Still another class of preferred bleach activators includes the acyl lactam activators, especially acyl caprolactams and acyl valerolactams of the formulae:

wherein as used for these compounds R" is H or an alkyl, aryl, alkoxyaryl, or alkaryl group containing from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms. Highly preferred lactam activators include benzoyl caprolactam, octanoyl caprolactam, 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoyl caprolactam, nonanoyl caprolactam, decanoyl caprolactam, undecenoyl caprolactam, benzoyl valerolactam, octanoyl valerolactam, decanoyl valerolactam, undecenoyl valerolactam, nonanoyl valerolactam, 3,5,5- trimethylhexanoyl valerolactam and mixtures thereof. See also U.S. Patent 4,545,784, issued to Sanderson, October 8, 1985, incorporated herein by reference, which discloses acyl caprolactams, including benzoyl caprolactam, adsorbed into sodium perborate.

Highly preferred bleach activators are nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate (NOBS) and/or tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED) .

It is highly preferred for a large amount of bleach activator relative to the source of hydrogen peroxide to be present in the laundry detergent composition. Preferably, the weight ratio of bleach activator to source of hydrogen peroxide present in the laundry detergent composition is at least 0.5:1, at least 0.6:1, at least 0.7:1, 0.8:1, preferably at least 0.9: 1, or 1.0:1.0, or even 1.2: 1 or higher.

TRANSITION METAL BLEACH CATALYST

The composition may contain a transition metal bleach catalyst. The transition metal bleach catalyst typically contains a transition metal ion, preferably selected from transition metal selected from the group consisting of Mn(II), Mn(III), Mn(IV), Mn(V), Fe(II), Fe(III), Fe(IV), Co(I), Co(II), Co(III), Ni(I), Ni(II), Ni(III), Cu(I), Cu(II), Cu(III), Cr(II), Cr(III), Cr(IV), Cr(V), Cr(VI), V(III), V(IV), V(V), Mo(IV), Mo(V), Mo(VI), W(IV), W(V), W(VI), Pd(II), Ru(II), Ru(III), and Ru(IV), more preferably Mn(II), Mn(III), Mn(IV), Fe(II), Fe(III), Cr(II), Cr(III), Cr(IV), Cr(V), and Cr(VI).

The transition metal bleach catalyst typically contains a ligand, preferably a macropolycyclic ligand, more preferably a cross-bridged macropolycyclic ligand. The transition metal ion is preferably coordinated with the ligand. Preferably, the ligand contains at least four donor atoms, at least two of which are bridgehead donor atoms.

Preferably, the cross-bridged macropolycyclic ligand is coordinated by four or five donor atoms to the same transition metal and contains:

(i) an organic macrocycle ring containing four or more donor atoms selected from N and optionally O and S, at least two of these donor atoms being N (preferably at least 3, more preferably at least 4, of these donor atoms are N), separated from each other by covalent linkages of 2 or 3 non-donor atoms, two to five (preferably three to four, more preferably four) of these donor atoms being coordinated to the same transition metal in the complex;

(ii) a cross-bridging chain which covalently connects at least 2 non-adjacent N donor atoms of the organic macrocycle ring, said covalently connected non-adjacent N donor atoms being bridgehead N donor atoms which are coordinated to the same transition metal in the complex, and wherein said cross-bridged chain contains from 2 to about 10 atoms (preferably the cross-bridged chain is selected from 2, 3 or 4 non-donor atoms, and 4-6 non-donor atoms with a further, preferably N, donor atom); and

(iii) optionally, one or more non-macropolycyclic ligands, preferably selected from the group consisting of H₂O, ROH, NR₃, RCN, OH^", OOH^", RS^", RO^", RCOO^", OCN^", SCN^", N₃^", CN^", F^", Cl^", Br^", I^", O₂^", NO₃^", NO₂^", SO₄^2", SO₃^2", PO₄^3", organic phosphates, organic phosphonates, organic sulfates, organic sulfonates, and aromatic N donors such as pyridines, pyrazines, pyrazoles, imidazoles, benzimidazoles, pyrimidines, triazoles and thiazoles with R being H, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted aryl.

