Patent ID: 6166232
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
Process for producing ester quats with the formula (I) ##STR6## where X.sup.- is an anion of an inorganic or organic acid, R.sub.a is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl group, R.sub.b and R.sub.c are each, independently of one another, a C.sub.1 to C.sub.3 alkylene group, and R.sub.d is a C.sub.6 to C.sub.22 fragment of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acid, m, n, p, and q are integers, m has a value from 1 to 3, n a value from 0 to 3, p a value from 0 to 1, m+n+p=4, and q has the value 1 or, if m=3, n=0, and p=1, the value 2, the process comprising esterifying a quaternary compound of the formula (II) ##STR7## where X, R.sub.a, R.sub.b, R.sub.c, m, n, p, and q have the above meanings, in the presence of a catalyst comprising at least one of an oxo acid of phosphorus, an alkali salt of an oxo acid of phosphorus, an alkaline-earth salt of an oxo acid of phosphorus, or mixtures thereof, with a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic C.sub.6 to C.sub.22 carboxylic acid, alone or in a mixture, while withdrawing water.