| abstract |
A method of forming a mixed percarboxylic acid composition in situ, comprising: (a) providing a reaction mixture comprising: (i) a first ester of a polyhydric alcohol and a C1 to C18 carboxylic acid; (ii) an alkalinity source selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal hydroxide, an alkaline earth metal hydroxide, an alkali metal silicate, borates, and mixtures thereof, and (iii) an oxidizing agent, (b) allowing the reaction mixture to react for a sufficient time and then adding a second ester of a polyhydric alcohol and a C1 to C18 carboxylic acid; and (c) after the addition of the second ester allowing the mixture to react for a sufficient amount of time such that a mixed peroxycarboxylic acid composition is formed ex situ from a bleaching, antimicrobial, sanitizing and / or disinfecting application; wherein the reaction mixture has a pH greater than 12, is not in equilibrium, and contains less than 0.5% by weight of a stabilizing agent. |