Soft base agent

Abstract

The present invention is a softening base agent containing a compound represented by formula 1. [In the formula, R1 and R2 each represent a hydrocarbon group having 6-24 carbon atoms, and the total carbon number of R1 and R2 is 18-30. M is a positive ion (that is not a hydrogen ion).]

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a flexible base, a fiber treatment agent composition, and a method for treating fibers.

[0002] Background Art Fiber products such as clothing gradually become hard and have an unfavorable texture due to repeated wearing and washing. To improve this, softening treatment is performed, such as by adding a softening agent during the rinsing step of washing. Currently, many commercially available softener compositions contain a cationic surfactant as an active ingredient, but heretofore, softener compositions containing an anionic surfactant have been studied. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-171399 discloses a softener composition comprising a neutralized or quaternized amine compound and a sulfonate-type anionic surfactant, which imparts excellent softness to various fiber products and does not impair the water absorbency of hydrophilic fiber products. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-158258 discloses an antibacterial softener composition comprising a cationic bactericide such as benzalkonium chloride, which imparts an excellent texture to various fibers and exhibits an excellent antibacterial effect, and a salt of α-olefin sulfonic acid and / or a salt of dialkyl sulfosuccinic acid as essential components. Also, U.S. Patent No. 5,419,842 discloses a fiber softening aqueous emulsion containing a higher fatty acid ester of pentaerythritol, an oligomer of pentaerythritol, a lower alkylene oxide derivative of pentaerythritol, a lower alkylene oxide derivative of an oligomer of pentaerythritol, or a mixture of any two or more thereof as a fiber softening compound, and further containing an anionic emulsifier selected from the group consisting of diisotridecyl sulfosuccinate, diisodecyl sulfosuccinate, and an alkali metal salt of a fatty acid, an ethoxylated alcohol emulsifier, and an aqueous medium in respective amounts within a predetermined range, and substantially free of a cationic emulsifier and a softener. In this document, a predetermined compound such as a higher fatty acid ester of pentaerythritol is said to be the only fiber softening compound other than bentonite.

[0003] Summary of the Invention Softening agent compositions using anionic surfactants are preferred components from the perspective of formulation because they have less discoloration. However, for softening bases using anionic surfactants, further improvement in the softening effect is desired. In general, fiber treatment agent compositions such as softening agent compositions are formulated in the form of an aqueous dispersion, and it is desired that they be stable in such a form.

[0004] The present invention provides a softening base using an anionic surfactant, which has excellent dispersion stability in a formulation and an excellent effect of softening fibers compared to other anionic surfactants.

[0005] The present invention relates to a softening base containing a compound represented by the following formula 1 (hereinafter referred to as Compound 1).

[0006]

Chemical formula

[0007] [In the formula, R 1 and R 2 each represent a hydrocarbon group having 6 to 24 carbon atoms, and the total number of carbon atoms of R 1 and R 2 is 18 or more and 30 or less. M is a cation (excluding hydrogen ions).]

[0008] The present invention also relates to a fiber treatment agent composition containing the softening base of the present invention.

[0009] The present invention also relates to a method for treating fibers with the softening base of the present invention, the method for treating fibers, wherein the compound represented by the formula 1 is used in an amount of 0.01% o.w.f. or more and 5% o.w.f. or less with respect to the fibers.

[0010] According to the present invention, there is provided a softening base using an anionic surfactant, which has excellent dispersion stability in a formulation and an excellent effect of softening fibers compared to other anionic surfactants.

[0011] Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [Flexible Base Agent] The flexible base agent of the present invention means an agent (active ingredient) that exhibits flexibility with respect to fibers. The present invention relates to a flexible base agent containing Compound 1 represented by the above formula 1. The flexible base agent of the present invention may consist of Compound 1. Further, it may contain one or more kinds of Compound 1, or may consist of one or more kinds of Compound 1.

[0012] Compound 1 is a sulfosuccinate having two hydrocarbon groups with a specific structure, has excellent dispersion stability in an aqueous system, and can impart excellent flexibility to fibers. The reason for this effect is not clear, but it is considered as follows. Generally, anionic surfactants such as sulfonate type having a long-chain alkyl chain have a high Kraft point and are likely to aggregate and separate in water. In the aggregated dispersion, it is difficult to perform uniform treatment even when performing in-bath treatment on fibers, and it is difficult to exhibit performance. On the other hand, in the present invention, Compound 1 represented by formula 1 has a specific structure and specific hydrocarbon groups (for example, the number of carbon atoms of the alkyl group, the structure of the alkyl group), and the hydrophilic-hydrophobic property, aggregability, and curvature are optimized, and a stable aqueous dispersion can be obtained. By treating fibers in such a stable dispersed state, it is considered that uniform and efficient treatment can be performed, and thus an excellent fiber modification effect is exhibited. Note that the present invention is not restricted by this mechanism.

[0013] In formula 1, R 1 and R 2 may be the same or different, and each is a hydrocarbon group having 6 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms. Examples of the hydrocarbon group include an alkyl group and an alkenyl group. In formula 1, the hydrocarbon groups of R 1 and R 2 have 6 or more, preferably 8 or more, more preferably 10 or more carbon atoms from the viewpoint of flexibility, and 24 or less, preferably 20 or less, more preferably 17 or less carbon atoms from the viewpoint of dispersibility.

[0014] In Formula 1, R 1 and R 2 The total number of carbon atoms of is, from the viewpoint of flexibility, 18 or more, preferably 20 or more, more preferably 21 or more, still more preferably 22 or more, and from the viewpoint of dispersibility, 30 or less, preferably 28 or less, more preferably 26 or less, still more preferably 25 or less. Here, when the flexible base contains two or more compounds having different total numbers of carbon atoms of R 1 and R 2 the total number of carbon atoms of R 1 and R 2 in the flexible base represents the molar average of the total number of carbon atoms of R 1 and R 2 of each compound.

[0015] In Formula 1, the hydrocarbon groups of R 1 and R 2 may be either linear or branched, but from the viewpoint of dispersibility, it is preferable that a branched chain is included. That is, it is preferable that the hydrocarbon group having a branched structure is included in the hydrocarbon groups of R 1 and R 2 . In Formula 1, the hydrocarbon groups of R 1 and R 2 may be either saturated or unsaturated, but from the viewpoint of dispersibility, it is preferable that an unsaturated bond is included. That is, it is preferable that the hydrocarbon group having an unsaturated bond is included in the hydrocarbon groups of R 1 and R 2 . Therefore, in the above Formula 1, it is preferable that at least one of R 1 and R 2 is a hydrocarbon group having a branched structure or an unsaturated bond. In Formula 1, the hydrocarbon groups of R 1 and R 2 more preferably include a saturated branched chain or an unsaturated linear chain from the viewpoint of dispersibility. The hydrocarbon groups of R 1 and R 2 are preferably saturated branched chains, respectively, from the viewpoints of dispersion stability and flexibility at high hardness (for example, 20° DH), and it is preferable that an unsaturated linear chain is included from the viewpoints of dispersion stability and flexibility at medium hardness (for example, 8° DH).

