AU663854B2

AU663854B2 - Detergent compositions containing polyhydroxy fatty acid amides and suds enhancing agent

Info

Publication number: AU663854B2
Application number: AU87396/91A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Mark Hsiang-Kuen Mao
Original assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Current assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date: 1990-09-28
Filing date: 1991-09-25
Publication date: 1995-10-26
Anticipated expiration: 2011-09-25
Also published as: JP3046070B2; DE69103759T2; WO1992006161A1; JPH06502198A; NZ240041A; HUT63873A; FI931367A0; EP0550653B1; DE69103759D1; MY110806A; HU9300896D0; BR9106913A; MX9101363A; ATE110767T1; NO931020D0; FI931367A; AU8739691A; NO931020L; HK1006182A1; ES2059154T3

Abstract

The present invention provides detergent compositions comprising one or more anionic sulfate or sulfonate surfactants; one or more polyhydroxy fatty acid amides having formula (I), wherein R<1> is H, a C1-C4 hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxy ethyl, 2-hydroxy propyl, or mixtures thereof, R<2> is a C5-C31 hydrocarbyl, and Z is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl having a linear hydrocarbyl chain with at least 3 hydroxyl groups directly connected to the chain, or an alkoxylated derivative thereof; and a critically selected suds enhancing agent. The present invention also provides for a method for cleaning soiled dishes by treating said dishes with the detergent compositions disclosed herein.

Description

DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING POLYHYDROXY FATTY ACID AMIDES AND SUDS ENHANCING AGENT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to detergent compositions com¬ prising one or more anionic sulfate or sulfonate surfactants, one or more polyhydroxy fatty acid amides and a critically selected suds enhancing agent. In particular, it relates to detergent composi- tions which possess enhanced cleaning and sudsing properties, are mild to the hand, and are especially suitable for use in dishwashing applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The use of anionic sulfated or sulfonated surfactants in detergent compositions is known. However, it would be desirable to incorporate such surfactants into detergent compositions which exhibit improved cleaning and sudsing performance across varying temperature and humidity conditions.

It has now been found that detergent compositions containing one or more anionic sulfated or sulfonated detergent surfactants, one or more polyhydroxy fatty acid amides and a suds enhancing agent selected from the group consisting of amine oxides, betaines, sultaines, and certain nonionics, and mixtures thereof, exhibit sudsing and cleaning performance superior to the performance of anionic sulfated or sulfonated surfactants alone. In addition to these performance benefits, such compositions are, when compared to anionic sulfated or sulfonated surfactants, milder to the hand, have improved rinsability, are not as slippery to the touch, and are easier to formulate due to a reduced need for process additives such as solvents and hydrotropes.

A further benefit associated with such compositions is that their sudsing performance is unexpectedly uniform across varying temperature and humidity conditions. BACKGROUND ART The use of anionic sulfate or sulfonate surfactants in deter¬ gent compositions is known in the art, U.S. Patent 4,435,317 (Gerritson et al., March 6, 1984), discloses liquid detergent compositions which contain alky! sulfate, alky! ether sulfate and alkylbenzene sulfonate surfactants. U.K. Patent Specification 809,060, assigned to Hedley & Co. Ltd., published February 18, 1959, discloses detergent compositions containing a sulfate or a sulfonate surfactant with a particular polyhydroxy fatty acid amide. The polyhydroxy fatty acid amide component contained in the composition of the present invention is also known in the art, as are several of its uses.

N-acyl, N-methyl glucamides, for example, are disclosed by J. W. Goodby, M. A. Marcus, E. Chin, and P. L. Finn in "The Thermo- tropic Liquid-Crystalline Properties of Some Straight Chain Carbohy¬ drate Amphiphiles," Liquid Crystals, 1988, Volume 3, No. 11, pp 1569-1581, and by A. Muller-Fahrnow, V. Zabel, M. Steifa, and R. Hilgenfeld in "Molecular and Crystal Structure of a Nonionic Deter¬ gent: Nonanoyl-N-methylglucamide," J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Commun., 1986, pp 1573-1574. The use of N-alkyl polyhydroxyamide surfactants has been of substantial interest recently for use in biochemistry, for example in the dissociation of biological membranes. See, for example, the journal article "N-D-Gluco-N-methyl-alkanamide Com¬ pounds, a New Class of Non-Ionic Detergents For Membrane Bio- chemistry," Biochem. J. (1982), Vol. 207, pp 363-366, by J. E. K.

Hildreth.

The use of N-alkyl glucamides in detergent compositions has also been discussed. U.S. Patent 2,965,576, issued December 20,

1960 to E. R. Wilson, and U.K. Patent Specification 809,060, already discussed herein, relate to detergent compositions containing anionic surfactants and certain amide surfactants, which can include N-methyl glucamide, added as a low temperature suds enhancing agent. These compounds include an N-acyl radical of a higher straight chain fatty acid having 10-14 carbon atoms. These compositions may also contain auxiliary materials such as alkali metal phosphates, alkali metal silicates, sulfates, and carbonates. It is also generally indicated that additional constituents to impart desirable proper¬ ties to the composition can also be included in the compositions, such as fluorescent dyes, bleaching agents, perfumes, etc.

U.S. Patent 2,703,798, issued March 8, 1955 to A. M. Schwartz, relates to aqueous detergent compositions containing the condensa¬ tion reaction product of N-alkyl glucamine and an aliphatic ester of a fatty acid. The product of this reaction is said to be useable in aqueous detergent compositions without further purification. It is also known to prepare a sulfuric ester of acylated glucamine as disclosed in U.S. Patent 2,717,894, issued September 13, 1955, to A. M. Schwartz.

PCT International Application WO 83/04412, published December 22, 1983, by J. Hildreth, relates to a phiphilic compounds contain¬ ing polyhydroxyl aliphatic groups said to be useful for a variety of purposes including use as surfactants in cosmetics, drugs, shampoos, lotions, and eye ointments, as e ulsifiers and dispensing agents for medicines, and in biochemistry for solubilizing membranes, whole cells, or other tissue samples, and for preparing liposomes. Included in this disclosure are compounds of the formula R'CON(R)CH2R" and R"C0N(R)R' wherein R is hydrogen or an organic grouping, R' is an aliphatic hydrocarbon group of at least three carbon atoms, and R" is the residue of an aldose.

European Patent 0 285 768, published October 12, 1988, H. Kelkenberg, et al., relates to the use of N-polyhydroxy alkyl fatty acid amides as thickening agents in aqueous detergent systems. Included are amides of the formula RjC(0)N(X)R2 wherein Rj is a C]-Ci7 (preferably C7-C17) alkyl, R is hydrogen, a Cj-Cis (prefer¬ ably Ci-Cδ) alkyl, or an alkylene oxide, and X is a polyhydroxy alkyl having four to seven carbon atoms, e.g., N-methyl, coconut fatty acid glucamide. The thickening properties of the amides are indicated as being of particular use in liquid surfactant systems containing paraffin sulfonate, although the aqueous surfactant systems can contain other anionic surfactants, such as alkylaryl sulfonates, olefin sulfonate, sulfosuccinic acid half ester salts, and fatty alcohol ether sulfonates, and nonionic surfactants such as fatty alcohol polyglycol ether, alkylphenol polyglycol ether, fatty acid polyglycol ester, polypropylene oxide-polyethylene oxide mixed polymers, etc. Paraffin sulfonate/N-methyl coconut fatty acid glucamide/nonionic surfactant shampoo formulations are exemplified. In addition to thickening attributes, the N-polyhydroxy alkyl fatty acid amides are said to have superior skin tolerance attributes.

U.S. Patent 2,982,737, issued May 2, 1961, to Boettner, et al., relates to detergent bars containing urea, sodium lauryl sulfate anionic surfactant, and an N-alkylglucamide nonionic surfactant which is selected from N-methyl,N-sorbityl laura ide and N-methyl, N-sorbityl myristamide.

Other glucamide surfactants are disclosed, for example, in DT 2,226,872, published December 20, 1973, H. W. Eckert, et al., which relates to washing compositions comprising one or more surfactants and builder salts selected from polymeric phosphates, sequestering agents, and washing alkalis, improved by the addition of an N-acyl- polyhydroxyalkylamine of the formula RιC(0)N(R2)CH2(CH0H)_nCH20H, wherein Ri is a C1-C3 alkyl, R2 is a C10-C22 alkyl, and n is 3 or 4. The N-acylpolyhydrox alkyl-amine is added as a soil suspending agent.

U.S. Patent 3,654,166, issued April 4, 1972, to H. W. Eckert, et al., relates to detergent compositions comprising at least one surfactant selected from the group of anionic, zwitterionic, and nonionic surfactants and, as a textile softener, an N-acyl, N-alkyl polyhydroxyalkyl compound of the formula RiN(Z)C(0)R2 wherein Ri is a C10-C22 alkyl, R2 is a C7-C21 alkyl, Rj and R2 total from 23 to 39 carbon atoms, and Z is a pol hydroxyalkyl which can be -CH2(CH0H)_m- CH2OH where m is 3 or 4.

U.S. Patent 4,021,539, issued May 3, 1977, to H. Mόller, et al., relates to skin treating cosmetic compositions containing N-polyhydroxyalkyl-amines which include compounds of the formula RlN(R)CH(CH0H)_mR2 wherein Ri is H, lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, or aminoalkyl, as well as heterocyclic aminoalkyl, R is the same as Rl but both cannot be H, and R2 is CH2OH or COOH.

French Patent 1,360,018, April 26, 1963, assigned to Commercial Solvents Corporation, relates to solutions of formaldehyde stabil¬ ized against polymerization with the addition of amides of the formula RC(0)N(Rι)G wherein R is a carboxylic acid functionality having at least seven carbon atoms, Ri is hydrogen or a lower alkyl group, and G is a glycitol radical with at least 5 carbon atoms. German Patent 1,261,861, February 29, 1968, A. Heins, relates to glucamine derivatives useful as wetting and dispersing agents of the formula N(R)(Rι)(R2) wherein R is a sugar residue of glucamine, Rl is a C10-C20 alkyl radical, and R2 is a C1-C5 acyl radical. 5 G.B. Patent 745,036, published February 15, 1956, assigned to Atlas Powder Company, relates to heterocyclic amides and carboxylic esters thereof that are said to be useful as chemical intermediates, emulsifiers, wetting and dispersing agents, detergents, textile softeners, etc. The compounds are expressed by the formula 10 N(R)(Rι)C(0)R2 wherein R is the residue of an anhydrized hexane pentol or a carboxylic acid ester thereof, Rj is a onovalent hydrocarbon radical, and -C(0)R2 is the acyl radical of a carboxylic acid having from 2 to 25 carbon atoms.

U.S. Patent 3,312,627, issued April 4, 1967 to D. T. Hooker,

-- discloses solid toilet bars that are substantially free of anionic detergents and alkaline builder materials, and which contain lithium soap of certain fatty acids, a nonionic surfactant selected from certain propylene oxide-ethylenediamine-ethylene oxide condensates, propylene oxide-propylene glycol-ethylene oxide condensates, and

²⁰ polymerized ethylene glycol, and also contain a nonionic lathering component which can include polyhydroxyamide of the formula

RC(0)NRl(R²) wherein RC(0) contains from about 10 to about 14 carbon atoms, and R¹ and R² each are H or Ci-Cβ alkyl groups, said alkyl groups containing a total number of carbon atoms of from 2 to about

²⁵ 7 and a total number of substituent hydroxyl groups of from 2 to about 6. A substantially similar disclosure is found in U.S. Patent

3,312,626, also issued April 4, 1967 to D. T. Hooker.

The use of amine oxides, betaines, sultaines, and the nonionics of the present invention are also known in the art. U.S. Patent ³⁰ 4,555,360, issued November 26, 1985 to Bissett et al., discloses detergent compositions comprising certain sulfated and sulfonated surfactants, a betaine surfactant, and an amine oxide. These compositions may also optionally contain certain nonionic detergent surfactants. U.S. Patent 3,351,557, issued November 7, 1967 to

-> c

- Almstead et al., discloses built liquid detergent compositions containing a nonionic detergent, a builder, an emulsion stabilizer, water, and a detergent selected from a group of detergents which include sultaines. However, there is nothing in the art which teaches the unex¬ pected cleaning and sudsing performance, lack of "slippery" feel, mildness to the hand, and ease of rinsing associated with the detergent compositions of the present invention which contain - anionic sulfated or sulfonated anionic surfactants, certain polyhy¬ droxy fatty acid amides and a critically selected suds enhancing agent.

Additionally, nothing in the art teaches that such compositions provide substantially uniform improved sudsing performance across 10 varying temperature and humidity conditions.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide such detergent compositions which exhibit such properties.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method for cleaning soiled dishes by treating said dishes with the -•- particular detergent compositions described herein.

