The present invention relates to novel manganese complexes of salen ligands and to the use thereof as catalysts that enhance the action of peroxy compounds in washing, cleaning and disinfecting processes. The invention furthermore relates to formulations used in such processes that comprise the manganese complexes and peroxy compounds, and also to the novel ligands and to processes for the preparation thereof.

A number of manganese complexes of the salen type are already known to be suitable catalysts for oxidations that use peroxy compounds, especially within the context of washing procedures. Also, certain other manganese complexes have already been described as having a pronounced bleaching action on dirt and dyes in washing liquors.

There is nevertheless still a need for further compounds having improved action and/or a broader field of application, but such compounds should not cause any appreciable damage to fibres or colours when used on textile material.

It has now been found that certain novel manganese complexes of the salen type as catalysts largely meet the required conditions. They enhance the action of peroxy compounds in a very wide variety of applications, substantially without damage occurring to fibres or colours. Surprisingly, when the manganese complexes according to the invention are employed in aqueous solution together with peroxy compounds, the enhanceed action occurs in the following applications: a) the bleaching of stains or soiled areas on textile material within the context of a washing procedure, b) the inhibition of migrating dyes being redeposited when textile material is washed, c) the cleaning of hard surfaces, especially crockery or glass, d) the cleaning of hard surfaces, especially glazed tiles or floor tiles, especially for the removal of stains that have formed as a result of the action of molds (mold stains), and e) the use of washing and cleaning solutions that have an antibacterial activity.

The present invention accordingly relates to compounds of formula wherein n is 0,1 or 2, m is 1 or 2, A is an anion; Y is a linear or branched alkylene radical of formula- [C (R5) 2]r- wherein r is an integer of from 1 to 8 and the Rs radicals are each independently of the others hydrogen or C,-C4alkyl; -CX=CX-wherein X is cyano, linear or branched C,-C8alkyl or di (linear or branched C,-C8alkyl) amino ;- (CH2) q-NR4- (CH2) q- wherein R4 is hydrogen or C,-C4alkyl and q is 1,2,3 or 4 ; or a 1,2-cyclohexylene radical of formula : or a 1,2-aryl radical of formula wherein Rg is hydrogen, SO3H, CH20H or CH2NH2, R and R, are each independently of the other nitro, NR6R7wherein R6 is hydrogen or linear or branched C,-C, 2alkyl and R7 is linear or branched C1-C12alkyl, with the proviso that R6 and R7 in the groups NR6R7 are not identical, or -CH2-N#R4R6R7 or -N#R4R6R7 wherein R4, R6 and R7 are as defined above, R2 and R3 are each independently of the other hydrogen, linear or branched C1-C4alkyl, unsubstituted aryl, or aryl substituted by cyano; by halogen; by OR5 or COOR5 wherein R5 is hydrogen or linear or branched C1-C4alkyl ; by nitro; by linear or branched C,-C8alkyl; by NHR6 or NR6R7 wherein R6 and R7 are identical or different and are each linear or branched C1-C12alkyl ; by linear or branched C,-Csalkyl-R8 wherein R8 is a radical OR5, COOR5 or NR6R7 as defined above or is NH2; or by-N@R4R6R7 wherein R4, R6 and R7 are as defined above, and, when n and m are each 1, R2 and R3 are each hydrogen and Y is unsubstituted 1,2- cyclohexylene, R and R, are not each nitro in the 5-and 5'-position, respectively, and, when n and m are each 1, R2 and R3 are each hydrogen and Y is unsubstituted 1,2-ethylene, R and R, are not each N (CH3) (C2H5) 2 in the 4-and 4'-position, respectively.

In compounds of formula (1) in which n is 2, the radicals R may have identical or different meanings. The same applies to compounds of formula (1) in which m is 2 in respect of the radicals R,.

When Y is a 1,2-cyclohexylene radical, that radical may be in either of its stereoisomeric cisltrans forms.

Preferably, Y is a cyclohexylene radical, a radical of formula- (CHZ) - wherein r is an integer of from 1 to 8, or a radical of formula-C (R5) 2- (CH2) p-C (R5) 2- wherein p is an integer of from 0 to 6 and Rs is hydrogen or C,-C4alkyl.

In especially preferred compounds of formula (1), Y is a cyclohexylene radical, a radical of formula- (CHz) - wherein r is an integer of from 1 to 4, or a radical of formula- (CR5) 2- (CR5) 2- wherein the R5 radicals are each independently of the others hydrogen or methyl.

Halogen is preferably chlorine, bromine or fluorine, chlorine being especially preferred.

When n or m is 1, the groups R and R, are preferably in the 4-or 5-position of the respective benzene ring.

When R6 or R7 is an alkyl radical, the alkyl group may be straight-chain or branched.

