Process for preparing quaternized imidazoline fabric conditioning compounds

A process for preparing a reaction product containing a quaternized imidazoline ester compound and, optionally, an imidazoline ester compound, said process comprising:

• (a) forming an anhydrous melt of an imidazoline ester compound of the formula ##STR36## wherein R and R.sup.1 are, independently, a C.sub.11 -C.sub.21 hydrocarbyl group, and m and n are, independently, from 2 to 4 inclusive;
• (b) contacting said anhydrous melt with a quaternizing agent of the formula R.sup.2 X or R.sup.2.sub.2 X, wherein R.sup.2 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl or benzyl group and X is a halide or sulfate, to form a liquid reaction mixture, said liquid reaction mixture being maintained free of lower alcohol solvents;
• and
• (c) maintaining said liquid reaction mixture under anhydrous conditions at a temperature ranging from about 50.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C. for a period of time sufficient to form said reaction product, wherein said reaction product contains from about to 100 mole percent of a quaternized imidazoline ester compound of the formula ##STR37## or mixtures thereof, wherein R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, X, m and n are as defined in subparagraphs (a) and (b), and from 0 to about 99 mole percent of the imidazoline ester compound contained in subparagraph (a).