Deodorization of cationic acetonitrile derivatives

A process of the deodorizing water-containing solutions of compounds of the general formula I,

• where R1 is H, CH3, a C2-24-alkyl or alkenyl radical, a substituted C2-24-alkyl or -alkenyl radical having at least one substituent from the group consisting of Cl, Br, OH, NH2, CN, an alkyl radical or an alkenylaryl radical having a C1-24-alkyl group, or a substituted alkyl or alkenylaryl radical having a C1-24-alkyl group and at least one further substituent on the aromatic ring, R2 and R3 independently of one another are selected from —CH2—CN, —CH3, —CH2—CH3, —CH2—CH2—CH3, —CH(CH3)—CH3, —CH2—OH, —CH2—CH2—OH, —CH(OH)—CH3, —CH2—CH2—CH2—OH, —CH2—CH(OH)—CH3, —CH(OH)—CH2—CH3, —(CH2—CH2—O)nH where n=1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, R4 and R5 independently of one another have a meaning specified above for R1, R2 or R3, and X is an anion of equivalent charge, by exposure to the action of an aqueous combination of a percarboxylic acid, a carroxylic acid and hydrogen peroxide, wherein the aqueous deodorizing combination flas a carboxylic acid concentration of from 15% by weight to 60% by weight.