These objects are realized by the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to detergent compositions comprising from about 5% to about 65% by weight of a surfactant ²⁰ mixture comprising:

(a) from about 5% to about 95% by weight of one or more anionic sulfate or sulfonate surfactants;

(b) from about 5% to about 95% by weight of one or more polyhydroxy fatty acid amides having the formula

²⁵ 0 Rl

R2 - C - N - Z wherein R* is H, a C1-C4 hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxy ethyl, 2-hydroxy propyl, or mixtures thereof, R² is a C5-C31 hydrocarbyl, and Z is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl having a

30 linear hydrocarbyl chain with at least 3 hydroxyl groups directly connected to the chain, or an alkoxylated derivative thereof; and

(c) from about 1% to about 20% by weight of a suds enhancing agent selected from the group consisting of amine oxides;

35 betaines; sultaines; and nonionic compounds selected from polyethylene, polypropylene and polybutylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenols, the alkyl ethoxylate condensation products of aliphatic alcohols with ethylene oxide, the condensation products of ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic base formed by the condensation of propylene oxide with propylene glycol, the condensation product of ethylene oxide with the product resulting from the reaction of propylene oxide and ethylenediamine, alkylpolysaccharides, and fatty acid amides; and mixtures thereof.

The present invention is also directed toward a method for cleaning soiled dishes, said method comprising treating said dishes with the detergent compositions claimed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The detergent compositions of the present invention comprise from about 5% to about 65%, preferably from about 10% to about 50%, most preferably from about 15% to about 40% by weight of a surfactant mixture comprising one or more anionic sulfated or sulfonated surfactants, one or more polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, and a critically selected suds enhancing agent. These and other ingredients typically found in liquid detergent compositions are set forth below. The detergent compositions of the present invention are preferably in the form of a liquid or a gel, more preferably light-duty liquid detergent compositions, most preferably light-duty liquid dishwashing detergent compositions. Anionic Surfactant

The surfactant mixture of the present invention, comprises from about 5% to about 95%, preferably from about 20% to about 80%, more preferably from about 40% to about 60% by weight of one or more anionic sulfate or sulfonate surfactants. The anionic sulfate or sulfonate surfactant may be any organic sulfate or sulfonate surfactant, but is preferably selected from C_1X-C₁₅ alkyl benzene sulfonates, C₁₀-C_l6 alkyl sulfates and their ethoxy analogues containing up to twelve moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alkyl ethoxy sulfates, C₁₃-C₁₈ paraffin sulfonates, C₁₀-C₁₆ olefin sulfonates, C₁₀-C₂₀ alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates, C9-C17 acyl-N-(Cι-C4 alkyl) or - -(C2-C4 hydroxyalkyl) glucamine sulfates, and mixtures of any of the foregoing. More preferably the anionic surfactant is selected from linear alkyl benzene sulfonates, alkyl ethoxy sulfates, alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates and paraffin sulfonates. Alkyl benzene sulfonates useful in compositions of the present invention are those in which the alkyl group, which is substantially linear, contains 10-16 carbon atoms, preferably 10-13 carbon atoms, a material with an average carbon chain length of 11.2 being most

5 preferred. The phenyl isomer distribution, i.e., the point of attachment of the alkyl chain to the benzene nucleus, is not critical, but alkyl benzenes having a high 2-phenyl isomer content are preferred.

Suitable alkyl sulfates are primary alkyl sulfates in which the

10 alkyl group contains 10-16 carbon atoms, more preferably an average of 12-14 carbon atoms preferably in a linear chain. C₁₀-C₁₆ alcohols, derived from natural fats, or Ziegler olefin build-up, or 0X0 synthesis, form suitable sources for the alkyl group. Examples of synthetically derived materials include Dobanol 23 (RTM) sold by

15 Shell Chemicals (UK) Ltd., Ethyl 24 sold by the Ethyl Corporation, a blend of C₁₃-C₁₅ alcohols in the ratio 67% C₁₃, 33% C₁₅ sold under the trade name Lutensol by BASF GmbH and Synperonic (RTM) by ICI Ltd., and Lial 125 sold by Liquichimica Italiana. Examples of naturally occurring materials from which the alcohols can be derived

-•- are coconut oil and palm kernel oil and the corresponding fatty acids.

Alkyl ethoxy sulfate surfactants comprise a primary alkyl ethoxy sulfate derived from the condensation product of a C₁₀-C₁₆ alcohol with an average of up to 6 ethylene oxide groups. The

²⁵ C₁₀-C₁₆ alcohol itself can be obtained from any of the sources previously described for the alkyl sulfate component. C₁₂-C₁₄ alkyl ethoxy sulfates are preferred.

Conventional base-catalyzed ethoxylation processes to produce an average degree of ethoxylation of 12 result in a distribution of

~ individual ethoxy!ates ranging from 1 to 15 ethoxy groups per mole of alcohol, so that the desired average can be obtained in a variety of ways. Blends can be made of material having different degrees of ethoxylation and/or different ethoxylate distributions arising from the specific ethoxylation techniques employed and subsequent

- processing steps such as distillation. For example, it has been found that sudsing and grease removal performance equivalent to that given by a blend of alkyl sulfate and alkyl triethoxy sulfate can be obtained by reducing the level of alkyl sulfate and using an alkyl ethoxy sulfate with an average of approximately two ethoxy groups per mole of alcohol. In preferred compositions in accordance with the present invention an alkyl ethoxy sulfate is used which has an average degree of ethoxylation of from 0.4 to 5, more preferably from 0.4 to 3.0.

Paraffin sulfonates useful in the present invention have from 13 to 18 carbon atoms per molecule, more desirably 13 to 16 carbon atoms per molecule. These sulfonates are preferably prepared by subjecting a cut of paraffin, corresponding to the chain lengths specified above, to the action of sulfur dioxide and oxygen in accordance with the well-known sulfoxidation process. The product of this reaction is a secondary sulfonic acid which is then neutralized with a suitable base to provide a water-soluble secondary alkyl sulfonate. Similar secondary alkyl sulfonates may be obtained by other methods, e.g., by the sulfochlorination method in which chlorine and sulfur dioxide are reacted with paraffins in the presence of actinic light, the resulting sulfonyl chlorides being hydrolyzed and neutralized to form the secondary alkyl sulfonates. Whatever technique is employed, it is normally desirable to produce the sulfonate as the monosulfonate, having no unreacted starting hydrocarbon or having only a limited proportion thereof present and with little or no inorganic salt by-product. Similarly, the proportions of disulfonate or higher sulfonated material will be minimized, although some may be present. The monosulfonate may be terminally sulfonated or the sulfonate group may be joined on the 2-carbon or other carbon of the linear chain. Similarly, any accompanying disulfonate, usually produced when an excess of sulfonating agent is present, may have the sulfonate groups distributed over different carbon atoms of the paraffin base, and mixtures of the onosulfonates and disulfonates may be present. Mixtures of monoalkane sulfonates wherein the alkanes are of 14 and 15 carbon atoms are particularly preferred wherein the sulfonates are present in the weight ratio of C₁₄-C₁₅ paraffins in the range from 1:3 to 3:1. Olefin sulfonates useful in the present invention are mixtures of alkene-1-sulfonates, alkene hydroxysulfonates, alkene disulfon¬ ates and hydroxydisulfonates, and are described in the commonly assigned U.S. Patent 3,332,880, issued to P. F. Pflauner and A. Kessler on July 25, 1967.

Suitable alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates are those derived from ethers of coconut oil and tallow. Other sulfate surfactants include the C9-C17 acyl-N-(Cι-C4 alkyl) or -N-(Cι-C2 hydroxyalkyl) glucamine sulfates, preferably those in which the C9-C17 acyl group is derived from coconut or palm kernel oil. These materials can be prepared by the method disclosed in U.S. Patent 2,717,894, issued September 13, 1955 to Schwartz. The counterion for the anionic surfactant component is preferably selected from sodium, potassium, magnesium, ammonium or alkanol-ammonium, and mixtures thereof, with magnesium being most preferred.

In preferred compositions incorporating a C₁₀-C₁₆ alkyl ethoxy sulfate as the anionic surfactant, the molar amount of magnesium ion in the compositions is controlled to correspond to 0.35-0.65X where X is the number of moles of C₁₀-C₁₆ alkyl sulfate present. Most preferably the magnesium ion content is adjusted to provide the stoichiometric equivalent, i.e., half the molar amount of the alkyl sulfate present. In such positions the magnesium ion will be present at a level of from about 0.15% to about 3.0% by weight, preferably from 0.25% to 1.5% by weight of the composition. Polyhydroxy Fatty Acid Amide Component

The surfactant mixture of the present invention comprises from about 5% to about 95%, preferably from about 20% to about 80%, more preferably from about 40% to about 60% by weight of one or more polyhydroxy fatty acid amides having the structural formula: 0 Rl (I) R2 - C - N - Z wherein: R¹ is H, C1-C4 hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxy ethyl, 2-hydroxy propyl, or a mixture thereof, preferably C1-C4 alkyl, more preferably Ci or C2 alkyl, most preferably Ci alkyl (i.e., methyl); and R² is a C5-C31 hydrocarbyl, preferably straight-chain C7-C19 alkyl or alkenyl, more preferably straight-chain C9-C17 alkyl or alkenyl, most preferably straight-chain Cπ-Cπ alkyl or alkenyl, or mixture thereof; and Z is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl having a linear hydrocarbyl chain with at least 3 hydroxyls directly connected to the chain, or an alkoxylated derivative (preferably ethoxylated or propoxylated) thereof. Z preferably will be derived from a reducing sugar in a reductive amination reaction; more preferably Z is a glycityl. Suitable reducing sugars include glucose, fructose, maltose, lactose, galactose, mannose, and xylose. As raw materials, high dextrose corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, and high maltose corn syrup can be utilized as well as the individual sugars listed above. These corn syrups may yield a mix of sugar components for Z.

It should be understood that it is by no means intended to exclude other suitable raw materials. Z preferably will be selected from the group consisting of -CH₂-(CH0H)_n-CH₂0H, -CHtCHzOHMCHOHJn-x-

CH₂0H, -CH₂-(CH0H)2(CH0R')(CH0H)-CH20H, where n is an integer from 3 to 5, inclusive, and R' is H or a cyclic or aliphatic onosacchar- ide, and alkoxylated derivatives thereof. Most preferred are glycityls wherein n is 4, particularly -CH2-(CHOH)4-CH20H. In Formula (I), R¹ can be, for example, N-methyl, N-ethyl,

N-propyl, N-isopropyl, N-butyl , N-2-hydroxy ethyl, or N-2-hydroxy propyl .

R²-C0-N< can be, for example, coca ide, stearamide, oleamide, lauramide, myristamide, caprica ide, palmitamide, tallowamide, etc. Z can be 1-deoxyglucityl, 2-deoxyfructityl, 1-deoxymaltityl, 1-deoxylactityl, 1-deoxygalactityl, 1-deoxymannityl, 1-deoxymalto- triotityl, etc.

The most preferred polyhydroxy fatty acid amide has the general formula 0 CH3

R2 - C - N - CH2 - (CH0H)4CH20H wherein R² is a C11-C17 straight-chain alkyl or alkenyl group.

Methods for making polyhydroxy fatty acid amides are known in the art. In general, they can be made by reacting an alkyl amine with a reducing sugar in a reductive amination reaction to form a corresponding N-alkyl polyhydroxyamine, and then reacting the N-alkyl polyhydroxyamine with a fatty aliphatic ester or triglyceride in a condensation/a idation step to form the N-alkyl, N-polyhydroxy fatty acid amide product. Processes for making compositions containing polyhydroxy fatty acid amides are disclosed, for example, in G.B. Patent Specification 809,060, published February 18, 1959, by Thomas Hedley & Co., Ltd., U.S. Patent 2,965,576, issued December 20, 1960 to E. R. Wilson, and U.S. Patent 2,703,798, Anthony M. Schwartz, issued March 8, 1955, and U.S. Patent 1,985,424, issued December 25, 1934 to Piggott, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

In one process for producing N-alkyl or N-hydroxyalkyl, N-deoxyglycityl fatty acid amides wherein the glycityl component is derived from glucose and the N-alkyl or N-hydroxyalkyl functionality is N-methyl, N-ethyl, N-propyl, N-butyl, N-hydroxyethyl , or N-hydroxypropyl, the product is made by reacting N-alkyl- or N-hydroxyalkyl-glucamine with a fatty ester selected from fatty methyl esters, fatty ethyl esters, and fatty triglycerides in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of trilithium phosphate, trisodium phosphate, tripotassium phosphate, tetrasodiu pyrophosphate, pentapotassium tripolyphosphate, lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, lithium carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, disodiu tartrate, dipotassium tartrate, sodium potassium tartrate, trisodium citrate, tripotassium citrate, sodium basic silicates, potassium basic silicates, sodium basic aluminosilicates, and potassium basic aluminosilicates, and mixtures thereof. The amount of catalyst is preferably from about 0.5 mole % to about 50 mole %, more preferably from about 2.0 mole % to about 10 mole %, on an N-alkyl or N-hydroxyalkyl-glucamine molar basis. The reaction is preferably carried out at from about 138°C to about 170^βC for typically from about 20 to about 90 minutes. When triglycerides are utilized in the reaction mixture as the fatty ester source, the reaction is also preferably carried out using, from about 1 to about 10 weight % of a phase transfer agent, calculated on a weight percent basis of total reaction mixture, selected from saturated fatty alcohol polyethoxyl- ates, alkylpolyglucosides, linear glucamide surfactant, and mixtures thereof.

