Cationic surfactants comprising an ether link

A method of making a cationic surfactant comprising:

• reacting a lipophilic bio-based material having at least one epoxy functional group with a hydrophilic organic compound having at least one cationic functional group and at least one hydroxyl functional group in the presence of a catalyst comprising a salt of tetrafluoroborate to form a reaction product containing an ether linkage connecting the lipophilic bio-based material to the organic compound;
• wherein the lipophilic material is selected from epoxidized soybean oil, epoxidized canola oil, epoxidized linseed oil, epoxidized high oleic soybean oil, epoxidized olive oil, epoxidized peanut oil, epoxidized palm oil, epoxidized hemp oil, epoxidized algal oil, epoxidized marine oils epoxidized microorganism oils, vernonia oil, epoxidized methyl soyate, epoxidized methyl oleate, epoxidized methyl linolinate, epoxidized methyl linoleate, vernolic acid, or combinations thereof;
• and
• wherein the organic compound comprises an amine, a phosphine, a guanidine derivative, or an onium compound.