Denatonium benzoate

Agent Name
Denatonium benzoate
Alternative Name
Bitrex
CAS Number
3734-33-6
Formula
C21-H29-N2-O.C7-H5-O2
Major Category
Nitrogen Compounds
Denatonium benzoate formula graphical representation
Synonyms
Denatonium benzoate anhydrous; N-(2-((2,6-Dimethylphenyl)amino)-2-oxoethyl)-N,N-diethylbenzenemethanaminium benzoate; Anispray; Aversion; Benzenemethanaminium, N-(2-((2,6-dimethylphenyl)amino)-2-oxoethyl)-N,N-diethyl-, benzoate; Benzoate de denatonium [INN-French]; Benzoato de denatonio [INN-Spanish]; Benzyldiethyl((2,6-xylylcarbamoyl)methyl)ammonium benzoate; Bitrex; Denatonii benzoas [INN-Latin]; Denatonium; Gori; Lidocaine benzyl benzoate; THS-839; WIN 16568; Ammonium, benzyldiethyl((2,6-xylylcarbamoyl)methyl)-, benzoate; ((2,6-Xylylcarbamoyl)methyl)diethyl benzyl ammonium benzoate; [ChemIDplus] Lignocaine benzyl benzoate; [Merck Index] ARBINOL B; [EFSA: DAR - Vol. 1]
Category
Other Aromatics (Nitrogen)
Description
Solid; [Merck Index] White odorless solid; [EFSA: DAR - Vol. 1]
Sources/Uses
Used as an alcohol denaturant and flavor in pharmaceuticals; "Added to toxic substances as a deterrent to accidental ingestion"; [Merck Index] Formerly registered in the US for use as a disinfectant; [NPIRS] Used in the EU to deter deer from chewing on trees; [EFSA: DAR - Vol. 1] Permitted for use as an inert ingredient in non-food pesticide products; [EPA] "Denatonium is used in denatured alcohol, antifreeze, nail biting preventions, respirator mask fit-testing, animal repellents, liquid soaps, and shampoos." [Wikipedia]
Comments
Causes somnolence, tremor, and ataxia in oral lethal-dose studies of rabbits and rats; [RTECS] One of the most bitter substances known; [Merck Index] There is one 1980 case report of urticaria and asthma; [PMID 7214890] Classified in the EU as harmful by ingestion, highly toxic by inhalation, and may cause serious eye injury; [EFSA: DAR - Vol. 1] A skin and strong eye irritant; Harmful by ingestion; [Sigma-Aldrich MSDS]
Biomedical References

Exposure Assessment

Lethal Concentration
LC50 (rat) = 200 mg/m3

Adverse Effects

Neurotoxin
Other CNS neurotoxin

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Other Information
No other related information on this agent was found.