[0016] In Formula 1, R 1 's hydrocarbon group and R 2 's hydrocarbon group may be the same or different. When the hydrocarbon group of R 1 and the hydrocarbon group of R 2 are different, it is preferable from the viewpoint of high hardness and flexibility. Also, when the hydrocarbon group of R 1 and the hydrocarbon group of R 2 are the same, it is preferable from the viewpoints of dispersion stability, ease of production, and flexibility at low concentrations. For example, in Formula 1, the number of carbon atoms of R 1 and the number of carbon atoms of R 2 may be the same or different. When the number of carbon atoms of R 1 and the number of carbon atoms of R 2 are different, it is preferable from the viewpoint of high hardness and flexibility. Also, when the number of carbon atoms of R 1 and the number of carbon atoms of R 2 are the same, it is preferable from the viewpoints of dispersion stability, ease of production, and flexibility at low concentrations.

[0017] In Formula 1, when the hydrocarbon group of R 1 and R 2 contains a hydrocarbon group having a branched structure, the number of branches of each of the hydrocarbon groups of R 1 and R 2 is preferably 1 or more and 2 or less, more preferably 1 or more and 1.5 or less, still more preferably 1 or more and 1.2 or less, even more preferably 1 or more and 1.1 or less, and even more preferably 1, from the viewpoints of flexibility and dispersion stability. Here, the number of branches indicates the number of branches of the hydrocarbon group having a branched structure on a number-average basis. R 1 and R 2 each preferably have 1 branch.

[0018] R having a branched structure 1 and R 2The hydrocarbon group preferably has a branched chain at the 2-position, more preferably a hydrocarbon group having a branched chain at the 2-position and the branched chain being a hydrocarbon group having 2 or more carbon atoms, still more preferably an alkyl group having a branched chain at the 2-position and the branched chain having 2 or more carbon atoms, even more preferably a hydrocarbon group having a branched chain at the 2-position and the branched chain being derived from geranyl alcohol, and even more preferably a hydrocarbon group having a branched chain only at the 2-position and the branched chain being derived from geranyl alcohol, from the viewpoints of flexibility and dispersibility.

[0019] In the present invention, -O-R in Formula 1 1 and -O-R 2 For R bonded to O of 1 or R 2 Taking the carbon bonded to the 1-position carbon as the 1-position carbon, the carbon bonded to the 1-position carbon is the 2-position carbon, the carbon bonded to the 2-position carbon is the 3-position carbon, the carbon bonded to the 3-position carbon is the 4-position carbon, and similarly the 5-position carbon, the 6-position carbon, etc. hereinafter. That is, for R 1 and R 2 the positions of the carbons are determined by selecting the longest main chain including the 1-position carbon and determining the positions of the carbons at the 2-position and subsequent positions based on that main chain.

[0020] In Formula 1, when the hydrocarbon group of R 1 and R 2 includes a hydrocarbon group having a branched structure, from the viewpoint of flexibility, a hydrocarbon group having a branched structure at the carbon at the 2-position and subsequent positions and having only one methyl group bonded to the carbon at the 2-position (hereinafter, also referred to as the hydrocarbon group B2 of R 1 and R 2 ) has a proportion of preferably 5 mol% or less, more preferably 4 mol% or less, still more preferably 3 mol% or less, even more preferably 2 mol% or less, even more preferably 1 mol% or less, and even more preferably 0 mol% of the total hydrocarbon groups of R 1 and R 2 .

[0021] The hydrocarbon group B2 of the said R 1 and R 2 is a hydrocarbon group represented by Formula 2. -CH 2 -CH(CH 3 )-R21 Formula 2 (In the formula, R 21 is a hydrocarbon group having 3 to 21 carbon atoms.) Said R 21 is, from the viewpoint of availability, preferably an alkyl group, more preferably a linear alkyl group, still more preferably a primary linear alkyl group. In Formula 3, the number of carbon atoms of R 21 is, from the viewpoint of flexibility, preferably 5 or more, more preferably 6 or more, and from the viewpoint of dispersibility, preferably 17 or less, more preferably 14 or less.

[0022] In Formula 1, when the hydrocarbon group of R 1 and R 2 contains a hydrocarbon group having a branched structure, from the viewpoint of flexibility, a hydrocarbon group having a branched structure only at the carbon atoms after the 3-position and having only one methyl group bonded to the carbon atom at the 3-position (hereinafter, also referred to as the hydrocarbon group B3 of R 1 and R 2 ) accounts for preferably 10 mol% or less, more preferably 5 mol% or less, still more preferably 2 mol% or less, even more preferably 1 mol% or less, and even more preferably 0 mol% of the total hydrocarbon groups of R 1 and R 2 .

[0023] Said R 1 and R 2 The hydrocarbon group B3 is a hydrocarbon group represented by Formula 3. -R 31 -CH(CH 3 )-R 32 Formula 3 (In the formula, R 31 is a linear hydrocarbon group having 2 carbon atoms, R 32 is a hydrocarbon group, and the total number of carbon atoms of R 31 and R 32 is 4 or more and 22 or less.) Said R 31 is, from the viewpoint of availability, preferably an ethanediyl group, and said R 4 is, from the viewpoint of availability, preferably an alkyl group, more preferably a linear alkyl group, still more preferably a primary linear alkyl group. In Formula 3, R 31 and R 32 The total number of carbon atoms of is, from the viewpoint of flexibility, 4 or more, preferably 6 or more, more preferably 8 or more, and from the viewpoint of dispersibility, 22 or less, preferably 18 or less, more preferably 15 or less.

[0024] In Formula 1, when the hydrocarbon group of R 1 and R 2 contains a hydrocarbon group having a branched structure, from the viewpoint of flexibility, only the carbon atoms after the 4th position have a branched structure and only one methyl group is bonded to the carbon at the minimum branched position (hereinafter, also referred to as the hydrocarbon group B4 of R 1 and R 2 ) The ratio is preferably 50 mol% or less, more preferably 40 mol% or less, still more preferably 30 mol% or less, even more preferably 20 mol% or less, even more preferably 10 mol% or less, even more preferably 5 mol% or less, even more preferably 1 mol% or less, even more preferably 0 mol% of the total hydrocarbon groups of R 1 and R 2 .

[0025] The hydrocarbon group B4 of the said R 1 and R 2 is a hydrocarbon group represented by Formula 4. -R 41 -CH(CH 3 )-R 42 Formula 4 (In the formula, R 41 is a linear hydrocarbon group having 3 or more carbon atoms, R 42 is a hydrocarbon group, and the total number of carbon atoms of R 41 and R 42 is 4 or more and 22 or less.) The said R 41 is preferably an alkane-α,ω-diyl group having 3 or more carbon atoms from the viewpoint of availability, and the said R 42 is preferably an alkyl group, more preferably a linear alkyl group, and still more preferably a primary saturated linear alkyl group from the viewpoint of availability. In Formula 4, R 41 and R 42The total carbon number is 4 or more, preferably 6 or more, more preferably 8 or more, from the viewpoint of flexibility, and 22 or less, preferably 18 or less, more preferably 15 or less, from the viewpoint of dispersibility.

