a mixture of specified long chain aliphatic alcohols is contacted at atmospheric pressure and at an elevated temperature with ammonia in the presence of a hydrogenation - dehydrogenation catalyst while continuously removing water of reaction and excess ammonia , to produce a mixture of aliphatic amines predominating in secondary amines . such amine product is quaternized to yield corresponding mixtures of fabric softening quaternary ammonium compounds capable of providing aqueous dispersions thereof exhibiting outstanding stability characteristics at low concentrations of active content .