CHLORHEXIDINE GLUCONATE

Chlorhexidine Gluconate is the digluconate salt of Chlorhexidine and a water-compatible cationic bisbiguanide antimicrobial substance.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate provides antibacterial activity through adsorption to negatively charged microbial surfaces and disruption of cell-membrane integrity.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in regulated oral care, topical antiseptic, cosmetic, veterinary, analytical, and controlled-release formulation applications.

CAS Number: 18472-51-0

EC Number: 242-354-0

Molecular Formula: C₃₄H₅₄Cl₂N₁₀O₁₄

Molecular Weight: 897.8 g/mol

SYNONYMS

Chlorhexidine Gluconate, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Chlorhexidine Gluconate Salt, Chlorhexidine Digluconate Salt, Chlorhexidine Di-D-Gluconate, Chlorhexidine Bis-D-Gluconate, Chlorhexidine Bisgluconate, Chlorhexidine Bigluconate, Chlorhexidine D-Gluconate, Chlorhexidine Gluconate Solution, Chlorhexidine Digluconate Solution, Aqueous Chlorhexidine Gluconate, Aqueous Chlorhexidine Digluconate, CHG, CHG Solution, CHX Gluconate, CHX Digluconate, Chlorhexidini Digluconas, Chlorhexidini Gluconas, Chlorhexidine Compound with D-Gluconic Acid, Chlorhexidine-D-Gluconic Acid Compound, Chlorhexidine Gluconic Acid Salt, Chlorhexidine Bisbiguanide Gluconate, Cationic Bisbiguanide Digluconate, Chlorhexidine Antimicrobial Salt, Chlorhexidine Antiseptic Salt, Chlorhexidine Preservative Salt, Chlorhexidine Oral Care Active, Chlorhexidine Dental Active, Chlorhexidine Topical Antiseptic, Chlorhexidine Pharmaceutical Active, Chlorhexidine Cosmetic Preservative, Chlorhexidine Veterinary Active, Chlorhexidine Laboratory Reagent, Chlorhexidine Analytical Standard, Chlorhexidine Reference Standard, 1,1′-Hexamethylenebis[5-(4-Chlorophenyl)biguanide] Digluconate, 1,1′-Hexamethylenebis[5-(p-Chlorophenyl)biguanide] Di-D-Gluconate, 1,6-Bis[N⁵-(p-Chlorophenyl)-N¹-Biguanido]hexane Digluconate, 1,6-Bis(4-Chlorophenylbiguanido)hexane Digluconate, N,N″-Bis(4-Chlorophenyl)-3,12-Diimino-2,4,11,13-Tetraazatetradecanediamidine Digluconate, N¹,N¹⁴-Bis(4-Chlorophenyl)-3,12-Diimino-2,4,11,13-Tetraazatetradecanediimidamide Digluconate, Chlorhexidine Gluconate 20% Solution, Chlorhexidine Digluconate 20% Solution, CAS 18472-51-0, EC 242-354-0, EINECS 242-354-0, PubChem CID 9552081, UNII MOR84MUD8E, C₃₄H₅₄Cl₂N₁₀O₁₄, C₂₂H₃₀Cl₂N₁₀·2C₆H₁₂O₇

