CHLORHEXIDINE (CHX)

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is a cationic bisbiguanide antimicrobial agent used as an antiseptic, disinfectant, preservative-support ingredient, oral-care active, topical hygiene active, and veterinary antimicrobial component, and Chlorhexidine (CHX) is valued for broad-spectrum activity and strong substantivity on skin, mucosa, and other negatively charged surfaces.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is commonly used in oral rinses, dental gels, topical antiseptic products, surgical scrubs, wound-care products, veterinary shampoos, disinfectant systems, and hygiene formulations where controlled antimicrobial activity is required.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is typically used as a salt or solution form such as chlorhexidine digluconate, chlorhexidine diacetate, or chlorhexidine hydrochloride, and Chlorhexidine (CHX) performance depends on salt form, concentration, pH, solubility, surfactant compatibility, formulation vehicle, contact time, and regulatory classification.

CAS Number: 55-56-1
EC Number: 200-238-7
Molecular Formula: C22H30Cl2N10
Molecular Weight: 505.45 g/mol

Synonyms: Chlorhexidine (CHX), Chlorhexidine, CHX, Chlorhexidine Base, 1,1′-Hexamethylenebis[5-(4-Chlorophenyl)biguanide], 1,6-Bis(4-Chlorophenylbiguanido)hexane, Bisbiguanide Antimicrobial, Cationic Antiseptic, Chlorhexidine Antiseptic, Chlorhexidine Antimicrobial Agent, Chlorhexidine Active, Broad-Spectrum Bisbiguanide, Chlorhexidine (CHX), Chlorhexidine, CHX, Chlorhexidine Base, 1,6-Bis(4-chlorophenylbiguanido)hexane, 1,1'-Hexamethylenebis[5-(4-chlorophenyl)biguanide], N,N''-Hexane-1,6-diylbis[N'-(4-chlorophenyl)imidodicarbonimidic Diamide], Bisbiguanide Chlorhexidine, Chlorhexidine Biguanide, Chlorhexidine Antiseptic, Chlorhexidine Antimicrobial, Chlorhexidine Antibacterial Agent, Chlorhexidine Disinfectant, Chlorhexidine Preservative, Chlorhexidine Biocide, Chlorhexidine Oral Care Ingredient, Chlorhexidine Dental Antiseptic, Chlorhexidine Skin Antiseptic, Chlorhexidine Surgical Scrub Ingredient, Chlorhexidine Wound Care Ingredient, Chlorhexidine Personal Care Ingredient, Chlorhexidine Cosmetic Preservative, Chlorhexidine Pharmaceutical Ingredient, Chlorhexidine Pharmaceutical Raw Material, Chlorhexidine Cosmetic Raw Material, Chlorhexidine Technical Grade, Chlorhexidine Industrial Grade, Chlorhexidine Chemical Grade, Chlorhexidine High Purity, High Purity Chlorhexidine, Chlorhexidine Pure, Pure Chlorhexidine, Chlorhexidine Powder, Chlorhexidine Solid, Chlorhexidine CAS 55-56-1, CHX CAS 55-56-1, Chlorhexidine Base CAS 55-56-1, Chlorhexidine Free Base, Free Base Chlorhexidine, Chlorhexidine Intermediate, Chlorhexidine Synthesis Grade, Chlorhexidine for Synthesis, Chlorhexidine Medical Grade

