Sulfosuccinate, alkyl- and alkenyl sulfosuccinate, sulfomaleate, and

Abstract

Sulfosuccinate polygalactomannan half-esters, as well as the alkyl- and alkenyl-sulfosuccinates thereof, are prepared by reacting the gum with sulfosuccinic anhydride or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.22 -alkyl- or C.sub.3 -C.sub.22 -alkenyl sulfosuccinic anhydride. The reactions are carried out at about pH 7.5 in a two-phase system of solid gum slurried in an aqueous medium containing a water-miscible solvent. Sulfomaleate half-esters are prepared in a similar manner using sulfomaleic anhydride. Disulfosuccinate half-esters are prepared by reacting the sulfomaleate gum half-ester with sulfurous acid or a bisulfite salt such as sodium bisulfite.