APPLICATIONS

Chlorhexidine Gluconate serves as an active ingredient in regulated oral rinses intended for professional gingivitis-management programs.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate provides antimicrobial activity during rinsing and remains partially retained on oral surfaces after use.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate supports 0.12% oral-rinse formulations developed according to applicable medicinal-product requirements.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate must be used according to validated directions because prolonged oral use can affect staining, calculus formation, and taste perception.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate contributes to dental gels designed for localized application around gingival tissues.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate enables prolonged contact when viscosity, dosage, flavor, mucosal tolerance, and professional-use instructions are properly controlled.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate functions in periodontal delivery research involving gels, fibers, films, inserts, and biodegradable matrices.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate release can be adjusted through polymer composition, swelling behavior, ionic interaction, and matrix degradation.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate supports dental plaque-control formulations by reducing susceptible aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate gains useful oral substantivity through adsorption to teeth, mucosa, plaque, and salivary components.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate contributes to toothpaste and dentifrice research involving cationic antimicrobial activity.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate requires compatibility testing with abrasives, fluoride sources, flavors, thickeners, and anionic surfactants.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate functions in selected endodontic irrigants and intracanal formulations used under professional dental supervision.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate should not be mixed indiscriminately with other endodontic chemicals because undesirable reactions or precipitates may occur.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate supports denture-cleansing and oral-appliance-care formulations.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate requires compatibility testing with acrylic resin, soft liners, metal components, pigments, and cleaning auxiliaries.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate serves as an antiseptic active in regulated surgical hand-scrub formulations.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate helps reduce microorganisms on hands and forearms when the complete formulation and application procedure are validated.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate supports healthcare-personnel hand-wash formulations intended to reduce potentially harmful bacteria.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate can provide immediate cleansing activity together with residual surface-associated antimicrobial performance.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate contributes to 4% topical skin-cleansing formulations used under approved medicinal-product directions.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate requires strict avoidance of inappropriate contact with the eyes, middle ear, meninges, and other restricted anatomical sites.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate functions in general skin-cleansing formulations where the finished product is specifically authorized.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate should be used only at concentrations and on application sites supported by the finished-product safety assessment.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate supports preoperative skin-preparation systems containing compatible aqueous or hydroalcoholic vehicles.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate performance depends on concentration, alcohol content, application coverage, contact time, drying, and skin condition.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate contributes to antimicrobial wipes, swabs, applicators, and impregnated nonwoven materials.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate must release predictably from the substrate while maintaining package stability and microbiological quality.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate functions as a preservative in compatible pharmaceutical formulations where such use is authorized.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate preservation performance must be demonstrated through validated antimicrobial-effectiveness testing.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate supports cosmetic preservation systems when Chlorhexidine Gluconate use complies with destination-market legislation.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is listed with Chlorhexidine and specified salts in the European Union at a maximum of 0.3% calculated as Chlorhexidine.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate contributes to cosmetic creams, lotions, gels, and emulsions requiring antimicrobial preservation.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate must remain available in the aqueous phase and should not be excessively bound by polymers, proteins, or surfactants.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate functions in specialized facial and body cleansers containing compatible surfactant systems.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate generally performs better with selected nonionic, amphoteric, or cationic ingredients than with conventional soaps.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate supports deodorant and personal-hygiene formulations intended to control odor-associated microorganisms.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate can complement fragrance, antiperspirant, absorbent, and odor-neutralizing ingredients after compatibility testing.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate contributes to specialized shampoo and scalp-cleansing formulations.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate requires careful surfactant selection because strongly anionic shampoo ingredients can reduce antimicrobial availability.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate functions in veterinary shampoos, sprays, wipes, rinses, and topical cleansers where veterinary use is authorized.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate veterinary formulations must account for animal species, application site, licking risk, concentration, and treatment duration.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate supports wound-dressing research involving fibers, foams, films, membranes, hydrogels, and absorbent matrices.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate can be incorporated for gradual release after contact with moisture or wound fluid.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate contributes to antimicrobial hydrogel systems designed for controlled local delivery.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate release depends on polymer charge, crosslink density, water uptake, ionic strength, and environmental pH.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate functions in experimental antimicrobial coatings for selected medical-device surfaces.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate requires evaluation of coating adhesion, sterilization stability, release profile, biocompatibility, and device performance.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate supports analytical, microbiological, and formulation research requiring a standardized Chlorhexidine salt.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate can be used in identity testing, chromatographic assay, impurity analysis, susceptibility studies, and biofilm research.

