Synthesis of Tallow Based Esterquat

“Esterquat” which is basically the class of surface active quaternary + ammonium compounds have general formula R N X .Locally available cheap raw 4 material were used to synthesized cationic fabric softeners. Free fatty acids were derived o from beef tallow and were treated with triethanolamine at 135 C. The obtained di-ester was refluxed with different mole ratios of dimethyl sulphate to obtain a viscous quaternary ammonium compound; the best mole ratio for DMS to Esterquat was 1.5:1. The synthesized Esterquats were evaluated for percentage yield (81.7%) and cationic content (35.7%). Physical and chemical properties were evaluated by various tests like feel panel test, water absorbing capacity and heat stability on different fabric substrates i.e., synthetic as well as natural. It was further characterized by IR spectra. Introduction short treatment time and generally, Mostly Quats are solids and have exhaustion should take place in about indefinite melting point and decompose five minutes, for the softener to be on heating. Lower molecular Quats are effective and economically useable. It soluble in water e.g. tetra methyl must impart softness, fluffiness and ammonium chloride(1) while solubility lubricity to the treated cloths and reduce decreases in polar solvent and increases static build up (5). The first fabric in non polar solvent with the increase in softeners were developed for the textile molecular weight of quaternary industry during the early twentieth ammonium compound (> C10) (1-3). century. At that time the process used to dye cotton fibers left them feeling harsh Higher order quaternary ammonium to skin. In the early 1900s, preparations compound exhibit surface active known as cotton softeners were properties and are known as cationic developed to improve the feel of cotton surfactant. (4). It is the main constituent fibers after dyeing. A typical cotton of fabric softener composition. Fabric softener consisted of seven parts water, softener also called Fabric Conditioner is three parts soap, and one part olive, corn, used to prevent static cling and make or tallow. Cationic softeners were fabric feel softer. Popular brand names discovered in the early 20th century but include Lenor, Downy, Snuggle, and were not used by textile industry until the Comfort. The use of fabric softener may late 1930's (6). They become technically however reduce the water absorption important after Domagk discovered their capabilities of the fabric, and is bacteriostatic and fungicidal properties contradicted in some articles like (7). microfiber textiles. An effective softener must be readily dispersible in rinse water The first house hold fabric use softener and rapidly absorbed so that uniform was produced in U.S in 1955's was di deposition on the fabric can occur within (hydrogenated tallow) dimethyl 1-For Proof and Correspondence: Mehwish Akram Journal of Scientific Research Vol. XXXX No. 1, June, 2010