It is commonly known to use fluorescent whitening agents in detergent formulations. They exhaust during the treatment on to the material to be washed and, by virtue of their special light absorption/emission property, result in elimination of the yellowish shades.

However there is still a need to find improved fluorescent whitening agents for this application. It has now been found that the following compounds of formula (1) possess superior properties with regard to, for example, solubility, build-up properties, light-fastness degree of whiteness, and also possess excellent white aspects in the solid state. The whiteness properties, like whiteness maintenance, can even be enhanced by the use of of compounds of formula (1) in detergents containing a peroxide, a peroxide activator and/or a bleaching catalyst. Favourable results are even obtained at low washing temperatures.

Accordingly, the present invention provides, as a first aspect, a detergent composition comprising at least one compound of formula wherein R, and R2 are, independently of each other, hydrogen or unsubstituted or substituted Cl-C8alkyl, XI, X2, X3 and X4 are, independently of each other, -N (R3) R4 or-OR5, wherein R3 and R4 are hydrogen; cyano; C,-Cealkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxy, carboxy, cyano,-CONH2 or phenyl and wherein the C,-C8alkyl group is uninterrupted or interrupted by - O- ; unsubstituted or C,-C4alkyl-substituted C5-C7cycloalkyl ; or R3 and R4, together with the nitrogen atom linking them, form an unsubstituted or C,-C4alkyl-substituted morpholino, piperidine or pyrrolidine ring; R5 is C,-C8alkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxy, and M is hydrogen or a cation, and wherein the detergent contains a peroxide, a peroxide activator and/or a bleaching catalyst.

Within the scope of the above definitions, C,-C8alkyl may be methyl, ethyl, n-or isopropyl, n-, sec. -or t-butyl, or linear or branched pentyl, hexyl, heptyl or octyl. Preferred are C,-C4alkyl groups. In case the alkyl groups given for R, and R2 are substituted examples of possible substituents are hydroxyl, halogen, like fluorine, chlorine or bromine, sulfo, sulfato, carboxy and C,-C4alkoxy, like methoxy and ethoxy. Other substituents of such alkyl groups are, for example, cyano,-CONH2 and phenyl. Preferred substituents are hydroxy, carboxy, cyano,- CONH2 and phenyl, especially hydroxy and carboxy. Furthermore, highly preferred substituents are hydroxy and C,-C4alkoxy, especially hydroxy. The alkyl groups can also be uninterrupted or interrupted by-O- (in case of alkyl groups containing two or more carbon atoms).

Examples for C5-C7cycloalkyl groups are cyclopentyl and especially cyclohexyl. These groups can be substituted by C,-C4-alkyl, like methyl. Preferred are the corresponding unsubstituted cycloalkyl groups.

Within the scope of the above definitions, C,-C4alkyl may be methyl, ethyl, n-or isopropyl, n-, sec. -or t-butyl, especially methyl.

If R3 and R4 together with the nitrogen atom form a morpholino, piperidine or pyrrolidine ring such a ring system can be unsubstituted or substituted by C,-C4alkyl, especially methyl.

Preferred are the unsubstituted ring systems.

The cation M is preferably an alkali metal atom, an alkaline earth metal atom, ammonium or a cation formed from an amine. Preferred are Na, K, Ca, Mg, ammonium, mono-, di-, tri-or tetra-C,-C4alkylammonium, mono-, di-or tri-C2-C4-hydroxyalkylammonium or ammonium that is di-or tri-substituted with a mixture of C,-C4-alkyl and C2-C4-hydroxyalkyl groups. Highly preferred is sodium.

R, and R2 are preferably hydrogen or Chalky), especially hydrogen.

R3 and R4 are preferably hydrogen; cyano; Ci-Csaiky) which is unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxy, carboxy, cyano,-CONH2 or phenyl, especially by hydroxy or carboxy, and wherein the C,-C8alkyl group is uninterrupted or interrupted by -O-; unsubstituted or C,-C4alkyl- substituted Cs-C7cycloalkyl, especially cyclohexyl ; or R3 and R4, together with the nitrogen atom linking them, form an unsubstituted or C,-C4alkyl-substituted morpholino, piperidine or pyrrolidine ring.