[0026] R 1 and R 2 The ratio of the hydrocarbon group having a branched structure at the carbon atom after the 2nd position and having only one methyl group bonded to the 2nd carbon atom, the ratio of the hydrocarbon group having a branched structure only at the carbon atoms after the 3rd position and having only one methyl group bonded to the 3rd carbon atom, the ratio of the hydrocarbon group having a branched structure only at the carbon atoms after the 4th position and having only one methyl group bonded to the carbon atom at the lowest branched position, etc., are each obtained by hydrolyzing the compound represented by the above formula 1 to -O-R 1 and -O-R 2 into H-O-R 1 and H-O-R 2 respectively, and then 13 it can be measured using C-NMR.

[0027] Compound 1, in the measurement result of C-NMR under the following conditions 13 the ratio of the area of the signal region in the range of 67.6 to 68 ppm to the area of the total signal region in the range of 60 to 69 ppm is preferably 5% or less, more preferably 4% or less, still more preferably 3% or less, even more preferably 2% or less, even more preferably 1% or less, even more preferably 0%. Note that in the following 13 in C-NMR, the chemical shift of the sample can be predicted using the chemical shift of the carbon atom at the 1st position obtained using a plurality of branched alcohols having a methyl branch as a standard substance. 13 C-NMR measurement conditions Apparatus: MR 400 manufactured by Agilent Frequency: 400 MHz Number of integrations: 1024 Waiting time: 30 sec Pulse angle: 45 deg Heavy solvent: CDCl 3 Sample concentration: 10% Sample tube: 5 mm φ

[0028] Compound 1, under the above conditions 13 In the measurement result of 13C-NMR, the ratio of the area of the signal region in the range of 60 to 61 ppm to the area of the total signal region of 60 to 69 ppm is preferably 10% or less, more preferably 5% or less, still more preferably 2% or less, even more preferably 1% or less, and even more preferably 0%.

[0029] Compound 1, under the above conditions 13 In the measurement result of 13C-NMR, the ratio of the area of the signal region in the range of 62 to 63.2 ppm to the area of the total signal region of 60 to 69 ppm is preferably 50% or less, more preferably 40% or less, still more preferably 30% or less, even more preferably 20% or less, even more preferably 10% or less, even more preferably 5% or less, even more preferably 1% or less, and even more preferably 0%.

[0030] In Formula 1, when the hydrocarbon groups of R 1 and R 2 include a hydrocarbon group having a branched structure, the degree of branching of R 1 and R 2 defined by the following formula is preferably 0.3 or less, more preferably 0.2 or less, still more preferably 0.1 or less from the viewpoint of flexibility, and preferably 0.01 or more, more preferably 0.02 or more, still more preferably 0.04 or more from the viewpoint of dispersibility. Degree of branching = [(total number of terminal methyl groups of R 1 and R 2 ) - 2] / (total number of carbon atoms of R 1 and R 2 ) In addition, for the calculation of the degree of branching, 1 the average value of the number of carbon atoms measured using 1H-NMR can be used.

[0031] In Formula 1, when the hydrocarbon groups of R 1 and R 2 include a hydrocarbon group having an unsaturated bond, R 1 and R 2The unsaturated bond of the hydrocarbon group is preferably a carbon-carbon double bond from the viewpoints of flexibility and dispersion stability. In Formula 1, R 1 and R 2 When the hydrocarbon group contains a hydrocarbon group having an unsaturated bond, R 1 and R 2 The number of unsaturated bonds of the hydrocarbon group is preferably 0.5 or more and 2 or less, more preferably 1 or more and 1.5 or less, still more preferably 1 or more and 1.2 or less, even more preferably 1 or more and 1.1 or less, and even more preferably 1 from the viewpoints of flexibility, dispersion stability, and availability. Here, the number of unsaturated bonds is the number-average value of the number of unsaturated bonds of the hydrocarbon group having an unsaturated bond. In Formula 1, R 1 and R 2 When the hydrocarbon group contains a hydrocarbon group having a double bond, R 1 and R 2 The preferred range of the number of double bonds of the hydrocarbon group is the preferred range of the number of unsaturated bonds.

[0032] Compound 1 may be one or more compounds selected from compounds in which the compound represented by the above Formula 1 has a hydrocarbon group in which R 1 and R 2 have the same structure, and compounds in which R 1 and R 2 have different structures. From the viewpoint of flexibility, Compound 1 is preferably a compound in which R 1 and R 2 have different structures. For example, the flexible base of the present invention may contain a compound represented by the above Formula 1 in which R 1 and R 2 have the same structure, and a compound represented by the above Formula 1 in which R 1 and R 2 have different structures. The flexible base of the present invention may contain, as Compound 1, a compound in which R 1 and R 2 have different structures.

[0033] In Formula 1, M is a cation (excluding hydrogen ions). Examples of M include alkali metal ions such as lithium ion, sodium ion, and potassium ion; alkaline earth metal ions such as calcium ion and barium ion; organic ammonium ions such as triethanolammonium ion, diethanolammonium ion, monoethanolammonium ion, trimethylammonium ion, and monomethylammonium ion. From the viewpoints of dispersion stability and flexibility, M is preferably an alkali metal ion or an alkanolammonium ion, more preferably sodium ion, potassium ion, triethanolammonium ion, diethanolammonium ion, or monoethanolammonium ion, and still more preferably sodium ion.

[0034] Compound 1 can be synthesized by a known method. For example, it can be obtained by reacting a maleic acid diester obtained by reacting maleic anhydride with an alcohol with a bisulfite. At this time, by using alcohols having different carbon numbers and structures, compounds in which R 1 and R 2 in Formula 1 are hydrocarbon groups having different structures can be obtained. Compound 1 can be synthesized, for example, by the method described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007 / 0214999, Examples 2 to 3. Examples of the alcohol include linear alcohols and alcohols having a branch at the 2-position. Examples of the alcohol having a branch at the 2-position include geraniol.

[0035] The softening base agent of the present invention can be applied to various fibers, such as natural fibers, synthetic fibers, and semi-synthetic fibers. Furthermore, the softening base agent of the present invention can be applied to fiber products containing these fibers.