Preferably, the alkyl group contains from 1 to 8, especially from 1 to 4, and more especially from 1 to 3, carbon atoms.

Preferably, the radicals R and R, are each nitro, NR6R7 wherein R6 and R7 are each C,-C4alkyl, with the proviso that R6 and R7 are not identical, or-N@R4R6R7 wherein R4, R6 and R7 are each C1-C4alkyl.

The radicals R2 and R3 are especially hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, or unsubstituted phenyl.

Aryl is, for example, naphthyl or, especially, phenyl.

Suitable anions include, for example, halide, for example chloride, bromide or iodide, perchlorate, sulfate, nitrate, hydroxide, BF4-, PF6-, carboxylate, acetate, tosylate and triflate.

Of those, preference is given to chloride, bromide, iodide and acetate.

The compounds of formula (1) are prepared, for example, in a manner known per se from the corresponding ligands and a manganese compound. Preparation processes of that kind are described, for example, in US patents 5 281 578 and 4 066 459.

The ligands of formula wherein R, Ri, Rs, Rs, Y, n and m are as defined for formula (1) are likewise novel. They are prepared in a manner known per se, for example by reacting a diamine of formula H2N-Y-NH2 first of all with an aldehyde or ketone of formula and then with an aldehyde or ketone of formula In formulae (3) and (4), R, R"R2, R3, n and m are as defined for formula (1). When, in the compounds of formula (2), (R) n has the same meaning as (Ri) m and R2 has the same meaning as R3 then, for the synthesis of compounds of formula (2), one mol of a diamine of formula H2N-Y-NH2 is reacted with two mols of an aldehyde or ketone of formula (3).

The diamines of formula H2N-Y-NH2 and the aldehydes or ketones of formula (3) and (4) are known or can be prepared in a manner known per se.

The compounds of formula (1) are used as catalysts for oxidations using peroxy compounds, for example for bleaching textile material, without causing appreciable damage to fibres and colours.

The present invention accordingly further relates to a washing and cleaning process which comprises adding to the liquor, which comprises a peroxide-containing washing and cleaning agent, from 0.1 to 200 lmol of one or more compounds of formula (1) per litre of washing liquor.

The present invention relates also to a method of inhibiting the redeposition of migrating dyes present in a washing liquor, which comprises adding to the washing liquor, which comprises a peroxide-containing washing agent, from 0.5 to 150 mg, preferably from 1.5 to 75 mg, especially from 7.5 to 40 mg, of one or more compounds of formula (1) per litre of washing liquor.

The present invention relates furthermore to a washing agent containing I) from 5 to 90 %, preferably from 5 to 70 %, A) of an anionic surfactant and/or B) of a non-ionic surfactant, It) from 5 to 70 %, preferably from 5 to 50 %, especially from 5 to 40 %, C) of a builder substance, III) from 0.1 to 30 %, preferably from 1 to 12 %, D) of a peroxide and IV) from 0.005 to 2 %, preferably from 0.02 to 1 %, especially from 0.1 to 0.5 %, E) of a compound of the above-defined formula (1), the percentages in each case being percentages by weight, based on the total weight of the washing agent.

The washing agent may be in solid or liquid form, for example in the form of a liquid, non- aqueous washing agent containing not more that 5 %, preferably from 0 to 1 %, by weight of water, and may comprise as base a suspension of a builder substance in a non-ionic surfactant, for example as described in GB-A-2 158 454.

The washing agent is preferably, however, in the form of a powder or granules.

The powder or granules can be prepared, for example, by first preparing a starting powder by spray-drying an aqueous suspension comprising all of the above-listed components with the exception of components D) and E), and then adding the dry components D) and E) and mixing everything together.

It is also possible to add component E) to an aqueous suspension comprising components A), B) and C), then subject the mixture to spray-drying and subsequently mix component D) with the dry mass.

It is furthermore possible to start with an aqueous suspension that comprises components A) and C) but not component B) or only a proportion of component B). The suspension is spray-dried and then component E) is mixed with component B) and added, and subsequently component D) is admixed dry.

The anionic surfactant A) may be, for example, a sulfate, sulfonate or carboxylate surfactant or a mixture of such surfactants.

Preferred sulfates are those having from 12 to 22 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical, if desired in combination with alkylethoxysulfates in which the alkyl radical contains from 10 to 20 carbon atoms.

Preferred sulfonates include, for example, alkylbenzenesulfonates having from 9 to 15 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical.

The cation in the anionic surfactants is preferably an alkali metal cation, especially sodium.

Preferred carboxylates are alkali metal sarcosinates of formula R-CO-N (R')-CH2COOM', wherein R is alkyl or alkenyl having from 8 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl or alkenyl radical, R'is C,-C4alkyl and M'is an alkali metal.

