| abstract |
A method for the preparation of C<sub>1</sub>-C<sub>20</sub>-alkyl or aryl-substituted alkyl, C<sub>8</sub>-C<sub>20</sub>-alkyl quaternary ammonium carbonates of the formula wherein R<sup>1</sup> is a C<sub>1</sub>-C<sub>20</sub>-alkyl or aryl-substituted alkyl group, and R<sup>2</sup> is a C<sub>8</sub>-C<sub>20</sub>-alkyl group, said method comprising (a) reacting a quaternary ammonium chloride reactant and a metal hydroxide reactant in an alcohol solvent to yield a quaternary ammonium hydroxide and (b) reacting said quaternary ammonium hydroxide with carbon dioxide to yield the desired quaternary ammonium carbonate.The products are particularly useful in wood preservative systems, as surfactants and as biocides. |