Process for producing betaine/amine oxide mixtures

Abstract

This invention provides a process for producing a betaine/amine oxide mixture. This process comprises reacting, in a liquid medium, an alkali metal ω-halocarboxylate with a first tertiary amine of the formula Ra2RbN, wherein each Ra group is a hydrocarbyl group which independently has from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, and wherein the Rb group is a hydrocarbyl group which has from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms, to produce a betaine product solution. To the betaine product solution is added a second tertiary amine of the formula Ra2RbN, wherein each Ra group is a hydrocarbyl group which independently has from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, and wherein the Rb group is a hydrocarbyl group which has from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms, to produce an amine/betaine mixture. The first and second tertiary amines can be separate portions of the same amine. Preferably, however, the first and second tertiary amines differ from each other. In a carbon dioxide atmosphere, the amine/betaine mixture is mixed with hydrogen peroxide to yield a betaine/amine oxide mixture.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.