The non-ionic surfactant B) may be, for example, a condensation product of from 3 to 8 mols of ethylene oxide with 1 mol of primary alcohol that contains from 9 to 15 carbon atoms.

Suitable builder substances C) include, e. g., alkali metal phosphates, especially tripolyphosphates, carbonates or bicarbonates, especially the sodium salts thereof, silicates, aluminium silicates, polycarboxylates, polycarboxylic acids, organic phosphonates, aminoalkylenepoly (alkylenephosphonates) and mixtures of such compounds.

Silicates that are especially suitable are sodium salts of crystalline layer silicates of formula NaHSitOn+,. pH20 or Na2Si, O2, +,. pH2O, wherein t is a number from 1.9 to 4 and p is a number from 0 to 20.

Of the aluminium silicates, preference is given to those obtainable commercially under the names zeolite A, B, X and HS and to mixtures that comprise two or more of those components.

Of the polycarboxylates, preference is given to the polyhydroxycarboxylates, especially citrates, and acrylates and also copolymers thereof with maleic anhydride.

Preferred polycarboxylic acids are nitrilotriacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and ethylenediamine disuccinate both in racemic form and the enantiomerically pure S, S-form.

Especially suitable phosphonates or aminoalkylenepoly (alkylenephosphonates) include alkali metal salts of 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid, nitrilo-tris (methylenephos- phonic acid), ethylenediaminetetramethylenephosphonic acid and diethylenetriaminepenta- methylenephosphonic acid.

Suitable peroxide components D) include, for example, the organic and inorganic peroxides known in the literature and available commercially that bleach textile materials at conventional washing temperatures, for example at from 10 to 95°C.

The organic peroxides are, for example, mono-or poly-peroxides, especially organic peracids or salts thereof, such as phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid, peroxybenzoic acid, diperoxydodecanedioic acid, diperoxynonanedioic acid, diperoxydecanedioic acid, diperoxyphthalic acid or salts thereof.

Preference is given, however, to the use of inorganic peroxides, such as, for example, persulfates, perborates, percarbonates and/or persilicates. It will be understood that it is also possible to use mixtures of inorganic and/or organic peroxides. The peroxides can be present in various crystalline forms and with various water contents, and they can also be used together with other inorganic or organic compounds for the purpose of improving their storage stabiiity.

The addition of the peroxides to the washing agent is carried out preferably by mixing the components together, for example using a screw metering system and/or a fluidized bed mixer.

The washing agent may comprise, in addition to the combination according to the invention, one or more optical brighteners, for example from the group comprising bistriazinylamino-stilbenedisulfonic acid, bistriazolylstilbenedisulfonic acid, bisstyrylbiphenyl or bisbenzofuranylbiphenyl, a bisbenzoxalyl derivative, bisbenzimidazolyl derivative, coumarin derivative or a pyrazoline derivative.

The washing agents may furthermore comprise suspending agents for dirt, for example sodium carboxymethylcellulose, pH regulators, e. g. alkali metal or alkaline earth metal silicates, foam regulators, e. g. soap, salts for regulating the spray-drying and the granulating properties, e. g. sodium sulfate, perfumes and, optionally, antistatic agents and softeners, enzymes, such as amylase, bleaching agents, pigments and/or toning agents. It will be understood that such components must be stable with respect to the bleaching agent used.

Further preferred additives to the washing agents according to the invention are polymers that, when textile materials are being washed, inhibit staining caused by dyes in the washing liquor that have been released from the textile materials under the washing conditions. Such polymers are preferably polyvinylpyrrolidones which, as appropriate, may have been modified by the incorporation of anionic or cationic substituents, especially those having a molecular weight in the range from 5000 to 60 000, more especially from 10 000 to 50 000. Such polymers are used preferably in an amount of from 0.05 to 5 % by weight, especially from 0.2 to 1.7 % by weight, based on the total weight of the washing agent.

In addition, the washing agents according to the invention may also comprise so-called perborate activators, such as, for example, TAED or TAGU. Preference is given to TAED, which is preferably used in an amount of from 0.05 to 5 % by weight, especially from 0.2 to 1.7 % by weight, based on the total weight of the washing agent.

Surprisingly, the manganese complexes of formula (1) also have a markedly improved bleach-catalyzing action on coloured stains on hard surfaces. The addition of such complexes in catalytic amounts to a dishwashing agent that comprises a peroxy compound and optionally TAED (N, N, N', N'-tetraacetylethylenediamine) results in the substantial removal of tea stains from porcelain at 45°C in automatic dishwashers. This is the case even when hard water is used, it being known that tea deposits are more difficult to remove in hard water than in soft water.

The invention accordingly relates also to the use of manganese complexes of formula (1) as catalysts for reactions with peroxy compounds in cleaning solutions for hard surfaces, especially for crockery.