A suitable transition metal bleach catalyst contains a complex of a transition metal and a macropolycyclic rigid ligand, preferably a cross-bridged macropolycyclic ligand, wherein:

(1) said transition metal is selected from the group consisting of Mn(II), Mn(III), Mn(IV), Mn(V), Fe(II), Fe(III), Fe(IV), Co(I), Co(II), Co(III), Ni(I), Ni(II), Ni(III), Cu(I), Cu(II), Cu(III), Cr(II), Cr(III), Cr(IV), Cr(V), Cr(VI), V(III), V(IV), V(V), Mo(IV), Mo(V), Mo(VI), W(IV), W(V), W(VI), Pd(II), Ru(II), Ru(III), and Ru(IV);

(2) said macropolycyclic rigid ligand is coordinated by at least four, preferably four or five, donor atoms to the same transition metal and contains:

(i) an organic macrocycle ring containing four or more donor atoms (preferably at least 3, more preferably at least 4, of these donor atoms are N) separated from each other by covalent linkages of at least one, preferably 2 or 3, non-donor atoms, two to five (preferably three to four, more preferably four) of these donor atoms being coordinated to the same transition metal in the complex;

(ii) a linking moiety, preferably a cross-bridging chain, which covalently connects at least 2 (preferably non-adjacent) donor atoms of the organic macrocycle ring, said covalently connected (preferably non-adjacent) donor atoms being bridgehead donor atoms which are coordinated to the same transition metal in the complex, and wherein said linking moiety (preferably a cross-bridged chain) contains from 2 to about 10 atoms (preferably the cross- bridged chain is selected from 2, 3 or 4 non-donor atoms, and 4-6 non-donor atoms with a further donor atom), including for example, a cross-bridge which is the result of a Mannich condensation of ammonia and formaldehyde; and

(iii) optionally, one or more non-macropolycyclic ligands, preferably monodentate ligands, such as those selected from the group consisting of H₂O, ROH, NR₃, RCN, OH^", OOH^", RS^", RO^", RCOO^", OCN^", SCN^", N₃^", CN^", F^", Cl^", Br^", I^", O₂^", NO₃^", NO₂^", SO₄^2", SO₃^2", PO₄^3", organic phosphates, organic phosphonates, organic sulfates, organic sulfonates, and aromatic N donors such as pyridines, pyrazines, pyrazoles, imidazoles, benzimidazoles, pyrimidines, triazoles and thiazoles with R being H, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted aryl (specific examples of monodentate ligands including phenolate, acetate or the like).

Suitable cross-bridged macropolycyclic ligands include:

(i) the cross-bridged macropolycyclic ligand of formula (I) having denticity of 4 or 5:

(ii) the cross-bridged macropolycyclic ligand of formula (II) having denticity of 5 or 6:

(iii) the cross-bridged macropolycyclic ligand of formula (III) having denticity of

6 or 7:

wherein in these formulas:

- each "E" is the moiety (CR_n)_a-X-(CR_n)_a', wherein -X- is selected from the group consisting of O, S, NR and P, or a covalent bond, and preferably X is a covalent bond and for each E the sum of a + a' is independently selected from 1 to 5, more preferably 2 and 3;

- each "G" is the moiety (CR_nJt,;

- each "R" is independently selected from H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, alkylaryl (e.g., benzyl), and heteroaryl, or two or more R are covalently bonded to form an aromatic, heteroaromatic, cycloalkyl, or heterocycloalkyl ring;

