Process for preparing mono-long chain amine oxide surfactants with low nitrite, nitrosamine and low residual peroxide

A process for preparing aqueous mono-long chain amine oxide surfactant compositions which contain more than 30% amine oxide wherein said process consists essentially of the steps:

• A. forming an aqueous solution of bicarbonate, the amount of said bicarbonate being from about 0.3% to about 2.5% by weight of the amine of Step B, and wherein said bicarbonate is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal bicarbonates, alkaline earth bicarbonates, bicarbonate precursors, and mixtures thereof,
• B. adding a tertiary amine having the general formula:
• wherein each R1 and R2 are C1-C4 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups;
• and R3 is a C8 to C18 alkyl or alkenyl group;
• and
• C. oxidizing said amine with hydrogen peroxide to form the corresponding mono-long chain amine oxide having the general formula:
• wherein R1, R2, and R3 are defined as above;
• wherein of the reaction exotherm is allowed to reach a temperature within the range of about 60° C. to about 70° C. and is then maintained within that range until the hydrogen peroxide level is 50 ppm or less, and wherein said process is essentially free of any phase modifying solvent.