate residue collected on a black swatch after filtering the wash solution therethrough indicates the degree of solubility of the respective formulations. The procedure for determining detergent residue (meant to simulate a scaled-down wash load) is as follows: 10g detergent is added to a 2 liter beaker containing 1,000ml water at about 21°C and stirred at a rate so as to yield a vortex of about 2-3 cm. After a time of twelve minutes , the solution is filtered onto a black cloth (which has been previously weighed). The cloth and the undissolved particles are collected and dried. The dried cloth is then re-weighed to determine the amount of undissolved particles. Detergent Solubility Example Residue (grams) A 0.011 B 0.293 The above test results reported in TABLE XVII demonstrate that when the surfactant used is C 12-14 HLAS, in a non-phosphate system, it is preferred to use perborate monohydrate as the peroxide source in order to reduce residual undissolved particles. The next experiments show the effect of heavy metal ions on solution stability of the in situ formed peracid from the inventive activator granules. Surprisingly, the use of an aminopolyphosphonate chelating agent reduced loss of peracid formed in solution when heavy metal cations were present. Tri(methylene phosphonic acid) amine (Dequest® 2000 manufactured by Monsanto) was used as the chelating agent. Its effect on peracid decomposition in the presence of Cu ++ ion was measured by dissolving 4.5g of the detergent composition shown in TABLE VI into three liters of water containing 100 ppm hardness (3:1 Ca +2 :Mg +2 ) and the concentration of copper shown in Table XVIII. The composition contained nonanoyloxyacetate phenol sulfonate ester as a powder. Average ppm of A.O. 4, 8, and 12 minutes Example Avg. ppm , A.O. ppb Cu ++ ppm 1 Dequest® 2000 1 2.7 0 0 2 2.0 50 0 3 1.3 100 0 4 0.9 250 0 5 2.6 250 10 Table XVIII clearly demonstrates that heavy metal cations, e.g., copper ion, decompose the peracid formed from the activator and that a chelating agent (Dequest® 2000) prevents this copper ion catalyzed decomposition. A crystalline form of nonanoyloxyglycoylphenylsulfonate precursor ("NOGPS"), produced by a modified method described in U.S. Patent 4,778,618, was made into noodles as described in 3. Forming the Granules, above and the formulation is shown in TABLE XIX. In the tests conducted with such granules, various solubility additives were included to evaluate solubility enhancement. The noodle composition was similar to TABLE IV, above, but varied, as follows: Bleach Activator Granules Gram Wt. Wt.% Component 4.2 85.0 Precursor, NOGPS (80% active) 0.12 2.5 Binder, polyethylene glycol, Carbowax® 4600, from Union Carbide) 0.12 2.5 Binder, C 12 sodium alkyl aryl sulfonate (Calsoft® L40 from Pilot Chemical Co.), on an actives basis. 0.49 10.0 Solubility Additive 4.93 100.0 For the solubility test, various additives were added to see whether solubility was improved thereby. These granule compositions were then tested for solubility in a manner similar to that described for the detergent solubility test in TABLE XVII, above. In this procedure, unlike there, Kevex filter paper was used instead of black cloth, and the residue is measured in percent remaining residue. As shown in TABLE XX below, sodium xylene sulfonate, magnesium sulfate and polyvinyl pyrrolidone performed especially well. In fact, the magnesium sulfate alone worked better than a mixture of magnesium sulfate and sodium sulfate. Additive % Residue NaCl 49% STPP 30% Borax 28% Na 2 SO 4 25% Na 2 SO 4 2 /MgSO 4 19% Dequest® 2006 11% SXS 5% MgSO 4 0 PVP 0 PVP 0 In the following section reference is made to procedures used in EP-A-0506308. For this purpose Examples 1, 3B, 3D, 3E and 8B of EP-A-0506308 are given below: "EXAMPLE 1 The general procedure followed was to react 1.5 equivalents of SO 3 (based upon nonanoyloxyacetic acid phenylester NOGB) in solvent for 2 to 2.5 hrs. at 20°C. One equivalent of a quenching agent based upon the excess of SO 3 was then added, and the reaction mixture permitted to stand at 20°C or gently heated (40°C or 60°C) for either 4 hrs. or 20 hrs... EXAMPLE 3B A Parr bench-top mini pressure reactor (300 ml capacity, stainless steel) was utilized when sulfur dioxide was used as the reaction solvent. The reactor head was equipped with magnetic stirrer, thermocouple, gas release valve, gas inlet valve, and a ball joint with rubber septum. The liquid NOGB was added to the reactor cylinder, the cylinder flushed