- each "D" is a donor atom independently selected from the group consisting of N, O, S, and P, and at least two D atoms are bridgehead donor atoms coordinated to the transition metal (in the preferred embodiments, all donor atoms designated D are donor atoms which coordinate to the transition metal, in contrast with heteroatoms in the structure which are not in D such as those which may be present in E; the non-D heteroatoms can be non-coordinating and indeed are non-coordinating whenever present in the preferred embodiment);

- "B" is a carbon atom or "D" donor atom, or a cycloalkyl or heterocyclic ring;

- each "n" is an integer independently selected from 1 and 2, completing the valence of the carbon atoms to which the R moieties are covalently bonded;

- each "n"' is an integer independently selected from 0 and 1, completing the valence of the D donor atoms to which the R moieties are covalently bonded;

- each "n"" is an integer independently selected from 0, 1, and 2 completing the valence of the B atoms to which the R moieties are covalently bonded; - each "a" and "a'"is an integer independently selected from 0-5, preferably a + a' equals 2 or 3, wherein the sum of all "a" plus "a"' in the ligand of formula (I) is within the range of from about 6 (preferably 8) to about 12, the sum of all "a" plus "a"' in the ligand of formula (II) is within the range of from about 8 (preferably 10) to about 15, and the sum of all "a" plus "a"' in the ligand of formula (III) is within the range of from about 10 (preferably 12) to about 18;

- each "b" is an integer independently selected from 0-9, preferably 0-5 (wherein when b=0, (CR_n)o represents a covalent bond), or in any of the above formulas, one or more of the (CR_n)b moieties covalently bonded from any D to the B atom is absent as long as at least two (CR_n)b covalently bond two of the D donor atoms to the B atom in the formula, and the sum of all "b" is within the range of from about 1 to about 5.

A suitable cross-bridged macropolycyclic ligand is selected from the group consisting of:

(I), and

(H),

wherein in these formulas:

- each "R" is independently selected from H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, alkylaryl (e.g., benzyl) and heteroaryl, or two or more R are covalently bonded to form an aromatic, heteroaromatic, cycloalkyl, or heterocycloalkyl ring;

- each "n" is an integer independently selected from 0, 1 and 2, completing the valence of the carbon atoms to which the R moieties are covalently bonded;

- each "b" is an integer independently selected from 2 and 3; and

- each "a" is an integer independently selected from 2 and 3.

Suitable transition metal bleach catalysts include: Dichloro-5,12-dimethyl-l,5,8,12- tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Manganese(II); Dichloro-4,10-dimethyl-l,4,7,10- tetraazabicyclo[5.5.2]tetradecane Manganese(II); Diaquo-5,12-dimethyl- 1,5,8, 12- tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Manganese(II) Hexafluorophosphate; Aquo-hydroxy-5,12- dimethyl-l,5,8,12-tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Manganese(III) Hexafluorophosphate; Diaquo- 4, 10-dimethyl- 1 ,4,7, 10-tetraazabicyclo[5.5.2]tetradecane Manganese(II) Hexafluorophosphate; Diaquo-5,12-dimethyl-l,5,8,12-tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Manganese(II) Tetrafluoroborate; Diaquo^JO-dimethyl-l^JJO-tetraazabicyclofS.S^Jtetradecane Manganese(II) Tetrafluoroborate; Dichloro-5,12-dimethyl-l,5,8,12-tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Manganese(III);

