Abstract: This invention provides a process for producing a betaine/amine oxide mixture. This process comprises reacting, in a liquid medium, an alkali metal &ohgr;-halocarboxylate with a first tertiary amine of the formula Ra2RbN, wherein each Ra group is a hydrocarbyl group which independently has from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, and wherein the Rb group is a hydrocarbyl group which has from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms, to produce a betaine product solution. To the betaine product solution is added a second tertiary amine of the formula Ra2RbN, wherein each Ra group is a hydrocarbyl group which independently has from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, and wherein the Rb group is a hydrocarbyl group which has from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms, to produce an amine/betaine mixture. The first and second tertiary amines can be separate portions of the same amine. Preferably, however, the first and second tertiary amines differ from each other.

Abstract: Exothermic oxidation of tertiary amine with aqueous hydrogen peroxide in an aqueous reaction medium formed or being formed from tertiary amine, aqueous hydrogen peroxide, carbon dioxide, and optionally chelating agent and/or additional water, is initiated at about 15 to about 25.degree. C., and while agitating the reaction mixture, the temperature is allowed to rise adiabatically to a temperature in the range of about 50 to about 100.degree. C. In this way, it is possible to produce tertiary amine oxides with very low levels, if any, of nitrosamine impurity, without addition of metal and/or phosphorus-containing components recommended in the prior art. Even though a substantial portion of the reaction is performed at temperatures in the range of about 50-100.degree. C., nitrosamine content, if any, in the resultant tertiary amine oxide product can be well below 30 ppb, and the free amine content, if any, can be well below 0.3 wt %.

Abstract: Exothermic oxidation of tertiary amine with aqueous hydrogen peroxide in an aqueous reaction medium formed or being formed from tertiary amine, aqueous hydrogen peroxide, carbon dioxide, and optionally chelating agent and/or additional water, is initiated at about 15 to about 25.degree. C., and while agitating the reaction mixture, the temperature is allowed to rise adiabatically to a temperature in the range of about 50 to about 100.degree. C. In this way, it is possible to produce tertiary amine oxides with very low levels, if any, of nitrosamine impurity, without addition of metal and/or phosphorus-containing components recommended in the prior art. Even though a substantial portion of the reaction is performed at temperatures in the range of about 50-100.degree. C., nitrosamine content, if any, in the resultant tertiary amine oxide product can be well below 30 ppb.