Quaternary ammonium compounds and method for their manufacture

A quaternary ammonium compound having the formula:

• ##STR23## wherein t is either 1, 2, or 3, R.sub.2 is H--, a C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 straight- or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl radical, a phenyl group, a benzyl group, or a halogenated alkyl group;
• R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are different or the same and are selected from the group including H--, or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 straight- or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl radical, a phenyl group, or a benzyl group, n is an integer between 0 and 30, inclusive, R.sub.6 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl or alkoxy group, and R.sub.7 is a C.sub.2 or C.sub.3 alkyl group, said quaternary ammonium compound having a water content not greater than 1.2 percent.

A method of making an ethoxylated quaternary ammonium glycol borate ester, comprising blending boric acid with an alkylene glycol so as to form an alkylene glycol borate ester;

• removing the majority of water from said alkylene glycol borate ester so that water remaining therein does not exceed 0.2% of the total weight of said alkylene glycol borate ester and said water;
• adding said alkylene glycol borate ester to a primary, secondary, or tertiary amine so as to form an aminated alkylene glycol borate ester;
• and alkoxylating said aminated alkylene glycol borate ester with an alkylene oxide in the presence of a solvent.

A method of making an ethoxylated quaternary ammonium glycol borate ester, comprising blending boric acid with an alkylene glycol and heating the blend so as to form an alkylene glycol borate ester;

• removing the majority of water from said alkylene glycol borate ester;
• adding said alkylene glycol borate ester to a primary, secondary, or tertiary amine so as to form an aminated alkylene glycol borate ester;
• and alkoxylating said aminated alkylene glycol borate ester with an alkylene oxide in the presence of a solvent.