APPLICATIONS

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in topical antiseptic products to reduce microbial contamination on skin and external surfaces.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is incorporated into surgical scrubs, hand washes, skin cleansers, and medicated hygiene products where persistent antimicrobial activity is required.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in healthcare-related skin preparations where broad antibacterial performance and surface binding are important.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in oral-care formulations to reduce oral microbial load and support gum-health applications.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is incorporated into mouth rinses, dental gels, sprays, periodontal products, and professional dental preparations.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in oral hygiene products only at controlled concentrations according to pharmaceutical, dental, cosmetic, or medical-device regulations.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in wound-care products where antimicrobial protection is required.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is incorporated into topical solutions, creams, gels, dressings, and cleansing systems depending on salt form and product approval.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in skin-contact products where irritation, allergic reaction potential, and compatibility must be carefully evaluated.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in veterinary care products as an antimicrobial active in shampoos, rinses, sprays, wipes, and topical preparations.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is incorporated into animal-care formulations where antimicrobial hygiene and odor control are needed.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in veterinary products according to animal species, exposure route, product classification, and local regulatory requirements.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in disinfectant and preservative-support systems where cationic antimicrobial activity is compatible with the formulation.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is incorporated into specialty antimicrobial systems where persistent activity and low volatility are useful.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is valued because Chlorhexidine (CHX) provides broad antimicrobial activity, cationic surface binding, persistent effect, and formulation flexibility across oral-care, topical, veterinary, hygiene, and disinfectant applications.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used as a broad-spectrum antiseptic active in healthcare formulations.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used to reduce bacterial contamination on intact skin.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in products intended for pre-procedural skin cleansing.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used where persistent antimicrobial activity is required.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in surgical hand scrubs for healthcare personnel.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in antimicrobial hand-wash formulations.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in preoperative bathing products.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in patient-cleansing systems designed to reduce skin microorganisms.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in skin-preparation products before surgical procedures.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used to cleanse injection and catheter insertion sites.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in antiseptic wipes for localized skin application.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in applicators that provide controlled antiseptic delivery.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in wound-cleansing products where permitted for the intended use.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in selected antimicrobial wound dressings.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in topical gels designed for localized microbial control.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in creams and lotions formulated for antiseptic skin care.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in mouth rinses intended to help control dental plaque.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in oral-care products designed to support gingival hygiene.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in dental-care regimens following selected procedures.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in professional oral formulations requiring strong antimicrobial performance.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in dental gels for localized application to oral tissues.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in periodontal-care products under professional supervision.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used to reduce microbial accumulation around orthodontic appliances.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in research involving dental plaque-forming microorganisms.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in medicated shampoos for microbial control on the scalp.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in veterinary shampoos for cleansing animal skin and coats.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in veterinary sprays and wipes for localized care.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in animal-care products under veterinary guidance.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in antimicrobial soaps for healthcare and institutional environments.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in hand cleansers for personnel exposed to frequent microbial contact.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in body-cleansing formulations requiring residual antimicrobial action.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in infection-control products for clinical settings.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in catheter-care products to reduce surface contamination.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in antimicrobial dressings placed around vascular-access sites.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in medical-device coatings designed to limit bacterial colonization.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in polymer matrices intended to provide gradual antimicrobial release.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in medical-textile research involving antimicrobial surface treatments.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in experimental films, membranes, and wound-contact materials.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in biomaterial studies focused on infection-resistant surfaces.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in controlled-release research for antiseptic delivery systems.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in microbiology laboratories as a reference antiseptic.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in minimum inhibitory concentration testing.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in studies of bacterial membrane disruption.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in comparative evaluations of antimicrobial compounds.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in analytical laboratories as a reference material.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in chromatographic methods for assay and impurity determination.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in stability studies involving pH, heat, light, and packaging.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in formulation development to optimize efficacy and compatibility.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in quality control to verify identity, concentration, purity, and related substances.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used in regulated pharmaceutical, dental, veterinary, and healthcare products.

DESCRIPTION

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is a bisbiguanide antimicrobial compound containing two p-chlorophenyl groups connected through a hexamethylene chain.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is strongly cationic in many formulation conditions, which allows Chlorhexidine (CHX) to bind to negatively charged microbial membranes and biological surfaces.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) acts mainly by disrupting microbial cell membrane integrity, causing leakage of cellular contents and loss of normal microbial function.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) has broad antimicrobial activity against many Gram-positive bacteria, many Gram-negative bacteria, and selected yeasts, although activity varies by organism, formulation, concentration, and contact time.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is known for substantivity because cationic chlorhexidine can remain associated with skin, oral tissues, and other surfaces after application.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is often formulated as more soluble salts such as chlorhexidine digluconate, chlorhexidine diacetate, or chlorhexidine hydrochloride because the free base has limited water solubility.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is incompatible with many anionic surfactants, soaps, phosphates, alginates, and negatively charged polymers because these materials can reduce antimicrobial activity or cause precipitation.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) should not be used casually in sensitive medical contexts, internal tissues, eyes, ears, meninges, or high-risk applications unless the finished product is specifically approved for that route.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) should be used according to pharmaceutical, dental, cosmetic, veterinary, medical-device, biocidal, and workplace safety regulations for the target market and product type.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is a broad-spectrum cationic antiseptic belonging to the bisbiguanide chemical class.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is commonly abbreviated as CHX in medical, dental, pharmaceutical, and scientific literature.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) contains two chlorophenyl groups connected through a hexamethylene-linked bisbiguanide structure.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used commercially in several salt forms to improve formulation suitability.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is commonly available as digluconate, acetate, or hydrochloride salts.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) solubility varies significantly according to the selected salt form.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) digluconate is widely used when high water solubility is required.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) hydrochloride is more suitable for selected suspension and controlled-release applications.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) contains positively charged groups that bind to negatively charged microbial surfaces.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) disrupts microbial membrane integrity and increases cellular leakage.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) can provide bacteriostatic effects at lower effective concentrations.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) can provide bactericidal effects at higher effective concentrations.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) generally shows strong activity against Gram-positive bacteria.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) also shows activity against many Gram-negative bacteria and selected yeasts.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is not considered reliably sporicidal under ordinary conditions of use.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) has limited activity against certain non-enveloped viruses.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) can adsorb onto skin, oral tissues, textiles, and polymer surfaces.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) surface adsorption contributes to persistent antimicrobial activity.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) can be incompatible with anionic surfactants and conventional soaps.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) activity may be reduced by incompatible salts, polymers, and organic matter.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) formulation performance depends on concentration, pH, salt form, and excipient compatibility.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) should be evaluated for precipitation when combined with negatively charged ingredients.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) should be stored in tightly closed containers protected from contamination and excessive heat.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) use must comply with applicable pharmaceutical, medical-device, veterinary, cosmetic, and biocidal regulations.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) is valued for broad antimicrobial activity, strong surface substantivity, and extensive healthcare applicability.

