Substituted imidazoline reactions with chloroacetate salts

A process for making an amphoteric surfactant composition having low skin irritation and low eye irritation characteristics comprising the steps of

• (A) first heating an agitated mixture comprised of
• (1) at least one substantially pure compound of the formula:
• ##STR5## where:
• R is an aliphatic radical containing from about 5 to 19 carbon atoms per molecule, and
• n is a positive whole number of from 2 to 4, inclusive,
• (2) at least one chloroacetate salt wherein the cationic portion thereof is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, ions, and
• (3) water
• said mixture containing the equivalent of from about 1.0 to 2.5 moles of said chloroacetate salt for each mole of said formula compound, and further containing a quantity of water such that said mixture comprises from about 20 to 50 weight percent solids on a 100 weight percent total said mixture basis, said first heating being conducted at a temperature ranging from about 70.degree. to 80.degree. l C. for a time sufficient to substantially completely consume said chloroacetate salt,
• (B) mixing with the resulting reactant mixture from about 1 to 2.5 moles, corresponding to the equivalent molar amount of chloroacetate salt added to said reactant mixture in step A of at least one base selected from the group consisting of alkali metal hydroxides, and then
• (C) secondly heating the resulting reactant mixture at a temperature of from about 70.degree. to 80.degree. C. at least until substantially all of the imidazoline rings present in said resulting reactant mixture have opened, thereby forming a clear aqueous solution of from about 15 to 35 weight percent linear amphoteric compounds on a 100 weight percent total solution basis.