Patent ID: 8163951

Claim:
A process for preparing a quaternary ammonium compound, which comprises a) reacting an amine compound comprising at least one sp 3 -hybridized nitrogen atom with a dialkyl sulfate or trialkyl phosphate to give a quaternary ammonium compound which has at least some polyvalent anions and not more than 100 ppm monoalkylsulfate anions, wherein said amine compound is reacted with a dialkyl sulfate with participation of both alkyl groups of said dialkyl sulfate to give a quaternary ammonium compound having sulfate anions or wherein said amine compound is reacted with a trialkyl phosphate with participation of at least two of the alkyl groups of the trialkyl phosphate to give a quaternary ammonium compound having phosphate anions and/or not more than 100 ppm monoalkylphosphate anions, and b) subjecting the quaternary ammonium compound obtained in step a) to an anion exchange.