More preferably, R3 and R4 are hydrogen, unsubstituted or hydroxy-substituted C1-C8alkyl, unsubstituted or C,-C4alkyl-substituted C5-C7cycloalkyl, or R3 and R4, together with the nitrogen atom linking them, form an unsubstituted or C,-C4alkyl-substituted morpholino, piperidine or pyrrolidine ring. Highly preferred meanings for R3 and R4 are hydrogen, unsubstituted or hydroxy-substituted C,-C8alkyl, or R3 and R4, together with the nitrogen atom linking them, form an unsubstituted or C,-C4alkyl-substituted morpholino, piperidine or pyrrolidine ring. Most preferred are unsubstituted or C,-C4alkyl-substituted morpholino, piperidine or pyrrolidine rings, especially morpholino, formed by R3 and R4 together with the nitrogen atom linking them.

Examples of-N (R3) R4 groups are-NH2,-NHCH3,-NHC2H5,-NH (n-C3H&), -NH (i-C3H7), -NH(i-C4H(), -N (CH3) 2,-N (C2H5) 2, -N (i-C3H7) 2, -NH (CH2CH20H), -N (CH2CH20H) 2, -N(CH2CH (OH) CH3) 2, -N (CH3) (CH2CH20H), -N (C2H5) (CH2CH20H), -N(i-C3H7) (CH2CH2CH20H), -NH (CH2CH (OH) CH3), -N (C2H5) (CH2CH (OH) CH3), -NH(CH2CH2OCH3), -NH(CH2CH2OCH2CH2OH), -NH (CH2COOH), -NH (CH2CH2COOH), - N (CH3) (CH2COOH),-NH (CN), Rs is preferably C,-CBalkyl, especially C,-C4alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxy. Highly preferred for R5 is methyl or ethyl, especially methyl.

X1, X2, X3 and X4 are preferably a radical of formula-N (R3) R4.

X, and X3 have preferably the same meanings. In addition it is preferred that X2 and X4 have preferably the same meanings. Furthermore, it is preferred that the four radicals X1, X2, X3 and X4 do not have identical meanings.

Preferred are compounds of formula (1), wherein R, and R2 are hydrogen or C,-C4alkyl, R3 and R4 are hydrogen; cyano; C1-C8alkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxy, carboxy, cyano,-CONH2 or phenyl and wherein the C,-C8alkyl group is uninterrupted or interrupted by -O-; unsubstituted or C1-C4alkyl-substituted C5-C7cycloalkyl ; or R3 and R4, together with the nitrogen atom linking them, form an unsubstituted or C,-C4alkyl-substituted morpholino, piperidine or pyrrolidine ring; and R5 is C,-C8alkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxy.

As to R3, R4 and R5 the above preferences apply.

Highly preferred are compounds of formula (1), wherein X, and X3 are amino, and X2 and X4 are a radical of formula-N (R3) R4, wherein R3 and R4 are hydrogen; cyano; C,- C8alkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxy or carboxy, and wherein the C,- C8alkyl group is uninterrupted or interrupted by -O-; unsubstituted or C,-C4alkyl-substituted cyclohexyl ; or R3 and R4, together with the nitrogen atom linking them, form an unsubstituted or C,-C4alkyl-substituted morpholino, piperidine or pyrrolidine ring.

As to R3 and R4 the above preferences apply.

Of particular interest are compounds of formula (1), wherein Xi and X3 are amino, and X2 and X4 are a radical of formula-N (R3) R4, wherein R3 and R4 are hydrogen, unsubstituted or hydroxy-substituted C,-C8alkyl, unsubstituted or C,-C4alkyl-substituted cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl, or R3 and R4, together with the nitrogen atom linking them, form an unsubstituted or C,-C4alkyl-substituted morpholino, piperidine or pyrrolidine ring. Most interesting compounds of formula (1) are those wherein R3 and R4, together with the nitrogen atom linking them, form an unsubstituted or C,-C4alkyl-substituted morpholino, piperidine or pyrrolidine ring. As to R3 and R4 the above preferences apply.

The compounds of formula (1) are known or can be prepared in analogy to known processes.

Compounds of formula (1) may be produced by reacting, under known reaction conditions, cyanuric chloride, successively, in any desired sequence, with each of 4, 4'-diaminostilbene-2, 2'- disulfonic acid, and amino compounds capable of introducing the groups Xl, X2, X3 and X4. Preferably, 2 moles of cyanuric chloride are initially reacted with 1 mole of 4, 4'-diaminostilbene-2, 2'- disulfonic acid and then reacting the intermediate obtained in any order with amino compounds capable of introducing the groups X, X2, X3 and X4. For the preparation of compounds wherein Xi and X3 having the same meaning, and also X2 and X4 have the same meaning, it is preferred to react the intermediate obtained first with an amino compound capable of introducing X, and X3, and, finally with an amino compound capable of introducing X2 and X4. It is also possible to carry out the reaction with the amino compounds in one step by reacting the intermediate with a mixture of amino compounds; in such a case usually correponding mixtures of compounds of formula (1) are obtained.

