Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making di(acyloxyalkyl) di(alkyl) ammonium compounds useful as fabric softeners. The corresponding di(hydroxyalkyl) tertiary amine is diesterified under conditions determined to minimize the formation of monoester side product and then the diester is quaternized under conditions effective to minimize degradation of the quaternized diester.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds useful as biodegradable fabric softeners, of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is alkyl containing up to 22 carbon atoms, alkyl containing up to 22 carbon atoms and one or more ethylenic bonds, acyl containing 2 to 22 carbon atoms, or H;R.sub.1 is ##STR2## Z.sub.1, Z.sub.2, and Z.sub.3 are each alkylene containing 2-8 carbon atoms in the principal chain and a total of up to 15 carbon atoms;Y is an integer from 1-3;R.sub.3 is methyl, ethyl or H;R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are each alkyl containing up to 22 carbon atoms, alkyl containing up to 22 carbon atoms and one or more ethylenic bond, or --Z.sub.2 --OR;R.sub.5 is methyl, ethyl, hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, or H;R.sub.6 is methyl, ethyl, hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, or benzyl;R.sub.7 is ##STR3## X--is a salt forming anion.