with nitrogen, and then the pressure reactor head was fastened onto the cylinder. The reactor was cooled to minus 25°C by means of an external dry-ice/acetone bath. The sulfur dioxide gas was condensed into the pressure reactor from a lecture bottle (on a pan balance) connected to the gas inlet valve on the reactor head via a rubber hose. Sufficient sulfur dioxide was added so that the resulting solution was 1M in NOGB. Then neat sulfur trioxide in a syringe (1.6 equivalents based on NOGB) was added to the reactor contents by means of the ball joint equipped with a rubber septum. The reactor was warmed to 20°C with an external water bath and kept at this temperature, with stirring, for two hours. The pressure reactor was then cooled, by an external dry-ice/acetone bath, to minus 25°C. Nonanoic acid (one equivalent based upon excess sulfur trioxide used). In a syringe, was added to the reaction contents by means of the ball joint equipped with rubber septum. The reactor was heated to 40°C with an external oil bath and kept at this temperature, with stirring, for two hours. The sulfur dioxide solvent was then allowed to escape from the reactor and bubble through cold, aqueous sodium hydroxide by means of rubber tubing connected to the gas release valve of the pressure reactor head. The reactor head was then removed from the reactor cylinder and the viscous, reddish liquid product recovered. The product was analyzed by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and found to contain 96.2% of the desired sulfonated intermediate. EXAMPLE 3D Two different quenching agents were used sequentially in preparing the desired sulfonated intermediate. The sulfonation procedure outlined in Example 3B was followed. The quenching step began by cooling the reactor with an external dry-ice/acetone bath to minus 25°C. Toluene (0.6 equivalents based upon excess sulfur trioxide) in a syringe was added via the ball joint with rubber septum. The reactor was warmed to 40°C by means of an external oil bath and the reaction allowed to stir for one hour. The reactor was again cooled with the dry-ice/acetone bath, nonanoic acid (0.4 equivalents based upon excess sulfur trioxide) in a syringe was added and the reactor heated to 40°C with the oil bath. The reaction was stirred for two more hours at 40°C and then worked up and analyzed as described in Example 3B. The yield of desired sulfonated product was 96.5 %. Alternatively, the toluene and nonanoic acid can be premixed and then added to the reaction. This mixture was heated to 40°C, with stirring, for two hours and worked up and analyzed as described above. The yield of desired sulfonated product was 94.3%. EXAMPLE 3E In a manner analogous to Example 3D, toluene (0.6 equivalents based upon excess sulfur trioxide) and linear alkylbenzene, LAB, (0.2 equivalents based upon excess sulfur trioxide) were used as quenching agents (added sequentially). When worked up and analyzed as described above, the yield of desired sulfonated product was 88.6%. EXAMPLE 8B ... the dry neutralization can be unexpectedly enhanced by adding sufficient water to moisten the reaction mass. First, dry Na 2 CO 3 and NOGPSA (from a toluene quench) in a 1:5.2 weight ratio were admixed (in a batch procedure), then water was added to moisten in an amount of about 10% total. It is believed that the water acts as a medium for ion (H + and Na + ) exchange. A product yield of 96% was achieved. " Following the procedure of Example 3E of EP-A-0 506 308, nonanoyloxyglycoylphenylsulfonic acid ("NOGPSA") was produced by using two sequentially added quenching agents, toluene and linear alkyl benzene ("LAB"). The resulting sulfonic acid ester was then neutralized in accordance with Example 8B of the same application. To this neutralized, nonanoyloxyglycoylphenylsulfonate precursor ("NOGPS") was added calcium silicate, polyethylene glycol binder and magnesium sulfate. The resulting composition of the granule is shown in TABLE XXI, below: Ingredient Wt.% NOGPS + minor products 44 Sodium toluene sulfonate 15 NaNOA 11 LAS 9 Micro Cel® C 6 PEG 4600 2 MgSO 4 2 Misc. remainder The Crush Durability test shown in TABLE VII and accompanying text, above, was repeated for the granule composition shown in TABLE XXI. As a control, a granule which contained neither polyethylene glycol nor calcium silicate, was compared. The formulation of TABLE XXI was found to achieve a crush factor of 369 grams. The control, on the other hand, had <20 grams crush factor. Following the procedure of Example 1 of the co-pending application EP-A-0 506 308, NOGPSA was produced by using linear alkyl benzene as the sole quenching agent. The resulting sulfonic acid ester was then neutralized in accordance with Example 8B of the same application. To this NOGPS was added calcium silicate, polyethylene glycol binder and magnesium sulfate solubilizing aid. The resulting composition of the aranule is shown in TABLE XXII, below: Ingredient Wt.