Aqueous surfactant compositions

Abstract

Aqueous surfactant compositions containing one or more alpha-sulfo fatty acid disalt (A) of general formula (I),
R.sup.1CH(SO.sub.3M.sup.1)COOM.sup.2(I), in which the radical R.sup.1 is a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl radical having 6 to 18 carbon atoms and the radicals M.sup.1 and M.sup.2, independently of one another, are selected from H, Li, Na, K, Ca/2, Mg/2, ammonium, and alkanolamine, one or more N-acyl amino acid compound (B) selected from glycinates of general formula (IIa), sarcosinates of general formula (IIb), -alaninates of general formula (IIc), and -alaninates of general formula (IId)
R.sup.23CONHCH.sub.2COOM.sup.13(IIa)
R.sup.23CON(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2COOM.sup.13(IIb)
R.sup.23CONHCH(CH.sub.3)COOM.sup.13(IIc)
R.sup.23CONHCH.sub.2CH.sub.2COOM.sup.13(IId), wherein the radical R.sup.23 in the compounds (IIa), (IIb), (IIc) and (IId) is a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl radical having 7 to 19 carbon atoms and the radical M.sup.13 is selected from H, Li, Na, K, Ca/2, Mg/2, ammonium, and alkanolamine, and water. The compositions have good foaming ability, pleasant sensory properties of the foam, and good skin compatibility, and are suitable for use as cosmetic agents, detergents, and cleaners.

Claims

1. An aqueous surfactant composition comprising (a) one or more alpha-sulfo fatty acid compound (A) of general formula (I)
R.sup.1CH(SO.sub.3M.sup.1)COOM.sup.2(I), in which the radical R.sup.1 is a saturated, linear radical having 10 to 16 carbon atoms wherein a fraction of the compound (A) in which the radical R.sup.1 is a decyl or a dodecyl radical, based on the total amount of the compounds (A), is 90% by weight or more, and the radicals M.sup.1 and M.sup.2, independently of one another, are selected from the group consisting of H, Li, Na, K, Ca/2, Mg/2, ammonium, and alkanolamine, (b) one or more N-acyl amino acid compound (B) selected from the group consisting of glycinates of general formula (IIa), sarcosinates of general formula (IIb), -alaninates of general formula (IIc), and -alaninates of general formula (IId)
R.sup.23CONHCH.sub.2COOM.sup.13(IIa)
R.sup.23CON(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2COOM.sup.13(IIb)
R.sup.23CONHCH(CH.sub.3)COOM.sup.13(IIc)
R.sup.23CONHCH.sub.2CH.sub.2COOM.sup.13(IId), wherein the radical R.sup.23 in the compounds (IIa), (IIb), (IIc) and (IId) is a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl radical having 7 to 19 carbon atoms and the radical M.sup.13 is selected from the group consisting of H, Li, Na, K, Ca/2, Mg/2, ammonium, and alkanolamine, (c) one or more compound (C) of general formula (III)
R.sup.4COOM.sup.5(III), in which the radical R.sup.4 is a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl radical having 7 to 19 carbon atoms and the radical M.sup.5 is selected from the group consisting of H, Li, Na, K, Ca/2, Mg/2, ammonium, and alkanolamine; (d) one or more inorganic salt of sulfuric acid (D) of general formula (IV)
(M.sup.6).sub.2SO.sub.4(IV), wherein M.sup.6 is selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Ca/2, Mg/2, ammonium, and alkanolamine; and water, where the following proviso applies: if the aqueous surfactant composition comprises one or more ester sulfonate (E) of general formula (V)
R.sup.2CH(SO.sub.3M.sup.7)COOR.sup.3(V), in which the radical R.sup.2 is a linear alkyl radical having 10 to 16 carbon atoms and the radical R.sup.3 is a linear or branched alkyl radical having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, where the radical R.sup.3 can be branched only above 3 carbon atoms, and the radical M.sup.7 is selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Ca/2, Mg/2, ammonium and alkanolamine, then it is the case that compound (A), based on the totality of the compounds (A) and (E), must be present to an extent of 50% by weight or more.

2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the radicals M.sup.1 and M.sup.2 are selected from H (hydrogen) and Na (sodium).

3. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition additionally comprises one or more monosulfoketone (F) of general formula (VI)
R.sup.6CH.sub.2COCHR.sup.7(SO.sub.3M.sup.8)(VI), in which the radicals R.sup.6 and R.sup.7, independently of each other, are a linear or branched alkyl radical having 6 to 18 carbon atoms and the radical M.sup.8 is selected from the group consisting of H, Li, Na, K, Ca/2, Mg/2, ammonium, and alkanolamine.

4. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition additionally comprises one or more disulfoketone (G) of general formula (VII)
(SO.sub.3M.sup.9)R.sup.8CHCOCHR.sup.9(SO.sub.3M.sup.10)(VII), in which the radicals R.sup.8 and R.sup.9, independently of each other, are a linear or branched alkyl radical having 6 to 18 carbon atoms and the radicals M.sup.9 and M.sup.10independently of each other, are selected from the group consisting of H, Li, Na, K, Ca/2, Mg/2, ammonium and alkanolamine.

5. The composition according to claim 1 for use in a cosmetic product, a detergent, or a cleaner.

6. The composition according to claim 1 for use in a cosmetic product in the form of hair shampoos, shower gels, soaps, syndets, washing pastes, washing lotions, scrub preparations, foam baths, oil baths, shower baths, shaving foams, shaving lotions, shaving creams, and dental care products.

7. The composition according to claim 1 for use in products with a low pH for cleaning hard surfaces.

Description

THE COMPOUNDS (A)

(1) The compounds (A), which are referred to within the context of the present invention as alpha-sulfo fatty acid disalts, are obligatory for the aqueous surfactant compositions according to the invention. They have the formula (I) specified above
R.sup.1CH(SO.sub.3M.sup.1)COOM.sup.2(I),
in which the radical R.sup.1 is a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl radical having 6 to 18 carbon atoms and the radicals M.sup.1 and M.sup.2independently of one anotherare selected from the group comprising H, Li, Na, K, Ca/2, Mg/2, ammonium and alkanolamines. Particulary preferred alkanolamines here are monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine and monoisopropanolamine.

(2) In one embodiment, the proviso applies that the fraction of the compounds (A) in the aqueous surfactant compositions in which the radical R.sup.1 is an alkenyl radicalbased on the total amount of the compounds (A)is 3% by weight or less.

(3) In a preferred embodiment, the radical R.sup.1 in the formula (I) is a saturated, linear alkyl radical having 10 to 16 carbon atoms, where with regard to the compounds (A) it is the case that the fraction of the compounds (A) in which the radical R.sup.1 is a decyl and/or a dodecyl radicalbased on the total amount of the compounds (A)is 70% by weight or more and preferably is 90% by weight or more.

(4) The radicals M.sup.1 and M.sup.2 in formula (I) are preferably selected from the group comprising H (hydrogen) and Na (sodium).

(5) The compounds (A) can be prepared by all methods known appropriately to the person skilled in the art. A particularly preferred method of preparation here is the sulfation of the corresponding carboxylic acids. Here, the corresponding carboxylic acid and in particular the corresponding fatty acids are reacted with gaseous sulfur trioxide, the sulfur trioxide being used preferably in an amount such that the molar ratio of SO.sub.3 to fatty acid is in the range from 1.0:1 to 1.1:1. The crude products obtained in this way, which are acidic sulfation products, are then partially or completely neutralized, preference being given to complete neutralization with aqueous NaOH. If desired, it is also possible to undertake purification steps and/or a bleaching (for adjusting the desired pale color of the products).

(6) In a particularly preferred embodiment, the compounds (A) are used in technicalgrade form. This means that the corresponding carboxylic acids, in particular native fatty acid, are sulfated with gaseous sulfur trioxide, as a result of which, following partial or complete neutralization of the resulting acidic sulfation products, a mixture of the compounds (A), (C) and (D) results. By virtue of corresponding adjustments of the reaction parameters (in particular molar ratio of carboxylic acid and sulfur trioxide, and also reaction temperature) it is possible to control the ratio of the compounds (A), (C) and (D). The compounds (C) and (D) are described below in the chapter Preferred embodiments.

(7) In the context of the present invention, preference is given to those technical grade mixtures of alpha-sulfo fatty acid disalts which have the following composition: the content of (A) is in the range from 60 to 100% by weight, the content of (C) is in the range from 0 to 20% by weight, the content of (D) is in the range from 0 to 20% by weight,
with the proviso that the sum of the components (A), (C) and (D) in this mixture is 100% by weight.
The Compounds (B)

(8) The compounds (B), which are referred to in the context of the present invention as N-acyl amino acid compounds, are obligatory for the aqueous surfactant compositions according to the invention. They are selected from the group formed by glycinates of general formula (IIa), sarcosinates of general formula (IIb), -alaninates of general formula (IIc) and -alaninates of general formula (IId)
R.sup.23CONHCH.sub.2COOM.sup.13(IIa)
R.sup.23CON(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2COOM.sup.13(IIb)
R.sup.23CONHCH(CH.sub.3)COOM.sup.13(IIc)
R.sup.23CONHCH.sub.2CH.sub.2COOM.sup.13(IId)
wherein the radical R.sup.23 in the compounds (IIa), (IIb), (IIc) and (IId) is a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl radical having 7 to 19 carbon atoms and the radical M.sup.13 is selected from the group comprising H, Li, Na, K, Ca/2, Mg/2, ammonium and alkanolamines.

