Soap-based detergent formulations. XVI. Surface active sulfosuccinimides

A series of sodium N-alkylsulfosuccinimides and N-acyloxymethylsulfosuccinimides were prepared by reaction of the corresponding N-alkylmaleimides and N-acyloxymethylmaleimides with sodium bisulfite in aqueous ethanol. The N-alkylmaleimides were prepared by dehydration of N-alkylmaleamic acids with acetic anhydride and fused sodium acetate. The N-acyloxymethylmaleimides were obtained by reaction of an acyl chloride with N-methylolmaleimide in a pyridine-acetone solvent. The surface active properties of the sulfonated derivatives showed them to be efficient lime soap dispersing agents with good calcium ion stability but relatively high Krafft points. The 2 types of compounds exhibited similar detergency characteristics under the conditions employed and were generally comparable to the control on a cotton-polyester blend when used alone and in a ternary formulation with soap and silicate builder on cotton test cloths.