% NOGPS + minor products 40 LAS 22 Micro Cel® C 9 NaNOA 9 MgSO 4 4 PEG 4600 3 Misc. remainder Again, the Crush Durability test shown in TABLE VII and accompanying text, above, was repeated for the granule composition shown in TABLE XXII. As a control, a granule which contained neither polyethylene glycol nor calcium silicate, was compared. The formulation of TABLE XXII was found to achieve a crush factor of 350 grams. The control, on the other hand, had <20 grams crush factor. The resulting NOGPS granules from TABLES XXI and XXII can then be placed into a detergent formulation, as previously described, or peroxygen bleach formulation. In TABLE XXIII, a peroxygen bleach composition into which these granules can be incorporated is described: Ingredient Wt.% Sodium carbonate 60.0-70.0 Sodium polyacrylate 1 , 2.0-6.0 Sodium silicate 1 , 2.0-6.0 Sodium Perborate monohydrate 6.4 NOGPS Granules (40% active) 17.0 Aminopolyphosphonate 0.6 Enzyme 1.5 FWA 0.38 Pigment 0.18 Fragrance 0.24 Totals: varies The invention is further exemplified in the Claims which follow.

Claims: Stable bleach activator granules comprising: a) a peroxygen bleach activator having the structure: wherein R is a C 1 - 20 straight or branched chain alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, alkylaryl or substituted aryl, n is an integer from 1-10, and M is H, an alkali metal, alkaline earth, or ammonium counterion, which activator is formed by sulphonating and neutralising an activator intermediate; b) a binding material formed in situ when the activator intermediate is sulfonated and neutralized; and c) a stiffener which improves the durability while not significantly affecting the solubility of the granules. Bleach activator granules as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the stiffener is selected from the group consisting of magnesium silicate, calcium silicate, silica, and mixtures thereof. Bleach activator granules as claimed in claim 2 charcterised in that the stiffener is calcium silicate. Bleach activator granules as claimed in any of claims 1-3 characterised in that the activator has the structure Bleach activator granules as claimed in any of claims 1-3 characterised in that the activator has the structure Bleach activator granules as claimed in any of claims 1-3 characterised in that the activator has the structure. Bleach activator granules as claimed in any of claims 1-6 comprising a bleach-effective amount of a source of hydrogen peroxide. Bleach activator granules as claimed in claim 7 characterised in that the source of hydrogen peroxide is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal perborates, alkali metal percarbonates, hydrogen peroxide adducts and mixtures thereof. Bleach activator granules as claimed in any of claims 6-8 further comprising a detergent base which comprises: i) builders; ii) fillers; and iii) a surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic, nonionic, cationic, and amphoteric, zwitterionic surfactants, and mixtures thereof. Bleach activator granules as claimed in any of claims 6-9 further comprising i) a cleaning adjunct selected from the group consisting of enzymes, dyes, pigments, fluorescent whitening agents, anti-redeposition agents, chelating agents, anti-foaming agents, buffers, fragrances, and mixtures thereof. Bleach activator granules as claimed in any of claims 1-10 further comprising a solubilizing aid selected from the group consisting of magnesium sulfate, alkali aryl sulfonate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone and mixtures thereof. A bleaching or detergent composition comprising granules as claimed in any of claims 1-11.

Inventors: BOLKAN STEVEN A, BRODBECK KEVIN J, OTTOBONI THOMAS B, SPILLETT CRIS TINA, STEICHEN DALE S, THOMPSON SUZANNE M, ZIELSKE ALFRED G, BOLKAN, STEVEN A., BRODBECK, KEVIN J., OTTOBONI, THOMAS B., SPILLETT, CRIS TINA, STEICHEN, DALE S., THOMPSON, SUZANNE M., ZIELSKE, ALFRED G.
Applicants: CLOROX CO, THE CLOROX COMPANY
Application year: 1992
Main classification: C11D3
IPC codes: D06M16, C11D3, D06L3, C11D7