Preferably, this process is carried out as follows:

(a) preheating the fatty ester to about 138^βC to about 170°C;

(b) adding the N-alkyl or N-hydroxyalkyl glucamine to the heated fatty acid ester and mixing to the extent needed to form a two-phase liquid/liquid mixture;

(c) mixing the catalyst into the reaction mixture; and

(d) stirring for the specified reaction time. Also preferably, from about 2% to about 20% of preformed linear N-alkyl/N-hydroxy l yl, N-linear glucosyl fatty acid amide product is added to the reaction mixture, by weight of the reactants, as the phase transfer agent if the fatty ester is a triglyceride. This seeds the reaction, thereby increasing reaction rate. A detailed experimental procedure is provided below in the section entitled Experimental .

The polyhydroxy "fatty acid" amide materials used herein also offer the advantages to the detergent for ulator that they can be prepared wholly or primarily from natural, renewable, non- petrochemical feedstocks and are degradable. They also exhibit low toxicity to aquatic life.

It should be recognized that along with the polyhydroxy fatty acid amides of Formula (I), the processes used to produce them will also typically produce quantities of nonvolatile by-product such as esteramides and cyclic polyhydroxy fatty acid amide. The level of these by-products will vary depending upon the particular reactants and process conditions. Preferably, the polyhydroxy fatty acid amide incorporated into the detergent compositions hereof will be provided in a form such that the polyhydroxy fatty acid amide- containing composition added to the detergent contains less than about 10%, preferably less than about 4%, of cyclic polyhydroxy fatty acid amide. The preferred processes described above are advantageous in that they can yield rather low levels of by-products, including such cyclic amide by-product. Suds Enhancing Agent

The surfactant mixture of the present invention further comprises from about 1% to about 20%, preferably from about 2% (more preferably 5%) to about 20% by weight of a suds enhancing agent selected from the group consisting of amine oxides, betaines, sultaines, and certain nonionics.

Amine oxides useful in the present invention include those compounds having the formula

0 R³(0 *)χN(R⁵)₂ wherein R³ is selected from an alkyl, hydroxyalkyl , acylamidopropyl and alkyl phenyl group, or mixtures thereof, containing from 8 to 26 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 16 carbon atoms; R⁴ is an alkylene or hydroxyalkylene group containing from 2 to 3 carbon atoms, prefer¬ ably 2 carbon atoms, or mixtures thereof; x is from 0 to 3, prefer¬ ably 0; and each R⁵ is an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group containing from 1 to 3, preferably from 1 to 2 carbon atoms, or a polyethylene oxide group containing from 1 to 3, preferably 1, ethylene oxide groups. The R⁵ groups can be attached to each other, e.g., through an oxygen or nitrogen atom, to form a ring structure.

These amine oxide surfactants in particular include C₁₀-C₁₈ alkyl dimethyl amine oxides and C₈-C₁₂ alkoxy ethyl dihydroxyethyl amine oxides. Examples of such materials include dimethyloctylamine oxide, diethyldecylamine oxide, bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)dodecylamine oxide, dimethyldodecylamine oxide, dipropyltetradecylamine oxide, methylethylhexadecylamine oxide, dodecylamidopropyl di ethylamine oxide and dimethyl-2-hydroxyoctadecylamine oxide. Preferred are Cιo-18 alkyl dimethylamine oxide, and Cιo-18 acylamido alkyl dimethylamine oxide.

The betaines useful in the present invention are those com¬ pounds having the formula wherein R is a Cδ-Ci8 hydrocarbyl group, preferably a C10-C16 alkyl group, each R¹ is typically Ci-C₃ alkyl, preferably methyl, and R² is a C1-C5 hydrocarbyl group, preferably a C1-C3 alkylene group, more preferably a C1-C2 alkylene group. Examples of suitable betaines include coconut acylamidopropyldimethyl betaine; hexadecyl dimethyl betaine; C12-14 acylamidopropylbetaine; C8-14 acylamidohexyldiethyl betaine; 4[Ci4-i6 acyl ethylamidodiethylammonio]-l-carboxybutane; ^c16-18 acylamidodi ethylbetaine; C12-I6 acylamidopentanediethyl- betaine; [C1 -I6 acylmethylamidodimethylbetaine. Preferred betaines are C1 -I8 dimethyl-am onio hexanoate and the Cιo-18 acylamidopro- pane (or ethane) dimethyl (or diethyl) betaines. The sultaines useful in the present invention are those com¬ pounds having the formula R(R¹)₂N+R²S0₃- wherein R is a Cβ-Cis hydrocarbyl group, preferably a C10-C16 alkyl group, more preferably a 12-C13 alkyl group, each R¹ is typically Ci-C₃ alkyl, preferably methyl, and R² is a C1-C6 hydrocarbyl group, preferably a C1-C3 alkylene or, preferably, hydroxyalkylene group. Examples of suitable sultaines include Cj2-14 dimethylammonio-2-hydroxypropyl sulfonate, C1 -14 amido propyl ammonio-2-hydroxypropyl sultaine, ^c12-14 dihydroxyethylammonio propane sulfonate, and Ci6-i8 dimethylammonio hexane sulfonate, with C12-14 a ido propyl ammonio- 2-hydroxypropyl sultaine being preferred.

Suitable nonionic detergent surfactants are generally disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,929,678, Laugh!in et al., issued December 30, 1975, at column 13, line 14 through column 16, line 6, incorporated herein by reference. Exemplary, non-limiting classes of useful nonionic surfactants are listed below.

1. The polyethylene, polypropylene, and polybutylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenols. In general, the polyethylene oxide condensates are preferred. These compounds include the condensation products of alkyl phenols having an alkyl group containing from about 6 to about 12 carbon atoms in either a straight chain or branched chain configuration with the alkylene oxide. In a pre¬ ferred embodiment, the ethylene oxide is present in an amount equal to from about 5 to about 25 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alkyl phenol. Commercially available nonionic surfactants of this type include Igepal™ CO-630, marketed by the GAF Corporation; and TritonTM χ-45, X-114, X-100, and X-102, all marketed by the Rohm & Haas Company. 2. The alkyl ethoxy!ate condensation products of aliphatic alcohols with from about 1 to about 25 moles of ethylene oxide. The alkyl chain of the aliphatic alcohol can either be straight or branched, primary or secondary, and generally contains from 8 to 22 carbon atoms. Particularly preferred are the condensation products of alcohols having an alkyl group containing from 10 to 20 carbon atoms with from about 2 to about 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. Most preferred are the condensation products of alcohols having an alkyl group containing from 10 to 14 carbon atoms with from about 6 to about 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. Examples of commercially available nonionic surfactants of this type include TergitolTM 15-S-9 (the condensation product of Cn-Cj5 linear alcohol with 9 moles ethylene oxide), Tergitol 24-L-6 NMW (the condensation product of C12-C1 primary alcohol with 6 moles ethylene oxide with a narrow molecular weight distribution), both marketed by Union Carbide Corporation; Neodol™ 45-9 (the condensation product of C14-C15 linear alcohol with 9 moles of ethylene oxide), Neodol^M 23-6.5 (the condensation product of ^cl2^_Cl3 linear alcohol with 6.5 moles of ethylene oxide), Neodol™ 45-7 (the condensation product of C14-C15 linear alcohol with 7 moles of ethylene oxide), NeodolTM 45.4 (the condensation product of 5 C14-C15 linear alcohol with 4 moles of ethylene oxide), marketed by Shell Chemical Company, and Kyro™ EOB (the condensation product of C13-C15 alcohol with 9 moles ethylene oxide), marketed by The Procter & Gamble Company.

3. The condensation products of ethylene oxide with a hydro- 10 phobic base formed by the condensation of propylene oxide with propylene glycol. The hydrophobic portion of these compounds preferably has a molecular weight of from about 1500 to about 1800 and exhibits water insolubility. The addition of polyoxyethylene moieties to this hydrophobic portion tends to increase the water

I⁵ solubility of the molecule as a whole, and the liquid character of the product is retained up to the point where the polyoxyethylene content is about 50% of the total weight of the condensation prod¬ uct, which corresponds to condensation with up to about 40 moles of ethylene oxide. Examples of compounds of this type include certain

20 of the commercially-available Pluronic™ surfactants, marketed by BASF.

4. The condensation products of ethylene oxide with the product resulting from the reaction of propylene oxide and ethylenediamine. The hydrophobic moiety of these products consists

²⁵ of the reaction product of ethylenediamine and excess propylene oxide, and generally has a molecular weight of from about 2500 to about 3000. This hydrophobic moiety is condensed with ethylene oxide to the extent that the condensation product contains from about 40% to about 80% by weight of polyoxyethylene and has a

³⁰ molecular weight of from about 5,000 to about 11,000. Examples of this type of nonionic surfactant include certain of the commercially available TetronicTM compounds, marketed by BASF.

5. Alkylpolysaccharides disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,565,647, Llenado, issued January 21, 1986, having a hydrophobic group con¬

35 taining from about 6 to about 30 carbon atoms, preferably from about 10 to about 16 carbon atoms and a polysaccharide, e.g., a polygly- coside, hydrophilic group containing from about 1.3 to about 10, preferably from about 1.3 to about 3, most preferably from about 1.3 to about 2.7 saccharide units. Any reducing saccharide containing 5 or 6 carbon atoms can be used, e.g., glucose, galactose and galac- tosyl moieties can be substituted for the glucosyl moieties. (Optionally the hydrophobic group is attached at the 2-, 3-, 4-, etc. positions thus giving a glucose or galactose as opposed to a glucoside or galactoside.) The intersaccharide bonds can be, e.g., between the one position of the additional saccharide units and the 2-, 3-, 4-, and/or 6- positions on the preceding saccharide units. Optionally, and less desirably, there can be a polyalkylene- oxide chain joining the hydrophobic moiety and the polysaccharide moiety. The preferred alkyleneoxide is ethylene oxide. Typical hydrophobic groups include alkyl groups, either saturated or unsatu- rated, branched or unbranched containing from 8 to 18, preferably from 10 to 16, carbon atoms. Preferably, the alkyl group is a straight-chain saturated alkyl group. The alkyl group can contain up to about 3 hydroxyl groups and/or the polyalkyleneoxide chain can contain up to about 10, preferably less than 5, alkyleneoxide moieties. Suitable alkyl polysaccharides are octyl, nonyldecyl, undecyldodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, and octadecyl, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, and hexaglu- cosides, galactosides, lactosides, glucoses, fructosides, fructoses and/or galactoses. Suitable mixtures include coconut alkyl, di-, tri-, tetra-, and pentaglucosides and tallow alkyl tetra-, penta-, and hexaglucosides. The preferred alkylpolyglycosides have the formula

R2θ(C_nH₂nO)t(glycosyl)_x wherein R² is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkyl- phenyl, hydroxyalkyl , hydroxyalkylphenyl, and mixtures thereof in which the alkyl groups contain from 10 to 18, preferably from 12 to 14, carbon atoms; n is 2 or 3, preferably 2; t is from 0 to about 10, preferably 0; and x is from about 1.3 to about 10, preferably from about 1.3 to about 3, most preferably from about 1.3 to about 2.7. The glycosyl is preferably derived from glucose. To prepare these compounds, the alcohol or alkylpolyethoxy alcohol is formed first and then reacted with glucose, or a source of glucose, to form the glucoside (attachment at the 1-position). The additional glycosyl units can then be attached between their 1-position and the preceding glycosyl units 2-, 3-, 4- and/or 6-position, preferably predominately the 2-position.

6. Fatty acid amide surfactants having the formula:

wherein R^δ is an alkyl group containing from 7 to 21, preferably from 9 to 17 carbon atoms and each R? is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl , and -(C2H4θ)_xH, where x is in the range of from 1 to 3.

