Method of preparing high molecular weight polyamines

An improved process for making high molecular weight polyamine comprising:

• reacting, in the presence of a self-limiting neutralizing agent, an alkylene dihalide selected from the group consisting of ethylene and 1,2-propylene dihalides with a nitrogen containing compound having the structural formula ##STR3## where x is an integer of 0-5 and R is an alkylene radical selected from the group consisting of ##STR4## to produce said polyamine and an acid by-product, said self-limiting agent being present at the outset of the reaction in an amount sufficient to neutralize substantially all of said acid by-product produced from the reaction,
• said self-limiting agent being a basic reagent with a sufficiently low, aqueous solubility and K.sub.b for neutralizing said acid by-product as it is produced while maintaining the pH of said reaction at a generally constant alkaline value;
• and
• reacting said polyamine with a quaternizing agent.