[0036] The fiber can be either a hydrophobic fiber or a hydrophilic fiber. Examples of hydrophobic fibers include protein-based fibers (such as milk protein casein fiber, Promix, etc.), polyamide-based fibers (such as nylon, etc.), polyester-based fibers (such as polyester, etc.), polyacrylonitrile-based fibers (such as acrylic, etc.), polyvinyl alcohol-based fibers (such as vinylon, etc.), polyvinyl chloride-based fibers (such as polyvinyl chloride, etc.), polyvinylidene chloride-based fibers (such as vinylidene, etc.), polyolefin-based fibers (such as polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.), polyurethane-based fibers (such as polyurethane, etc.), polyvinyl chloride / polyvinyl alcohol copolymer-based fibers (such as polyclaral, etc.), polyalkylene paraoxybenzoate-based fibers (such as benzoate, etc.), polyfluoroethylene-based fibers (such as polytetrafluoroethylene, etc.), and the like. Examples of hydrophilic fibers include seed hair fibers (such as cotton, kapok, etc.), bast fibers (such as hemp, flax, ramie, cannabis, jute, etc.), leaf vein fibers (such as Manila hemp, sisal hemp, etc.), coconut fiber, rush, straw, animal hair fibers (such as wool, mohair, cashmere, camel hair, alpaca, vicuña, angora, etc.), silk fibers (such as domestic silk, wild silk), feathers, cellulose-based fibers (such as rayon, polynosic, cupra, acetate, etc.), and the like. The fiber preferably contains cotton fiber. From the viewpoint of further improving the softness of the fiber, the content of cotton fiber in the fiber is preferably 5% by mass or more, more preferably 10% by mass or more, still more preferably 15% by mass or more, even more preferably 20% by mass or more, and even more preferably 100% by mass. In the present invention, the fiber product means fabrics such as woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, non-woven fabrics, etc. using the above-mentioned hydrophobic fibers or hydrophilic fibers, and products such as undershirts, T-shirts, dress shirts, blouses, slacks, hats, handkerchiefs, towels, knits, socks, underwear, tights, etc. obtained using them. From the viewpoint of more easily perceiving the effect of improving the texture of the fiber after being treated with the fiber treatment agent composition of the present invention, the fiber product preferably contains cotton fiber. The preferred embodiment of the content of cotton fiber in the fiber product is the same as that of the content of cotton fiber in the above-mentioned fiber.

[0037] The softening base of the present invention can impart softness to fibers. Further, the softening base of the present invention also has excellent dispersibility when mixed with water.

[0038] The present invention discloses the use of the compound 1 represented by the above formula 1 as a softening base. For the use of the present invention, the matters described in the softening base of the present invention, the fiber treatment agent composition described later, and the fiber treatment method can be appropriately applied. Specific examples and preferred embodiments of compound 1 are also the same as those of the softening base of the present invention.

[0039] [Fiber treatment agent composition] The present invention provides a fiber treatment agent composition containing the softening base of the present invention. For the fiber treatment agent composition of the present invention, the matters described in the softening base of the present invention can be appropriately applied. Specific examples and preferred embodiments of compound 1 are also the same as those of the softening base of the present invention. In the fiber treatment agent composition of the present invention, the content of compound 1 is preferably 1% by mass or more, more preferably 2% by mass or more, still more preferably 4% by mass or more from the viewpoint of transportability, and preferably 90% by mass or less, more preferably 70% by mass or less, still more preferably 50% by mass or less from the viewpoint of handleability.

[0040] The fiber treatment agent composition of the present invention may contain a softening base other than Compound 1 (hereinafter also referred to as an optional softening base), but the content thereof may be small. In the fiber treatment agent composition of the present invention, from the viewpoints of softness, dispersibility, and water absorbency, the content of the optional softening base may be, for example, less than 1% by mass, further less than 0.1% by mass in the composition. Further, in the fiber treatment agent composition of the present invention, from the same viewpoints, the mass ratio of (content of optional softening base) / (content of Compound 1) may be, for example, 4.5 or less, further 4.0 or less, further 3.0 or less, further 2.0 or less, further 1.0 or less, further 0.50 or less, further 0.30 or less, further less than 0.10, further 0.050 or less. Here, examples of the optional softening base include a cationic softening agent and a nonionic softening base. The cationic softening base can be selected, for example, from quaternary ammonium salts. The nonionic softening base can be selected, for example, from higher fatty acid esters of pentaerythritol, oligomers of pentaerythritol, lower alkylene oxide derivatives of pentaerythritol, lower alkylene oxide derivatives of oligomers of pentaerythritol, and the like.

[0041] The fiber treatment agent composition of the present invention preferably contains water. It is preferably a liquid composition containing water. Water usually constitutes the remainder of the composition and is used in an amount such that the total of the composition is 100% by mass.

[0042] When the fiber treatment agent composition of the present invention contains water, the proportion of Compound 1 in the total of the components other than water may be, for example, 20% by mass or more, further 30% by mass or more, further 40% by mass or more, further 50% by mass or more, further 60% by mass or more, further 70% by mass or more, further 80% by mass or more, further 90% by mass or more, further 92% by mass or more, further 95% by mass or more. The upper limit value may be 100% by mass or less.

[0043] The fiber treatment agent composition of the present invention may have a pH at 20°C of, for example, 4.0 or more, further 5.0 or more, further 5.5 or more, further 6.0 or more, further 7.0 or more.

[0044] The fiber treatment agent composition of the present invention may be a softening agent composition. For example, according to the present invention, a softening agent composition containing Compound 1 as an active ingredient of a softening base can be provided.

[0045] Since Compound 1 has good dispersibility in water, the fiber treatment agent composition of the present invention containing water can be produced by mixing water at a relatively low temperature with Compound 1. The temperature of the water mixed with Compound 1 may be, for example, 30°C or higher and 50°C or lower. According to the present invention, a method for producing a fiber treatment agent composition by mixing Compound 1 with water at 30°C or higher and 50°C or lower is provided.

[0046] [Method for treating fibers] The present invention provides a method for treating fibers by treating the fibers with the softening base of the present invention, wherein Compound 1 is used in an amount of 0.01% o.w.f. or more and 5% o.w.f. or less based on the fibers. Further, the present invention may be a method for treating fibers by treating the fibers with the softening base of the present invention, wherein Compound 1 is used in an amount of 0.05% o.w.f. or more and 5% o.w.f. or less based on the fibers. In the method for treating fibers of the present invention, the matters described in the softening base and the fiber treatment agent composition of the present invention can be appropriately applied. Specific examples and preferred embodiments of Compound 1 are also the same as those of the softening base of the present invention. The method for treating fibers of the present invention may be a method for treating fibers by applying Compound 1 in an amount of 0.01% o.w.f. or more and 5% o.w.f. or less based on the fibers to impart softness to the fibers. Further, the method for treating fibers of the present invention may be a method for treating fibers by applying Compound 1 in an amount of 0.05% o.w.f. or more and 5% o.w.f. or less based on the fibers to impart softness to the fibers. The fiber treatment agent composition of the present invention can be used in the method for treating fibers of the present invention.

[0047] In the present invention, Compound 1 is used in an amount of 0.01% o.w.f. or more, preferably 0.05% o.w.f. or more, more preferably 0.1% o.w.f. or more, still more preferably 0.2% o.w.f. or more, even more preferably 0.3% o.w.f. or more, from the viewpoint of flexibility with respect to the fiber, and 5% o.w.f. or less, preferably 4% o.w.f. or less, more preferably 3% o.w.f. or less, still more preferably 2% o.w.f. or less, from the viewpoint of texture. Note that % o.w.f. is an abbreviation for % on the weight of fabric, and means the percentage of the mass of Compound 1 with respect to the mass of the fiber. In the present invention, a treatment liquid obtained by mixing the softening base agent of the present invention or the fiber treatment agent composition of the present invention with water can be brought into contact with the fiber. For example, the treatment liquid can be used such that Compound 1 is within the above range with respect to the fiber.