Hexafluorophosphate; Dichloro-5,12-di-n-butyl-l,5,8,12-tetraaza- bicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Manganese(II); Dichloro-5,12-dibenzyl- 1,5,8, 12-tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Manganese(II); Dichloro-S-n-butyl-12-methyl- 1,5,8, 12-tetraaza- bicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Manganese(II); Dichloro-5-n-octyl-12-methyl-l,5,8,12-tetraaza- bicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Manganese(II); Dichloro-S-n-butyl-^-methyl- 1,5,8, 12-tetraaza- bicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Manganese(II); Dichloro-5 , 12-dimethyl- 1,5,8,12-tetraazabicyclo [6.6.2]hexadecane Iron(II) ; Dichloro-4, 10- dimethyM,4,7,10-tetraazabicyclo[5Λ2]tetradecane Iron(II); Dichloro-5, 12-dimethyl-l,5, 8,12- tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Copper(II); Dichloro-4, 10-dimethyl- 1,4,7, 10- tetraazabicyclo[5.5.2]tetradecane Copper(II); Dichloro-5, 12-dimethyl- 1, 5, 8,12- tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Cobalt(II); Dichloro-4, 10-dimethyl- 1,4,7, 10- tetraazabicyclo[5.5.2]tetradecane Cobalt(II); Dichloro 5,12-dimethyl-4-phenyl-l,5,8,12- tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Manganese(II); Dichloro-4, 10-dimethyl-3-phenyl-l ,4,7, 10- tetraazabicyclo[5.5.2]tetradecane Manganese(II); Dichloro-5, 12-dimethyl-4,9-diphenyl- 1,5,8, 12- tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Manganese(II); Dichloro-4, 10-dimethyl-3,8-diphenyl-l, 4,7, 10- tetraazabicyclo[5.5.2]tetradecane Manganese(II); Dichloro-5, 12-dimethyl-2,ll-diphenyl- 1,5,8, 12- tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Manganese(II); Dichloro-4, 10-dimethyl-4,9-diphenyl-l, 4,7, 10- tetraazabicyclo[5.5.2]tetradecane Manganese(II); Dichloro-2,4, 5,9,1 l,12-hexamethyl-l,5,8,12- tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Manganese(II); Dichloro-2,3,5,9,10,12-hexamethyl-l,5,8,12- tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Manganese(II); Dichloro-2,2,4,5,9,9,ll,12-octamethyl-l,5,8,12- tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Manganese(II) ; Dichloro-2,2,4,5 ,9, 11,11, 12-octamethyl- 1,5,8,12- tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Manganese(II); Dichloro-3,3,5,10,10,12-hexamethyl-l,5,8,12- tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Manganese(II); Dichloro-3,5,10,12-tetramethyl-l,5,8,12- tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Manganese(II); Dichloro-3-butyl-5,10,12-trimethyl-l,5,8,12- tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Manganese(II); Dichloro- 1,5,8, 12- tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Manganese(II); Dichloro- 1,4,7, 10- tetraazabicyclo[5.5.2]tetradecane Manganese(II); Dichloro- 1,5,8, 12- tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Iron(II); Dichloro-l,4,7,10-tetraazabicyclo[5.5.2]tetradecane Iron(II); Aquo-chloro-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-5,12-dimethyl,5,8,12-tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Manganese(II); Aquo-chloro-10-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-4,10-dimethyl-l,4,7,10- tetraazabicyclo[5.5.2]tetradecane Manganese(II); Chloro-2-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-5-methy 1,5, 8,12- tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Manganese(II); Chloro-10-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-4-methyl- 1,4,7, 10- tetraazabicyclo[5.5.2]tetradecane Manganese(II); Chloro-5-methyl-12-(2-picolyl)- 1,5,8, 12- tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Manganese(II) Chloride; Chloro-4-methyl-10-(2-picolyl)- 1,4,7, 10-tetraazabicyclo[5.5.2]tetradecane Manganese(II) Chloride; Dichloro-5 -(2-sulf ato)dodecyl- 12-methyl- 1,5,8, 12-tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Manganese(III); Aquo-Chloro-5-(2- sulfato)dodecyl-12-methyl- 1,5,8, 12-tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Manganese(II); Aquo-Chloro- 5-(3-sulfonopropyl)-12-methyl- 1,5,8, 12-tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Manganese(II); Dichloro- 5-(Trimethylammoniopropyl)dodecyl-12-methyl-l,5,8,12-tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Manganese(III) Chloride; Dichloro-5,12-dimethyl-l,4,7,10,13-pentaazabicyclo[8.5.2]heptadecane Manganese(II); Dichloro-14,20-dimethyl-l,10,14,20-tetraazatriyclo[8.6.6]docosa-3(8),4,6-triene Manganese(II); Dichloro-4, 11 -dimethyl- 1,4,7, ll-tetraazabicyclo[6.5.2]pentadecane Manganese(II); Dichloro-5,12-dimethyl-l,5,8,12-tetraazabicyclo[7.6.2]heptadecane Manganese(II); Dichloro-5,13- dimethyl- 1,5,9, 13-tetraazabicyclo[7.7.2]heptadecane Manganese(II); Dichloro-3,10- bis(butylcarboxy)-5,12-dimethyl-l,5,8,12-tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Manganese(II); Diaquo- 3,10-dicarboxy-5,12-dimethyl-l,5,8,12-tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane Manganese(II); Chloro-