10 Preferred amides are C8-C20 ammonia amides, monoethanolamides, diethanolamides, and isopropanolamides.

Preferred suds enhancing agents are Cχo-18 alkyl dimethyl amine oxides, Cιo-18 acyl amide alkyl dimethyl amine oxides, betaines, sultaines, condensation products of aliphatic alcohols with ethylene

¹⁵ oxides, and alkylpolysaccharides, and mixtures thereof. Liquid Carrier

In a preferred embodiment, the detergent compositions of the present invention are liquid detergent compositions. These preferred liquid detergent compositions comprise from about 95% to

20 about 35% by weight, preferably from about 90% to about 50% by weight, most preferably from about 85% to about 60% by weight of a liquid carrier, e.g., water, preferably a mixture of water and a C1-C4 monohydric alcohol (e.g, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol, and mixtures thereof), with ethanol being the preferred

25 alcohol . Composition DH

The liquid detergent compositions hereof will preferably be formulated such that during use in aqueous cleaning operations the wash water will have a pH of between about 6 and about 9, more

³⁰ preferably between about 7 and about 8. Liquid product formulations preferably have a pH in the range of from about 5.0 to about 10.5, more preferably from about 6.0 to about 9.0, most preferably from about 6.5 to about 7.5. Techniques for controlling pH at recom¬ mended usage levels include the use of buffers, alkali, acids, etc.,

-- and are well known to those skilled in the art. Thickening Agent

The detergent compositions of the present invention may also be in the form of a gel. Such compositions are typically formulated in the same manner as liquid detergent compositions, except they contain an additional thickening agent.

Any material or materials which can be admixed with the aqueous liquid to provide shear-thinning compositions having sufficient yield values can be used in the compositions of this invention. Materials such as colloidal silica, particulate polymers, such as polystyrene and oxidized polystyrene, combinations of certain surfactants, and water-soluble polymers such as polyacrylate are known to provide yield values. A preferred thickening agent useful in the compositions of the present invention is a high molecular weight polycarboxylate polymer thickener. By "high molecular weight" it is meant from about 500,000 to about 5,000,000, preferably from about 750,000 to about 4,000,000. The polycarboxylate polymer may be a carboxyvinyl polymer. Such compounds are disclosed in U.S. Patent 2,798,053, which is incorporated herein by reference. Methods for making carboxyvinyl polymers are also disclosed in Brown, and are also incorporated herein by reference. A carboxyvinyl polymer is an interpoly er of a monomeric mixture comprising a monomeric olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acid, and from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the total monomers of a polyether of a polyhydric alcohol, which polyhydric alcohol contains at least four carbon atoms to which are attached at least three hydroxyl groups, the polyether containing more than one alkenyl group per molecule. Other onoolefinic monomeric materials may be present in the monomeric mixture if desired, even in predomi¬ nant proportion. Carboxyvinyl polymers are substantially insoluble in liquid, volatile organic hydrocarbons and are dimensionally stable on exposure to air.

Preferred polyhydric alcohols used to produce carboxyvinyl polymers include polyols selected from the class consisting of oligosaccharides, reduced derivatives thereof in which the carbonyl group is converted to an alcohol group, and pentaerythritol ; more preferred are oligosaccharides, most preferred is sucrose. It is preferred that the hydroxyl groups of the polyol which are modified be etherified with allyl groups, the polyol having at least two ally! ether groups per polyol molecule. When the polyol is sucrose, it is preferred that the sucrose have at least about five allyl ether groups per sucrose molecule. It is preferred that the polyether of the polyol comprise from about 0.1% to about 4% of the total monomers, more preferably from about 0.2% to about 2.5%. Preferred monomeric olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acids for use in producing carboxyvinyl polymers used herein include monomeric, poly erizable, alpha-beta monoolefinically unsaturated lower aliphatic carboxylic acids; more preferred are monomeric monoolefinic acrylic acids of the structure R

CH2 = C - COOH herein R is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkyl groups; most preferred is acrylic acid.

Carboxyvinyl polymers useful in formulations of the present invention have a molecular weight of at least about 750,000. Pre¬ ferred are highly cross-linked carboxyvinyl polymers having a molecular weight of at least about 1,250,000. Also preferred are carboxyvinyl polymers having a molecular weight of at least about 3,000,000, which may be less highly cross-linked.

Various carboxyvinyl polymers are commercially available from B. F. Goodrich Company, New York, N.Y., under the trade name Carbopol. Carboxyvinyl polymers useful in formulations of the present invention include Carbopol 910 having a molecular weight of about 750,000; preferred is Carbopol 941 having a molecular weight of about 1,250,000, and more preferred are Carbopols 934 and 940 having molecular weights of about 3,000,000 and 4,000,000, respec¬ tively.

Carbopol 934 is a very slightly cross-linked carboxyvinyl polymer having a molecular weight of about 3,000,000. It has been described as a high molecular weight polyacrylic acid cross-linked with about 1% of polyallyl sucrose having an average of about 5.8 allyl groups for each molecule of sucrose.

Additional polycarboxylate polymers useful in the present invention are Sokolan PHC-25R, a polyacrylic acid available from BASF Corp., and Gantrez^R a poly(methyl vinyl ether/maleic acid) interpoly er available from GAF Corp. Preferred polycarboxylate polymers of the present invention are non-linear, water-dispersible, polyacrylic acid cross-linked with a polyalkenyl polyether and having a molecular weight of from about 750,000 to about 4,000,000. Highly preferred examples of these polycarboxylate polymer thickeners are the Carbopol 600 series resins available from B. F. Goodrich. Especially preferred are Carbopol 616 and 617. It is believed that these resins are more highly cross-linked than the 900 series resins and have molecular weights between about 1,000,000 and 4,000,000. Mixtures of polycarboxylate polymers as herein described may also be used in the present invention. Particularly preferred is a mixture of Carbopol 616 and 617 series resins.

The polycarboxylate polymer thickener is utilized preferably with essentially no clay thickening agents. In fact, it has been found that if the polycarboxylate polymers of the present invention are utilized with clay in the composition of the present invention, a less desirable product, in terms of phase instability, results. In other words, the polycarboxylate polymer is preferably used instead of clay as a thickening/stabilizing agent in the present compositions.

The polycarboxylate polymer also provides a reduction in what is commonly called "bottle hang-up". This term refers to the inability to dispense all of the dishwashing detergent product from its container. Without intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that the thickened compositions of the present invention provide this benefit because the force of cohesion of the composi¬ tion is greater than the force of adhesion to the container wall. With clay thickener systems, which most commercially available products contain, bottle hang-up can be a significant problem under certain conditions.

Without intending to be bound by theory, it is also believed that the long chain molecules of the polycarboxylate polymer thick¬ ener help suspend solids in the thickened detergent compositions of the present invention and help keep the matrix expanded. The polymeric material is also less sensitive than clay thickeners to destruction due to repeated shearing, such as occurs when the composition is vigorously mixed. If the polycarboxylate polymer is used as a thickening agent in the compositions of the present invention, it is typically present at a level of from about 0.1% to about 10%, preferably from about 0.2% to about 2% by weight. The thickening agents are used to provide a yield value of from about 50 to about 350 and most preferably from about 75 to about 250. Yield Value Analysis

The yield value is an indication of the shear stress at which the gel strength is exceeded and flow is initiated. It is measured herein with a Brookfield RVT model viscometer with a T-bar B spindle at 25°C utilizing a Helipath drive upward during associated read¬ ings. The system is set to 0.5 rpm and a reading is taken for the composition to be tested after 30 seconds or after the system is stable. The system is stopped and the rpm is reset to 1.0 rpm. A reading is taken for the same composition after 30 seconds or after the system is stable. Stress at zero shear is equal to two times the 0.5 rpm reading minus the reading at 1.0 rpm. The yield value is calculated as the stress at zero shear times 18.8 (conversion factor).

Optional Components

The compositions of the present invention may optionally contain other anionic and nonionic compounds (other than those already disclosed herein).

Other anionic surfactants useful for detersive purposes can also be included in the compositions hereof. Examples of useful anionic surfactants include salts (including, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di- and triethanolamine salts) of soap, sulfonated polycarboxylic acids prepared by sulfonation of the pyrolyzed product of alkaline earth metal citrates, e.g., as described in British Patent Specification No. 1,082,179, C8-C22 alkylsulfates, C8-C24 alkylpolyglycolethersulfates (containing up to 10 moles of ethylene oxide); alkyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty acyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty acyl glycerol sulfates, alkyl phenol ethylene oxide ether sulfates, alkyl phosphates, isethionates such as the acyl isethion- ates, acyl taurates, fatty acid amides, alkyl succinates and sulfo- succinates, acyl sarcosinates, sulfates of alkylpolysaccharides such as the sulfates of alkylpolyglucoside (the nonionic nonsulfated compounds having already been described herein), alkyl ether car¬ bonates, fatty acids esterified with isethionic acid and neutralized with sodium hydroxide, and fatty acids amides of methyl tauride. 5 Further examples are described in "Surface Active Agents and Deter¬ gents" (Vol. I and II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch). A variety of such surfactants are also generally disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,929,678, issued December 30, 1975 to Laughlin, et al . at Column 23, line 58 through Column 29, line 23 (herein incorporated by 10 reference).

Ampholytic surfactants may also be incorporated into the detergent compositions hereof. These surfactants can be broadly described as aliphatic derivatives of secondary or tertiary amines, or aliphatic derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary 15 amines in which the aliphatic radical can be straight- or branched- chain. One of the aliphatic substituents contains at least 8 carbon atoms, typically from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, and at least one con¬ tains an anionic water-solubilizing group, e.g., carboxy, sulfonate, sulfate. See U.S. Patent No. 3,929,678 to Laughlin et al., issued ²⁰ December 30, 1975, at column 19, lines 18-35 (herein incorporated by reference) for examples of useful ampholytic surfactants.

Zwitterionic surfactants may also be incorporated into the detergent compositions hereof. These surfactants can be broadly described as derivatives of secondary and tertiary amines, deriva- tives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines, or derivatives of quaternary ammonium, quaternary phosphoniu or tertiary sulfonium compounds. See U.S. Patent No. 3,929,678 to Laughlin et al., issued December 30, 1975, at column 19, line 38 through column 22, line 48 (herein incorporated by reference) for examples of useful zwitteri- onic surfactants.

Such ampholytic and zwitterionic surfactants are generally used in combination with one or more anionic and/or nonionic surfactants.

If included in the compositions of the present invention, these optional additional surfactants are typically present at a concen¬

35 tration of from about 1% to about 10%, preferably from about 2% to about 5% by weight.

Other optional ingredients include detergency builders, either of the organic or inorganic type, although such builders in general are not preferred for use in the composition of the present inven¬ tion. Examples of water-soluble inorganic builders which can be used, either alone or in admixture with themselves or with organic alkaline sequestrant builder salts, are glycine, alkyl and alkenyl succinates, alkali metal carbonates, phosphates, polyphosphates, and silicates. Specific examples of such salts are sodium tripolyphos- phate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium pyrophosphate, potassium pyrophosphate, potassium tripolyphosphate, and sodium hexa etaphosphate. Examples of organic builder salts which can be used alone, or in admixture with each other, or with the preceding inorganic alkaline builder salts, are alkali metal polycarboxylates, examples of which include, but are not limited to, water-soluble citrates such as sodium and potassium citrate, sodium and potassium tartrate, sodium and potassium ethylenediaminetetraacetate, sodium and potassium N-(2-hydroxy- ethyl)-ethylene diamine tr acetates, sodium and potassium nitrilo triacetates, sodium and potassium N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-nitrilo diacetates, sodium and potassium oxydi- succinates, and sodium and potassium tartrate mono- and di- succinates, such as those described in U.S. Patent 4,663,071 (Bush et al., issued May 5, 1987), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein. Other organic detergency builders, such as water-soluble phosphonates, can be used in the compositions of the present inven¬ tion. However, detergency builders in general have limited value when the compositions of the present invention are in the form of light-duty liquid dishwashing detergent compositions. If included in the compositions of the present invention, these optional builders are typically present at a concentration of from about 1.0% to about 10%, preferably from about 2% to about 5% by weight.

Other desirable ingredients include diluents, solvents, dyes, perfumes and hydrotropes (preferred). Diluents can be inorganic salts, such as sodium and potassium sulfate, ammonium chloride, sodium and potassium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, etc. Diluents useful in the compositions of the present invention are typically present at levels of from about 1% to about 10%, preferably from about 2% to about 5% by weight.

Solvents useful herein include water and lower molecular weight alcohols, such as ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, etc. Solvents useful in the compositions of the present invention are typically present at levels of from about 1% to about 60%, preferably from about 5% to about 50% by weight.

Hydrotropes such as sodium and potassium toluene sulfonate, sodium and potassium xylene sulfonate, sodium and potassium cumene sulfonate, trisodium and tripotassium sulfosuccinate, and related compounds (as disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,915,903, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein) can be utilized in the interests of achieving a desired product phase stability and viscosity. It has been found that the hydrotropes can have a positive effect on the suds benefit of the present invention. While not intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that this benefit is due to the viscosity characteristics of such hydrotropes. Hydrotropes useful in the compositions of the present invention are typically present at levels of from about 1% to about 10%, preferably from about 2% to about 5% by weight.

