Benzethonium chloride

Synonyms

Diisobutyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride; N,N-Dimethyl-N-(2-(2-(4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy)ethoxy)- ethyl)benzenemethanaminium chloride; (2-(2-(4-Diisobutylphenoxy)ethoxy)ethyl)dimethylbenzylammonium chloride; Ammonium, benzyldimethyl(2-(2-(p-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy)ethoxy)ethyl)-, chloride; Anti-germ 77; Antiseptol; Antiseptol (quarternary compound); BZT; BZT (VAN); Banagerm; Benzenemethanaminium, N,N-dimethyl-N-(2-(2-(4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy)ethoxy)ethyl)-, chloride; Benzethoni chloridum; Benzethonii chloridum [INN-Latin]; Benzethonium chloride 1622; Benzethoniumchloride; Benzetonio cloruro; Benzetonio cloruro [DCIT]; Benzetonium chloride; Benzyldimethyl(2-(2-(4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy)ethoxy)ethyl)ammonium chloride; Benzyldimethyl(2-(2-(p-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy)ethoxy)ethyl)ammonium chloride; Benzyldimethyl-p-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxyethoxy-ethylammonium chloride; Chlorure de benzethonium [INN-French]; Cloruro de benzetonio [INN-Spanish]; Diapp; Diisobutylphenoxyethoxyethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride; Diisobutylphenoxyethoxyethyldimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride; Disilyn; Formula 144; Hyamine; Hyamine 1622; Inactisol; Kylacol; N,N-Dimethyl-N-(2-(2-(4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy)ethoxy)ethyl)-benzenemethanaminium chloride; Phemeride; Phemerol chloride; Phemithyn; Polymine D; QAC; Quatrachlor; Sanizol; Solamin; Solamine; p-Diisobutyl phenoxyethoxyethyl dimethyl benzylammonium chloride; p-tert-Octylphenoxyethoxyethyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride; [ChemIDplus]

Category

Quaternary Amines

Description

Colorless or white solid in various forms; Hygroscopic; Soluble in water; [ICSC] White powder; [MSDSonline] Very bitter taste; 1% solution has a pH of 4.8-5.5; [HSDB]

Sources/Uses

Used as a cationic detergent, germicide for cleansing food and dairy utensils, swimming pool algaecide, dandruff-control agent, deodorant, topical antiseptic, spermicide, and astringent; [HSDB] Used as a preservative in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals and as a reagent for determining protein in cerebrospinal fluid; [Merck Index]

Comments

When used as a spermaticide, can cause vaginal irritation; Fatal dose by ingestion is 1-3 grams; In fatal cases after accidental ingestion, patients had vomiting, convulsions, and coma; Concentrations of 0.1% to 1% are eye irritants; Skin absorption is probably insignificant; [HSDB] Corrosive to eyes; A skin irritant; [ICSC] Allergic contact dermatitis is infrequently documented; [Marks, p. 266] Quaternary ammonium compounds have curare-like properties when concentrated solutions are ingested; Affected patients may have methemoglobinemia and hemolysis and die within 1-3 hours; Elevated liver function tests were reported; Concentrated solutions can cause burns; No data on carcinogenicity or teratogenicity; [IPCS-PIMs] No interference with embryo development in rats; No human data; [REPROTOX] An irritant; May cause serious eye injury; Effects in high-dose animal studies include convulsions; [MSDSonline] See "Benzalkonium chloride."

Biomedical References

Explanatory Notes

mp = 160-165 deg C; [Merck Index]

Yes

MetHgb is secondary toxic effect

Other CNS neurotoxin

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Skin burns

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Contact dermatitis, allergic

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Dressing Hair
• Using Disinfectants or Biocides