| abstract |
The invention provides novel polyether hydroxycarboxylate copolymers which are effective sequestering agents. The polyether hydroxycarboxylate copolymer when used in a cleaning composition enhances or "builds" the cleaning efficiency of the surfactant by inactivating hardness ions. In addition, the polyether hydroxycarboxylate copolymers assist in cleaning by dispersing and suspending soils to prevent the redeposition of soils. The polyether hydroxycarboxylate copolymer has the structurewherein M+ is a cation wherein M is independently selected from hydrogen, ammonia, alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, zinc, copper, organic amines, amino acids, and amino saccharides; R2 and R3 are independently hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; n is from about 2 to about 100; x1 and x2 are independently 0 or 1; a is from 0 to 99 mole percent; and b is from 100 to 1 mole percent, provided that (a+b) is 100 mole percent. |