Synthesis of novel bleaching catalyst containing macrocyclic manganese complexes and potential applications in laundry detergent

A bleaching catalyst based on manganese complexes, consisting of meso‐5,5,7,12,12,14‐hexamethyl‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane and racemic‐5,5,7,12,12,14‐hexamethyl‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane ligands, was synthesized and applied at 25°C to cotton fabrics stained with tea, coffee, curry, and sugar beet to examine the bleaching properties. The bleaching performance of this novel catalyst was higher than that of the conventional activator, tetraacetyl ethylenediamine (TAED). Dye and fabric damage were also examined for six differently dyed test fabrics under stressed conditions over 30 wash cycles. The dye damage induced by the catalyst was significantly less than that induced by TAED in direct black 22, reactive blue 225, reactive red 158, and sulfur blue 19. Tensile strength loss measurement, which represents fabric damage, showed less damage for the catalyst in direct black 22, direct blue 71, reactive red 158, and sulfur blue 19. The results indicate that this new bleaching catalyst could potentially be employed for low‐temperature bleaching.