[0048] In the present invention, it is preferable to use the softening base agent by mixing it with water having a hardness of 0°DH or more and 30°DH or less. That is, it is preferable to treat the fiber with a treatment liquid obtained by mixing the softening base agent and water having a hardness of 0°DH or more and 30°DH or less. The hardness of the water is preferably 1°DH or more, more preferably 2°DH or more, still more preferably 3°DH or more, from the viewpoint of flexibility, and preferably 25°DH or less, more preferably 20°DH or less, from the viewpoint of texture.

[0049] The fiber treatment method of the present invention can be applied to the fibers described with the softening base agent of the present invention. For example, the fiber may be a fiber of cloth.

[0050] The fiber treatment method of the present invention can be carried out by incorporating it into a washing step of the fiber, for example, a fiber of cloth. Here, the washing step may be a treatment for washing, rinsing, and dehydrating the fiber. In the present invention, in any of these washing steps, the softening base agent of the present invention can be applied to the fiber such that Compound 1 is in a predetermined amount.

[0051] In addition to the above-described embodiments, the present invention discloses the following aspects. <1> A soft base containing a compound represented by the following formula 1.

[0052]

Chemical formula

[0053] [In the formula, R 1 and R 2 each represent a hydrocarbon group having 6 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms, and the total number of carbon atoms of R 1 and R 2 is 18 or more and 30 or less. M is a cation (excluding hydrogen ions).]

[0054] <2> In formula 1, the hydrocarbon group of R 1 and R 2 has 6 or more, preferably 8 or more, more preferably 10 or more, and 24 or less, preferably 20 or less, more preferably 17 or less carbon atoms, respectively. The soft base according to <1>.

[0055] <3> In formula 1, at least one of R 1 and R 2 is a hydrocarbon group having a branched structure or an unsaturated bond. The soft base according to <1> or <2>.

[0056] <4> In formula 1, the total number of carbon atoms of R 1 and R 2 is 18 or more, preferably 20 or more, more preferably 21 or more, still more preferably 22 or more, and 30 or less, preferably 28 or less, more preferably 26 or less, still more preferably 25 or less. The soft base according to any one of <1> to <3>.

[0057] <5> In formula 1, the hydrocarbon group of R 1 and R 2 includes a hydrocarbon group having a branched structure. The soft base according to any one of <1> to <4>.

[0058] <6> In formula 1, R1 and R 2 The hydrocarbon group of 2 contains an unsaturated hydrocarbon group, and the flexible base agent according to any one of <1> to <5>.

[0059] <7> In Formula 1, R 1 and R 2 The hydrocarbon group of 2 contains a saturated branched-chain hydrocarbon group or an unsaturated straight-chain hydrocarbon group, and the flexible base agent according to any one of <1> to <6>.

[0060] <8> R 1 and R 2 are hydrocarbon groups having the same structure, and the flexible base agent according to any one of <1> to <7>.

[0061] <9> R 1 and R 2 are hydrocarbon groups having different structures, and the flexible base agent according to any one of <1> to <7>.

[0062] <10> In Formula 1, R 1 and R 2 The hydrocarbon group of 2 contains a hydrocarbon group having a branched structure, and the degree of branching defined by the following formula is 0.3 or less, and the flexible base agent according to any one of <1> to <9>. Degree of branching = [(total number of terminal methyl groups of R 1 and R 2 ) - 2] / (total number of carbon atoms of R 1 and R 2 )

[0063] <11> In Formula 1, R 1 and R 2 The hydrocarbon group of 2 contains a hydrocarbon group having a branched structure, and the degree of branching defined by the following formula is 0.2 or less, and the flexible base agent according to any one of <1> to <9>. Degree of branching = [(total number of terminal methyl groups of R 1 and R 2 ) - 2] / (total number of carbon atoms of R 1 and R 2 )

[0064] <12> In Formula 1, R 1 and R 2 include a hydrocarbon group having a branched structure in the hydrocarbon group, and the degree of branching defined by the following formula is 0.1 or less. The flexible base agent according to any one of <1> to <9>. Degree of branching = [(total number of terminal methyl groups of R 1 and R 2 ) - 2] / (total number of carbon atoms of R 1 and R 2 )

[0065] <13> In Formula 1, R 1 and R 2 include a hydrocarbon group having a branched structure in the hydrocarbon group, and the degree of branching defined by the following formula is 0.01 or more. The flexible base agent according to any one of <1> to <12>. Degree of branching = [(total number of terminal methyl groups of R 1 and R 2 ) - 2] / (total number of carbon atoms of R 1 and R 2 )

[0066] <14> In Formula 1, R 1 and R 2 include a hydrocarbon group having a branched structure in the hydrocarbon group, and the degree of branching defined by the following formula is 0.02 or more. The flexible base agent according to any one of <1> to <12>. Degree of branching = [(total number of terminal methyl groups of R 1 and R 2 ) - 2] / (total number of carbon atoms of R 1 and R 2 )

[0067] <15> In Formula 1, R 1 and R 2 include a hydrocarbon group having a branched structure in the hydrocarbon group, and the degree of branching defined by the following formula is 0.04 or more. The flexible base agent according to any one of <1> to <12>. Degree of branching = [(total number of terminal methyl groups of R 1 and R 2 ) - 2] / (total number of carbon atoms of R 1and R 2 (total number of carbon atoms possessed by)

[0068] <16> The hydrocarbon group having a branched structure is a hydrocarbon group having a branched chain at the 2-position, further having a branched chain at the 2-position and the branched chain being a hydrocarbon group having 2 or more carbon atoms, further having a branched chain at the 2-position and the branched chain being an alkyl group having 2 or more carbon atoms, further having a branched chain at the 2-position and the branched chain being a hydrocarbon group derived from geraniol, further having a branched chain only at the 2-position and the branched chain being a hydrocarbon group derived from geraniol, among <3> to <18>, a flexible base agent that cites any of <3>, <5>, <7>, <10> to <15>.

[0069] <17> In Formula 1, R 1 and R 2 The hydrocarbon group having a branched structure is included, a hydrocarbon group having a branched structure at carbon atoms after the 2-position and having only one methyl group bonded to the 2-position carbon atom, and further, the proportion of the hydrocarbon group represented by the following Formula 2 is, for R 1 and R 2 the total of the hydrocarbon groups, preferably 5 mol% or less, more preferably 4 mol% or less, still more preferably 3 mol% or less, even more preferably 2 mol% or less, even more preferably 1 mol% or less, even more preferably 0 mol%, a flexible base agent according to any of <1> to <16>. -CH 2 -CH(CH 3 )-R 21 Formula 2 (In the formula, R 21 is a hydrocarbon group having 3 or more and 21 or less carbon atoms.)

[0070] <18> In Formula 1, R 1 and R 2 The hydrocarbon group having a branched structure is included, a hydrocarbon group having a branched structure only at carbon atoms after the 3-position and having only one methyl group bonded to the 3-position carbon atom, and further, the proportion of the hydrocarbon group represented by the following Formula 3 is, for R 1 and R 2The flexible base agent according to any one of <1> to <17>, wherein the proportion of the entire hydrocarbon group is preferably 10 mol% or less, more preferably 5 mol% or less, still more preferably 2 mol% or less, even more preferably 1 mol% or less, even more preferably 0 mol%. -R 31 -CH(CH 3 )-R 32 Formula 3 (In the formula, R 31 is a linear hydrocarbon group having 2 carbon atoms, R 32 is a hydrocarbon group, and the total number of carbon atoms of R 31 and R 32 is 4 or more and 22 or less.)