20-methyl-l,9,20,24,25-pentaaza-tetracyclo[7.7.7.1³'⁷.l^{1 1}'¹⁵.]pentacosa-3,5,7(24),l 1,13,15(25)- hexaene manganese(II) Hexafluorophosphate; Trifluoromethanesulfono-20-methyl- 1, 9,20,24,25- pentaaza-tetracyclo[7.7.7.l3,7j ll,15.]pentacosa-3, 5,7(24), 11, 13, 15(25)-hexaene Manganese(II) Trifluoromethanesulfonate; Trifluoromethanesulfono-20-methyl-l, 9,20,24 ,25-pentaaza- tetracyclo[7.7.7.1³'⁷.l^{1 1}'¹⁵.]pentacosa-3,5,7(24),H,13,15(25)-hexaene Iron(II)

Trifluoromethanesulfonate; Chloro-5,12,17-trimethyl-l,5,8,12,17- pentaazabicyclo[6.6.5]nonadecane Manganese(II) Hexafluorophosphate; Chloro-4,10,15-trimethyl- 1,4,7, 10,15-pentaazabicyclo[5.5.5]heptadecane Manganese(II) Hexafluorophosphate; Chloro- 5,12,17-trimethyl-l,5,8,12,17-pentaazabicyclo[6.6.5]nonadecane Manganese(II) Chloride; Chloro- 4,10,15-trimethyl-l,4,7,10,15-pentaazabicyclo[5.5.5]heptadecane Manganese(II) Chloride; and any mixture thereof.

Other suitable transition metal bleach catalysts are described in U.S. 5,580,485, U.S. 4,430,243; U.S. 4,728,455; U.S. 5,246,621; U.S. 5,244,594; U.S. 5,284,944; U.S. 5,194,416; U.S. 5,246,612; U.S. 5,256,779; U.S. 5,280,117; U.S. 5,274,147; U.S. 5,153,161; U.S. 5,227,084; U.S. 5,114,606; U.S. 5,114,611, EP 549,271 Al; EP 544,490 Al; EP 549,272 Al; and EP 544,440 A2.

A suitable transition metal bleach catalyst is a manganese-based catalyst, for example disclosed in U.S. 5,576,282.

Suitable cobalt bleach catalysts are described, for example, in U.S. 5,597,936 andU.S. 5,595,967. Such cobalt catalysts are readily prepared by known procedures, such as taught for example in U.S. 5,597,936, and U.S. 5,595,967.

A suitable transition metal bleach catalyst is a transition metal complex of ligand such as bispidones described in WO 05/042532 Al. Transition metal bleach catalysts provide robust cleaning profiles, especially under dilute wash conditions, and especially against beta-carotene, squalene and unsaturated triglyceride soils.

IMINE BLEACH CATALYST

The composition may contain an imine bleach catalyst. Suitable imine bleach catalysts include, but are not limited to: iminium cations and polyions; iminium zwitterions; N-sulphonyl imines; N-phosphonyl imines; N-acyl imines; perfluoroimines; and mixtures thereof.