The invention relates furthermore to cleaning agents for hard surfaces, especially cleaning agents for crockery and, among such agents, preferably those for use in cleaning processes carried out by machine, which agents comprise one of the above-described compounds of formula (1) as bleach catalyst, and to a method of cleaning hard surfaces, especially crockery, using such a bleach catalyst.

The manganese complexes of formula (1) according to the invention are furthermore excellently suitable for cleaning hard surfaces, especially glazed tiles or floor tiles, especially for the removal of stains that have formed as a result of the action of molds ("mold stains").

Such stains frequently occur in the joints between glazed tiles. The joints may consist, for example, of cement-containing and/or gypsum-containing material, or of polymers, for example silicone.

The invention accordingly relates also to the use of manganese complexes of formula (1) as catalysts for reactions with peroxy compounds in cleaning solutions for glazed tiles and floor tiles, or the joints between such tiles, and to the cleaning solutions used for that purpose comprising a manganese complex of formula (1) and a peroxide and optionally further additives, such as, for example, surfactants.

Used together with peroxy compounds, the manganese complexes of formula (1) according to the invention furthermore exhibit excellent antibacterial activity. The invention relates also to the use of the manganese complexes of formula (1) according to the invention to kill bacteria or to provide protection against attack by bacteria.

The following Examples serve to illustrate the invention without the invention being limited thereto. Parts and percentages relate to weight, unless specified otherwise.

Preparation of the ligands is expediently carried out under an argon atmosphere.

Example 1: N, N'-Bis (4-trimethylammoniumsalicylidene)-1, 2-ethylenediamine dihydrobromide 55 mg (0.915 mmol) of ethylenediamine are added dropwise, at 50°C, to a suspension of 500 mg (1.92 mmol) of 4-formyl-3-hydroxyphenyltrimethylammonium bromide [directions for synthesis: M. Ando, S. Emoto, Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn., Vol. 42 (9) 2624 (1969)] in 2 ml of ethanol. The reaction mixture is maintained at 80°C for 4 hours. After cooling to room temperature, the precipitate formed is filtered off, washed with a small amount of cold ethanol and dried to constant weight under a high vacuum at 40°C.

Yield: 390 mg (78 %), yellowish solid.

'3C NMR (DMSO-dô) 8 = 57.1 (NCH3), 58.4 (NCH2), 110.6,134.2 (tert. aryl-C), 9, 163.7 (quat. aryl-C), 167.0 (C=N).

Example 2: N, N'-Bis (5-trimethylammoniumsalicylidene)-1, 2-ethylenediamine dihydrobromide Synthesis and working up are carried out as in Example 1, starting from 500 mg (1.92 mmol) of 3-formyl-4-hydroxyphenyltrimethylammonium bromide [directions for synthesis: M. Ando and S. Emoto, Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn., Vol. 51 (8) 2433 (1978)].

Yield: 492 mg (99 %), yellowish solid. <BR> <P>'3C NMR (DMSO-d6) 8 = 57.3 (NCH3), 58.2 (NCH2), 7 (tert. aryl-C), 118.2, 6 (quat. aryl-C), 166.8 (C=N).

Example 3: (R, R)-N, N'-Bis (5-trimethylammoniumsalicylidene)-1, 2-cyclohexanediamine dihydrobromide Synthesis and working up are carried out as in Example 1, starting from 500 mg (1.92 mmol) of 3-formyl-4-hydroxyphenyltrimethylammonium bromide and 0.105 g (0.915 mmol) of trans- 1,2-diaminocyclohexane.

Yield: 435 mg (79 %), yellowish solid.

'3C NMR (DMSO-d6) 8 = 5 2 (cycl. CH2), 53.4 (NCH3), 63.6 (CH2-CH), 118.7,121.9,123.1 (tert. aryl-C), 111.4,131.5,172.4 (quat. aryl-C), 163.2 (C=N).

Example 4: (R, R)-N, N'-Bis (4-trimethylammoniumsalicylidene)-1, 2-cyclohexanediamine dihydrobromide Synthesis and working up are carried out as in Example 1, starting from 500 mg (1.92 mmol) of 4-formyl-3-hydroxyphenyltrimethylammonium bromide and 0.105 g (0.915 mmol) of trans- 1,2-diaminocyclohexane.

Yield: 299 mg (55 %), yellowish-beige solid. <BR> <P>13 C NMR (D20) 6 = 3,33.1 (cycl. CH2), 56.8 (NCH3), 67.3 (CH2-CH), 107.5, 1 (tert. aryl-C), 117.3,152.4,170.9 (quat. aryl-C), 166.6 (C=N).

