Method of producing quaternary pyridinium compounds

Abstract

The method of preparing quaternary pyridinium compounds having the formula ##STR1## WHEREIN R represents alkyl, ##STR2## in which A is phenyl, naphthyl, carbostyrilyl, pyrazolinyl and substituted derivatives thereof where the substitutents are selected from the group consisting of alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, NO.sub.2, Cl, Br, phenyl, nitrophenyl and methylsulfonate; B is -O-alkylene-, ##STR3## AND C is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, NHCOR.sub.1 and, when B is -O-alkylene, C can also be --OR.sub.2 -- where R.sub.1 is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R.sub.2 is alkylene of 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and wherein R.sub.4 represents lower alkyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, halophenyl, alkylphenyl or naphthyl, m represents an integer of 1 or 2 and m' is equal to m. The process for preparing the particularly designated compounds above comprises contacting pyridine and a hydroxy-containing compound having the formula: R'--(OH).sub.n wherein R' represents alkyl, ##STR4## in which A' is phenyl, naphthyl, carbostyrilyl, pyrazolinyl and substituted derivatives thereof where the substituents are selected from the group consisting of alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, NO.sub.2, Cl, Br, phenyl, nitrophenyl and hydroxy; B, C, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are as defined above; and n is an integer of 1 or 2 and is equivalent to m defined above; reacting the pyridine and said hydroxy-containing compound in the presence of a sulfonyl halide having the formula R.sub.4 SO.sub.2 X wherein R.sub.4 is as defined above and X is Cl, Br or F; and conducting the reaction at an elevated temperature up to the reflux temperature of the reaction mixture. The quaternary pyridinium compounds can be used to prepare cationic surfactants, cationic pharmaceuticals, cationic dyestuffs, pesticides, fungicides and agricultural chemicals.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.