We compute the momentum dependence of the effective four quark interac
tion in QCD after integrating out the gluons. Our method is based on a
truncation of exact renormalization group equations which should give
reasonable results for momenta above the confinement scale. The diffe
rence between the four quark interaction and the heavy quark potential
can be minimized for an optimal renormalization scheme in the Landau
gauge. Within the momentum range relevant for quarkonia our results ag
ree with phenomenological potentials. We also calculate the propagator
s for gluons and ghosts in the Landau gauge.