DESCRIPTION

Chlorhexidine Gluconate is the digluconate salt formed from one Chlorhexidine molecule and two equivalents of D-gluconic acid.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is also widely identified as Chlorhexidine Digluconate in chemical, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical terminology.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate has the molecular formula C₃₄H₅₄Cl₂N₁₀O₁₄ and a molecular weight of approximately 897.8 g/mol.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is identified by CAS Number 18472-51-0 and EC Number 242-354-0.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate contains a bisbiguanide Chlorhexidine structure associated with two highly hydroxylated gluconic acid components.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate combines positively charged antimicrobial regions with hydrophilic gluconate counterions.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate contains two para-chlorophenyl groups, two biguanide regions, and a central hexamethylene chain.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate gains strong surface affinity from the protonated biguanide groups and hydrophobic aromatic regions.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate is considerably more suitable for aqueous formulation than poorly water-soluble Chlorhexidine free base.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is therefore commonly handled as a concentrated aqueous solution rather than as an isolated dry active.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate concentrated solution normally appears as a clear, colorless to pale-yellow liquid.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate appearance can vary with concentration, impurity profile, pH, storage temperature, and specification.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate dissociates in water to provide positively charged Chlorhexidine species and gluconate counterions.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate antimicrobial activity originates primarily from the cationic Chlorhexidine component.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate adsorbs electrostatically onto negatively charged microbial cell surfaces.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate disrupts membrane organization, increases permeability, and promotes leakage of intracellular components.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate can produce predominantly growth-inhibiting effects at lower available concentrations.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate can produce greater membrane damage and microbial killing at higher available concentrations.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate generally displays strong activity against many Gram-positive bacteria.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate also provides useful but species-dependent activity against numerous Gram-negative bacteria and selected yeasts.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate does not provide universally reliable sporicidal, mycobactericidal, or broad virucidal activity.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate performance against resistant organisms and established biofilms depends strongly on formulation and exposure conditions.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate exhibits substantivity through adsorption onto oral tissues, skin, proteins, minerals, fibers, and polymer surfaces.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate can be released gradually from adsorptive surfaces after the initial application.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate is incompatible with many conventional soaps and strongly anionic surfactants.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate can form poorly soluble complexes or lose freely available activity in strongly anionic formulations.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate generally shows better compatibility with carefully selected nonionic, amphoteric, and cationic ingredients.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate still requires direct compatibility testing because minor formulation components can alter activity, clarity, or stability.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate performance can be reduced by proteins, blood, serum, pus, cellulose, clay, and other adsorptive materials.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate total analytical concentration can therefore be higher than the freely available antimicrobial concentration.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate stability is influenced by pH, temperature, light exposure, oxygen, packaging contact, and impurity content.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate should be protected from prolonged excessive heat and unsuitable strongly acidic or alkaline conditions.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate can form chlorinated aromatic degradation impurities during unsuitable manufacturing or storage.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate quality-control procedures should monitor related substances in pharmaceutical and other regulated applications.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate is essentially nonvolatile under ordinary storage conditions.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate aerosols or droplets can nevertheless be generated during spraying, high-speed mixing, or pressurized transfer.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate oral-rinse formulations can cause staining of teeth, restorations, and the tongue.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate oral-rinse formulations can also alter taste perception and increase supragingival calculus formation in some users.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate can cause severe hypersensitivity reactions in susceptible individuals.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate medicinal-product warnings include possible wheezing, breathing difficulty, shock, facial swelling, hives, and rash.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate is commonly classified as harmful if swallowed, capable of causing serious eye damage, and highly hazardous to aquatic life.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate classification must be confirmed from the current concentration-specific and region-specific Safety Data Sheet.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate quality is commonly controlled through identity, assay, pH, relative density, color, and related-substance testing.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate acceptance limits depend on the selected pharmaceutical, cosmetic, analytical, veterinary, or technical specification.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate grades intended for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, veterinary, analytical, and research use are not automatically interchangeable.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate grade selection must reflect purity, documentation, microbiological quality, regulatory status, and intended application.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate provides a practical water-compatible source of Chlorhexidine for liquid formulation and controlled dosing.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate requires careful management of ionic compatibility, hypersensitivity risk, biological potency, and environmental release.

PROPERTIES

Chemical Name: Chlorhexidine Gluconate

Alternative Standard Name: Chlorhexidine Digluconate

INCI Name: Chlorhexidine Digluconate

Abbreviation: CHG

Chemical Class: Cationic Bisbiguanide Salt

Substance Type: Antimicrobial and Preservative Substance

Parent Substance: Chlorhexidine

Counterion: D-Gluconate

Salt Ratio: One Chlorhexidine Molecule to Two D-Gluconic Acid Molecules

CAS Number: 18472-51-0

EC Number: 242-354-0

PubChem CID: 9552081

UNII: MOR84MUD8E

Molecular Formula: C₃₄H₅₄Cl₂N₁₀O₁₄

Alternative Formula: C₂₂H₃₀Cl₂N₁₀·2C₆H₁₂O₇

Molecular Weight: 897.8 g/mol

Exact Mass: Approximately 896.3198 Da

InChIKey: YZIYKJHYYHPJIB-UUPCJSQJSA-N

Hydrogen Bond Donor Count: 18

Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count: 16

Rotatable Bond Count: 23

Topological Polar Surface Area: Approximately 454 Ų

Physical Form of Isolated Salt: Solid or Highly Concentrated Salt Material

Common Supply Form: Concentrated Aqueous Solution

Typical Appearance of Concentrated Solution: Clear, Colorless to Pale-Yellow Liquid

Odor: Odorless or Mild Characteristic Odor

Water Compatibility: High Relative to Chlorhexidine Free Base

Water Solubility: High for the Digluconate Salt Form

Alcohol Compatibility: Formulation Dependent

Volatility: Negligible under Ordinary Conditions

Ionic Character: Strongly Cationic in Aqueous Formulations

Primary Function: Antimicrobial Active

Secondary Functions: Antiseptic, Preservative, Oral Care Active, and Surface-Substantive Antimicrobial

Mechanism of Action: Adsorption to Microbial Surfaces and Disruption of Membrane Integrity

