Process for the production of iodophors

Claim 1

A process for the production of germicidal complexes of poly-N-vinylpyrrolidone (PVP) with iodine, in the form of granules having a particle size of 10μ - 3 mm said granules having weight ratio of iodide ions to iodine of from 0.2:1 to 5:1 and a weight ratio of PVP to iodine of from 1:1 to 20:1, which process comprises the steps of: (a) producing a solution or colloidal suspension of (i) elementary iodine and (ii) hydriodic acid or a salt releasing iodide ions in a first solvent or solvent mixture, (b) producing a solution or colloidal suspension of PVP in a second solvent or solvent mixture (i) which has a surface tension different from the surface tension of the first solvent or solvent mixture, (ii) in which PVP is at least partially soluble or wettable, and (iii) in which the iodine and the salt dissolved or suspended in the first solvent or solvent mixture are insoluble or only slightly soluble; (c) combining the solutions or suspensions (a) and (b), with uniform thorough mixing, in small portions to form a mixed-phase system; (d) continuing the thorough mixing for sufficient time to form a multiphase mixture with floating agglomerates containing iodine/PVP complex and iodide ions, and (e) separating and drying said agglomerates.