Organoclay compositions having quaternary ammonium ion having one or more branched alkyl substituents

An organoclay composition where a phyllosilicate clay is exchanged with quaternary ammonium ions having a formula of [NR1R2R3R4]+ wherein at least one of R1, R2 and R3 is a mixture of branched alkyl groups. Organoclay compositions exhibit different properties compared to prior art organoclay compositions exchanged with quaternary ammonium ions having a formula of [NRaRbRcRd]+ where at least one of Ra, Rb, Rc and Rd is a not a mixture of branched alkyl groups but a single branched alkyl group, such as 12-methyl stearyl, having a branching point located at a single position along the linear backbone of the branched alkyl group.