Suitable iminium cations and polyions include, but are not limited to, N-methyl-3,4- dihydroisoquinolinium tetrafluoroborate, prepared as described in Tetrahedron (1992), 49(2), 423-38 (see, for example, compound 4, p. 433); N-methyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolinium p-toluene sulphonate, prepared as described in U.S. Pat. 5,360,569 (see, for example, Column 11, Example 1); and N-octyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolinium p-toluene sulphonate, prepared as described in U.S. Pat. 5,360,568 (see, for example, Column 10, Example 3).

Suitable iminium zwitterions include, but are not limited to, N-(3-sulfopropyl)-3,4- dihydroisoquinolinium, inner salt, prepared as described in U.S. Pat. 5,576,282 (see, for example, Column 31, Example II); N-[2-(sulphooxy)dodecyl]-3,4-dihydroisoquinolinium, inner salt, prepared as described in U.S. Pat. 5,817,614 (see, for example, Column 32, Example V); 2- [3-[(2-ethylhexyl)oxy]-2-(sulphooxy)propyl]-3,4-dihydroisoquinolinium, inner salt, prepared as described in WO05/047264 (see, for example, page 18, Example 8), and 2-[3-[(2- butyloctyl)oxy]-2-(sulphooxy)propyl]-3,4-dihydroisoquinolinium, inner salt.

Suitable N-sulphonyl imine oxygen transfer catalysts include, but are not limited to, 3- methyl-l,2-benzisothiazole 1,1 -dioxide, prepared according to the procedure described in the Journal of Organic Chemistry (1990), 55(4), 1254-61.

Suitable N-phosphonyl imine oxygen transfer catalysts include, but are not limited to, [R- (E)]-N-[(2-chloro-5-nitrophenyl)methylene]-P-phenyl-P-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)- phosphinic amide, which can be made according to the procedures described in the Journal of the Chemical Society, Chemical Communications (1994), (22), 2569-70.

Suitable N-acyl imine oxygen transfer catalysts include, but are not limited to, [N(E)J-N- (phenylmethylene)acetamide, which can be made according to the procedures described in Polish Journal of Chemistry (2003), 77(5), 577-590. Suitable perfluoroimine oxygen transfer catalysts include, but are not limited to, (Z)- 2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluoro-N-(nonafluorobutyl)butanimidoyl fluoride, which can be made according to the procedures described in Tetrahedron Letters (1994), 35(34), 6329-30.

Suitable cyclic sugar ketone oxygen transfer catalysts include, but are not limited to, l,2:4,5-di-O-isopropylidene-D-erythro-2,3-hexodiuro-2,6-pyranose as prepared in U.S. Pat. 6,649,085 (Column 12, Example 1).

Preferably, the imine bleach catalyst contains an iminium and/or carbonyl functional group and is typically capable of forming an oxaziridinium and/or dioxirane functional group upon acceptance of an oxygen atom, especially upon acceptance of an oxygen atom from a peroxyacid and/or salt thereof. Preferably, the imine bleach catalyst contains an oxaziridinium functional group and/or is capable of forming an oxaziridinium functional group upon acceptance of an oxygen atom, especially upon acceptance of an oxygen atom from a peroxyacid and/or salt thereof. Preferably, the imine bleach catalyst contains a cyclic iminium functional group, preferably wherein the cyclic moiety has a ring size of from five to eight atoms (including the nitrogen atom), preferably six atoms. Preferably, the imine bleach catalyst contains an aryliminium functional group, preferably a bi-cyclic aryliminium functional group, preferably a 3,4-dihydroisoquinolinium functional group. Typically, the imine functional group is a quaternary imine functional group and is typically capable of forming a quaternary oxaziridinium functional group upon acceptance of an oxygen atom, especially upon acceptance of an oxygen atom from a peroxyacid and/or salt thereof.

