Manganese bleach activators

Claim 2

A catalyst for the controlled decomposition of peroxy compounds comprising a water-soluble manganese (II) salt adsorbed onto a solid inorganic silicon support material, wherein the ratio of manganese (II) to inorganic silicon support material ranges from 1:1000 to 1:10, the combination having been prepared at a pH from 7.0 to 11.1 and where the amount of manganese (II) does not exceed the adsorptive capacity of the inorganic silicon or alumina support material.

Claim 3

A catalyst according to claim 1 wherein the inorganic silicon support material is a zeolite.

Claim 4

A catalyst according to claim 1 wherein the inorganic silicon support material is a magnesium silicate.

Claim 5

A catalyst according to claim 1 wherein the inorganic silicon support material is silica gel.

Claim 6

A catalyst according to claim 1 wherein the inorganic silicon support material is a smectite or attapulgite clay.

Claim 7

A catalyst according to claim 1 wherein the peroxy compound is a sodium perborate salt.

Claim 8

A process for preparation of a catalyst for the controlled decomposition of peroxy compounds comprising: (a) combining a water-soluble manganese (II) salt dissolved in a solvent and slurry of a solid silicon or alumina support material in a solvent, the ratio of manganese (II) to solid silicon or alumina support material ranging from 1:1000 to 1:10; (b) adjusting pH to achieve a value from 7.0 to 11.1; (c) separating the solid composition; (d) washing the solid composition with solvent to remove any traces of free manganese (II) salts; and (e) drying the solid composition to remove solvent and moisture.

Claim 9

A process for preparation of a catalyst for the controlled decomposition of peroxy compounds comprising: (a) combining a water-soluble manganese (II) salt dissolved in a solvent and slurry of a solid silicon or alumina support material in a solvent, the ratio of manganese (II) to solid silicon or alumina support material ranging from 1:1000 to 1:10; (b) adjusting pH to achieve a value from 7.0 to 11.1; (c) separating the solid composition; (d) washing the solid composition with solvent to remove any traces of free manganese (II) salts; and (e) drying the solid composition to remove solvent and moisture.

Claim 10

A process according to claim 7 wherein the solid silicon support material is a zeolite.

Claim 11

A process according to claim 7 wherein the solid silicon support material is a magnesium silicate.

Claim 12

A process according to claim 7 wherein the solid silicon support material is silica gel.

Claim 13

A process according to claim 7 wherein the solid silicon support material is a smectite or attapulgite clay.

Claim 14

A process according to claim 7 wherein the peroxy compound is a sodium perborate salt.

Claim 15

A process according to claim 7 wherein the solvent is water, an alcohol or mixtures thereof.

Claim 16

A process for prepartion of a catalyst for the controlled decomposition of peroxy compounds comprising: (a) combining a water-soluble manganese (II) salt dissolved in a solvent and slurry of a solid silicon or alumina support material in a solvent, the manganese (II) being present in an amount that does not exceed the adsorptive capacity of the solid support material; (b) adjusting pH to achieve a value from 7.0 to 11.1; and (c) spray-drying the resultant slurry.

Claim 17

A process for prepartion of a catalyst for the controlled decomposition of peroxy compounds comprising: (a) combining a water-soluble manganese (II) salt dissolved in a solvent and slurry of a solid silicon or alumina support material in a solvent, the manganese (II) being present in an amount that does not exceed the adsorptive capacity of the solid support material; (b) adjusting pH to achieve a value from 7.0 to 11.1; and (c) spray-drying the resultant slurry.

Claim 18

A process according to claim 14 wherein the solid silicon support material is a zeolite.

Claim 19

A process according to claim 14 wherein the solid silicon support material is a magnesium silicate.

Claim 20

A process according to claim 14 wherein the solid silicon support material is silica gel.

Claim 21

A process according to claim 14 wherein the solid silicon support material is a smectite or attapulgite clay.

Claim 22

A process according to claim 14 wherein the peroxy compound is a sodium perborate salt.

Claim 23

A process according to claim 14 wherein the solvent is water, an alcohol or mixtures thereof.

Claim 24

A laundry bleaching composition comprising: (a) a catalyst according to claim 1; and (b) a peroxy compound, wherein the ratio of catalyst to peroxy compound ranges from 1:100 to 100:1.

Claim 25

A laundry bleaching composition according to claim 21 further comprising an inorganic phosphate salt stabilizer.

Claim 26

A laundry bleaching composition according to claim 22 wherein the phosphate stabilizer is chosen from the group consisting of tripolyphosphate, orthophosphate, pyrophosphate and mixtures thereof.

Claim 27

A method for bleaching a fabric comprising placing the fabric into water and treating with a composition comprising: (a) a catalyst according to claim 1 which delivers at least 0.5 ppm manganese (II) per liter wash solution; and (b) a peroxy compound present in an amount to deliver at least 200 mg per liter to the wash solution.

Claim 28

A method according to claim 24 further comprising an inorganic phosphate salt stabilizer present in an amount to deliver from about 0.05 to 0.30 grams per liter wash solution.

Claim 29

A method according to claim 25 wherein the phosphate salt is selected from the group consisting of tripolyphosphate, orthophosphate, pyrophosphate and mixtures thereof.

Claim 30

A method according to claim 24 wherein the peroxy compound is a sodium perborate salt.