| abstract |
This disclosure concerns: n (a) compounds having the molecular structure represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein M is 0 or CY 2 , where Y is H or lower alkyl (C 1 to C 4 ), X is selected from the group consisting of H, lower alkyl (C 1 to C 4 ), or COOZ, Z represents H, R or a salt forming ion from the group alkali metal, ammonium, or trialkanolammonium, and R is an alkyl group (branched or straight chain) having up to about C 20 in the chain. n (b) a process for producing the compounds of (a) by the basic carboxylation of compounds represented by the formula ##STR2## wherein M, X and R are as described in (a), (C) SOLID AND LIQUID DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING COMPOUNDS OF (A) AND n (d) washing processes employing the compounds of (a) and/or the compositions of (c). |