Compounds of formula (1) containing a radical of formula-OR5 can for example be prepared by first reacting cyanuric chloride with the correponding alcohol HOR5, reacting the product obtained with 4, 4'-diaminostilbene-2, 2'- disulfonic acid and then reacting the intermediate with further compounds capable of introducing the remaining groups of Xi, X2, X3 and X4. The last reaction is preferably carried out with the corresponding amines.

The detergent compositions used preferably comprise i) 1-70% of an anionic surfactant and/or a nonionic surfactant; ii) 0-75% of a builder ; iii) 0.5-30% of a peroxide; iv) 0.5-10% of a peroxide activator and/or 0.1-2% of a bleaching catalyst v) 0.001-5% of a compound of formula (1); and vi) 0-5% of at least one enzyme selected from the group consisting of cellulase, protease, amylase and lipase.

More preferably the detergent compositions used comprise i) 5-70% of an anionic surfactant and/or a nonionic surfactant; ii) 5-70% of a builder ; iii) 0.5-30% of a peroxide; iv) 0.5-10% of a peroxide activator and/or 0.1-2% of a bleaching catalyst ; v) 0.01-5% of a compound of formula (1); and vi) 0.05-5% of at least one enzyme selected from the group consisting of cellulase, protease, amylase and lipase.

In general, an amount of compounds of formula (1) of 0.001-5%, especially an amount of 0.01-5% is used. Highly preferred is an amount of 0.05-5%, especially 0.05 to 2%. In general, amounts given in percent are to be understood as being percent by weight, based on the total weight, unless otherwise stated.

The detergent may be formulated as a solid, as an aqueous liquid comprising, e. g. , 5-50, preferably 10-35% water or as a non-aqueous liquid detergent, containing not more than 5, preferably 0-1 wt. % of water, and based on a suspension of a builder in a non-ionic surfactant, as described, e. g. , in GB-A-2158454.

The anionic surfactant component may be, e. g. , an alkylbenzenesulfonate, an alkylsulfate, an alkylethersulfate, an olefinsulfonate, an alkanesulfonate, a fatty acid salt, an alkyl or alkenyl ether carboxylate or an a-sulfofatty acid salt or an ester thereof. Preferred are alkylbenzenesulfonates having 10 to 20 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, alkylsulfates having 8 to 18 carbon atoms, alkylethersulfates having 8 to 18 carbon atoms, and fatty acid salts being derived from palm oil or tallow and having 8 to 18 carbon atoms. The average molar number of ethylene oxide added in the alkylethersulfate is preferably 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 10. The salts are preferably derived from an alkaline metal like sodium and potassium, especially sodium. Highly preferred carboxylates are alkali metal sarcosinates of formula R-CO (R') CH2COOM'in which R is alkyl or alkenyl having 9-17 carbon atoms in the alkyl or alkenyl radical, R'is C,-C4 alkyl and M'is alkali metal, especially sodium.

The nonionic surfactant component may be, e. g. , primary and secondary alcohol ethoxylates, especially the C8-C20 aliphatic alcohols ethoxylated with an average of from 1 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, and more especially the Cic-Cis primary and secondary aliphatic alcohols ethoxylated with an average of from 1 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. Non-ethoxylated nonionic surfactants include alkylpolyglycosides, glycerol monoethers, and polyhydroxyamides (glucamide).

The total amount of anionic surfactant and nonionic surfactant is preferably 5-50% by weight, preferably 5-40% by weight and more preferably 5-30% by weight. As to these surfactants it is preferred that the lower limit is 10% by weight.

The builder component may be an alkali metal phosphate, especially a tripolyphosphate ; a carbonate or bicarbonate, especially the sodium salts thereof; a silicate or disilicate ; an aluminosilicate ; a polycarboxylate ; a polycarboxylic acid; an organic phosphonate; or an aminoalkylene poly (alkylen phosphonate); or a mixture of these.

Preferred silicates are crystalline layered sodium silicates of the formula NaHSim02, , +,. pH20 or Na2Sim02m+,. pH20 in which m is a number from 1.9 to 4 and p is 0 to 20.

Preferred aluminosilicates are the commercially-available synthetic materials designated as Zeolites A, B, X, and HS, or mixtures of these. Zeolite A is preferred.

Preferred polycarboxylates include hydroxypolycarboxylates, in particular citrates, polyacrylates and their copolymers with maleic anhydride.

Preferred polycarboxylic acids include nitrilotriacetic acid and ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid.

