Abstract: Disclosed is a high yield process for preparing di-substituted imidazoline fabric conditioning compounds. In this process, an acylating agent such as fatty acid is reacted with a specific polyamine, and the product of this reaction is thereafter reacted with either a fatty acid ester or glyceride under specifically-defined conditions and in the presence of an esterifying catalyst such as titanium alkoxide. Use of particular reaction conditions and an esterification catalyst significantly increases the yield of di-substituted imidazoline compounds.

Abstract: Disclosed are textile treatment compositions comprising a quaternized di-substituted imidazoline ester fabric softening compound, a nonionic fabric softening compound, and a liquid carrier. The textile treatment compositions of the present invention possess desirable storage-stability, viscosity, and fabric-conditioning properties. The compositions may be in the form of aqueous dispersions or solid compositions releasably affixed to a solid carrier.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high yield process for quaternizing imidazoline ester compounds in the absence of lower alcohol solvents and under anhydrous conditions. The reaction product of this process contains a quaternized imidazoline ester fabric softening compound and, optionally, an imidazoline ester compound. In the process of this invention, an imidazoline ester compound is intitially heated to form an anhydrous melt. This anhydrous melt is subsequently contacted with a quaternizing agent selected from small chain organic halides and sulfates. The imidazoline ester compound and quaterinzing agent are then reacted under anhydrous conditions for a period of time sufficient for substantially all of said quaterinzing agent to react with said imidazoline ester compound to form a quaternized imidazoline ester compound.