[0071] <19> In Formula 1, the hydrocarbon group of R 1 and R 2 contains a hydrocarbon group having a branched structure, has a branched structure only at the carbon atoms after the 4th position, and has only one methyl group bonded to the carbon atom at the minimum branched position. Further, the proportion of the hydrocarbon group represented by the following Formula 4 is preferably 50 mol% or less, more preferably 40 mol% or less, still more preferably 30 mol% or less, even more preferably 20 mol% or less, even more preferably 10 mol% or less, even more preferably 5 mol% or less, even more preferably 1 mol% or less, even more preferably 0 mol% of the entire hydrocarbon group of R 1 and R 2 The flexible base agent according to any one of <1> to <18>. -R 41 -CH(CH 3 )-R 42 Formula 4 (In the formula, R 41 is a linear hydrocarbon group having 3 or more carbon atoms, R 42 is a hydrocarbon group, and the total number of carbon atoms of R 41 and R 42 is 4 or more and 22 or less.)

[0072] <20> R 1 and R 2 are hydrocarbon groups having the same structure, the compound represented by the above Formula 1, and R 1 and R 2The soft base agent according to any one of <1> to <19>, which contains the compound represented by the formula 1 in which the hydrocarbon groups have different structures.

[0073] <21> In the formula 1, M is a cation selected from an alkali metal ion and an alkanolammonium ion, preferably a cation selected from a sodium ion, a potassium ion, a triethanolammonium ion, a diethanolammonium ion, and a monoethanolammonium ion, more preferably a sodium ion. The soft base agent according to any one of <1> to <20>.

[0074] <22> Compound 1 is under the following conditions 13 In the measurement result of 13C-NMR, the ratio of the area of the signal region in the range of 67.6 to 68 ppm to the area of the total amount of signals in the range of 60 to 69 ppm is preferably 5% or less, more preferably 4% or less, still more preferably 3% or less, even more preferably 2% or less, even more preferably 1% or less, and even more preferably 0%. The soft base agent according to any one of <1> to <21>. 13 13C-NMR measurement conditions Apparatus: MR 400 manufactured by Agilent Frequency: 400 MHz Number of integrations: 1024 Waiting time: 30 sec Pulse angle: 45 deg Heavy solvent: CDCl 3 Sample concentration: 10% Sample tube: 5 mm φ

[0075] <23> Compound 1 is under the conditions described in <22> 13In the measurement result of 13C-NMR, the ratio of the area of the signal region in the range of 60 to 61 ppm to the area of the total signal region in the range of 60 to 69 ppm is preferably 10% or less, more preferably 5% or less, still more preferably 2% or less, even more preferably 1% or less, and even more preferably 0%, which is the flexible base agent described in any one of <1> to <22>.

[0076] <24> Compound 1 is under the conditions described in <22> 13 In the measurement result of 13C-NMR, the ratio of the area of the signal region in the range of 62 to 63.2 ppm to the area of the total signal region in the range of 60 to 69 ppm is preferably 50% or less, more preferably 40% or less, still more preferably 30% or less, even more preferably 20% or less, even more preferably 10% or less, even more preferably 5% or less, even more preferably 1% or less, and even more preferably 0%, which is the flexible base agent described in any one of <1> to <23>.

[0077] <25> It is for fibers, further for fibers selected from natural fibers, synthetic fibers, and semi-synthetic fibers, further for fiber products, and further for fiber products containing the above fibers, which is the flexible base agent described in any one of <1> to <24>.

[0078] <26> The fiber is a fiber containing cotton fiber, which is the flexible base agent described in <25>.

[0079] <27> The content of cotton fiber in the fiber is preferably 5% by mass or more, more preferably 10% by mass or more, still more preferably 15% by mass or more, even more preferably 20% by mass or more, and even more preferably 100% by mass, which is the flexible base agent described in <26>.

[0080] <28> The fiber product is a fiber product containing cotton fiber, which is the flexible base agent described in any one of <24> to <27>.

[0081] <29> The content of cotton fibers in the fiber product is preferably 5% by mass or more, more preferably 10% by mass or more, still more preferably 15% by mass or more, even more preferably 20% by mass or more, and even more preferably 100% by mass, the softening base agent described in <28>.

[0082] <30> A fiber treatment agent composition containing the softening base agent described in any one of <1> to <29>.

[0083] <31> The content of the compound represented by the formula 1 is 1% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less, the fiber treatment agent composition described in <30>.

[0084] <32> The content of the compound represented by the formula 1 is preferably 1% by mass or more, more preferably 2% by mass or more, still more preferably 4% by mass or more, and preferably 90% by mass or less, more preferably 70% by mass or less, still more preferably 50% by mass or less, the fiber treatment agent composition described in <30> or <31>.

[0085] <33> The content of the softening base agent other than Compound 1 (hereinafter also referred to as an optional softening base agent) is less than 1% by mass, and further less than 0.1% by mass in the composition, the fiber treatment agent composition described in any one of <30> to <32>.

[0086] <34> The mass ratio of (content of optional softening base agent) / (content of Compound 1) is 4.5 or less, further 4.0 or less, further 3.0 or less, further 2.0 or less, further 1.0 or less, further 0.50 or less, further 0.30 or less, further less than 0.10, further 0.050 or less, the fiber treatment agent composition described in <33>.

[0087] <35> The optional softening base agent is a softening agent selected from a cationic softening agent and a nonionic softening base agent, the fiber treatment agent composition described in <33> or <34>.

[0088] <36> The fiber treatment agent composition according to any one of <30> to <35>, which is a liquid composition containing water and further containing water.

[0089] <37> The fiber treatment agent composition according to <36>, which contains water in an amount of the remainder of the composition and further contains water in an amount such that the total of the composition is 100% by mass.

[0090] <38> In the total of components other than water, the proportion of Compound 1 is 20% by mass or more, further 30% by mass or more, further 40% by mass or more, further 50% by mass or more, further 60% by mass or more, further 70% by mass or more, further 80% by mass or more, further 90% by mass or more, further 92% by mass or more, further 95% by mass or more, and 100% by mass or less, of the fiber treatment agent composition according to <36> or <37>.

[0091] <39> The fiber treatment agent composition according to any one of <30> to <38>, wherein the pH at 20 °C is 4.0 or more, further 5.0 or more, further 5.5 or more, further 6.0 or more, further 7.0 or more.

[0092] <40> A method for treating fibers by treating the fibers with a softening base according to any one of <1> to <29>, using the compound represented by the formula 1 in an amount of 0.01% o.w.f. or more and 5% o.w.f. or less with respect to the fibers, or using the compound represented by the formula 1 in an amount of 0.05% o.w.f. or more and 5% o.w.f. or less with respect to the fibers, A method for treating fibers.

