PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF FABRIC SOFTENING ACTIVES AND PRODUCTS EMPLOYING SAME

摘要

A process for the preparation of a biodegradable fabric softening active is provided. The process comprises the steps of: a) providing a source of triglyceride and reacting said source of triglyceride to form a mixture, said mixture comprising fatty acids having the formula R<1>CO2H, fatty acid esters having the formula R<1>CO2R", or mixtures thereof; wherein R<1> is C1-C22 alkyl, C2-C22 alkenyl, and mixtures thereof; R" is C1-C4 alkyl, C2-C4 monohydroxyalkyl, C3-C4 dihydroxyalkyl; b) reacting said mixture from step (a) with one or more amines having formula (I) wherein R is C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 hydroxyalkyl, benzyl, or mixtures thereof; each Z is independently selected from the group consisting of -OH, -CHR'OH, -CH(OH)CH2OH, -NH2, and mixtures thereof, wherein R' is C1-C4 alkyl; m is an integer from 1 to 3; n is an integer from 1 to 4; to form a fabric softening active precursor mixture having formula (II) wherein R, R<1>, m, and n are the same as above; Y has formula (III), (IV), (V) and (VI) or mixtures thereof; wherein R<1> and R' are the same as above; and c) quaternizing said fabric softening active precursor mixture from step (b) by reacting said mixture with a quaternizing agent of the formula RX, wherein R is the same as defined in step (b) and X is a softener compatible anion, forming a fabric softening active having formula (VII) wherein R, R<1>, X, Y, m, and n are the same as above; provided at least step (c) is carried out in the presence of a chelating agent selected from the group consisting of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, ethylenediamine-N, N'-disuccinnic acid, and mixtures thereof. A process for forming a fabric softener premix and a fabric softening composition as well as products for all three processes is also provided.