Optional ingredients useful when the compositions of the present invention are used in liquid dishwashing detergent applica¬ tions include drainage promoting ethoxylated nonionic surfactants of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,316,824, issued to Pancheri on February 23, 1982, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein.

While not intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that the claimed compositions of the present invention are beneficial in that they provide unexpected sudsing and cleaning performance and clean dishes without imparting a "greasy" feel to the cleaned dish, which is important in consumer markets where the cleanliness of a dish is judged by the lack of such a "greasy" feel. Furthermore, while not intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that further benefits of the composition of the present invention are ease of rinsing and that they reduce the "slippery" feel associated with typical liquid detergent compositions. The reduced slippery feel is important in consumer markets where such a "slippery" feel is not favored and is viewed as incomplete rinsing of surfactants from a dish surface.

Additionally, while not intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that the compositions of the present invention offer the benefit of unexpected uniformity in sudsing performance across varying temperature and humidity conditions, especially at a preferred dishwashing temperature in the range of from about 100°F to about 120°F.

In the method aspect of this invention, soiled dishes are contacted with an effective amount, typically from about 0.5 ml. to about 20 ml. (per 25 dishes being treated), preferably from about 3 ml. to about 10 ml., of the composition of the present invention. The actual amount of liquid detergent composition used will be based on the judgement of user, and will typically depend upon factors such as the particular product formulation of the composition, including the concentration of active ingredient in the composition, the number of soiled dishes to be cleaned, the degree of soiling on the dishes, and the like. The particular product formulation, in turn, will depend upon a number of factors, such as the intended market (i.e., U.S., Europe, Japan, etc.) for the composition product. The following are examples of typical methods in which the detergent compositions of the present invention may be used to clean soiled dishes. These examples are for illustrative purposes and are not intended to be limiting.

In a typical U.S. application, from about 3 ml. to about 15 ml., preferably from about 5 ml . to about 10 ml. of a liquid detergent composition is combined with from about 1,000 ml. to about 10,000 ml., more typically from about 3,000 ml. to about 5,000 ml., of water in a sink having a volumetric capacity in the range of from about 5,000 ml. to about 20,000 ml., more typically from about 10,000 ml. to about 15,000 ml. The detergent composition has a surfactant mixture concentration of from about 21% to about 44% by weight, preferably from about 25% to about 40% by weight. The water is preferably at a temperature in the range of from about 80°F to about 125°F, more preferably in the range of from about 100°F to about 120°F. The soiled dishes are immersed in the sink containing the detergent composition and water, where they are cleaned by contacting the soiled surface of the dish with a cloth, sponge, or similar article. The cloth, sponge, or similar article may be immersed in the detergent composition and water mixture prior to being contacted with the dish surface, and is typically contacted with the dish surface for a period of time ranging from about 1 to about 10 seconds, although the actual time will vary with each application and user. The contacting of the cloth, sponge, or similar article to the dish surface is preferably accompanied by a concurrent scrubbing of the dish surface.

In a typical European market application, from about 3 ml . to about 15 ml., preferably from about 3 ml. to about 10 ml. of a liquid detergent composition is combined with from about 1,000 ml. to about 10,000 ml., more typically from about 3,000 ml. to about 5,000 ml., of water in a sink having a volumetric capacity in the range of from about 5,000 ml. to about 20,000 ml., more typically from about 10,000 ml. to about 15,000 ml. The detergent composition has a surfactant mixture concentration from about 21% to about 44% by weight, preferably from about 25% to about 35% by weight. The water is preferably at a temperature in the range of from about 80°F to about 125°F, more preferably in the range of from about 100°F to about 120°F. The soiled dishes are immersed in the sink containing the detergent composition and water, where they are cleaned by contacting the soiled surface of the dish with a cloth, sponge, or similar article. The cloth, sponge, or similar article may be immersed in the detergent composition and water mixture prior to being contacted with the dish surface, and is typically contacted with the dish surface for a period of time ranging from about 1 to about 10 seconds, although the actual time will vary with each application and user. The contacting of the cloth, sponge, or similar article to the dish surface is preferably accompanied by a concurrent scrubbing of the dish surface. In a typical Latin American and Japanese market application, from about 1 ml . to about 50 ml., preferably from about 2 ml . to about 10 ml. of a detergent composition is combined with from about 50 ml. to about 2,000 ml., more typically from about 100 ml. to about 1,000 ml. of water in a bowl having a volumetric capacity in the range of from about 500 ml. to about 5,000 ml., more typically from about 500 ml. to about 1,000 ml. The detergent composition has a surfactant mixture concentration of from about 5% to about 40% by weight, preferably from about 10% to about 30% by weight. The soiled dishes are cleaned by contacting the soiled surface of the dish with a cloth, sponge, or similar article. The cloth, sponge, or similar article may be immersed in the detergent composition and water mixture prior to being contacted with the dish surface, and is typically contacted with the dish surface for a period of time ranging from about 1 to about 10 seconds, although the actual time will vary with each application and user. The contacting of the cloth, sponge, or similar article to the dish surface is preferably accompanied by a concurrent scrubbing of the dish surface. Another method of use will comprise immersing the soiled dishes into a water bath which is absent any liquid dishwashing detergent. A device for absorbing liquid dishwashing detergent, such as a sponge, is placed directly into a separate quantity of undiluted liquid dishwashing composition for a period of time typically ranging from about 1 to about 5 seconds. The absorbing device, and consequently the undiluted liquid dishwashing composition, is then contacted individually to the surface of each of the soiled dishes to remove said soiling. The absorbing device is typically contacted with each dish surface for a period of time range from about 1 to about 10 seconds, although the actual time of application will be dependent upon factors such as the degree of soiling of the dish. The contacting of the absorbing device to the dish surface is preferably accompanied by a concurrent scrubbing.

EXPERIMENTAL This exemplifies a process for making a N-methyl, 1-deoxyglu- cityl lauramide surfactant for use herein. Although a skilled chemist can vary apparatus configuration, one suitable apparatus for use herein comprises a three-liter four-necked flask fitted with a motor-driven paddle stirrer and a thermometer of length sufficient to contact the reaction medium. The other two necks of the flask are fitted with a nitrogen sweep and a wide-bore side-arm (caution: a wide-bore side-arm is important in case of very rapid methanol evolution) to which is connected an efficient collecting condenser and vacuum outlet. The latter is connected to a nitrogen bleed and vacuum gauge, then to an aspirator and a trap. A 500 watt heating mantle with a variable transformer temperature controller ("Variac") used to heat the reaction is so placed on a lab-jack that it may be readily raised or lowered to further control temperature of the reaction.

N-methylglucamine (195 g., 1.0 mole, Aldrich, M4700-0) and methyl laurate (Procter & Gamble CE 1270, 220.9 g., 1.0 mole) are placed in a flask. The solid/liquid mixture is heated with stirring under a nitrogen sweep to form a melt (approximately 25 minutes). When the melt temperature reaches 145^* C, catalyst (anhydrous powdered sodium carbonate, 10.5 g., 0.1 mole, J. T. Baker) is added. The nitrogen sweep is shut off and the aspirator and nitrogen bleed are adjusted to give 5 inches (5/31 atm.) Hg. vacuum. From this point on, the reaction temperature is held at 150^* C by adjusting the Variac and/or by raising or lowering the mantle.

Within 7 minutes, first methanol bubbles are sighted at the meniscus of the reaction mixture. A vigorous reaction soon follows. Methanol is distilled over until its rate subsides. The vacuum is adjusted to give about 10 inches Hg. (10/31 atm.) vacuum. The vacuum is increased approximately as follows (in inches Hg. at minutes): 10 at 3, 20 at 7, 25 at 10. 11 minutes from the onset of methanol evolution, heating and stirring are discontinued co-incident with some foaming. The product is cooled and solidifies.

The following examples are meant to exemplify compositions of the present invention, but are not necessarily meant to limit or otherwise define the scope of the invention, said scope being determined according to claims which follow. EXAMPLES

The following examples illustrate the practice of the present invention, but are not intended to be limiting thereof.

EXAMPLE I The following compositions are formulated on a weight percent basis. These compositions are prepared according to the description set forth below:

A surfactant paste is initially formed by combining any desired surfactants with water and alcohol. The surfactants contained in this surfactant paste include the polyhydroxy fatty acid amide and _sucj_s enhancing agents of the present invention. Ideally the surfactant paste should be pumpable at room or elevated tempera¬ tures. Separately, in a large mixing vessel having a propeller mixer, three-quarters of the water of the formulated product, one-half of the alcohol of the formulated product, and any required hydrotropes (e.g., xylene, cumene, toluene sulfonates) are combined with mixing to give a clear solution. Any desired optional magne¬ sium is added next, followed by the surfactant paste, to form a mixture. If included, the magnesium may be added directly to the mixing vessel as magnesium chloride. Alternatively, the magnesium may be added as a magnesium oxide or hydroxide powder. This magnesium oxide or hydroxide powder is added to the acid form of the surfact- ant salts (e.g, alkyl benzene sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl ethoxylated sulfates, methyl ester sulfonates, etc.) in the surfact¬ ant paste. When magnesium is added as a oxide or hydroxide powder, a less than stoichiometrically required amount is added with mixing to ensure complete dissolution. The pH of the magnesium-containing surfactant paste is then adjusted by using NaOH or KOH solutions.

The mixture is mixed until a homogenous, clear solution product is obtained. Additional water, alcohol, and any desired additional hydrotropes (added as a solution) may then be added to trim the solution product viscosity to the desired level, ideally between 50 and 1000 cps, as measured by a Brookfield viscometer at 70°F. The pH of the solution product is then adjusted with either HCl or NaOH to a level of 7.0 + 0.7 for formulas containing ammonium ions, and 8.5 + 1.5 for formulas which do not contain ammonium ions.

Perfume, dye and other ingredients, e.g., opacifying agents such as Lytron and ethylene glycol distearate, are added as the last step. Lytron can be added directly as a dispersion with mixing. Ethylene glycol distearate must be added in a molten state with rapid mixing to form the desired pearlescent crystals. Component A B C D E C12-1 alkyl

N-methyl glucamide 5.0 5.0 10.0 10.0 15.0 Sodium Cπ.2 linear alkyl benzene sulfonate 10.0 Ammonium coconut alcohol ethoxylate (1.0 ave.) sulfate - 25.0 - - 15.0

Ammonium coconut alcohol sulfate 10.0 5.0

Sodium salt of coco¬ nut acid methyl ester sulfonate - - 15.0

MgCl2 0.5 1.5 0.8 0.6 0.5 Sodium Ci4-i6 alpha olefin sulfonate - - - 20.0

Coconut polyglyco- side (1.6 ave. glucose unit per molecule) 5.0

Dodecyl dimethyl amine oxide 3.0 3.0 - 5.0 3.0 Coconut amidopropyl dimethyl betaine 3.0 - 3.0 Coconut mono- ethanolamide 2.0 Coconut di- ethanolamide - - - - 3.0 Sodium cumene sulfonate 2.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0

Potassium toluene sulfonate - 2.0

Ethanol 5.0 4.0 - 3.0 4.0

Water & misc. --- balance to 100% ---

(dye, perfume, etc.)

EXAMPLE II The following compositions are formulated on a weight percent basis. These compositions are prepared in same manner as the compositions of Example I.

Component _ D

C12-I4 alkyl

N-methyl gluca ide 20.0 12.0 4.0 10.0 Sodium Cn.2 linear alkyl benzene sulfonate 5.0

Ammonium coconut alcohol ethoxylate

(1.0 ave.) sulfate 5.0 12.0 Sodium salt of coco¬ nut acid methyl ester sulfonate 15.0 MgCl2 0.7 2.0 1.9 Coconut polyglyco- side (1.6 ave. glucose unit per molecule) - - 15.0 5.0

Dodecyl dimethyl amine oxide 6.0 3.0

Coconut amidopropyl dimethyl betaine - 3.0 3.0 Hexadecyl dimethyl betaine - - 5.0 3.0

Coconut di- ethanolamide 2.0 Sodium cumene sulfonate - 3.0

Sodium xylene sulfonate 3.0 3.0

Potassium toluene sulfonate 2.0 2.0 Ethanol 3.0 3.0 4.0 5.0

Water & misc. balance to 100% --^■

(dye, perfume, opacifier, etc.)

EXAMPLE III The following compositions are formulated on a weight percent basis. These compositions are prepared in the same manner as the compositions of Example I.