Example 5: N, N'-Bis (5-trimethylammoniumsalicylidene)-2-methylpropane-1, 2-diamine dihydrobromide Synthesis and working up are carried out as in Example 1, starting from 500 mg (1.92 mmol) of 3-formyl-4-hydroxyphenyltrimethylammonium bromide and 81 mg (0.915 mmol) of 1,2- diamino-2-methylpropane.

Yield: 425.6 mg (81 %), yellowish solid.

'3C NMR (D2O) 8 = 23.7 (CH3), 57.3 (NCH3), 60.0 ((CH3) 2C), 64.2 (NCH2), 119.7,124.5, 125.7,135.2 (tert. aryl-C), 117,137.2,164.4 (quat. aryl-C), 164.5,168.7 (C=N).

Example6: N, N'-Bis (5-trimethylammoniumsalicylidene)-2-methylpropane-1, 2-diamine dihydrobromide Synthesis and working up are carried out as in Example 1, starting from 500 mg (1.92 mmol) of 4-formyl-3-hydroxyphenyltrimethylammonium bromide und 81 mg (0.915 mmol) of 1,2- diamino-2-methylpropane.

Yield: 369 mg (70 %), lemon-yellow solid.

3C NMR (DMSO-d6) 8 = 24.8 (CH3), 56.1 (NCH3), 60.1 ((CH3) 2-C), 67.9 (NCH2), 109.5, 109.7,109.8,133.2,133.6 (tert. aryi-C), 1,163.2 (quat. aryl-C), 162.4, 166.4 (C=N).

Example 7: <BR> <BR> 4-(N-Ethyl-N-methylamino) salicylaldehyde 6.14 g (0.066 mol) of phosphorus oxychloride are cautiously added to 19 ml of dry DMF at -5°C within a period of 5 minutes, during the course of which the temperature of the reaction solution should not exceed 10°C. Subsequently, a solution of 9.9 g (0.066 mol) of 3- (N-ethyl- N-methylamino) phenol in 14 ml of dry DMF is added thereto within a period of 10 minutes, during the course of which the temperature of the reaction solution should not exceed 20°C.

When the addition is complete, the reaction solution is heated for 2 hours at 90°C and then immediately poured onto 100 g of ice. The crude mixture is stirred for 30 minutes. The reaction solution is extracted three times with 100 ml of chloroform. The combined organic phases are concentrated under a high vacuum. The oily residue which remains is purified by column chromatography on silica gel (eluant n-hexane/chloroform 95: 5). Yield: 5.8 g (26 %), colourless solid.

'H NMR (CDCl3) 8 = 1.19 (m, 3H, CH3-CH2), 3.03 (s, 3H, NCH3), 3.45 (m, 2H, CH3-CH2), 6.08 (s, 1 H, aryl-H), 6.29,7.30 (m, each 1 H, aryl-H), 9.05 (s, 1 H, CH=O), 11.62 (s, 1 H, OH).

'3C NMR (CDCI3) â = 11.8 (H3-CH2), 37.7 (NCH3), 46.8 (CH3-CH2), 5,135.3 (tert. aryl-C), 2,164.2 (quat. aryl-C), 192.1 (C=O).

Example 8: 4- (N-Isopropyl-N-methylamino) salicylaldehyde 11 g (0.118 mol) of phosphorus oxychloride are cautiously added to 33 ml of dry DMF at -5°C within a period of 5 minutes, during the course of which the temperature of the reaction solution should not exceed 10°C. Subsequently, a solution of 19.4 g (0.1176 mol) of 3- (N- isopropyl-N-methylamino) phenol in 25 ml of dry DMF is added thereto within a period of 10 minutes, during the course of which the temperature of the reaction solution should not exceed 20°C. When the addition is complete, the reaction solution is heated for 2 hours at 90°C and then immediately poured onto 150 g of ice. The crude mixture is extracted three times with 100 mi of chloroform. The combined organic phases are concentrated under a high vacuum. The oily residue is purified by column chromatography on silica gel (eluant n-hexane/chloroform 95: 5). Yield: 5.8 g (26 %), colourless liquid.

'H NMR (CDCI3) 8 = 1.21 (m, 6H, (CH3) 2-CH), 2.87 (s, 3H, NCH3), 4.18 (m, (CH3) 2-CH), 6.18 (s, 1 H, aryl-H), 6.38,7.27 (m, each 1 H, aryl-H), 9.51 (s, 1 H, CH=O), 11.59 (s, 1 H, OH).

'3C NMR (CDC ! s) 8 = 19.7 ((CH3) 2CH), 30.1 (NCH3), 48.6 ((CH3) 2-CH), 8,135.2 (tert. aryl-C), 111.6,155.9,164.3 (quat. aryl-C), 192.0 (C=O).