(9) The compounds (B) can be prepared by all of the methods known appropriately to the person skilled in the art, for example, by reaction of one or more fatty acid chlorides with the salt of the relevant amino acid (Schotten-Baumann reaction).

(10) In one embodiment, the proviso applies that the fraction of the compounds (B) in the aqueous surfactant compositions in which the radical R.sup.23 is an alkenyl radical,based on the total amount of the compounds (B)is 3% by weight or less.

(11) In a preferred embodiment, the radical R.sup.23 in the formulae (IIa), (IIb), (IIc) and (IId) is a saturated, linear alkyl radical having 11 to 17 carbon atoms, where with regard to the compounds (B) it is the case that the fraction of the compounds (B) in which the radical R.sup.23 is an undecyl and/or a tridecyl radical,based on the total amount of the compounds (B)is 70% by weight or more and preferably 90% by weight or more.

(12) The radical M.sup.13 in the formulae (IIa), (IIb), (IIc) and (IId) is preferably selected from the group comprising H (hydrogen) and Na (sodium).

Preferred Embodiments

(13) In one embodiment, the aqueous surfactant compositions according to the invention comprise, besides the compounds (A), (B) and water, additionally one or more compounds (C) of general formula (III)
R.sup.4COOM.sup.5(III)

(14) In the formula (III), the radical R.sup.4 is a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl radical having 7 to 19 carbon atoms and the radical M.sup.5 is selected from the group comprising H, Li, Na, K, Ca/2, Mg/2, ammonium and alkanolamines. In this connection, particularly preferred alkanolamines are monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine and monoisopropanolamine.

(15) In one embodiment, the aqueous surfactant compositions according to the invention comprise, besides the compounds (A), (B) and water, additionally one or more inorganic salts of sulfuric acid (D) of general formula (IV)
(M.sup.6).sub.2SO.sub.4(IV)
wherein M.sup.6 is selected from the group comprising Li, Na, K, Ca/2, Mg/2, ammonium and alkanolamine. In this connection, particularly preferred alkanolamines are monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine and monoisopropanolamine.

(16) In a preferred embodiment, the aqueous surfactant compositions according to the invention comprise the compounds (A), (B), (C) and (D). It is particularly preferable in this case if the radicals M.sup.1 and M.sup.2 of the compounds (A), the radical M.sup.13 of the compounds (B), the radical M.sup.5 of the compounds (C) and the radical M.sup.6 of the compounds (D) are selected from the group comprising H (hydrogen) and Na (sodium).

(17) In one embodiment, the aqueous surfactant compositions according to the invention comprise, besides the compounds (A), (B) and water, additionally one or more compounds (F) of general formula (VI)
R.sup.6CH.sub.2COCHR.sup.7(SO.sub.3M.sup.8)(VI),
in which the radicals R.sup.6 and R.sup.7independently of each otherare a linear or branched alkyl radical having 6 to 18 carbon atoms and the radical M.sup.8 is selected from the group comprising H, Li, Na, K, Ca/2, Mg/2, ammonium and alkanolamines. In this connection, particularly preferred alkanolamines are monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine and monoisopropanolamine.

(18) In the context of the present invention, the compounds (F) are referred to as monosulfoketones.

(19) In a preferred embodiment, the radicals R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 in the formula (VI)independently of each otherare a saturated, linear radical having 10 to 16 carbon atoms, where, with regard to the compounds (F) it is the case that the fraction of the compounds (F) in which the radicals R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 are a decyl and/or a dodecyl radicalbased on the total amount of the compounds (F)is 70% by weight or more and preferably 90% by weight or more. The radical M.sup.8 in formula (VI) is preferably selected from the group comprising H and Na.

(20) In one embodiment, the aqueous surfactant compositions according to the invention comprise, besides the compounds (A), (B) and water, additionally one or more compounds (G) of general formula (VII)
(SO.sub.3M.sup.9)R.sup.8CHCOCHR.sup.9(SO.sub.3M.sup.10)(VII),
in which the radicals R.sup.8 and R.sup.9independently of each otherare a linear or branched alkyl radical having 6 to 18 carbon atoms and the radicals M.sup.9 and M.sup.10independently of each otherare selected from the group comprising H, Li, Na, K, Ca/2, Mg/2, ammonium and alkanolamines. In this connection, particularly preferred alkanolamines are monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine and monoisopropanolamine.