Preferably, the imine bleach catalyst has a chemical structure corresponding to the following chemical formula

wherein: n and m are independently from 0 to 4, preferably n and m are both 0; each R is independently selected from a substituted or unsubstituted radical selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, fused aryl, heterocyclic ring, fused heterocyclic ring, nitro, halo, cyano, sulphonato, alkoxy, keto, carboxylic, and carboalkoxy radicals; and any two vicinal R¹ substituents may combine to form a fused aryl, fused carbocyclic or fused heterocyclic ring; each R² is independently selected from a substituted or unsubstituted radical independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkaryl, aryl, aralkyl, alkylenes, heterocyclic ring, alkoxys, arylcarbonyl groups, carboxyalkyl groups and amide groups; any R² may be joined together with any other of R² to form part of a common ring; any geminal R² may combine to form a carbonyl; and any two R² may combine to form a substituted or unsubstituted fused unsaturated moiety; R³ is a Ci to C₂₀ substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; R⁴ is hydrogen or the moiety Q₁-A, wherein: Q is a branched or unbranched alkylene, t = 0 or 1 and A is an anionic group selected from the group consisting of OS(V, SO₃^", CO₂^", OCO₂^", OPO₃^2", OPO₃H^" and OPO₂^"; R⁵ is hydrogen or the moiety

[(CR⁹R¹⁰)_y-O]_k-R⁸, wherein: each Y is independently selected from the group consisting of O, S,

N-H, or N-R ; and each R is independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl and heteroaryl, said moieties being substituted or unsubstituted, and whether substituted or unsubsituted said moieties having less than 21 carbons; each G is independently selected from the group consisting of CO, SO₂, SO, PO and PO₂; R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently selected from the group consisting of H and Ci-C₄ alkyl; R¹¹ and R¹² are independently selected from the group consisting of H and alkyl, or when taken together may join to form a carbonyl; b = O or 1; c can = O or 1, but c must = O if b = O; y is an integer from 1 to 6; k is an integer from O to 20; R⁶ is H, or an alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl moiety; said moieties being substituted or unsubstituted; and X, if present, is a suitable charge balancing counterion, preferably X is present when R⁴ is hydrogen, suitable X, include but are not limited to: chloride, bromide, sulphate, methosulphate, sulphonate, p-toluenesulphonate, borontetraflouride and phosphate.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the imine bleach catalyst has a structure corresponding to general formula below:

wherein R » 13 is a branched alkyl group containing from three to 24 carbon atoms (including the branching carbon atoms) or a linear alkyl group containing from one to 24 carbon atoms; preferably R¹³ is a branched alkyl group containing from eight to 18 carbon atoms or linear alkyl group containing from eight to eighteen carbon atoms; preferably R¹³ is selected from the group consisting of 2-ethylhexyl, 2-propylheptyl, 2-butyloctyl, 2-pentylnonyl, 2-hexyldecyl, n- dodecyl, n-tetradecyl, n-hexadecyl, n-octadecyl, iso-nonyl, iso-decyl, iso-tridecyl and iso- pentadecyl; preferably R¹³ is selected from the group consisting of 2-butyloctyl, 2-pentylnonyl, 2-hexyldecyl, iso-tridecyl and iso-pentadecyl.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the imine bleach catalyst has a structure corresponding to general formula below or mixtures thereof.

wherein: G is selected from -O-, -CH₂O-, -(CH₂)₂-, and -CH₂-. R¹ is selected from H or Ci-C₄ alkyl. Suitable Ci-C₄ alkyl moieties include, but are not limited to methyl, ethyl, iso-propyl, and tert-butyl. Each R² is independently selected from C₄-Cs alkyl, benzyl, 2-methylbenzyl, 3- methylbenzyl, 4-methylbenzyl, 4-ethylbenzyl, 4-iso-propylbenzyl and 4-tert-butylbenzyl. Suitable C₄-Cs alkyl moieties include, but are not limited to n-butyl, n-pentyl, cyclopentyl, n- hexyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexylmethyl, n-heptyl and octyl.