Preferred organic phosphonates or aminoalkylene poly (alkylen phosphonates) are alkali metal ethane 1-hydroxy diphosphonates, nitrilo trimethylene phosphonates, ethylene diamine tetra methylene phosphonates and diethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonates.

The amount of builders is preferably 5-70% by weight, preferably 5-60% by weight and more preferably 10-60% by weight. As to the builders it is preferred that the lower limit is 15% by weight, especially 20% by weight.

Suitable peroxide components include, for example, the organic and inorganic peroxides (like sodium peroxides) known in the literature and available commercially that bleach textile materials at conventional washing temperatures, for example at from 5 to 95°C.

In particular, the organic peroxides are, for example, monoperoxides or polyperoxides having alkyl chains of at least 3, preferably 6 to 20, carbon atoms; in particular diperoxydicarboxylates having 6 to 12 C atoms, such as diperoxyperazelates, diperoxypersebacates, diperoxyphthalates and/or diperoxydodecanedioates, especially their corresponding free acids, are of interest. It is preferred, however, to employ very active inorganic peroxides, such as persulphate, perborate and/or percarbonate. It is, of course, also possible to employ mixtures of organic and/or inorganic peroxides.

The amount of peroxide is preferably 0.5-30% by weight, preferably 1-20% by weight and more preferably 1-15% by weight. In case a peroxide is used, the lower limit is preferably 2% by weight, especially 5% by weight.

The peroxides, especially the inorganic peroxides, are preferably activated by the inclusion of a bleach activator. Preferred are such compounds that, under perhydrolysis conditions, yield unsubstituted or substituted perbenzo-and/or peroxo-carboxylic acids having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, especially from 2 to 4 carbon atoms. Suitable compounds include those that carry O-and/or N-acyl groups having the said number of carbon atoms and/or unsubstituted or substituted benzoyl groups. Preference is given to polyacylated alkylenediamines, especially tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED), acylated glycolurils, especially tetraacetylglycoluril (TAGU), N, N-diacetyl-N, N-dimethyl-urea (DDU), acylated triazine derivatives, especially 1, 5-diacetyl-2, 4-dioxohexahydro-1,3, 5-triazine (DADHT), compounds of formula wherein R is a sulfonate group, a carboxylic acid group or a carboxylate group, and wherein R'is linear or branched (C7-C, 5) alkyl ; also activators that are known under the names SNOBS, SLOBS, NOBS and DOBA, acylated polyhydric alcohols, especially triacetin, ethylene glycol diacetate and 2,5-diacetoxy-2, 5-dihydrofuran and acetylated sorbitol and mannitol and acylated sugar derivatives, especially pentaacetylglucose (PAG), sucrose polyacetate (SUPA), pentaacetylfructose, tetraacetylxylose and octaacetyllactose, and acetylated, optionally N-alkylated, glucamine and gluconolactone. The combinations of conventional bleach activators disclosed in German Patent Application DE-A-44 43 177 may also be used. Nitrile compounds that form peroxyimidic acids with peroxides are also suitable as bleach activators. Preferred are tetraacetyl ethylenediamine and nonoyloxybenzene sulfonate.

The amount of bleach activator is preferably 0-10% by weight, preferably 0-8% by weight. In case a bleach activator is used, the lower limit is preferably 0.5% by weight, especially 1 % by weight.

Bleaching catalysts, which may be added, include, e. g. , enzymatic peroxide precursors and/or metal complexes. Preferred metal complexes are manganese, cobalt or iron complexes such as manganese or iron phthalocyanines or the complexes described in EP-A- 0509787. In case a bleaching catalyst is used the amount is preferably 0.005 to 2% by weight, more preferably 0.01 to 2% by weight, especially 0.05 to 2% by weight. Highly preferred is an amount of 0.1-2% by weight.

As examples for bleaching catalysts the following are mentioned: - WO-A-95/30681 (see i. e. formula (I) and the following definition on page 1, lines 7 to 30; especially formula (I) and the following definitions given on page 2, lines 29 to page 11, line 11). Preferred ligands are those given on page 13, line 12 to page 26, line 11.

- WO-A-01/09276 (see i. e. formulae (1), (2) and (3) and the following definitions given on pages 2 and 3).

- WO-A-01/05925 (see i. e. formula (1) and the following definition on page 1, last paragraph to page 2, first paragraph. The preferences given for the metal complexes apply, see especially those of formula (2) on page 3 and those of formula (3) on page 4).

- WO-A-02/088289 (see i. e. formula (1) and the following definition on page 2. The preferences given for the metal complexes apply, see especially the ligands of formula (3) and also the preferences given on page 3, fourth paragraph to page 4, paragraph 7).

