Process for preparing N-alkoxycarbonyl-N-alkylcyanamide

In a process for preparing N-[ethoxycarbonyl] alkoxycarbonyl -N-alkylcyanamides of the formula ##STR7## wherein R is alkyl of 1-3 carbon atoms and R' is alkyl of 1-3 carbon atoms by mixing an aqueous solution of an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt of N-alkoxycarbonylcyanamide with a di-C.sub.1-3 alkyl sulfate, the improvement which comprises mixing said aqueous solution with said di-C.sub.1-3 alkyl sulfate in the presence of at least about 0.1 mole % of quaternary hydrocarbyl ammonium ions per mole of N-alkoxycarbonylcyanamide, the hydrocarbyl moieties being selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, alkaryl and aralkyl groups having a total carbon content of from 7 to 60 carbon atoms.