Block copolymers as soil release agents in laundry processes

A block copolymer obtained by a process comprising:

• (a) polymerizing a MPEG acrylate, siloxane acrylate, siloxane methacrylate, fluorinated acrylate, fluorinated methacrylate, C16/C18 alkyl acrylate with controlled free radical polymerization;
• (b) polymerizing the polymer of (a) with controlled free radical polymerization with
• (i) one or more monomers according to the following formula (I):
• wherein R1 is hydrogen or C1-10 alkyl, R2 is C1-20 alkyl, and R3 and R4 are independently linear or branched C1-C22 alkyl;
• or
• (ii) one or more monomers according to the following formula (II):
• wherein R1 is hydrogen or C1-10 alkyl, R2 is C1-20 alkyl, and R3 and R4 are independently linear or branched C1-C22 alkyl;
• or
• (iii) a mixture of monomers according to formula (I) and (II);
• and
• (iv) optionally, with styrene or 4-vinylpyridine, to form a block copolymer;
• and
• (c) optionally, quaternizing of the block copolymer of (b);
• wherein the block copolymer is effective as a soil release agent upon formulation of the block copolymer in a laundry detergent;
• and
• the block copolymer has a quaternization degree of 20 to 80%.

A process for preparing a laundry detergent composition comprising:

• a) polymerizing a C1-C10 alkyl ester of acrylic or methacrylic acid with controlled free radical polymerization;
• b) polymerizing the polymer of (a) with controlled free radical polymerization with
• (i) one or more monomers according to the following formula (I):
• wherein R1 is hydrogen or C1-10 alkyl, R2 is C1-20 alkylene, and R3 and R4 are independently linear or branched C1-C22 alkyl;
• or
• (ii) one or more monomers according to the following formula (II):
• wherein R1 is hydrogen or C1-10 alkyl, R2 is C1-20 alkylene, and R3 and R4 are independently linear or branched C1-C22 alkyl;
• or
• (iii) a mixture of monomers according to formula (I) and (II);
• and
• (iv) optionally, with styrene or 4-vinylpyridine,
• to form a block copolymer;
• c) modifying the block copolymer of (b) in a polymer analogous transesterification reaction with a primary or secondary alcohol;
• d) quaternizing of the block copolymer of (c) to a quaternization degree of 20 to 80%;
• and
• (e) mixing the block copolymer with one or more detergent composition ingredients selected from the group consisting of:
• surfactants, builder substances, bleach components, brighteners, additives, enzymes, and dye-fixing agents.

A process for preparing a laundry detergent composition comprising:

• (a) polymerizing a MPEG acrylate, siloxane acrylate, siloxane methacrylate, fluorinated acrylate, fluorinated methacrylate, C16/C18 alkyl acrylate with controlled free radical polymerization;
• (b) polymerizing the polymer of (a) with controlled free radical polymerization with
• (i) one or more monomers according to the following formula (I):
• wherein R1 is hydrogen or C1-10 alkyl, R2 is C1-20 alkylene, and R3 and R4 are independently linear or branched C1-C22 alkyl;
• or
• (ii) one or more monomers according to the following formula (II):
• wherein R1 is hydrogen or C1-10 alkyl, R2 is C1-20 alkylene, and R3 and R4 are independently linear or branched C1-C22 alkyl;
• or
• (iii) a mixture of monomers according to formula (I) and (II);
• and
• (iv) optionally, with styrene or 4-vinylpyridine, to form a block copolymer;
• (c) quaternizing of the block copolymer of (b) to a quaternization degree of 20 to 80%;
• and
• (d) mixing the block copolymer with one or more detergent composition ingredients selected from the group consisting of:
• surfactants, builder substances, bleach components, brighteners, additives, enzymes, and dye-fixing agents.