Treatment of metal surfaces

Abstract

Complex phosphate ester surfactants derived from a quaternary dihydroxy compound having the formula ##STR1## wherein R and R.sub.1 represent the same or different alkyl moieties containing 1 to 22 carbon atoms, the sum of R and R.sub.1 not being less than 7 carbon atoms; R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 each represent H or CH.sub.3 ; n is an integer having an average value of from 1 to 50; X is an anion of halogen, sulfate, or alkyl sulfate; and wherein the resultant complex phosphate ester contains at least 1/3 P atom per mole of quaternary dihydroxy compound; can be made through reaction of such dihydroxy quaternary compound with a conventional phosphating agent such as P.sub.2 O.sub.5, polyphosphoric acid, or POCl.sub.3 to form interesting amphoteric surface active agents having utility as metal lubricants, heavy duty cleaners, detergents, etc.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.