Furthermore, the detergent can optionally contain enzymes. Enzymes can be added to detergents for stain removal. The enzymes usually improve the performance on stains that are either protein-or starch-based, such as those caused by blood, milk, grass or fruit juices.

Preferred enzymes are cellulases, proteases, amylases and lipases. Preferred enzymes are cellulases and proteases, especially proteases. Cellulases are enzymes which act on cellulose and its derivatives and hydrolyze them into glucose, cellobiose, cellooligosaccharide. Cellulases remove dirt and have the effect of mitigating the roughness to the touch. Examples of enzymes to be used include, but are by no means limited to, the following: proteases as given in US-B-6,242, 405, column 14, lines 21 to 32; lipases as given in US-B-6,242, 405, column 14, lines 33 to 46; amylases as given in US-B-6,242, 405, column 14, lines 47 to 56; and cellulases as given in US-B-6,242, 405, column 14, lines 57 to 64.

The enzymes can optionally be present in the detergent. When used, the enzymes are usually present in an amount of 0.01-5% by weight, preferably 0.05-5% and more preferably 0.1-4% by weight, based on the total weight of the detergent.

Further preferred additives for the detergents according to the invention are polymers that, during the washing of textiles, inhibit staining caused by dyes in the washing liquor that have been released from the textiles under the washing conditions (dye fixing agents, dye transfer inhibitors). Such polymers are preferably polyvinylpyrrolidones, polyvinylimidazoles or polyvinylpyridine N-oxides which 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 usually used in an amount of from 0.01 to 5 %, preferably 0.05 to 5 % by weight, especially 0.1 to 2 % by weight, based on the total weight of the detergent. Preferred polymers are those given in WO-A-02/02865 (see especially page 1, last paragraph and page 2, first paragraph).

The detergents used will usually contain one or more auxiliaries such as soil suspending agents, for example sodium carboxymethylcellulose ; salts for adjusting the pH, for example alkali or alkaline earth metal silicates ; foam regulators, for example soap; salts for adjusting the spray drying and granulating properties, for example sodium sulphate; perfumes; and also, if appropriate, antistatic and softening agents; such as smectite clays ; photobleaching agents; pigments; and/or shading agents. These constituents should, of course, be stable to any bleaching system employed. Such auxiliaries can be present in an amount of, for example, 0.1 to 20% by weight, preferably 0.5 to 10 % by weight, especially 0.5 to 5 % by weight, based on the total weight of the detergent.

The detergent compositions can take a variety of physical forms including powder, granular, tablet and liquid forms. Examples thereof are conventional powder heavy-duty detergents, compact and supercompact heavy-duty detergents and tablets, like heavy-duty detergent tablets. One important physical form is the so-called concentrated granular form adapted to be added to a washing machine.

Of importance are also the so-called compact (or supercompact) detergents. In the field of detergent manufacture, a trend has developed recently towards the production of compact detergents which contain increased amounts of active substance. In order to minimize energy expenditure during the washing process, the compact detergents are required to operate efficiently at temperatures as low as 40°C, or even at room temperatures, e. g. at 25°C. Such detergents usually contain only low amounts of fillers or processing aids, like sodium sulfate or sodium chloride. The amount of such fillers is usually 0-10% by weight, preferably 0-5 % by weight, especially 0-1 % by weight, based on the total weight of the detergent. Such detergents usually have a bulk density of 650-1000 g/l, preferably 700- 1000 g/t and especially 750-1000 g/l.

The detergents can also be present in the form of tablets. Relevant characteristics of tablets are ease of dispensing and convenience in handling. Tablets are the most compact delivery of solid detergents and have a bulk density of, for example, 0.9 to 1.3 kg/litre. To enable fast disintegration laundry detergent tablets generally contain special disintegrants: - Effervescents such as carbonate/hydrogencarbonate/citric acid; - swelling agents like cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, cross-linked poly (N- vinylpyrrollidone) ; - quickly dissolving materials such as Na (K) acetate, or Na (K) citrate; - rapidly dissolving water-soluble rigid coating such as dicarboxy acids.

The tablets can also contain combinations of any of the above disintegrants.

The detergent may also be formulated as a an aqueous liquid comprising 5-50, preferably 10-35% water or as a non-aqueous liquid detergent, containing not more than 5, preferably 0-1 wt. % of water. Non-aqueous liiquid detergent compositions can contain other solvents as carriers. Low molecular weight primary or secondary alcohols exemplified by methanol, ethanol, propanol, and isopropanol are suitable. Monohydric alcohols are preferred for solubilizing surfactant, but polyols such as those containing from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms and from 2 to about 6 hydroxy groups (e. g. , 1, 3-propanediol, ethylene glycol, glycerine, and 1, 2-propanediol) can also be used. The compositions may contain from 5% to 90%, typically 10% to 50% of such carriers. The detergents can also be present as the so-called "unit liquid dose"form.