[0093] <41> The method for treating the fiber according to <40>, wherein the compound represented by the formula 1 is used in an amount of 0.01% o.w.f. or more, preferably 0.05% o.w.f. or more, more preferably 0.1% o.w.f. or more, still more preferably 0.2% o.w.f. or more, even more preferably 0.3% o.w.f. or more, and 5% o.w.f. or less, preferably 4% o.w.f. or less, more preferably 3% o.w.f. or less, still more preferably 2% o.w.f. or less, based on the fiber.

[0094] <42> The method for treating the fiber according to <40> or <41>, wherein the fiber is treated with a treatment liquid obtained by mixing the softening base and water having a hardness of 0° DH or more and 30° DH or less.

[0095] <43> The method for treating the fiber according to <42>, wherein the hardness of the water is preferably 1° DH or more, more preferably 2° DH or more, still more preferably 3° DH or more, and preferably 25° DH or less, more preferably 20° DH or less.

[0096] <44> The method for treating the fiber according to any one of <40> to <43>, wherein the fiber is a cloth.

[0097] <45> The method for treating the fiber according to any one of <40> to <44>, wherein the fiber is treated in a washing step.

[0098] <46> The method for treating the fiber according to <45>, wherein the washing step is one or more treatments selected from the treatments of washing, rinsing, and dehydrating the fiber.

[0099] <47> Use of the compound represented by the following formula 1 as a softening base.

[0100]

Chemical formula

[0101] 〔In the formula, R1 and R 2 each represents a hydrocarbon group having 6 to 24 carbon atoms, and the total number of carbon atoms of R 1 and R 2 is 18 or more and 30 or less. M is a cation (excluding hydrogen ions).

[0102] <48> In the above formula 1, at least one of R 1 and R 2 is a hydrocarbon group having a branched structure or an unsaturated bond, and the use according to <47>.

[0103] <49> The use according to <47> or <48>, wherein the hydrocarbon group having a branched structure has a branched chain at the 2-position and the number of carbon atoms of the branched chain is 2 or more.

[0104] Examples <Production Examples 1 to 8> The dialkyl sulfosuccinates of each production example described in Table 1 were prepared as follows. The raw materials and catalysts used for the preparation of the maleic acid diester described in Table 1 were charged into the reaction vessel described in Table 1 equipped with a stirrer, a heating system, a distillation column, and a nitrogen / vacuum connection in the amounts described in Table 1. After nitrogen substitution, the reaction was carried out at 100 to 130 °C with nitrogen bubbling while dehydrating until the acid value decreased to the equivalent amount of p-toluenesulfonic acid. Subsequently, the catalyst was adsorbed with 1% by mass of Kyoward 500SH (manufactured by Kyowa Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) based on the total amount of the reaction vessel contents. After removing the adsorbent, the excess alcohol was removed by topping to obtain the maleic acid diester.

[0105] Next, the maleic acid diester obtained above, sodium bisulfite, and ion-exchanged water were charged into a 1-L glass reaction vessel in the amounts shown in Table 1. In order to improve the compatibility of the raw materials used for the preparation of the dialkyl sulfosuccinate described in Table 1, an alcoholic polar solvent such as ethanol was used, and the reaction was carried out at 115 °C by a known method until the double bond derived from the maleic acid diester disappeared by NMR. After cooling to 50 - 65 °C and oxidizing the remaining sodium bisulfite with 30% hydrogen peroxide, the pH was adjusted to 5 with 10% NaOH. By distillation under reduced pressure, reprecipitation, liquid separation, etc., the solvent and mirabilite were removed to obtain the dialkyl sulfosuccinate described in Table 1.

[0106]

Table 1

[0107] The components in Table 1 are as follows. Maleic anhydride: manufactured by Fuji Film Wako Pure Chemical Corporation, Wako special grade 2-Propylheptanol: manufactured by Fuji Film Wako Pure Chemical Corporation, reagent special grade 2-Butyloctanol: 2-Butyl-1-n-octanol, manufactured by Fuji Film Wako Pure Chemical Corporation, reagent special grade Octanol: "Calcohol 0898" manufactured by Kao Corporation Dodecanol: "Calcohol 2098" manufactured by Kao Corporation Cetanol: "Calcohol 6098" manufactured by Kao Corporation Oleyl alcohol: manufactured by Alfa Aesar cis-3-Nonen-1-ol: manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. Stearyl alcohol: "Calcohol 8098" manufactured by Kao Corporation p-Toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate: manufactured by Fuji Film Wako Pure Chemical Corporation, reagent special grade Sodium bisulfite: manufactured by Fuji Film Wako Pure Chemical Corporation, reagent special grade

[0108] <Examples 1 - 5 and Comparative Examples 1 - 5> Using the dialkyl sulfosuccinate described in Table 1 as a softening base, the softness and the stability of the dispersion were evaluated by the following method. The results are shown in Table 2. Table 2 shows the structure in Formula 1 of the softening base. Some compounds not corresponding to Compound 1 were also shown the structure corresponding to Formula 1 for convenience.

[0109] The softening bases described in Table 2 are as follows. · Product 1 of the present invention: Di(2-propylheptyl)-sulfosuccinate prepared in Production Example 1 · Product 2 of the present invention: Di(2-butyloctyl)-sulfosuccinate prepared in Production Example 2 · Product 3 of the present invention: Dodecyl / 2-butyloctyl-sulfosuccinate prepared in Production Example 3 · Product 4 of the present invention: Octyl / cetyl-sulfosuccinate prepared in Production Example 4 · Product 5 of the present invention: Dodecyl / 3-nonenyl-sulfosuccinate prepared in Production Example 5 · Comparative Product 1: Di(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate, reagent, DIOCTYLSULFOSUCCINATE (MP Biomedical, Inc.) · Comparative Product 2: Dicetyl sulfosuccinate prepared in Production Example 6 · Comparative Product 3: Stearyl / oleyl-sulfosuccinate prepared in Production Example 7 · Comparative Product 4: Cetyl / stearyl-sulfosuccinate prepared in Production Example 8 · Comparative Product 5: α-olefin sulfonate, Lipolan PB-800CJ, manufactured by Lion Corporation

[0110] · Evaluation method for softness 1) Pretreatment of the towel for evaluation By performing the following treatment in advance, the one from which the paste and contaminants were removed was used for the towel for evaluation. Using a fully automatic washing machine (manufactured by Panasonic, model number: NA-F60PB3), 52.22 g of a 10% dilution of a non-ionic surfactant (Emulgen 108, manufactured by Kao Corporation) was added as a detergent to 24 commercially available cotton towels (TW220, white, manufactured by Takei Towel Co., Ltd.). A series of washing processes (water volume 50 L, washing for 10 minutes → soaking twice → dehydration for 9 minutes) were repeated 3 times using tap water from Wakayama City (the tap water has a hardness of 4° DH. The same applies hereinafter) as water. Subsequently, the above series of washing processes were repeated 2 times with only water. Thereafter, it was left to air dry naturally at room temperature (25°C) for 24 hours.