Gram-Positive Activity: Generally Strong

Gram-Negative Activity: Broad but Organism and Formulation Dependent

Yeast Activity: Active against Selected Species

Fungal Activity: Formulation and Species Dependent

Spore Activity: Limited

Mycobacterial Activity: Limited or Formulation Dependent

Non-Enveloped Virus Activity: Generally Limited

Substantivity: High on Many Negatively Charged Surfaces

Protein Binding: Strong

Organic-Matter Sensitivity: Available Activity Can Be Reduced

Soap Compatibility: Generally Poor

Anionic Surfactant Compatibility: Generally Poor

Strongly Anionic Polymer Compatibility: Generally Poor

Nonionic Surfactant Compatibility: Often Better, Subject to Testing

Amphoteric Surfactant Compatibility: Formulation Dependent

Cationic Ingredient Compatibility: Often Better, Subject to Testing

pH Sensitivity: Solubility, Stability, and Activity Depend on Formulation pH

Electrolyte Sensitivity: Counterions and Ionic Strength Can Affect Clarity and Availability

Established Oral-Rinse Example: 0.12% in Regulated Medicinal Formulations

Established Skin-Cleanser Example: 4% in Regulated Medicinal Formulations

EU Cosmetic Preservative Maximum: 0.3% Calculated as Chlorhexidine

Cosmetic Safety-Assessment Reference: Up to 0.20% as Chlorhexidine Digluconate

Common Hazard Concerns: Harmful if Swallowed, Serious Eye Damage, Hypersensitivity, and Aquatic Toxicity

Aquatic Hazard: Very Toxic to Aquatic Life with Long-Lasting Effects in Commonly Reported Classifications

Thermal Stability: Avoid Excessive and Prolonged Heating

Chemical Stability: Stable under Recommended Storage Conditions

Incompatible Materials: Strong Oxidizing Agents, Strongly Anionic Ingredients, Conventional Soaps, and Incompatible Reactive Chemicals

Storage Conditions: Cool, Tightly Closed, Protected from Excessive Heat, Light, Freezing, and Contamination

Shelf Life: Grade, Concentration, Packaging, and Storage Condition Dependent

FIRST AID

Inhalation: Move the person exposed to Chlorhexidine Gluconate mist or aerosol into fresh air and keep the person at rest.
Obtain immediate medical attention if Chlorhexidine Gluconate exposure causes wheezing, breathing difficulty, facial swelling, dizziness, or persistent respiratory irritation.

Skin Contact: Remove clothing contaminated with concentrated Chlorhexidine Gluconate and rinse the affected skin thoroughly with water.
Obtain medical attention if Chlorhexidine Gluconate causes persistent irritation, rash, hives, swelling, blistering, or other hypersensitivity symptoms.

Eye Contact: Immediately rinse eyes exposed to Chlorhexidine Gluconate with clean running water for at least 15 minutes while holding the eyelids open.
Remove contact lenses when easy to do, continue rinsing, and obtain urgent medical attention because concentrated Chlorhexidine Gluconate can cause serious eye injury.

Ingestion: Rinse the mouth thoroughly after accidental ingestion of Chlorhexidine Gluconate and do not induce vomiting unless instructed by medical personnel.
Contact a physician or poison information center promptly after significant Chlorhexidine Gluconate ingestion or whenever symptoms develop.

Note to Physicians: Treat Chlorhexidine Gluconate exposure symptomatically and provide supportive care.
Assess Chlorhexidine Gluconate exposure for hypersensitivity, airway involvement, eye injury, gastrointestinal effects, concentration, quantity, and route of exposure.

HANDLING AND STORAGE

Handling: Handle Chlorhexidine Gluconate according to good industrial hygiene and pharmaceutical, cosmetic, or chemical manufacturing practices.
Avoid generating Chlorhexidine Gluconate mist and prevent Chlorhexidine Gluconate contact with the eyes, ears, mouth, skin, clothing, and incompatible ingredients.

Ventilation: Provide effective general ventilation and local exhaust wherever Chlorhexidine Gluconate is transferred, sprayed, sampled, diluted, or mixed.
Use suitable respiratory protection when engineering controls cannot adequately control airborne Chlorhexidine Gluconate droplets or aerosol.

Storage: Store Chlorhexidine Gluconate in tightly closed and chemically compatible containers within a cool and well-ventilated area.
Protect Chlorhexidine Gluconate from excessive heat, direct light, freezing, strong oxidizing agents, anionic contamination, and unauthorized access.

Spill and Leak Procedures: Contain released Chlorhexidine Gluconate with a suitable inert absorbent and avoid generating aerosol during cleanup.
Prevent Chlorhexidine Gluconate from entering drains, soil, or surface water and transfer Chlorhexidine Gluconate waste into labeled disposal containers.

Handling Precautions: Wear chemical-resistant gloves, protective clothing, and tightly fitting safety goggles while handling concentrated Chlorhexidine Gluconate.
Keep emergency eyewash and safety-shower facilities accessible and consult the current grade-specific Safety Data Sheet before commercial Chlorhexidine Gluconate processing.