COMPONENT B D

Ammoni um Cπ .2 l inear al kyl benzene sul fonate 10.0 8.0 13.5 13.5 Ci2-14 fatty acid N-methyl gl ucamide 16.5 12.5 10.0 12.5 10.0 Ammoni um C12-14 al kyl ethoxy

(0.8 ave. ) sul fate Cocoamide propyl betaine Hexadecyl dimethyl betaine Coconut monoethanol amide ^c12-14 al kyl dimethyl amine oxide 4.0 2.0 3.0

The following detergent compositions are formulated on a weigh percent basis. These compositions are prepared in the same manner a the compositions of Example I. 10 COMPONENT A B C D E

Ammonium Cn.2 linear alkyl benzene sulfonate 5.0 -- 10.0 12.0 ^c12-14 fatty acid N-methyl glucamide 5.0 15.0 10.0 15.0 8.0 5 Ammonium C12-14 ethoxylated

(0.8 ave.) sulfate 5.0 14.0 10.0 -- 12.0

C10 primary alcohol ethoxylate

(8.0 ave.) 5.0 4.0 -- 4.0 3.0 ^c12-14 dimethyl betaine -- 2.0 - C12-14 amidopropyl dimethyl betaine 3.0 -- 3.0

Coconut acid monoethanol amide 2.0 2.0 -- -- 2.0

Coconut acid diethanol ⁵ amide 2.0 -- 2.0 -- 2.0

Coconut dimethyl amine oxide Sodium cumene sulfonate Sodium xylene sulfonate ⁰ Ethanol

Magnesium hydroxide Ethylene glycol distearate Ciδ dimethyl betaine Urea Water & misc. (perfume, dye, etc.) EXAMPLE V The following detergent compositions are formulated on a weight percent basis. These compositions are prepared in the same manner as the compositions of Example I. COMPONENT A B C D

Ci4-i6 alpha olefin sulfonate -- -- 10.0 10.0 ^c12-14 fatty acid N-methyl glucamide 15.0 10.0 12.5 5.0 Ammonium C12-14 ethoxylated

(0.8 ave.) sulfate -- -- -- 10.0

C12-14 methyl ester sulfonate sodium salt 15.0 10.0 5.0

C12-14 polyglycoside -- 10.0 C10 primary alcohol ethoxy! ate

(8.0 ave. ) -- -- 4.0 4.0

C12-14 amidopropyl dimethyl betaine -- 2.0

Coconut acid monoethanol amide 3.0 1.0 2.0

Coconut acid diethanol amide 2.0 1.0 2.0

Coconut dimethyl amine oxide Sodium cumene sulfonate Sodium xylene sulfonate Ethanol

Magnesium hydroxide Ethylene glycol distearate Water & misc. (perfume, dye, etc.)

EXAMPLE VI The following detergent compositions are formulated on a weight percent basis. These compositions are prepared in the same manner as the compositions of Example I.

COMPONENT A B C D

Sodium C14-15 paraffin sulfonate 26.0 -- -- 15.0

Magnesium Cj4_i5 paraffin sulfonate -- 26.0 Sodium salt of a sulfated coconut alcohol ethoxylated with 3 moles of ethoxylated oxide 14.0 15.0 Magnesium salt of a sulfated coconut alcohol ethoxylated with 3 moles of ethylene oxide 34.0 Sodium coconut glyceryl ether sulfonate 5.0 Ci2-14 fatty acid N-methyl glucamide Dimethyldodecylamine oxide Ci2-14 acylamidopropyldimethyl betaine Triethanolamine Ethanol Carbopol^® 616 Carbopol® 617 Water & misc. (perfume, dye, etc.)

EXAMPLE VII The following detergent compositions are formulated on a weight percent basis. These compositions are prepared in the same manner as the compositions of Example I. COMPONENT E

Sodium C]4-i5 paraffin sulfonate 15.0 Magnesium C14-I6 paraffin sulfonate Sodium salt of a sulfated coconut alcohol ethoxylated with 3 moles of ethoxylated oxide 15.0 10.0 Sodium coconut glyceryl ether sulfonate 5.0 Magnesium coconut glyceryl ether sulfonate 5.0 ^c12-14 fatty acid N-methyl glucamide Dimethyldodecylamine oxide C12-14 acylamidopropyldimethyl betaine Triethanolamine 3.5 3.5 3.5

Ethanol 5.0 5.0 5.0

Carbopol® 616 1.0

Carbopol^® 617 — 2.0 Water & misc. (perfume, dye, etc.) --- balance to 100% —-

EXAMPLE VIII An alternate method for preparing the polyhydroxy fatty acid amides used herein is as follows. A reaction mixture consisting of 84.87g. fatty acid methyl ester (source: Procter & Gamble methyl ester CE1270), 75g. N-methyl-D-glucamine (source: Aldrich Chemical Company M4700-0), 1.04g. sodium methoxide (source: Aldrich Chemical Company 16,499-2), and 68.51g. methyl alcohol is used. The reaction vessel comprises a standard reflux set-up fitted with a drying tube, condenser and stir bar. In this procedure, the N-methyl glucamine is combined with methanol with stirring under argon and heating is begun with good mixing (stir bar; reflux). After 15-20 minutes, when the solution has reached the desired temperature, the ester and sodium methoxide catalyst are added. Samples are taken periodically to monitor the course of the reaction, but it is noted that the solution is completely clear by 63.5 minutes. It is judged that the reaction is, in fact, nearly complete at that point. The reaction mixture is maintained at. reflux for 4 hours. After removal of the methanol, the recovered crude product weighs 156.16 grams. After vacuum drying and purification, an overall yield of 106.92 grams purified product is recovered. However, percentage yields are not calculated on this basis, inasmuch as regular sampling throughout the course of the reaction makes an overall percentage yield value meaningless. The reaction can be carried out at 80% and 90% reaction concentrations for periods up to 6 months to yield products with extremely small by-product formation.

The following is not intended to limit the invention herein, but is simply to further illustrate additional aspects of the technology which may be considered by the formulator in the manufac¬ ture of a wide variety of detergent compositions using the polyhy¬ droxy fatty acid amides.

It will be readily appreciated that the polyhydroxy fatty acid amides are, by virtue of their amide bond, subject to some instability under highly basic or highly acidic conditions. While some decomposition can be tolerated, it is preferred that these materials not be subjected to pH's above about 11, preferably 10, nor below about 3 for unduly extended periods. Final product pH

(liquids) is typically 7.0-9.0. During the manufacture of the polyhydroxy fatty acid amides it will typically be necessary to at least partially neutralize the base catalyst used to form the amide bond. While any acid can be used for this purpose, the detergent formulator will recognize that it is a simple and convenient matter to use an acid which provides an anion that is otherwise useful and desirable in the finished detergent composition. For example, citric acid can be used for purposes of neutralization and the resulting citrate ion

(ca. 1%) be allowed to remain with a ca. 40% polyhydroxy fatty acid amide slurry and be pumped into the later manufacturing stages of the overall detergent-manufacturing process. The acid forms of materials such as oxydisuccinate, nitrilotriacetate, ethylenediaminetetraacetate, tartrate/succinate, and the like, can be used similarly.

The polyhydroxy fatty acid amides derived from coconut alkyl fatty acids (predominantly C₁₂-C₁ ) are more soluble than their tallow alkyl (predominantly C₁₆-C₁₈) counterparts. Accordingly, the C₁₂-C₁ materials are somewhat easier to formulate in liquid compositions, and are more soluble in cool-water laundering baths.

However, the C₁₆-C₁₈ materials are also quite useful, especially under circumstances where warm-to-hot wash water is used. Indeed, the C₁₆-C₁₈ materials may be better detersive surfactants than their C₁₂-C₁₄ counterparts. Accordingly, the formulator may wish to balance ease-of-manufacture vs. performance when selecting a particular polyhydroxy fatty acid amide for use in a given formulation.

It will also be appreciated that the solubility of the polyhydroxy fatty acid amides can be increased by having points of unsaturation and/or chain branching in the fatty acid moiety. Thus, materials such as the polyhydroxy fatty acid amides derived from oleic acid and iso-stearic acid are more soluble than their n-alkyl counterparts. Likewise, the solubility of polyhydroxy fatty acid amides prepared from disaccharides, trisaccharides, etc., will ordinarily be greater than the solubility of their monosaccharide-derived counterpart materials. This higher solubility can be of particular assistance when formulating liquid compositions. Moreover, the polyhydroxy fatty acid amides wherein the polyhydroxy group is derived from maltose appear to function especially well as detergents when used in combination with conventional alkylbenzene sulfonate ("LAS") surfactants. While not intending to be limited by theory, it appears that the combination of LAS with the polyhydroxy fatty acid amides derived from the higher saccharides such as maltose causes a substantial and unexpected lowering of interfacial tension in aqueous media, thereby enhancing net detergency performance. (The manufacture of a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide derived from maltose is described hereinafter.)

The polyhydroxy fatty acid, amides can be manufactured not only from the purified sugars, but also from hydrolyzed starches, e.g., corn starch, potato starch, or any other convenient plant- derived starch which contains the mono-, di-, etc. saccharide desired by the formulator. This is of particular importance from the economic standpoint. Thus, "high glucose" corn syrup, "high maltose" corn syrup, etc. can conveniently and economically be used. De-lignified, hydrolyzed cellulose pulp can also provide a raw material source for the polyhydroxy fatty acid amides.

As noted above, polyhydroxy fatty acid amides derived from the higher saccharides, such as maltose, lactose, etc., are more soluble than their glucose counterparts. Moreover, it appears that the more soluble polyhydroxy fatty acid amides can help solubilize their less soluble counterparts, to varying degrees. Accordingly, the formulator may elect to use a raw material comprising a high glucose corn syrup, for example, but to select a syrup which contains a modicum of maltose (e.g., 1% or more). The resulting mixture of polyhydroxy fatty acids will, in general, exhibit more preferred solubility properties over a broader range of temperatures and concentrations than would a "pure" glucose-derived polyhydroxy fatty acid amide. Thus, in addition to any economic advantages for using sugar mixtures rather than pure sugar reactants, the polyhydroxy fatty acid amides prepared from mixed sugars can offer very substantial advantages with respect to performance and/or ease-of- formulation. In some instances, however, some loss of grease removal performance (dishwashing) may be noted at fatty acid malta- ide levels above about 25% and some loss in sudsing above about 33% (said percentages being the percentage of maltamide-derived polyhy¬ droxy fatty acid amide vs. glucose-derived polyhydroxy fatty acid amide in the mixture). This can vary somewhat, depending on the chain length of the fatty acid moiety. Typically, then, the formu¬ lator electing to use such mixtures may find it advantageous to select polyhydroxy fatty acid amide mixtures which contain ratios of monosaccharides (e.g., glucose) to di- and higher saccharides (e.g., maltose) from about 4:1 to about 99:1. The manufacture of preferred, uncyclized polyhydroxy fatty acid amides from fatty esters and N-alkyl polyols can be carried out in alcohol solvents at temperatures from about 30^βC-90^βC, preferably about δO'C-δO'C. It has now been determined that it may be con¬ venient for the formulator of, for example, liquid detergents to conduct such processes in 1,2-propylene glycol solvent, since the glycol solvent need not be completely removed from the reaction product prior to use in the finished detergent formulation. Like¬ wise, the formulator of, for example, solid, typically granular, detergent compositions may find it convenient to run the process at 30*C-90^βC in solvents which comprise ethoxylated alcohols, such as the ethoxylated (EO 3-8) C₁₂-C₁₄ alcohols, such as those available as NEODOL 23 E06.5 (Shell). When such ethoxy!ates are used, it is preferred that they not contain substantial amounts of unethoxylated alcohol and, most preferably, not contain substantial amounts of mono-ethoxylated alcohol. ("T" designation.)

While methods for making polyhydroxy fatty acid amides per se form no part of the invention herein, the formulator can also note other syntheses of polyhydroxy fatty acid amides as described hereinafter. Typically, the industrial scale reaction sequence for preparing the preferred acyclic polyhydroxy fatty acid amides will comprise: Step 1 - preparing the N-alkyl polyhydroxy amine derivative from the desired sugar or sugar mixture by formation of an adduct of the N-alkyl amine and the sugar, followed by reaction with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst; followed by Ste^p 2 - reacting the aforesaid polyhydroxy amine with, preferably, a fatty ester to form an amide bond. While a variety of N-alkyl polyhydroxy amines useful in Step 2 of the reaction sequence can be prepared by various art-disclosed processes, the following process is convenient and makes use of economical sugar syrup as the raw material. It is to be understood that, for best results when using such syrup raw materials, the manufacturer should select syrups that are quite light in color or, preferably, nearly colorless ("water-white").

Preparation of N-Alkyl Polyhydroxy Amine From Plant-Derived Sugar Syrup I. Adduct Formation - The following is a standard process in which about 420 g of about 55% glucose solution (corn syrup - about 231 g glucose - about 1.28 moles) having a Gardner Color of less than 1 is reacted with about 119 g of about 50% aqueous methylamine (59.5 g of methylamine - 1.92 moles) solution. The methylamine (MMA) solution is purged and shielded with N₂ and cooled to about lO'C, or less. The corn syrup is purged and shielded with N₂ at a temperature of about lO'-ΣO'C. The corn syrup is added slowly to the MMA solution at the indicated reaction temperature as shown. The Gardner Color is measured at the indicated approximate times in minutes.