In one aspect of the invention G is selected from -O- and -CH₂-. R¹ is selected from H, methyl, ethyl, iso-propyl, and tert-butyl. Each R² is independently selected from C₄-C₆ alkyl, benzyl, 2-methylbenzyl, 3-methylbenzyl, and 4-methylbenzyl.

In another aspect of the invention G is -CH₂-, R¹ is H and each R² is independently selected from n-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, benzyl, 2-methylbenzyl, 3-methylbenzyl, and 4- methylbenzyl.

CHELANT

The composition may contain a chelant. Suitable chelants include diethylene triamine pentaacetate, diethylene triamine penta(methyl phosphonic acid), ethylene diamine-N'N'- disuccinic acid, ethylene diamine tetraacetate, ethylene diamine tetra(methylene phosphonic acid) and hydroxyethane di(methylene phosphonic acid). A preferred chelant is ethylene diamine-N'N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS) and/or hydroxyethane diphosphonic acid (HEDP). Preferably the ethylene diamine-N'N'-disuccinic acid is in S'S' enantiomeric form.

OTHER DETERGENT INGREDIENTS

The composition may contain a detergent ingredient selected from: suds suppressing systems such as silicone based suds suppressors; brighteners; photobleach; filler salts; fabric- softening agents such as clay, silicone and/or quaternary ammonium compounds; flocculants such as polyethylene oxide; dye transfer inhibitors such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, poly 4- vinylpyridine N-oxide and/or co-polymer of vinylpyrrolidone and vinylimidazole; fabric integrity components such as hydrophobically modified cellulose and oligomers produced by the condensation of imidazole and epichlorhydrin; soil dispersants and soil anti-redeposition aids such as polycarboxylates, alkoxylated polyamines and ethoxylated ethyleneimine polymers; and anti-redeposition components such as carboxymethyl cellulose and polyesters.

EXAMPLES

30 g of the following free-flowing particulate laundry detergent compositions were used to wash 3.0 kg fabric in a Miele 3622 front-loading automatic washing machine (13L wash liquor volume, short wash cycle, Ih, 25 mines), 30⁰C wash temperature).

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm."

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A solid laundry detergent composition comprising:

(i) from about lwt% to about 60wt% detersive surfactant,

(ii) from about 0wt% to about 4wt% zeolite builder,

(iii) from about 0wt% to about 4wt% phosphate builder,

(iv) from about above 0wt% to about 7wt% peroxide bleach selected from the group consisting of percarbonate, perborate and a mixture thereof, and

(v) balance additional detergent ingredients.

2. A composition of Claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises anionic surfactant.

3. A composition of Claim 2, comprising from about 4wt% to about 40wt% anionic surfactant.

4. A composition of Claim 1, wherein the composition comprises non-ionic surfactant.

5. A composition of Claim 1, wherein the composition comprises cationic surfactant.

6. A composition of Claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises enzyme.

7. A composition of Claim 6, wherein the enzyme is selected from the group consisting of cellulase, protease, lipase, amylase, and a mixture thereof.

8. A composition of Claim 1, wherein the composition is substantially free from zeolite builder.

9. A composition of Claim 1, wherein the composition is substantially free from phosphate builder.

10. A composition of Claim 1, wherein the composition is a free-flowing particulate laundry detergent composition.

11. A composition of Claim 1 , further comprising a bleach activator.

12. A composition of Claim 1, further comprising sodium percarbonate.

13. A composition of Claim 1, wherein the composition comprises from about lwt% to about 4wt% peroxide bleach.

14. A composition of Claim 1, wherein the composition comprises a transition metal bleach catalyst.

15. A composition of Claim 1, wherein the composition comprises an imine bleach catalyst.