PROPERTIES

Chemical Formula: C22H30Cl2N10
Molecular Weight: 505.45 g/mol
Common Name: Chlorhexidine (CHX)
Chemical Type: Bisbiguanide antimicrobial; cationic antiseptic; disinfectant active
Appearance: White to off-white powder or crystalline solid, depending on form and grade
Odor: Odorless or nearly odorless
Solubility: Very low water solubility as free base; improved solubility in salt forms such as digluconate, diacetate, and hydrochloride
Ionic Character: Cationic under typical use conditions
Function: Antiseptic, antimicrobial active, disinfectant active, preservative-support ingredient, topical hygiene active
Compatibility: Compatible with selected nonionic and cationic systems; incompatible with many anionic surfactants, soaps, phosphates, and negatively charged polymers
Activity Profile: Broad antibacterial activity, formulation dependent
Substantivity: High surface binding and persistent effect in suitable formulations
Reactivity: Incompatible with strong oxidizers and many anionic materials
Stability: Stable under recommended dry storage; protect from heat, light, moisture, and incompatible ingredients
Storage Temperature: 15–30°C, tightly closed, dry, well-ventilated
Shelf Life: Typically 24–60 months in original sealed packaging, supplier dependent

FIRST AID

Inhalation:
Move to fresh air if dust, mist, or aerosol is inhaled.
Seek medical attention if coughing, respiratory irritation, wheezing, or breathing discomfort occurs.
Avoid further exposure until dust or aerosol control and ventilation are confirmed.

Skin Contact:
Remove contaminated clothing and wash skin thoroughly with soap and water.
Seek medical advice if irritation, redness, itching, rash, or allergic reaction develops.
Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.

Eye Contact:
Rinse cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes.
Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, then continue rinsing.
Seek medical attention promptly because concentrated Chlorhexidine (CHX) materials can cause significant eye irritation or damage.

Ingestion:
Rinse mouth with water and do not induce vomiting.
Seek medical attention or contact a poison center if swallowed.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.

Note to Physicians:
Treat symptomatically.
Monitor for irritation, allergic reaction, gastrointestinal effects, and possible respiratory sensitization after significant exposure.
Provide supportive care as needed.

HANDLING AND STORAGE

Handling:
Use appropriate PPE including chemical-resistant gloves, safety glasses, protective clothing, and dust respiratory protection where needed.
Avoid generating dust, mist, or aerosol during weighing, transfer, milling, blending, charging, and dilution operations.
Use clean equipment to prevent contamination and maintain pharmaceutical, dental, cosmetic, or veterinary grade quality.

Ventilation:
Use general ventilation for normal small-scale handling.
Use local exhaust ventilation where dust, mist, or aerosol may be generated.
Avoid inhalation exposure during bulk handling, high-shear blending, spray preparation, or powder processing.

Storage:
Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area.
Protect from moisture, excessive heat, direct sunlight, and contamination.
Keep away from strong oxidizers, anionic surfactants, soaps, phosphates, alginates, and incompatible reactive chemicals.

Spill and Leak Procedures:
Avoid dust or aerosol generation and restrict access to trained personnel.
Collect spilled solid using HEPA vacuum or careful wet-cleaning methods where appropriate.
Dispose of waste according to local regulations and prevent release to drains, soil, and waterways.

Handling Precautions:
Confirm compatibility because Chlorhexidine (CHX) activity can be reduced by anionic surfactants, soaps, phosphates, and negatively charged formulation ingredients.
Control concentration and regulatory status because Chlorhexidine (CHX) use limits differ between pharmaceutical, dental, oral-care, cosmetic, veterinary, medical-device, and biocidal products.
Rotate stock using FIFO practices to maintain consistent purity, color, odor, solubility, and antimicrobial performance.