The Quarternisation of Tertiary Amines with Dihalomethane

Whereas dichloromethane is inert towards reaction with most tertiary amines under atmospheric conditions, it readily reacts with a wide variety at high pressures to produce α-chloro quaternary ammonium and even bis-ammonium salts. The reaction of dichloromethane and dibromomethane with eleven tertiary amines and properties of the products are described.