Example 9: N, N'-Bis [4- (N-ethyl-N-methylamino) salicylidene]-1, 2-ethylenediamine A solution of 80 mg (1.33 mmol) of ethylenediamine is added dropwise, at room temperature, to a solution of 500 mg (2.79 mmol) of 4-(N-ethyl-N-methylamino)- salicylaldehyde and the reaction solution is heated for 4 hours at 70°C. After cooling to room temperature, the precipitate formed is filtered off, washed with a small amount of cold ethanol and dried in a vacuum drying cabinet at 30°C.

Yield: 476 mg (94 %), yellow solid.

'H NMR (CDC ! s) 8 = 1.13 (m, 6H, CH3-CH2), 2.92 (s, 6H, NCH3), 3.38 (m, 4H, CH3-CH), 3.76 (s, 4H, NCH2), 6.12 (m, 4H, aryl-H), 6.98 (m, 2H, aryl-H), 8.08 (s, 2H, CH=N), 13.52 (s, br, 2H, OH).

13C NMR (CDCI3) 5 = 11.7 (CH3-CH2), 37.4 (NCH3), 46.6 (CH3-CH2), 58.4 (NCH2), 68.8 (NCH2), 3,132.8 (tert. aryl-C), 6,165.4 (quat. aryl-C), 164.6 (C=N).

Example 10: N, N'-Bis [4- (N-isopropyl-N-methylamino) salicylidene]-1, 2-ethylenediamine Synthesis and working up are carried out as in Example 9, starting from 500 mg (2.59 mmol) of 4- (N-isopropyl-N-methylamino) salicylaldehyde and 90 mg (1.5 mmol) of ethylenediamine.

Yield: 429 mg (81 %), yellow solid.

1H NMR (CDCI3) 8 = 1.17 (m, 12H, (CH3) 2-CH), 2.78 (s, 6H, NCH3), 3.38 (m, 4H, CH3-CH2), 3.74 (s, 4H, NCH2), 4.12 (m, 2H, (CH3) 2-CH), 6.19 (m, 4H, aryl-H), 6.95 (m, 2H, aryl-H), 8.05 (s, 2H, CH=N), 13.52 (s, br, 2H, OH).

13C NMR (CDCl3) 8 = 19.6 (CH3-CH), 29.8 (NCH- (CH3) 2), 48.3 (NCH3), 46.6 (CH3-CH2), 58.5 (NCH2), 99. 1,103.7,132.7 (tert. aryl-C), 108.7,153.5,165.2 (quat. aryl-C), 164.5 (C=N).

Example 11: (R, R)-N, N'-Bis [4- (N-isopropyl-N-methylamino) salicylidene]-1, 2-cyclohexanediamine Synthesis and working up are carried out as in Example 9, starting from 500 mg (2.59 mmol) of 4-(N-isopropyl-N-methylamino) salicylaldehyde(N-isopropyl-N-methylamino) salicylaldehyde and 141 mg (1.23 mmol) of trans-1,2- cyclohexanediamine. Yield: 504 mg (88 %), yellow solid.

'H NMR (CDCI3) å = 1.18 (m, 12H, (CH3) 2-CH), 65,1.83,1.95 (m, each CH2), 2.72 (s, 6H, NCH3), 3.17 (m, 2H, cyc. CH), 4.10 (m, 2H, (CH3) 2-CH), 6.15 (m, 4H, aryl-H), 6.90 (m, 2H, aryl-H), 7.95 (s, 2H, CH=N), 13.8 (s, 2H, OH).

13C NMR (CDCI3) å = 19.6 (CH3), 24.3,33.2 (CH2), 29.8 ((CH3)-CH), 48.2 (NCH3), 71.0 (cycl.

CH), 99.2,103.6,103.8,132.8 (tert. aryl-C), 4,165.5 (quat. aryl-C), 162.9 (C=N).

Example 12: (R, R)-N, N'-Bis [4- (N-ethyl-N-methylamino) salicylidene]-1, 2-cyclohexanediamine Synthesis and working up are carried out as in Example 9, starting from 500 mg (2.79 mmol) of 4- (N-ethyl-N-methylamino) salicylaldehyde and 152 mg (1.33 mmol) of tans-1,2-cyclo- hexanediamine. Yield: 569 mg (98 %), yellow solid.

'H NMR (CDCI3) â = 1.10 (m, 6H, (CH3), 93 (m, each 2H, CH2), 2.88 (s, 6H, NCH3), 3.10 (cycl. CH), 3.37 (m, 4H, NCH2), 6.05 (m, 4H, aryl-H), 6.88 (m, 2H, aryl-H), 7.93 (m, 2H, CH=N), 13.2 (s, br, 2H, OH).