TABLE 1 Time in Minutes: 10 30 60 120 180 240

Reaction Temp. ^*C Gardner Color (Approximate!

0 1 1 1 1 1 1

20 1 1 1 1 1 1

30 1 1 2 2 4 5

50 4 6 10

As can be seen from the above data, the Gardner Color for the adduct is much worse as the temperature is raised above about 30*C and at about 50'C, the time that the adduct has a Gardner Color below 7 is only about 30 minutes. For longer reaction, and/or holding times, the temperature should be less than about 20'C. The Gardner Color should be less than about 7, and preferably less than about 4 for good color glucamine. When one uses lower temperatures for forming the adduct, the time to reach substantial equilibrium concentration of the adduct is shortened by the use of higher ratios of amine to sugar. With the 1.5:1 mole ratio of amine to sugar noted, equilibrium is reached in about two hours at a reaction temperature of about 30^*C. At a 1.2:1 mole ratio, under the same conditions, the time is at least about three hours. For good color, the combination of amine:sugar ratio; reaction temperature; and reaction time is selected to achieve substantially equilibrium conversion, e.g., more than about 90%, preferably more than about 95%, even more preferably more than about 99%, based upon the sugar, and a color that is less than about 7, preferably less than about 4, more preferably less than about 1, for the adduct.

Using the above process at a reaction temperature of less than about 20*C and corn syrups with different Gardner Colors as indi¬ cated, the MMA adduct color (after substantial equilibrium is reached in at least about two hours) is as indicated.

TABLE 2 Gardner Color (Approximate) Corn syrup 1 1 1 1+ 0 0 0+

Adduct 3 4/5 7/8 7/8 1 2 1

As can be seen from the above, the starting sugar material must be very near colorless in order to consistently have adduct that is acceptable. When the sugar has a Gardner Color of about 1, the adduct is sometimes acceptable and sometimes not acceptable. When the Gardner Color is above 1 the resulting adduct is unacceptable. The better the initial color of the sugar, the better is the color of the adduct.

II. Hydrogen Reaction - Adduct from the above having a Gardner Color of 1 or less is hydrogenated according to the following procedure.

About 539 g of adduct in water and about 23.1 g of United Catalyst G49B Ni catalyst are added to a one liter autoclave and purged two times with 200 psig H₂ at about 20^*C. The H₂ pressure is raised to about 1400 psi and the temperature is raised to about 50'C. The pressure is then raised to about 1600 psig and the temperature is held at about 50-55'C for about three hours. The product is about 95% hydrogenated at this point. The temperature is then raised to about 85^*C for about 30 minutes and the reaction mixture is decanted and the catalyst is filtered out. The product, after removal of water and MMA by evaporation, is about 95% N-methyl glucamine, a white powder. The above procedure is repeated with about 23.1 g of Raney Ni catalyst with the following changes. The catalyst is washed three times and the reactor, with the catalyst in the reactor, is purged twice with 200 psig H₂ and the reactor is pressurized with H₂ at 1600 psig for two hours, the pressure is released at one hour and the reactor is repressurized to 1600 psig. The adduct is then pumped into the reactor which is at 200 psig and 20^*C, and the reactor is purged with 200 psig H₂, etc., as above.

The resulting product in each case is greater than about 95% N-methyl glucamine; has less than about 10 ppm Ni based upon the glucamine; and has a solution color of less than about Gardner 2.

The crude N-methyl glucamine is color stable to about 140^βC for a short exposure time.

It is important to have good adduct that has low sugar content (less than about 5%, preferably less than about 1%) and a good color (less than about 7, preferably less than about 4 Gardner, more preferably less than about 1).

In another reaction, adduct is prepared starting with about 159 g of about 50% methylamine in water, which is purged and shielded with N₂ at about 10-20'C. About 330 g of about 70% corn syrup (near water-white) is degassed with N₂ at about 50^*C and is added slowly to the methylamine solution, at a temperature of less than about 20'C. The solution is mixed for about 30 minutes to give about 95% adduct that is a very light yellow solution.

About 190 g of adduct in water and about 9 g of United Catalyst G49B Ni catalyst are added to a 200 ml autoclave and purged three times with H₂ at about 20^*C. The H₂ pressure is raised to about 200 psi and the temperature is raised to about 50^βC. The pressure is raised to 250 psi and the temperature is held at about 50-55'C for about three hours. The product, which is about 95% hydrogenated at this point, is then raised to a temperature of about 85^βC for about 30 minutes and the product, after removal of water and evaporation, is about 95% N-methyl glucamine, a white powder. It is also important to minimize contact between adduct and catalyst when the H₂ pressure is less than about 1000 psig to minimize Ni content in the glucamine. The nickel content in the

N-methyl glucamine in this reaction is about 100 ppm as compared to the less than 10 ppm in the previous reaction.

The following reactions with H₂ are run for direct comparison of reaction temperature effects.

A 200 ml autoclave reactor is used following typical procedures similar to those set forth above to make adduct and to run the hydrogen reaction at various temperatures.

Adduct for use in making glucamine is prepared by combining about 420 g of about 55% glucose (corn syrup) solution (231 g glucose; 1.28 moles) (the solution is made using 99DE corn syrup from CarGill, the solution having a color less than Gardner 1) and about 119 g of 50% methylamine (59.5 g MMA; 1.92 moles) (from Air Products).

The reaction procedure is as follows: 1. Add about 119 g of the 50% methylamine solution to a N₂ purged reactor, shield with N₂ and cool down to less than about lO'C. 2. Degas and/or purge the 55% corn syrup solution at 10-20'C with

N₂ to remove oxygen in the solution.

3. Slowly add the corn syrup solution to the methylamine solution and keep the temperature less than about 20*C.

4. Once all corn syrup solution is added in, agitate for about 1-2 hours.

The adduct is used for the hydrogen reaction right after making, or is stored at low temperature to prevent further degradation.

The glucamine adduct hydrogen reactions are as follows:

1. Add about 134 g adduct (color less than about Gardner 1) and about 5.8 g G49B Ni to a 200 ml autoclave.

2. Purge the reaction mix with about 200 psi H₂ twice at about 20-30'C.

3. Pressure with H₂ to about 400 psi and raise the temperature to about 50^*C.

4. Raise pressure to about 500 psi, react for about 3 hours. Keep temperature at about 50-55'C. Take Sample 1.

5. Raise temperature to about 85'C for about 30 minutes. 6. Decant and filter out the Ni catalyst. Take Sample 2.

Conditions for constant temperature reactions: 1. Add about 134 g adduct and about 5.8 g G49B Ni to a 200 ml autoclave. 2. Purge with about 200 psi H₂ twice at low temperature.

3. Pressure with H₂ to about 400 psi and raise temperature to about 50^βC.

4. Raise pressure to about 500 psi, react for about 3.5 hours. Keep temperature at indicated temperature. 5. Decant and filter out the Ni catalyst. Sample 3 is for about

50-55^βC; Sample 4 is for about 75"C; and Sample 5 is for about

85^βC. (The reaction time for about 85^βC is about 45 minutes.)

All runs give similar purity of N-methyl glucamine (about 94%); the Gardner Colors of the runs are similar right after reaction, but only the two-stage heat treatment gives good color stability; and the 85^βC run gives marginal color immediately after reaction.

EXAMPLE IX The preparation of the tallow (hardened) fatty acid amide of N-methyl maltamine for use in detergent compositions according to this invention is as follows.

Step 1 - Reactants: Maltose monohydrate (Aldrich, lot 01318KW); methylamine (40 wt% in water) (Aldrich, lot 03325TM); Raney nickel, 50% slurry (UAD 52-73D, Aldrich, lot 12921LW).

The reactants are added to glass liner (250 g maltose, 428 g methylamine solution, 100 g catalyst slurry - 50 g Raney Ni) and placed in 3 L rocking autoclave, which is purged with nitrogen

(3X500 psig) and hydrogen (2X500 psig) and rocked under H₂ at room temperature over a weekend at temperatures ranging from 28^*C to

50^βC. The crude reaction mixture is vacuum filtered 2X through a glass microfiber filter with a silica gel plug. The filtrate is concentrated to a viscous material. The final traces of water are azetroped off by dissolving the material in methanol and then removing the methanol/water on a rotary evaporator. Final drying is done under high vacuum. The crude product is dissolved in refluxing methanol, filtered, cooled to recrystallize, filtered and the filter cake is dried under vacuum at 35^*C. This is cut #1. The filtrate is concentrated until a precipitate begins to form and is stored in a refrigerator overnight. The solid is filtered and dried under vacuum. This is cut #2. The filtrate is again concentrated to half its volume and a recrystallization is performed. Ver little precipitate forms. A small quantity of ethanol is added and the solution is left in the freezer over a weekend. The solid material is filtered and dried under vacuum. The combined solids comprise

N-methyl maltamine which is used in Step 2 of the overall synthesis.

Step 2 - Reactants: N-methyl maltamine (from Step 1); hardened tallow methyl esters; sodium methoxide (25% in methanol); absolute methanol (solvent); mole ratio 1:1 amine:ester; initial catalyst level 10 mole % (w/r maltamine), raised to 20 mole %; solvent level

50% (wt.).

In a sealed bottle, 20.36 g of the tallow methyl ester is heated to its melting point (water bath) and loaded into a 250 ml 3-neck round-bottom flask with mechanical stirring. The flask is heated to ca . 70^βC to prevent the ester from solidifying. Separ¬ ately, 25.0 g of N-methyl maltamine is combined with 45.36 g of methanol, and the resulting slurry is added to the tallow ester with good mixing. 1.51 g of 25% sodium methoxide in methanol is added. After four hours the reaction mixture has not clarified, so an additional 10 mole % of catalyst (to a total of 20 mole %) is added and the reaction is allowed to continue overnight (ca . 68^βC) after which time the mixture is clear. The reaction flask is then modi¬ fied for distillation. The temperature is increased to HO'C. Distillation at atmospheric pressure is continued for 60 minutes. High vacuum distillation is then begun and continued for 14 minutes, at which time the product is very thick. The product is allowed to remain in the reaction flask at 110'C (external temperature) for 60 minutes. The product is scraped from the flask and triturated in ethyl ether over a weekend. Ether is removed on a rotary evaporator and the product is stored in an oven overnight, and ground to a powder. Any remaining N-methyl maltamine is removed from the product using silica gel. A silica gel slurry in 100% methanol is loaded into a funnel and washed several times with 100% methanol. A concentrated sample of the product (20 g in 100 ml of 100% methanol) is loaded onto the silica gel and eluted several times using vacuum and several methanol washes. The collected eluant is evaporated to dryness (rotary evaporator). Any remaining tallow ester is removed by trituration in ethyl acetate overnight, followed by filtration. The filter cake is vacuum dried overnight. The product is the tallowalkyl N-methyl maltamide.

In an alternate mode, Step 1 of the foregoing reaction sequence can be conducted using commercial corn syrup comprising glucose or mixtures of glucose and, typically, 5%, or higher, maltose. The resulting polyhydroxy fatty acid amides and mixtures can be used in any of the detergent compositions herein.

In still another mode, Step 2 of the foregoing reaction sequence can be carried out in 1,2-propylene glycol or NEODOL. At the discretion of the formulator, the propylene glycol or NEODOL need not be removed from the reaction product prior to its use to formulate detergent compositions. Again, according to the desires of the formulator, the methoxide catalyst can be neutralized by citric acid to provide sodium citrate, which can remain in the polyhydroxy fatty acid amide.

The formulator of fabric laundering compositions which can advantageously contain soil release agent has a wide variety of known materials to choose from (see, for example, U.S. Patents 3,962,152; 4,116,885; 4,238,531; 4,702,857; 4,721,580 and 4,877,896). Additional soil release materials useful herein include the nonionic oligomeric esterification product of a reaction mixture comprising a source of Ci-C alkoxy-terminated polyethoxy units (e.g., CH₃[0CH₂CH₂]₁₆0H), a source of terephthaloyl units (e.g., dimethyl terephthalate); a source of poly(oxyethylene)oxy units (e.g., polyethylene glycol 1500); a source of oxyiso-propyleneoxy units (e.g., 1,2-propylene glycol); and a source of oxyethyleneoxy units (e.g., ethylene glycol) especially wherein the mole ratio of oxyethyleneoxy units:oxyiso-propyleneoxy units is at least about 0.5:1 ormula

alkyl, especially methyl; x and y are each integers from about 6 to about 100; m is an integer of from about 0.75 to about 30; n is an integer from about 0.25 to about 20; and R² is a mixture of both H and CH₃ to provide a mole ratio of oxyethyleneoxy:oxyisopropyleneoxy of at least about 0.5:1.

