Pearlescent preparations containing quaternized triethanolamine fatty acid esters, processes for preparing the same, and methods of use therefor

Abstract

The invention relates to pearlescent water-containing preparations which can be obtained by (a) reacting triethanolamine and C 12-22 fatty acids in a molar ratio of 1:1.3 to 1:1.4, (b) subsequently quaternizing the esterification products in known manner and (c) dispersing the quaternization products in water.

1 . A pearlescent preparation prepared by a process comprising: 
 (a) reacting triethanolamine and a C 12-22  fatty acid in a molar ratio of from 1:1.3 to 1:1.4 to form an esterification product;    (b) quaternizing the esterification product; and    (c) dispersing the quaternized esterification product in water.    
     
     
         2 . The pearlescent preparation according to  claim 1 , wherein the preparation comprises an amount of free C 12-22  fatty acid of from 1 to 20% by weight based on the dry weight of the esterification product.  
     
     
         3 . The pearlescent preparation according to  claim 1 , wherein the triethanolamine and the C 12-22  fatty acid are reacted in a molar ratio of from 1:1.32 to 1:1.38.  
     
     
         4 . The pearlescent preparation according to  claim 1 , wherein the C 12-22  fatty acid comprises a fatty acid corresponding to the general formula I:  
         R 1 COOH   (I)  
       wherein R 1 CO represents a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated acyl group having from 16 to 18 carbon atoms.  
     
     
         5 . The pearlescent preparation according to  claim 3 , wherein the C 12-22  fatty acid comprises a fatty acid corresponding to the general formula I:  
         R 1 COOH   (I)  
       wherein R 1 CO represents a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated acyl group having from 16 to 18 carbon atoms.  
     
     
         6 . The pearlescent preparation according to  claim 2 , wherein the triethanolamine and the C 12-22  fatty acid are reacted in a molar ratio of from 1:1.32 to 1:1.38.  
     
     
         7 . The pearlescent preparation according to  claim 2 , wherein the C 12-22  fatty acid comprises a fatty acid corresponding to the general formula I:  
         R 1 COOH   (I)  
       wherein R 1 CO represents a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated acyl group having from 16 to 18 carbon atoms.  
     
     
         8 . The pearlescent preparation according to  claim 6 , wherein the C 12-22  fatty acid comprises a fatty acid corresponding to the general formula I:  
         R 1 COOH   (I)  
       wherein R 1 CO represents a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated acyl group having from 16 to 18 carbon atoms.  
     
     
         9 . A process for preparing pearlescent preparations, said process comprising: 
 (a) reacting triethanolamine and a C 12-22  fatty acid in a molar ratio of from 1:1.3 to 1:1.4 to form an esterification product;    (b) quaternizing the esterification product; and    (c) dispersing the quaternized esterification product in water.    
     
     
         10 . The process according to  claim 9 , wherein the triethanolamine and the C 12-22  fatty acid are reacted in a molar ratio of from 1:1.32 to 1:1.38.  
     
     
         11 . The process according to  claim 9 , wherein the C 12-22  fatty acid comprises a fatty acid corresponding to the general formula I:  
         R 1 COOH   (I)  
       wherein R 1 CO represents a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated acyl group having from 16 to 18 carbon atoms.  
     
     
         12 . The process according to  claim 10 , wherein the C 12-22  fatty acid comprises a fatty acid corresponding to the general formula I:  
         R 1 COOH   (I)  
       wherein R 1 CO represents a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated acyl group having from 16 to 18 carbon atoms.  
     
     
         13 . The process according to  claim 9 , wherein the C 12-22  fatty acid comprises a component selected from the group consisting of hydrogenated or partly hydrogenated coconut oil fatty acids, hydrogenated or partly hydrogenated tallow fatty acids, palmitic acid, stearic acid and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         14 . The process according to  claim 10 , wherein the C 12-22  fatty acid comprises a component selected from the group consisting of hydrogenated or partly hydrogenated coconut oil fatty acids, hydrogenated or partly hydrogenated tallow fatty acids, palmitic acid, stearic acid and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         15 . The process according to  claim 9 , wherein the esterification product is quaternized with a reagent selected from the group consisting of alkyl halides and dialkyl sulfates.  
     
     
         16 . The process according to  claim 9 , wherein the quaternization is carried out in the presence of an alcohol selected from the group consisting of lower aliphatic alcohols and polyols.  
     
     
         17 . The process according to  claim 9 , wherein the quaternization is carried out in the presence of an alcohol selected from the group consisting of isopropyl alcohol and propylene glycol.  
     
     
         18 . A method of softening a fiber, said method comprising: 
 (a) providing a fiber to be softened;    (b) providing a pearlescent preparation prepared by a process comprising: 
 (i) reacting triethanolamine and a C 12-22  fatty acid in a molar ratio of from 1:1.3 to 1:1.4 to form an esterification product;  
 (ii) quaternizing the esterification product; and  
 (iii) dispersing the quaternized esterification product in water; and  
   (c) contacting the fiber with the pearlescent preparation.