13C NMR (CDC13) 8 = 11.6 (CH3), 24.3,33.2 (cycl. CH2), 37.6 (NCH3), 46.5 (CH3CH2), 70.8 (cycl. CH), 98.6,103.2,132.9 (tert. aryl-C), 108.5,152.5,165.9 (quat. aryl-C), 162.9 (C=N).

Example 13: N, N'-Bis [4- (N-ethyl-N-methylamino) salicylidene]-2-methylpropane-1,2-diamine Synthesis and working up are carried out as in Example 9, starting from 500 mg (2.79 mmol) of 4- (ethylmethylamino) salicylaldehyde and 117 mg (1.33 mmol) of 1,2-diamino-2-methyl- propane.

Yield: 518 mg (95 %), yellowish solid.

'3C NMR (CDC13) 8 = 11.7,25.4 (CH3), 37.5 (NCH3), 46.6 (CH3CH2), 58.6 (C (CH3) 2), 68.9 (NCH2), 1,103.3,133.0,133.2 (tert. aryl-C), 8 (quat. aryl-C), 159.2,164.7 (C=N).

Example 14: N,N'-Bis [4-(N-isopropyl-N-methylamino) salicylidene]-2-methylpropane-1, 2-diamine Synthesis and working up are carried out as in Example 9, starting from 500 mg (2.59 mmol) of 4- (N-isopropyl-N-methylamino) salicylaldehyde and 109 mg (1.23 mmol) of 1,2-diamino-2- methylpropane.

Yield: 524 mg (97 %), yellowish oil. <BR> <P>13C NMR (CDC13) 8 = 19.7,25.4,29.8 (CH3), 48.2 (NCH3), 58.6 (N-C (CH3) 2-), 68.8 (NCH2), 1 (tert. aryl-C), 108.7,153.6,153.9,165.7,167.8, (quat. aryl-C), 159.1,164.6 (C=N).

Example 15: N, N'-Bis (4-nitrosalicylidene)-1, 2-ethylenediamine 4 mi of methanol are added to a solution of 500 mg (2.99 mmol) of 4-nitrosalicylaldehyde (for preparation see Beilstein E IV, Vol. 8,232) in 2 ml of ethanol. 95.2 mg (106 µl, 1.58 mmol) of ethylenediamine are added dropwise to the resulting yellow suspension. The reaction suspension is heated for 4 hours at 70°C. After cooling to room temperature, the precipitate formed is filtered off, washed with 2 ml of ethanol and dried to constant weight under a high vacuum at 30°C.

Yield: 488.1 mg, orange solid.

13C NMR (DMSO-d6) â = 58.0 (NCH2), 3,132.6 (tert. aryl-C), 149.5,161.4 (quat. aryl-C), 165.6 (C=N).

The synthesis of the manganese (III)-salen complexes from the described salen ligands can be carried out in two ways: in known manner or in situ by the addition of Mn (li) salts in methanolic solution.

Example 16: [ (R, R)-N, N'-Bis (4-(N-isopropyl-N-methylamino) salicylidene)-1, 2-cyclohexanediaminato]- manganese (III) chloride 111 mg (0.452 mmol) of manganese (II) acetate tetrahydrate are added to a solution of 210 mg (0.452 mmol) of ligand from Example 11 in 9 ml of ethanol. The suspension is stirred for 8 hours at room temperature and then heated for 4 hours at 70°C. The resulting dark-red solution is concentrated under a high vacuum. The solid which remains is taken up in 9 mi of distilled water and 500 mg of sodium chloride are added. The precipitate formed is filtered off, washed with a small amount of cold water and dried under a high vacuum at 30°C.

Yield: 250 mg (quantitative), reddish-brown solid.

Example 17: (R, R)-N, N'-Bis (5- (triethylammoniomethylsalicylidene)-1, 2-cyclohexanediamine dihydro- chloride 1.09 g (4 mmol) of (5-triethylammoniomethyl) salicylaldehyde chloride (for synthesis see T. Tanaka et al., Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn. 1997,70,615-629) are dissolved in 10 ml of water and 0.228 g (2 mmol) of 1,2-diaminocyclohexane dissolve in 2 ml of water is added thereto.

The yellow solution is stirred at room temperature for 2 hours and then concentrated at 60°C bath temperature (10 mbar) using a rotary evaporator. 50 mi of tetrahydrofuran are added twice, followed each time by concentration. 1.22 g of the desired product are obtained in the form of yellow crystals of > 90 % purity (NMR). <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <P>13C NMR (D2O): 8 = 7.4 (CH3), 23.8,31.3,52.3,59.6 (aliph. CH2), 67.7 (tert. C), 115.0,116.5 (quat. aryl-C), 4 (tert. aryl-C), 166.9 (C=N), 171.5 (quat. aryl-C).