Another preferred type of soil release agent useful herein is of the general anionic type described in U.S. Patent 4,877,896, but with the condition that such agents be substantially free of monomers of the HOROH type wherein R is propylene or higher alkyl. Thus, the soil release agents of U.S. Patent 4,877,896 can comprise, for example, the reaction product of dimethyl terephthalate, ethyl¬ ene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol and 3-sodiosulfobenzoic acid, whereas these additional soil release agents can comprise, for example, the reaction product of dimethyl terephthalate, ethylene glycol, 5-sodiosulfoisophthalate and 3-sodiosulfobenzoic acid. Such agents are preferred for use in granular laundry detergents.

The formulator may also determine that it is advantageous to include a non-perborate bleach, especially in heavy-duty granular laundry detergents. A variety of peroxygen bleaches are available, commercially, and can be used herein, but, of these, percarbonate is convenient and economical. Thus, the compositions herein can contain a solid percarbonate bleach, normally in the form of the sodium salt, incorporated at a level of from 3% to 20% by weight, more preferably from 5% to 18% by weight and most preferably from 8% to 15% by weight of the composition.

Sodium percarbonate is an addition compound having a formula corresponding to 2Na₂C0₃. 3H₂0₂, and is available commercially as a crystalline solid. Most commercially available material includes a low level of a heavy metal sequestrant such as EDTA, 1-hydroxy- ethylidene 1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP) or an a ino-phosphonate, that is incorporated during the manufacturing process. For use herein, the percarbonate can be incorporated into detergent composi- tions without additional protection, but preferred embodiments of the invention utilize a stable form of the material (FMC). Although a variety of coatings can be used, the most economical is sodium silicate of Si0₂:Na₂0 ratio from 1.6:1 to 2.8:1, preferably 2.0:1, applied as an aqueous solution and dried to give a level of from 2% to 10% (normally from 3% to 5%), of silicate solids by weight of the percarbonate. Magnesium silicate can also be used and a chelant such as one of those mentioned above can also be included in the coating. The particle size range of the crystalline percarbonate is from 350 micrometers to 450 micrometers with a mean of approximately 400 micrometers. When coated, the crystals have a size in the range from 400 to 600 micrometers. While heavy metals present in the sodium carbonate used to manufacture the percarbonate can be controlled by the inclusion of sequestrants in the reaction mixture, the percarbonate still requires protection from heavy metals present as impurities in other ingredients of the product. It has been found that the total level of iron, copper and manganese ions in the product should not exceed 25 ppm and preferably should be less than 20 ppm in order to avoid an unacceptably adverse effect on percarbonate stability.

A modern, condensed laundry detergent granule is as follows.

EXAMPLE X Ingredient Wt.%

C₁₄_i₅ alkyl alcohol sulfonic acid 13

C₁₄-₁₅ alkyl polyethoxy (2.25) sulfonic acid 5.60 C₁₂_₁₃ alkyl polyethoxylate (6.5) 1.45 ^ci₂-i₄ fatty acid N-methyl glucamide 2.50 Sodium aluminosilicate (as Zeolite A; 2-5 μ) 25.2

Crystalline layered silicate builder¹ 23.3

Citric acid 10.0

Sodium carbonate To get wash pH = 9.90

Sodium polyacrylate (m.w. 2000-4500) 3.2 Diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid 0.45

Savinase² 0.70

6-Nonanoylamino-6-oxo-peroxycaproic acid 7.40

Sodium perborate monohydrate 2.10

Nonanyloxybenzene sulfonic acid 5.00 Brightener 0.10 layered silicate builders are known in the art. Preferred are the layered sodium silicates. See, for example, the layered sodium silicate builders of U.S. Patent 4,664,859, issued May 12, 1987 to

H. P. Rieck, incorporated herein by reference. A suitable layered silicate builder is available as SKS-6 from Hoechst.

²AvaiTable from Novo Nordisk A/S, Copenhagen.

Highly preferred granules of the foregoing types are those which comprise from about 0.0001% to about 2% by weight of active enzyme and at least about 1% by weight of said polyhydroxy fatty acid amide, and, most preferably, wherein the anionic surfactant is not an alkylbenzene sulfonate surfactant.

While the compositions provided by the present invention can function in a variety of cleaning modes, they are most preferred for use in dishwashing operations, and the like. The following illustrates some preferred dishwashing liquids according to the invention.

EXAMPLES XI A-D The following Examples illustrate light duty liquid detergent compositions which are especially adapted for dishwashing and other hard surface cleaning operations. In the Examples A-D, the surfact¬ ants comprise various alkyl ethoxy sulfate surfactants which, using standard terminology, are abbreviated to indicate their average degree of ethoxylation; thus C₁₂.₁₃E0(0.8) sulfate indicates a sulfated mixed C₁₂-C₁₃ alcohol fraction having an average degree of ethoxylation of 0.8. These anionic ethoxy sulfates are preferably used in their Na+ or NH₄+ salt form. The C₁₂.₁₃ amine oxide is a mixed C₁₂_₁₃ (average) dimethyl amine oxide. The C_1Z.₁ AP betaine is C₁₂/₁₄H₂₅/₂₉C0 H(CH₂)₃N⁺(CH₃)₂CH₂C0₂H. The C₁₂-₁₄ AP sultaine is C₁₂/₁₄H₂₅/₂₉C0NH(CH₂)₃N+(CH₃)₂CH₂CH(0H)CH₂S0₃H. The C₁₂.₁₄ DM betaine is C₁₂/₁₄H₂₅/₂₉N⁺(CH₃)₂CH₂C0₂H. The ethoxylated nonionic surfactant designated C₉-_!E0(8) refers to C₉-C alcohols ethoxyl¬ ated with an average of 8 moles of ethylene oxide. The Ca⁺⁺ and Mg⁺⁺ cations are conveniently introduced into the compositions as CaCl₂ and MgCl₂. The balance of the compositions comprises water and citrate/propylene glycol present in the glucamide surfactant (1-5%) and 1-3% cumene sulfonate or xylene sulfonate hydrotrope. The pH is typically 6.8-7.4 (NH₄+ salts) or 7-8.2 (Na+ salts).

C₁₂-₁₄ DM betaine C_β E0(8) Ca++ Mg++ Balance

In any of the foregoing examples, the fatty acid glucamide surfactant can be replaced by an equivalent amount of the maltamide surfactant, or mixtures of glucamide/maltamide surfactants derived from plant sugar sources. In the compositions the use of ethanola- mides appears to help cold temperature stability of the finished formulations. Moreover, the use of sulfobetaine (aka "sultaine") surfactants provides superior sudsing.

EXAMPLES XIII A-D

As noted above, for compositions wherein especially high sudsing is desired (e.g., dishwashing), it is preferred that no suds suppressing agent be used. Since C₁₄, and higher, fatty acids can act as suds suppressors, it is preferred that dishwashing composi¬ tions contain less than about 5%, preferably less than about 2%, most preferably substantially no C₁₄ or higher fatty acids. Accord¬ ingly, the formulator of high sudsing compositions will desirably avoid the introduction of suds-suppressing amounts of such fatty acids into such compositions with the polyhydroxy fatty acid amide, and/or will avoid the formation of C₁₄ and higher fatty acids on storage of the finished compositions. One simple method is to use C₁₂ ester reactants to prepare the polyhydroxy fatty acid amides herein. Fortunately, the use of amine oxide or sulfobetaine surfactants can ovecome some of the negative sudsing effects caused by the fatty acids.

The formulator wishing to add anionic optical brighteners to liquid detergents containing relatively high concentrations (e.g., 10% and greater) of anionic or polyanionic substituents such as the polycarboxylate builders may find it useful to pre-mix the bright- ener with water and the polyhydroxy fatty acid amide, and then to add the pre-mix to the final composition.

Polygluta ic acid or polyaspartic acid dispersants can be usefully employed with zeolite-built detergents. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the chemical arts that the preparation of the polyhydroxy fatty acid amides herein using the di- and higher saccharides such as maltose will result in the formation of polyhydroxy fatty acid amides wherein linear substituent Z is "capped" by a polyhydroxy ring structure. Such materials are fully contemplated for use herein and do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed and claimed.

Claims

1. A detergent composition having enhanced sudsing, and compris¬ ing from 5% to 65% by weight of a surfactant mixture comprising:

(a) from 5% to 95% by weight of one or more anionic sulfate or sulfonate surfactants; and

(b) from 5% to 95% by weight of one or more polyhydroxy fatty acid amides having the formula

0 Rl R2 - C - N - Z wherein R is H, a C1-C4 hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxy ethyl, 2-hydroxy propyl, or mixtures thereof, R2 is a C5-C31 hydrocarbyl, and Z is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl having a linear hydrocarbyl chain with at least 3 hydroxyl groups directly connected to the chain, or an alkoxylated derivative thereof; said composition being characterized in that it further comprises

(c) from 1% to 20% by weight of a suds enhancing agent selected from the group consisting of amine oxides; betaines; sultaines; and nonionic compounds selected from polyethylene, polypropylene and polybutylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenols, the alkyl ethoxy!ate condensation products of aliphatic alcohols with ethylene oxide, the condensation products of ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic base formed by the condensation of propylene oxide with propylene glycol, the condensa¬ tion product of ethylene oxide with the product result¬ ing from the reaction of propylene oxide and ethylenedi- amine, alkylpolysaccharides, and fatty acid amides; and mixtures thereof.

2. A composition according to Claim 1 wherein the detergent composition is in the form of a liquid and comprises from 10% to 50% by weight of the surfactant mixture and from 90% to 50% by weight of a liquid carrier, said carrier preferably being water or a mixture of water and a C1-C4 alcohol.

3. A composition according to Claim 1 wherein, with respect to said polyhydroxy fatty acid amide, Z is derived from maltose.

4. A composition according to Claim 1 wherein, with respect to said polyhydroxy fatty acid amide, Z is derived from a mixture of monosaccharides, disaccharides and, optionally, higher sacchar¬ ides, said mixture comprising at least 1% of at least one disac- charide, preferably maltose.

5. A composition according to Claim 2 wherein the surfactant mixture comprises from 20% to 80% by weight of the anionic sulfate or sulfonate component, from 20% to 80% by weight of the polyhy¬ droxy fatty acid amide component, and from 2% to 20% by weight of the suds enhancing agent.

6. A composition according to Claim 1 wherein the detergent contains one or more additional anionic or nonionic surfactants.

7. A composition according to Claim 6 wherein the suds enhancing agent is selected from a Cio-Cis alkyl dimethyl amine oxide, a OlO-Cl8 ^ac l amide alkyl dimethyl amine oxide, a betaine, a sultaine, the condensation product of an aliphatic alcohol with ethylene oxide, an alkylpolysaccharide, and mixtures thereof.

8. A composition according to Claim 7 wherein the polyhydroxy fatty acid amide is of the formula

0 CH3

<^{• ••} 1 R2 - C - N - Z wherein R² is a straight-chain C11-C17 alkyl or alkenyl group and

Z is derived from glucose, maltose or mixtures thereof.

9. A composition according to Claim 1 which is substantially free of suds-suppressing amounts of C₁₄ and higher fatty acids.

10. A method for cleaning soiled dishes characterized in that said dishes are contacted with water containing an effective amount of a detergent compositiOn comprising from 5% to 65% by weight of a surfactant mixture comprising:

0 Rl R2 - C - N - Z wherein R is H, a C1-C4 hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxy ethyl, 2-hydroxy propyl, or mixtures thereof, R² is a C5-C31 hydrocarbyl, and Z is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl having a linear hydrocarbyl chain with at least 3 hydroxyl groups directly connected to the chain, preferably C1 -C 7 N-methyl glucamide, C11-C17 N-methyl malta ide, or mixtures of said glucamide and maltamide, or an alkoxylated derivative thereof; and

(c) from 1% to 20% by weight of a suds enhancing agent selected from the group consisting of amine oxides; betaines; sultaines; and nonionic compounds selected from polyethylene, polypropylene and polybutylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenols, the alkyl ethoxylate condensation products of aliphatic alcohols with ethylene oxide, the condensation products of ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic bass formed by the condensation of propylene oxide with propylene glycol, the condensa¬ tion product of ethylene oxide with the product result¬ ing from the reaction of propylene oxide and ethylene- diamine, alkylpolysaccharides, and fatty acid amides; and mixtures thereof.

11. A method according to Claim 10 wherein said Z moiety in said polyhydroxy fatty acid amide is derived from mixed monosacchar- ides, disaccharides and polysaccharides available from plant sources.

12. A method according to Claim 10 wherein said R moiety in said polyhydroxy fatty acid amide is C16-C17 alkyl, alkenyl, or mix¬ tures thereof.

13. A method according to Claim 10 wherein the water additionally contains one or more additional sulfate or sulfonated detersive surfactants.

14. A method according to Claim 10 wherein the composition is substantially free of suds-suppressing amounts of C₁₄ and higher fatty acids.