This detergent treatment of textiles can be conducted as a domestic treatment in normal washing machines.

The textile fibres treated may be natural or synthetic fibres or mixtures thereof. Examples of natural fibres include vegetable fibres such as cotton, viscose, flax, rayon or linen, preferably cotton and animal fibres such as wool, mohair, cashmere, angora and silk, preferably wool.

Synthetic fibres include polyester, polyamide and polyacrylonitrile fibres. Preferred textile fibres are cotton, polyamide and wool fibres, especially cotton fibres. Preferably, textile fibres treated according to the method of the present invention have a density of less than 200 glum2.

According to this process usually an amount of 0.01 to 3.0% by weight, especially 0.05 to 3.0% by weight, based on the weight of the textile fibre material, of a compound of formula (1) is used.

The process is usually conducted in the temperature range of from 5 to 100°C, especially 5 to 60°C. Preferred is a temperature range of 5 to 40°C, especially 5 to 35°C and more preferably 5 to 30°C.

The detergent compositions herein will preferably be formulated such that, during use in aqueous cleaning operations, the wash water will have a pH of between about 6.5 and about 11, preferably between about 7.5 and 11. Laundry products are typically at pH 9-11.

Techniques for controlling pH at recommended usage levels include the use of buffers, alkalis, acids, etc. , and are well known to those skilled in the art.

Machine laundry methods herein typically comprise treating soiled laundry with an aqueous wash solution in a washing machine having dissolved or dispensed therein an effective amount of a machine laundry detergent composition in accordance with the invention. By an effective amount of the detergent composition it is meant, e. g. , from 20 g to 300 g of product dissolved or dispersed in a wash solution of volume from 5 to 85 litres, as are typical product dosages and wash solution volumes commonly employed in conventional machine laundry methods. Examples are - top-loading, vertical axis U. S. -type automatic washing machines using about 45 to 83 liters of water in the wash bath, a wash cycle of about 10 to about 14 minutes and a wash water temperature of about 10 to about 50°C ; - front-loading, horizontal-axis European-type automatic washing machine using about 8 to 15 liters of water in the wash bath, a wash cycle of about 10 to about 60 minutes and a wash water temperature of about 30 to about 95°C ; - top-loading, vertical-axis Japanese-type automatic washing machine using about 26 to 52 liters of water in the wash bath, a wash cycle of about 8 to about 15 minutes and a wash water temperature of about 5 to about 25°C.

The liquor ratio is preferably 1: 4 to 1: 40, especially 1: 4 to 1: 15. Highly preferred is a liquor ratio of 1: 4 to 1: 10, especially 1: 5 to 1: 9.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a process for the domestic washing treatment of a textile fibre material wherein the textile fibre material is contacted with an aqueous solution of a detergent comprising a compound of formula (1) as defined above, and wherein the detergent contains a peroxide, a peroxide activator and/or a bleaching catalyst, and wherein the temperature of the solution is between 5°C and 40°C, preferably between 5°C and 30°C, throughout the process.

As to the compounds of formula (1) as well as for the detergents and the washing process the definitions and preferences given above apply.

The compounds used according to the present invention are particularly advantageous in that they exhibit not only extremely high whitening ability, but, in addition, in many cases highly desirable water solubilities and also possess excellent white aspects in the solid state.

A further advantage of the present invention is that the detergent composition delivers improved whiteness performance and fabric feel. Furthermore the compounds show very good results with respect to exhaustion properties.

The compounds have the advantage that they are also effective in the presence of active chlorine donors, such as, for example, hypochlorite and can be used without substantial loss of the effects in washing baths with non-ionic washing agents, for example alkylphenol polyglycol ethers. Also in the presence of perborate or peracids and activators, for example tetraacetylglycoluril or ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid are the compounds stable both in pulverulent washing agent and in washing baths. In addition, they impart a brilliant appearance in daylight.

The following Examples serve to illustrate the invention; parts and percentages are by weight, unless otherwise stated.

Preparation Example 1: In a 1 liter flask 0.05 mole of the compound of formula are mixed with 600ml of water and heated to a temperature of 60°C. Then 9.2g of 2- ethylaminoethanol are added and the reaction mixture is heated to a temperature of 98°C ; during heating the pH is maintained at a value between 8.5 and 9 by addition of a 4-molar aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide. The reaction mixture is cooled to 50°C and the pH is adjusted to a value of 4.5 by addition a 6-molar aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid. The precipitate is filtered off, washed with 100ml of a 10% aqueous sodium chloride solution and dried in vacuum. In this way, there are obtained 30.5g of a yellowish product.