Exampie 18: N, N'-Bis (5- (triethylammoniomethylsalicylidene)-1,2-ethanediamine dihydrochloride The compound is synthesised analogously to the directions given in Example 17. Yellow crystals of > 90 % purity (NMR) are obtained.

'3C NMR (D2O) â = 7.4 (CH3), 52.2,53.5,59.6 (in each case aliph. CH2), 114.6,116.4 (quat. aryl-C), 120.5,138.9,139.6 (tert. aryl-C), 168.7 (C=N), 172.3 (quat. aryl-C).

Example 19: Use of the salen complexes as DTI catalysts In order to examine the activity of the catalysts, the DTI activity is ascertained. The DTI (dye transfer inhibition) activity a is defined as the following percentage : a = ( [Y (E)-Y (A)]/ [Y (W)-Y (A)]) x 100 wherein Y (W), Y (A) and Y (E) denote the CIE brightness values of the white material, of the material treated without the addition of catalyst and of the material treated with the addition of catalyst, in that order. a=0 denotes a completely unusable product, which when added to the washing liquor allows the dye transfer to proceed freely. a=100%, on the other hand, corresponds to a perfect catalyst, which completely prohibits staining of the white material by dye.

In order to ascertain the test data, the following test system is used: 7.5 g of white cotton fabric are treated in 80 ml of washing liquor. The liquor contains the standard washing agent ECE phosphate-free (456 IEC) EMPA, Switzerland, in a concentration of 7.5 g/l, 8.6 mmol/l H202 and a solution of the test dye. The washing process is carried out in a beaker in a LINITEST apparatus for 30 min. at 40°C. The catalyst is added in the concentration indicated in each case. Commercially available Direct Brown 172 (dye 1) with 10 mg/I of the 250% formulation or Reactive Blue 238 (dye 2) with 6 mg/l of the 100% formulation are used as test dyes. The reflection spectra of the specimens are measured using a SPECTRAFLASH 2000 and converted by standard CIE procedure into brightness values (D65/10).

Table 1 shows the very good DTI effects a (%) of the complexes according to the invention.

The concentration of catalysts used in the washing liquor is in each case 50 umol/I (exception: the catalyst from Example 10: 15 umoi/i). The conditions of use are as described hereinabove.

Table 1 DTI effect a (%) Manganese complex of the Dye 1 Dye 2 ligands from Example 1 89 90 2 93 88 3 88 92 4 91 92 5 84 89 6 87 93 9 91 94 10 88 90 11 86 89 12 87 85 13 85 85 14 88 87 15 89 91 16 90 85 Example 20: Use of the salen complexes as bleach catalysts for crockery This Example illustrates the action of the manganese complexes of the ligands from Examples 3 and 6 as catalysts for peroxy compounds for cleaning tea-stained porcelain cups in an automatic dishwasher.

Staining procedure A tea brew (12 g of tea-leaves/litre) is prepared from black tea (Twinings brand) and hard water (total hardness: 18°dH) by stirring at 99°C. The tea brew is left to draw for five minutes and the tea is filtered. Approximately 100 ml of tea are then poured into a porcelain cup. The tea is left to stand in the cups for 30 minutes. The cups are then emptied in three steps each of approximately 35 ml. A period of five minutes is left between the emptying steps. The completely empty cups are dried for 60 minutes at 70°C.

Dishwashing agent A phosphate-containing base formulation (without oxygen bleaching agent and without TAED) having the following composition is used.

Constituents % by weight sodium tripolyphosphate 30-60 sodium carbonate 20-30 hydrated 2. Or silicate 5-20 non-ionic surfactant 0.5-5 protease 0.5-5 amylase 0.5-5 bentonite 1-5 Cleaning procedure The cups are cleaned in a Miele G-690 D dishwasher on the delicate programme at 45°C using hard water. In each cleaning programme 12 tea-stained cups are cleaned. The machine also contains six glasses with milk stains, 24 clean plates and 60 g of a mixture of various foodstuffs (for example spinach, egg, starch etc.). The dishwashing agent comprises: 17.2 g of the phosphate-containing base formulation, 1.72 g of sodium perborate-monohydrate, 0.8 g of TAED. As appropriate, 100 ppm of catalyst (ppm based on the metal) are added to the cleaning liquor. After the cleaning operation, the removal of the tea deposit is evaluated visually on a scale from 0 (=unchanged, very strong deposit) to 10 (=no deposit). Table 2 shows the ratings for our catalysts compared with a reference (TAED only, no catalyst). The ratings indicated in Table 2 are the median values from several cleaning programmes each using 12 cups. The Table shows that the ratings for the catalysts according to the invention are significantly better than the reference value.

Table 2. Ratings for removal of the deposit Catalyst from Example Rating Reference (TAED only, no catalyst) 1 3 7. 5 6 8. 5