Process for preparing quaternary alkammonium halides

A process for making an alkylammonium halide of the formula (I):

• [(R)y—N—[CH2—CH(OH)—CH2—Z]4-y]+X− (I)
• wherein y is 1 or 2;
• Z is halogen;
• X— is halide;
• and
• R, at each occurrence, is independently H or C1-C18 alkyl, provided that at least one R is C1-C18,
• the process comprising:
• reacting a mono or di alkylamine hydrohalide salt and its corresponding free amine with at least two equivalents of an epihalohydrin.