Benzethonium chloride
Benzethonium chloride is a synthetic quaternary ammonium salt with surfactant, antiseptic, and anti-infective properties. It is primarily used in first aid antiseptics as a skin disinfectant and is also used in deodorant, mouthwash, and food products.
Etymology[edit | edit source]
The term "Benzethonium" is derived from its chemical structure, which consists of a benzyl group attached to an ethonium ion. The "chloride" refers to the anion that is paired with the benzethonium cation.
Chemical Structure and Properties[edit | edit source]
Benzethonium chloride is a white, crystalline powder with a very bitter taste. It is highly soluble in water and ethanol, but insoluble in acetone and ether. The compound is a strong cationic surfactant, which means it can reduce the surface tension of water, making it an effective cleaning and disinfecting agent.
Uses[edit | edit source]
Benzethonium chloride is widely used in the healthcare industry due to its antiseptic and disinfectant properties. It is found in many over-the-counter first aid products, including wound wash sprays and antiseptic towelettes. It is also used in the food industry as a hard surface disinfectant.
In personal care products, benzethonium chloride is used as a preservative and antimicrobial agent. It can be found in deodorants, mouthwashes, hand sanitizers, and wet wipes.
Safety and Toxicity[edit | edit source]
While benzethonium chloride is generally considered safe for topical use, it can cause skin irritation in some individuals, especially with prolonged or repeated exposure. Ingestion or inhalation of benzethonium chloride can be harmful and should be avoided.
Related Compounds[edit | edit source]
Benzethonium chloride is a member of the quaternary ammonium compounds family, which also includes benzalkonium chloride and cetrimonium chloride. These compounds share similar chemical structures and properties, including their antiseptic and surfactant abilities.
See Also[edit | edit source]
| Benzethonium chloride Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
