| abstract |
A detergent composition comprising a compound having the formula 1. R1 is a straight or branched higher alkyl group of C6 to C30, and preferably C10 to C22; 2. R2 is a straight or branched alkyl of C3 to C12, and preferably C3 to C6; 3. R3 to R7 are, independently, hydrogen or straight or branched alkyl of C1 to C10, and preferably hydrogen or lower alkyl of C1 to C4; 4. Z is oxygen (-O-) or sulfur (-S-); 5. x and y have the values 0 to 1 and x+ y 1; and 6. M is a cation such as hydrogen, alkali metal, ammonium, substituted ammonium or amine and preferably a watersolubilizing, salt-forming group. The hydroxy oxa(or thia) sulfonates of the detergent composition provide both detergency and fabric-softening characteristics and are hereinafter referred to generally as hydroxy ether sulfonates. |