Preparation Examples 2 to 15: The following compounds of formula can be prepared in analogy to the process given in Preparation Example 1, by replacing 9.2 g of 2-ethylaminoethanol with an equimolar amount of the corresponding amine. X is as defined in the following Table 1. Compounds which precipitate after cooling to 50°C are isolated directly as sodium salts without addition of hydrochloric acid and then dried in vaccuum.

Table 1 Example X 2-N (C2Hs) 2 3 (0) N 4-N (CH3) CH2CH20H 5 X NH 6-NHCH2CH20H 7-NHCH2CH20CH3 8-NHCH2CH2COOH 9-NHCH2CH3 10-N (CH3) CH2COOH 11-N (CH2CH20H) 2 12 -No 13 N 14-NHCH2COOH 15 NH-CH-COOH NH 1 11 CH2CH2CH2-NH-C-NH2 Preparation Example 16: In a 1 litre flask 0.05 mole of the compound of formula are mixed with 600ml of water and heated to a temperature of 60°C. Then 9.5g of morpholine are added and the reaction mixture is heated to a temperature of 98°C ; during heating the pH is maintained at a value between 8.5 and 9 by addition of a 4-molar aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide. The reaction mixture is cooled to 40°C and the precipitate is filtered off, washed with 100moi of a 10% aqueous sodium chloride solution and dried in vacuum. In this way, there are obtained 30g of a yellow product.

Preparation Examples 17 to 19: The following compounds of formula can be prepared in analogy to the process given in Preparation Example 16, by replacing 9.5 g of morpholine with an equimolar amount of the corresponding amine. X is as defined in the following Table 2. Compounds having high solubility are treated with a 6-molar aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid in order to adjusted the pH to a value of 4.5 before cooling to 50°C.

Table 2 Example X 17-N (CH2CH3) CH2CH20H 18 CN) N 19-N (CH2CH20H) 2 Preparation Example 20: In a 2 litre flask 130ml of methylethylketone, 80ml of deionised water, 150g of ice and 18.5g cyanuric chloride are mixed. Over a period of 30 minutes 185 mi of a solution of 4,4'- diaminostilbene-2, 2'-disulfonic acid (as disodium salt) in water (concentration of 100g/l) are added dropwise, the temperature being between-8 und +5°C. The pH is maintained at a value between 4.5 and 5 by addition of an aqueous sodium carbonate solution. A yellowish suspension is obtained. Then, by use of a dropping funnel, 27.2g of ethanolamine (99%) are added. The pH increases to a value of 10 and then drops to a lower value, whereby the temperature increases to 10 to 15°C. Then the reaction mixture is warmed to a temperature of 45°C and held at this temperature for 20 minutes. During heating to 98°C within 30 minutes a mixture of methylethylketone and water is distilled off; the pH is maintained at a value between 8.5 and 9 by addition of an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. After no further addition of aqueous sodium hydroxide solution is necessary in order to maintain the pH at a constant value the reaction mixture is cooled to 50°C. The pH is adjusted to a value of 5.5 and a yellowish crystalline precipitate can be filtered off. After drying 29g of a yellowish product are obtained.

Preparation Example 21: In a 1 litre pressure vessel 0.037 mole of N, N'-bis- (4-morpholino-6-chloro-1, 3, 5-triazine-2-yl)- 4, 4'-diaminostilbene-2, 2'-disulfonic acid (as disodium salt) are suspended in 500 ml of water.

15 g of an aqueous solution of ethylamin (70%) are added and the reaction mixture is heated to a temperature of 100 to 105°C and stirred for 4.5 hours. The reaction mixture is cooled to 25°C and the precipitate is filtered off, washed with 1 OOml of a 10% aqueous sodium chloride solution and dried in vacuum at 70°C. In this way there are obtained 25.8g of a yellowish powder.

Preparation Example 22: The compound of formula (107) can be prepared in analogy to the process given in Preparation Example 21, by replacing 15 g of an aqueous solution of ethylamin (70%) with a corresponding solution containing an equimolar amount of diethylamine.