(21) In the context of the present invention, the compounds (G) are referred to as disulfoketones.

(22) In a preferred embodiment, the radicals R.sup.8 and R.sup.9 in the formula (VII)independently of each otherare a saturated, linear radical having 10 to 16 carbon atoms, where, with regard to the compounds (G) it is the case that the fraction of the compounds (G) in which the radicals R.sup.8 and R.sup.9 are a decyl and/or a dodecyl radicalbased on the total amount of the compounds (G)is 70% by weight or more and preferably 90% by weight or more. The radicals M.sup.9 and M.sup.10 in formula (VII) are preferably selected from the group comprising H and Na.

(23) The preparation of the compounds (F) and (G) is not subject to any particular restrictions and they can be prepared by all methods known to those skilled in the art.

(24) In one embodiment, the compounds (F) and (G) are prepared by sulfonation of the corresponding ketones with gaseous sulfur trioxide, as described in the German published specification DEA-42,20,580.

(25) In another embodiment, the preparation of the compounds (F) and (G) starts from fatty acids. In this case, the sulfation of liquid fatty acids with gaseous sulfur trioxide is conducted such that, in addition to disalts (A), the compounds (F) and (G) are also formed in this case, which can be accomplished as a result of carrying out the sulfation as follows: the ratio of fatty acid raw materials, which may also be used in the form of mixtures of fatty acids of different chain length, to sulfur trioxide is adjusted so that 1.0 to 1.5 mol and especially 1.0 to 1.25 mol of SO.sub.3 are used per mole of fatty acid(s). The fatty acids are introduced into the reactor at a reservoir temperature in the range of 70 to 100 C. After the sulfation, the resulting liquid sulfation product is maintained and aged at this temperature for 5 to 20 minutes in a temperature-controlled post-reaction coil. Neutralization is then effected with an aqueous base, preferably sodium hydroxide, generally in a pH range of 5 to 10, especially 5 to 7. Subsequently, an acidic bleachingthe pH here is adjusted to a value of 7 or lessmay be carried out with hydrogen peroxide.

(26) In one embodiment, the aqueous surfactant compositions according to the invention comprise the compounds (A), (B) and (F). It is particularly preferable in this case if the radicals M.sup.1 and M.sup.2 of the compounds (A) and the radical M.sup.13 of the compounds (B) are selected from the group comprising H (hydrogen) and Na (sodium). The proviso applies in this case that the amount of the compounds (A) must be greater than the amount of the compounds (F).

(27) In one embodiment, the aqueous surfactant compositions according to the invention comprise the compounds (A), (B) and (G). It is particularly preferable in this case if the radicals M.sup.1 and M.sup.2 of the compounds (A) and the radical M.sup.13 of the compounds (B) are selected from the group comprising H and Na. The proviso applies in this case that the amount of the compounds (A) must be greater than the amount of the compounds (G).

(28) In one embodiment, the aqueous surfactant compositions according to the invention comprise the compounds (A), (B), (F) and (G). It is particularly preferable in this case if the radicals M.sup.1 and M.sup.2 of the compounds (A) and the radical M.sup.13 of the compounds (B) are selected from the group comprising H and Na. The proviso applies in this case that the amount of the compounds (A) must be greater than the sum total of the amount of the compounds (F) and (G).

(29) In one embodiment, the aqueous surfactant compositions according to the invention comprise the compounds (A), (B), (C), (D) and (F). It is particularly preferable in this case if the radicals M.sup.1 and M.sup.2 of the compounds (A), the radical M.sup.13 of the compounds (B), the radical M.sup.5 of the compounds (C) and the radical M.sup.6 of the compounds (D) are selected from the group comprising H and Na. The proviso applies in this case that the amount of the compounds (A) must be greater than the amount of the compounds (F).

(30) In one embodiment, the aqueous surfactant compositions according to the invention comprise the compounds (A), (B), (C), (D) and (G). It is particularly preferable in this case if the radicals M.sup.1 and M.sup.2 of the compounds (A), the radical M.sup.13 of the compounds (B), the radical M.sup.5 of the compounds (C) and the radical M.sup.6 of the compounds (D) are selected from the group comprising H and Na. The proviso applies in this case that the amount of the compounds (A) must be greater than the amount of the compounds (G).