Patent GB-675993-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to surface-active compositions
Filed: 1947-12-16
Abstract: Condensation products are prepared by condensing ethylene oxide with a branched-chain tertiary alkyl mercaptan derived from a polymerized olefine and having from 6 to 18 carbon atoms, until from 1 to 40 mols. of ethylene oxide have been condensed with the mercaptan.  The reaction is carried out preferably in presence of an alkaline condensation catalyst and at atmospheric pressure though higher pressures below 50 lbs. may be used.  Mercapto starting materials specified are the branched chain forms of hexyl, heptyl, octyl, decyl, dodecyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl and octadecyl mercaptans; the compounds prepared as described in U.S.A. Specification 2,392,555 are referred to.  The condensation products are used in detergent compositions in conjunction with solid alkaline salt builders such as polyphosphates and orthophosphates and, as optional additives, other water-soluble salts such as soda-ash, sodium sulphate, sodium chloride, and sodium borate, colloidal carbohydrate materials such as starch, methyl cellulose, carboxy methyl cellulose and dextrin material, and fillers such as bentonite and kieselguhr.  Examples are given. Specifications 437,590, 637,295, [Group IV (b)], and 643,456 also are referred to.  The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91, relates to the production of condensates from ethylene, propylene or other alkylene oxide and any branched chain secondary or tertiary mercaptan including arachyl mercaptan, in the above-mentioned proportions; the products may be used as surface-active compounds in conjunction with any builder.  This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.ALSO:Surface-active compounds are prepared by condensing ethylene oxide with a branched chain tertiary alkyl mercaptan derived from a polymerized olefine and having from 6 to 18 carbon atoms, until from 1 to 40 mols. of ethylene oxide have been condensed with the mercaptan.  The reaction is preferably effected at atmospheric pressure and in the presence of an alkaline condensation catalyst such as the hydroxide or carbonate of sodium or potassium.  The condensation products are used in detergent compositions (see Group III).  According to examples 1 and 2, tertiary dodecyl mercaptan made from branched chain olefines is heated in a reactor with potassium hydroxide as catalyst and ethylene oxide gas is slowly added at about 125 DEG  C.; reaction is continued to yield products containing about 10 and 15 mols. ethylene oxide respectively.  Other tertiary alkyl mercaptans mentioned are the branched-chain forms of hexyl, heptyl, octyl, decyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl and octadecyl mercaptans; reference is made to the method of preparing mercaptans described in U.S.A.  Specification 2,392,555.  Specifications 437,590, 637,295 and 643,456 also are referred to.  The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 relates to the production of surface-active agents by condensing secondary or tertiary branched chain olefines with alkylene oxides, including ethylene and propylene oxides, in the above-mentioned proportions. Arachyl mercaptan is an additional example of a mercapto starting material.  This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.ALSO:Wetting agents having softening effects on fabrics comprise the condensation products of ethylene oxide with branched chain tertiary alkyl mercaptans derived from polymerized olefins and having 6-18 carbon atoms in the mercaptan molecule, the condensation product containing 1 to 40 mols. of ethylene oxide for each mol. of the mercaptan. Condensation products derived from the branched chain forms of hexyl, heptyl, octyl, decyl, dodecyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl and octadecyl mercaptans are mentioned (see Group IV (b)).  The products are used in conjunction with solid alkaline salt builders, e.g. polyphosphates and orthophosphates, in detergent compositions (see Group III). Optional additives include soda-ash, sodium sulphate, sodium chloride, sodium borate, colloidal carbohydrate materials such as starch, methyl cellulose and carboxy methyl cellulose and fillers such as bentonite and kieselguhr.  Examples are given. Specifications 437,590, 637,295, [Group IV (b)], and 643,456 and U.S.A. Specification 2,392,555 are referred to.  The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 describes wetting agents obtained by condensing ethylene, propylene or other alkylene oxide with a branched chain secondary or tertiary alkyl mercaptan including arachyl mercaptan; these products may be used alone or with any builder.  This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.ALSO:A detergent composition comprises the condensation product of ethylene oxide with a branched chain tertiary alkyl mercaptan derived from a polymerized mercaptan and having from 6 to 18 carbon atoms in the mercaptan molecule, the condensation product having from 1 to 40 mols. of ethylene oxide for each mol. of the mercaptan (see Group IV(b)), and a solid alkaline salt builder. Condensation products derived from the branched chain forms of hexyl, heptyl, octyl, decyl, dodecyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl and octadecyl mercaptans are mentioned.  Specified solid alkaline salt builders are the polyphosphates such as sodium triphosphate or tetraphosphate or fused or sintered products approximating to these, sodium hexametaphosphate, sodium pyrophosphate and tetrasodium pyrophosphate, and the orthophosphates such as sodium mono-, di- and tri-orthophosphate; potassium phosphate is also mentioned.  Optional additives include other solid inorganic water-soluble salts such as soda-ash, sodium sulphate, sodium chloride and sodium borate, colloidal carbohydrate materials such as starch, methyl cellulose, carboxy methyl cellulose and dextrin materials and fillers such as bentonite and kieselguhr to give a dry powdery product.  The additives should not include ordinary fatty acid soaps.  Examples of detergent compositions are given. Specifications 437,590, 637,295 and 643,456, [both in Group IV(b)], and U.S.A. Specification 2,392,555 are referred to.  The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91, relates to detergents comprising the products obtained by condensing any alkylene oxide e.g. ethylene or propylene oxide with any branched chain secondary or tertiary mercaptan in the above mentioned proportions; the products may be used alone or in combination with any builder.  Reference is made to the use of a condensation product derived from arachyl mercaptan.  This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.