Preparation Example 23: In a 1 liter flask 0.05 mole of N, N'-bis- (4-morpholino-6-chloro-1, 3, 5-triazine-2-yl)-4, 4'- diaminostilbene-2, 2'-disulfonic acid (as disodium salt) are suspended in 600ml of water and heated to a temperature of 60°C. 6.4g of ethanolamine are added and the reaction mixture is heated to a temperature of 98°C. The pH is maintained at a value between 8.5 and 9 by addition of a 4-molar aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. The reaction mixture is cooled to 25°C and 10% by volume of sodium chloride are added. The precipitate is filtered off, washed with 100ml of a 10% aqueous sodium chloride solution and dried in vacuum at 70°C.

In this way there are obtained 41.8g of a yellowish powder.

Application Example 1 : General procedure: A wash liquor is prepared by dissolving 0.8 g of a washing powder in 200 ml of tap water. 10 g of bleached cotton fabric is added to the bath and washed at 40°C over 15 minutes and then rinsed, spin-dried and ironed at 160°C.

The following washing powders A and B are used (amounts given in the following Tables 3a and 3b are in g): Table 3a (Ingredients of washing powders A and B) A B Sodium laurylbenzene-sulfonate (LAS) 10g 10g Sodium lauryl ether sulfate (AES) 3g 3g Dobanol 23-6.5 (nonionic alcoholethoxylate) 4g 4g Sodium tripolyphosphate 30g----- Zeolite A-----20g Sodium carbonate 15g 15g Sodium silicate 5g 5g Sodium sulfate 11 g 17g Sodium perborate monohydrate 10g 10g TAED 3g 3g Polycarboxylate (co-builder)-----4g Carboxymethylcellulose 2g 2g Perfume 0. 1 g 0. 1 g Water 5g 5g Fluorescent whitener used Xg Xg Table 3b (Washing powders used) Amount of fluorescent Washing powder whitener used Compound of Prep. Ex. 1 0.2g A Compound of Prep. Ex. 2 0. 1g B Compound of Prep. Ex. 3 0. 3g A Compound of Prep. Ex. 4 0.2g A Compound of Prep. Ex. 5 0.4g A Compound of Prep. Ex. 12 0.15g B Compound of Prep. Ex. 13 0. 1g B Compound of Prep. Ex. 16 0.3g B Compound of Prep. Ex. 18 0.2g A Compound of Prep. Ex. 21 0.3g A Compound of Prep. Ex. 22 0.2g B Compound of Prep. Ex. 23 0. 1g A Compound of Formula (109) 0. 3g B Constitution of compound of formula (109): The cotton fabrics washed with the detergents given in Table 3b according to the general procedure show good whiteness properties.

ApPlication Example 2: General procedure: A wash liquor is prepared by dissolving 0.8 g of a washing powder in 200 ml of tap water. 10 g of bleached cotton fabric is added to the bath and washed at 30°C over 15 minutes and then rinsed, spin-dried and ironed at 160°C.

The following washing powders are used (amounts given in the following Tables 4a and 4b are percent by weight, based on the total weight of the detergent): Table 4a (Ingredients of washing powders C and D) C D Sodium laurylbenzene-sulfonate (LAS) 8% 8% Sodium lauryl ether sulfate (AES) 3% 3% Dobanol 23-6.5 ('on-ionic alcohol ethoxylate) 5% 5% Zeolite A 20% 20% Polycarboxylate (co-builder) 5% 5% Soda ash 18% 18% Sodium silicate 4% 4% Sodium sulfate 5% 5% Hydroxyethanediphosphonic acid (complexing agent) 0.5% 0. 5% Cellulase 1. 5%----- Protease-----1. 5% Carboxymethylcellulose 1% 1% Sodium perborate monohydrate 15% 15% TAED 5% 5% Soap 2% 2% Fluorescent whitener used X% X% In each of the above detergents a sufficient amount of water is used to give 100% Table 4b (Washing powders used) Amount of fluorescent Washing powder whitener used Compound of Prep. Ex. 1 0.2% C Compound of Prep. Ex. 3 0.2% C Compound of Prep. Ex. 6 0.3% C Compound of Prep. Ex. 7 0.2% D Compound of Prep. Ex. 8 0.2% C Compound of Prep. Ex. 9 0.4% C Compound of Prep. Ex. 10 0.2% D Compound of Prep. Ex. 11 0.2% C Compound of Prep. Ex. 14 0.3% D Compound of Prep. Ex. 15 0.2% C Compound of Prep. Ex. 17 0.4% C Compound of Prep. Ex. 19 0.3% C Compound of Prep. Ex. 20 0.5% C Compound of formula (109) 0.3% D As to the constitution of compound of formula (109) see Application Example 1. <BR> <BR> <P>The cotton fabrices washed with the detergents given in Table 4b according to the general procedure show good whiteness properties.