| abstract |
The present invention provides for dilute aqueous hypohalite solutions stabilized against decomposition catalyzed by copper ions present in said solution containing a small amount of a multidentate heteroaromatic stabilizer compound including general structure selected from: (1), (2), (3), wherein Ar is comprised of carbon or carbon and nitrogen atoms sufficient to form a 5- or 6-membered aromatic ring or at least one other ring condensed with said 5- or 6-membered aromatic ring, X is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen or carbon which form part of an aromatic ring structure and oxygen, and Y is nitrogen or carbon which form part of an aromatic ring structure. This invention also provides stable hypohalite-containing aqueous bleach, detergent and disinfectant formulations which retain hypohalite stability even after further dilution with copper-contamined water. |