Sorbitol → Sorbitol hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride

Herein is provided a synthesis procedure for the chloride salt of hydroxypropyltrimonium sorbitol (also referred to as ‘Sorbitol Monoquat’). A round bottom 250 ml flask was fitted with a mechanical stirrer. Into the flask was charged a mixture of sorbitol (10 g, 55.0 mmol) and 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethylammonium chloride (Quat 188®) (15 ml, 55.0 mmol). One molar sodium hydroxide (55.0 ml, 55.0 mmol) was then added to the charged mixture. The resultant solution was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. Water was then removed under reduced pressure at 50° C. yielding a heterogeneous colorless syrup. Filtration through glass wool afforded sorbitol hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride as a homogeneous clear syrup: m/z (ESI; M+-Cl−) 298.