Benzalkonium Chloride

Name:
Benzalkonium Chloride
Detailed information:
A mixture of alkyl dimethylbenzylammonium chlorides of general formula C₆H₅CH₂N(CH₃)₂RCl in which R is a mixture of the alkyls from C₈H₁₇ to C₁₈H₃₇. It is a typical quaternary ammonium salt.

Properties:

White or yellowish-white, amorphous powder or gelatinous pieces; aromatic odor; very bitter taste. Soluble in water, alcohol, or acetone; almost insoluble in ether; slightly soluble in benzene. Water solutions foam strongly when shaken and are alkaline to litmus.

Grade:

USP.

Hazard:

Highly toxic.

Use:

Cationic detergent; surface antiseptic; fungicide.