High di(alkyl fatty ester) quaternary ammonium compounds in fabric softening and personal care compositions

A process for the preparation of a quaternary ammonium salt which comprises reacting, at a temperature of from about 170.degree. C. to 250.degree. C.:

• I) a C.sub.12 -C.sub.23 substituted or unsubstituted fatty acid or mixture of fatty acids having an Iodine Value of from about 3 to about 90, with
• II) an alkanolamine of the formula:
• ##STR12## wherein R, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently selected from C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 hydroxyalkyl groups, wherein the molar ratio of said fatty acid to alkanol amine is from about 1.4-2.0, and wherein said reaction temperature is increased from about 70.degree. C. to a range of from about 170.degree. to 250.degree. C., wherein the rate of temperature increase is maintained at an average rate of greater than about 0.4.degree. C. per minute in order to obtain an ester composition with greater than about 55 wt % diester component and less than about 25 wt % triester component and alkylating same in order to obtain the improved quaternary ammonium salt product.

A quaternary ammonium compound which is derived from the reaction of a fatty acid and an ether alkanolamine, wherein said quaternary ammonium compound is of the general formula (IV):

• ##STR14## wherein n is an integer from 1 to 2, R is a C.sub.5 to C.sub.23 straight or branched chain, optionally substituted alkyl or alkylene group, each X can be the same or different and is selected from straight or branched chain, optionally substituted oxyalkylene or polyoxyalkylene groups having from 2-6 carbon atoms;
• each Q can be the same or different and is selected from a oxyalkylene or polyoxyalkylene group, or a straight or branched chain, optionally substituted alkyl, alkylene, alkyl phenyl, hydroxyalkyl, or hydroxyalkylene group, wherein at least one of said Q groups is a C.sub.2 to C.sub.6 linear or branched chain oxyalkylene or polyoxyalkylene capped with a C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl, or an alkyl phenyl group;
• and Z.sup.- is a compatible anion.