[0111] 2) Towel treatment method A predetermined amount of ion-exchanged water (bath ratio 25 L / kg-towel) was charged into a mini washing machine (manufactured by National, model number: NA-35), an aqueous calcium chloride solution (equivalent to 4000° DH) was added so that the hardness became 20° DH, and while stirring, a 5 mass% aqueous dispersion of the softening base agent shown in Table 2 was added and stirred for 1 minute. Then, 3 cotton towels (total of about 210 g) pretreated in 1) above were charged and treated with stirring for 5 minutes. In this treatment, the amount of the softening base agent used in Table 2 was 0.5% o.w.f. based on 3 cotton towels. Subsequently, the cotton towels were dehydrated in the dehydration tank of a two-tank washing machine (manufactured by TOSHIBA, model number: VH-52G(H)) for 3 minutes and dried in a constant temperature and humidity chamber at 23°C and 40% RH for 24 hours. In the same manner, the aqueous calcium chloride solution was added so that the hardness became 8° DH, and the addition amount of the 5 mass% aqueous dispersion of the softening base agent was 0.3% o.w.f., and the cotton towels were treated and dried.

[0112] 3) Softness evaluation As a reference, cotton towels treated by the methods of 1) and 2) above were prepared with the following prescriptions for each score. The softness of the cotton towels treated with the softening base agent described in Table 2 was compared with the softness of the reference cotton towels to evaluate the softness. The evaluation was performed by 5 panelists scoring (points) according to the following criteria respectively, and the average value was shown in the table. In the evaluation, each panelist was assumed to be able to evaluate with a score with decimals between each score. Score 1: Equivalent to the softness treated with only 20°C tap water Score 2: Equivalent to the softness treated with a formulation using 0.025% o.w.f. of the reference softening base in 20°C tap water Score 3: Equivalent to the softness treated with a formulation using 0.050% o.w.f. of the reference softening base in 20°C tap water Score 4: Equivalent to the softness treated with a formulation using 0.075% o.w.f. of the reference softening base in 20°C tap water Score 5: Equivalent to the softness treated with a formulation using 0.100% o.w.f. of the reference softening base in 20°C tap water Here, the reference softening base used was ester amide hydrochloride (2-[N-[3-alkanoyl (C14-20) aminopropyl]-N-methylamino]ethyl alkanol (C14-20) ester hydrochloride).

[0113] · Evaluation method for dispersion stability 5 g of the softening base in Table 2 and 95 g of ion-exchanged water were mixed and stirred at 80°C for 20 minutes, then stirred at room temperature (20°C) for 20 minutes and allowed to stand at room temperature for 24 hours. Thereafter, it was further allowed to stand at 5°C for 24 hours. The appearance of the mixture was observed to evaluate the dispersion stability. The evaluation criteria for dispersion stability were as follows. The dispersion stability was evaluated based on the appearance observed at room temperature immediately after stirring at 80°C for 20 minutes (immediately after preparation) and the appearance observed at a liquid temperature of 5°C after standing at 5°C for 24 hours (after standing at 5°C for 24 hours). * Evaluation criteria for dispersion stability ○: No precipitate △: Slight precipitate ×: Abundant precipitate

[0114]

Table 2

[0115] From the results in Table 2, it can be seen that the softening base of the product of the present invention has higher softness than the softening base of the comparative product, and is a softening base with an effect of softening fibers that is superior to other anionic surfactants. Furthermore, it can be seen that the softening base of the product of the present invention exhibits more excellent softness in the treatment using water with high hardness. Also, it can be seen that the softening base of the product of the present invention is excellent in dispersion stability in water.

Claims

1. A softening base containing a compound represented by the following formula (1), wherein in the formula (1), at least one of R1 and R2 is a hydrocarbon group having a branched structure, the hydrocarbon group having the branched structure has a branched chain at the 2-position, and the branched chain is a hydrocarbon group derived from geranylalcohol. 【Chemical 1】 [In the formula, R １ and R ２ each represent a hydrocarbon group having 6 to 24 carbon atoms, and the total number of carbon atoms of R １ and R ２ is 18 to 30. M is a cation (excluding hydrogen ions).]

2. A softening base containing a compound represented by the following formula (1), wherein in the formula (1), at least one of R1 and R2 is a hydrocarbon group having an unsaturated bond. [Chemical Formula 2] [In the formula, R １ and R ２ each represent a hydrocarbon group having 6 to 24 carbon atoms, and the total number of carbon atoms of R １ and R ２ is 18 or more and 30 or less. M is a cation (excluding hydrogen ions).]

3. The softening base according to claim 1, wherein the hydrocarbon group having the branched structure has a branched chain having 2 or more carbon atoms.

4. In the formula 1, R １ and R ２ are each a hydrocarbon group having 6 to 17 carbon atoms, the flexible base agent according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. R １ and R ２ are hydrocarbon groups of the same structure, the compound represented by Formula 1, and R １ and R ２ are hydrocarbon groups of different structures, the flexible base agent according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which contains the compound represented by Formula 1.

6. In the formula 1, R １ and R ２ include hydrocarbon groups having a branched structure, and the proportion of the hydrocarbon groups of R １ and R ２ represented by the formula 4 is 50 mol% or less of the total hydrocarbon groups of R １ and R ２ The flexible base agent according to any one of claims 1 to 5. -R ４１ -CH(CH ３ )-R ４２ Formula 4 (wherein, R ４１ is a linear hydrocarbon group having 3 or more carbon atoms, R ４２ is a hydrocarbon group, R ４１ and R ４２ have a total carbon number of 4 or more and 22 or less.)

7. A fiber treatment agent composition containing the softening base according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The fiber treatment agent composition according to claim 7, wherein the content of the compound represented by the formula (1) is 1% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less.

9. A method for treating a fiber, comprising treating the fiber with the softening base according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the compound represented by the formula (1) is used in an amount of 0.01% o.w.f. or more and 5% o.w.f. or less based on the fiber.

10. The method for treating a fiber according to claim 9, comprising treating the fiber with a treatment liquid obtained by mixing the softening base and water having a hardness of 0°DH or more and 30°DH or less.

11. The method for treating a fiber according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the fiber is a fabric.

12. The method for treating a fiber according to any one of claims 9 to 11, comprising treating the fiber in a washing step.

13. Use of a compound represented by the following formula (1) as a softening base, wherein in the formula (1), at least one of R1 and R2 is a hydrocarbon group having a branched structure, the hydrocarbon group having the branched structure has a branched chain at the 2-position, and the branched chain is a hydrocarbon group derived from geranylalcohol. 【Chemical Formula 3】 [In the formula, R １ and R ２ each represent a hydrocarbon group having 6 to 24 carbon atoms, and the total number of carbon atoms of R １ and R ２ is 18 to 30. M is a cation (excluding hydrogen ions).]

14. Use of a compound represented by the following formula (1) as a softening base, wherein at least one of R1 and R2 is a hydrocarbon group having an unsaturated bond. 【Chemical Formula 4】 [In the formula, R １ and R ２ each represent a hydrocarbon group having 6 to 24 carbon atoms, and the total number of carbon atoms of R １ and R ２ is 18 to 30. M is a cation (excluding hydrogen ions).]

15. The use according to claim 13, wherein the hydrocarbon group having the branched structure has a branched chain having 2 or more carbon atoms.

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