Abstract: The reaction of an imidazoline base of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R represents an aliphatic group comprising from 6 to 22 carbon atoms and R.sub.1 represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkenyl group comprising 1 to 4 carbon atoms, with a carbo-alkylating agent is carried out in two stages. Initially the pH is maintained in the range 7 to 11 and subsequently it is maintained in the range 9 to 12.5. These conditions encourage at least part of the imidazoline to undergo alkylation followed by hydrolysis and further alkylation. The di alkylated amidoamines thus produced are believed to be novel. The reaction products are surfactants which exhibit very low skin irritancy and have a desirably low viscosity. They find particular application in shampoo formulations.

Abstract: Sulph(on)ation of organic feedstocks is performed with undiluted sulphur trioxide in a recycle loop reactor in which the feedstock is diluted with its recycled sulph(on)ation product, contact of the feedstock and sulphur trioxide occurs under conditions of turbulent flow and the recycle ratio is high.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for reducing the diamide content of imidazolines having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R represents an aliphatic group having from at least 4 carbon atoms and R.sub.1 represents an alkyl or alkenyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.The mixture of imidazoline and diamide is reacted with a primary or secondary amine which deacylates the diamide to an amido-amine. The product of this deacylation is an imidazoline solution which remains clear even on prolonged storage.The imidazoline is produced by reaction of an acid RCOOH with a diamine NH.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.2 NHR.sub.1. Preferably this diamine is used as the deacylating agent.