| abstract |
There are disclosed herein novel sequestrant builders for use in detergent compositions having the general formula: (R2)n(R3)n ¦¦ R1-CH-(CH2)a-Z-(CH2)b-C'---C''-H ¦¦¦ XCOOMCOOM wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of H, an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, a hydroxylalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and a COOM group; n is zero or 1; when n is 1, R2 and R3 are selected from the group consisting of H, CH3 and CH2COOM; when n is zero a double bond is present between C' and C''; X is COOM, OSO3M or SO3M; a is zero, 1 or 2; b is zero or 1; Z is selected from the group consisting of O, S, NH, NR4 wherein R4 is an alkyl group or hydroxyalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms provided that when Z is O, a must be zero, X must be COOM and R1 cannot be H when R2 and R3 are both H and b is zero; M is selected from the group consisting of H, alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium cations. |