Bleach catalyst particles

A granular detergent composition especially suitable for use in automatic dishwashing machines, which composition comprises by weight:

• (a) from about 0.1% to about 10% of the bleach catalyst-containing composite particles according to claim 7;
• (b) a bleach component comprising from about 0.01% to about 8% as available oxygen of a peroxygen bleach;
• (c) from about 0.1% to about 60% of a pH adjusting component consisting of water-soluble salt or salt/builder mixture selected from sodium carbonate, sodium sesquicarbonate, sodium citrate, citric acid, sodium bicarbonate, sodium hydroxide, and mixtures thereof;
• (d) from about 3% to about 10% silicate as SiO.sub.2 ;
• (e) from 0 to about 10% of a low-foaming nonionic surfactant other than amine oxide;
• (f) from 0 to about 10% of a suds suppressor;
• (g) from 0% to about 5% of an active detersive enzyme;
• and
• (h) from 0% to about 25% of a dispersant polymer;
• wherein said composition provides a wash solution pH from about 9.5 to about 11.5.

A bleach catalyst-containing composite particle suitable for incorporation into a granular detergent composition, said composite particle comprising:

• (a) from about 1% to about 60% of a bleach catalyst having the formula:
• ›Co(NH.sub.3).sub.n (M).sub.m (B).sub.b !T.sub.y
• wherein cobalt is in the +3 oxidation state;
• n is 4 or 5;
• M is one or more ligands coordinated to the cobalt by one site;
• m is 0, 1 or 2;
• B is a ligand coordinated to the cobalt by two sites;
• b is 0 or 1, and when b=0, then m+n=6, and when b=1, then m=0 and n=4;
• and T is one or more appropriately selected counteranions present in a number y, where y is an integer to obtain a charge-balanced salt;
• said catalyst having a base hydroylsis rate constant of less than 0.23 M.sup.-1 s.sup.-1 (25.degree. C.);
• (b) from about 40% to about 99% of polyethylene glycol carrier material that melts within the range of from about 38.degree. C. to about 77.degree. C.;
• and wherein further said composite particles have a mean particle size of from about 200 to about 2400 microns and a free water content of less than 6%.