Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is a cationic bisbiguanide antiseptic and antimicrobial agent used in pharmaceutical, personal care, veterinary, oral-care, and topical hygiene formulations, and Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is valued for broad-spectrum activity against many Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is commonly used in topical antiseptic preparations, medicated washes, oral-care products, wound-care products, veterinary disinfectant systems, and specialty antimicrobial formulations where controlled antimicrobial performance is required.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is typically supplied as a white to off-white crystalline powder, and Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride performance depends on purity, particle size, solubility, pH, concentration, counterion form, formulation vehicle, and compatibility with surfactants, preservatives, salts, and active ingredients.
CAS Number: 3697-42-5
EC Number: 223-026-6
Molecular Formula: C22H32Cl2N10·2HCl
Molecular Weight: 578.37 g/mol
Synonyms: Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride, Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride, Chlorhexidine HCl, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride Salt, 1,1′-Hexamethylenebis[5-(p-Chlorophenyl)biguanide] Dihydrochloride, Chlorhexidine Antiseptic, Bisbiguanide Antimicrobial, Chlorhexidine Base Dihydrochloride, Chlorhexidine Chloride Salt, Pharmaceutical Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride, Topical Antiseptic Chlorhexidine, Cationic Antimicrobial Agent, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride, Chlorhexidine HCl, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride Salt, Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride, Chlorhexidine Di-Hydrochloride, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride Powder, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride Solid, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride Antiseptic, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride Antimicrobial, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride Antibacterial Agent, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride Disinfectant, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride Biocide, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride Preservative, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride Pharmaceutical Grade, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride Cosmetic Grade, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride Medical Grade, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride USP Grade, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride BP Grade, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride EP Grade, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride Technical Grade, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride Industrial Grade, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride Chemical Grade, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride High Purity, High Purity Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride Pure, Pure Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride Active Ingredient, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride Pharmaceutical Raw Material, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride Cosmetic Raw Material, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride Personal Care Ingredient, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride Oral Care Ingredient, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride Dental Antiseptic, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride Skin Antiseptic, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride Surgical Scrub Ingredient, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride Wound Care Ingredient, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride Topical Antiseptic, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride Cationic Antiseptic, Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride Biguanide
APPLICATIONS
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in topical antiseptic products to reduce microbial contamination on skin and external surfaces.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is incorporated into medicated washes and cleansing products where persistent antimicrobial activity is required.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in healthcare-related hygiene formulations where broad antibacterial action is important.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in oral-care formulations to support antimicrobial control in mouth rinses, gels, sprays, and dental products.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is incorporated into dental and periodontal preparations where cationic antimicrobial activity helps reduce oral microbial load.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in oral hygiene products only at controlled levels according to regional pharmaceutical or cosmetic regulations.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in wound-care and dermatological preparations where antimicrobial protection is required.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is incorporated into creams, gels, solutions, and medicated dressings depending on solubility, vehicle, and regulatory approval.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in skin-contact products where irritation, sensitization, and compatibility must be carefully evaluated.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in veterinary hygiene and animal-care products as an antimicrobial active in selected formulations.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is incorporated into veterinary shampoos, washes, sprays, and topical products where antimicrobial activity is needed.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in animal-care systems according to veterinary product regulations and final-use safety requirements.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in specialty antimicrobial formulations where a solid chlorhexidine salt is preferred over aqueous chlorhexidine digluconate solution.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is incorporated into research, pharmaceutical compounding, and industrial antimicrobial systems where bisbiguanide chemistry is suitable.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is valued because Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride provides cationic antimicrobial activity, substantivity, formulation flexibility, and broad usefulness in topical, oral-care, veterinary, and hygiene applications.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used as an antimicrobial active in selected pharmaceutical formulations.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used to help control the growth of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in topical products intended for cleansing and microbial reduction.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in formulations requiring a cationic antiseptic ingredient.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in skin-cleansing preparations for localized antimicrobial care.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in pre-procedural cleansing products under appropriate medical guidance.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in topical solutions intended to reduce microbial contamination on intact skin.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in antiseptic formulations where prolonged surface activity is desired.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in wound-care research and selected topical preparations.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in cleansing systems intended for minor skin-care applications where permitted.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in medicated dressings as an antimicrobial component in some formulations.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in wound-contact materials designed to reduce microbial growth in compatible systems.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in oral-care research as an antimicrobial chlorhexidine salt.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in selected dental formulations when suitable solubility and compatibility are achieved.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in products intended to support microbial control on oral surfaces.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in laboratory studies involving dental plaque microorganisms.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in dental material research to evaluate antimicrobial performance.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in experimental dental coatings and restorative materials.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in studies of microbial adhesion to teeth and dental appliances.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in antimicrobial testing of dental polymers and cements.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in veterinary topical products where chlorhexidine activity is required.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in animal skin-cleansing formulations under veterinary supervision.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in veterinary wound-care research and antimicrobial testing.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in selected animal-care products formulated within applicable regulations.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in antimicrobial creams and ointments as a functional active in some systems.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in gels designed for localized topical application.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in emulsions where a sparingly soluble chlorhexidine salt is suitable.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in suspension-type products requiring controlled release at the application site.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in antimicrobial powders for selected pharmaceutical applications.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in dusting formulations intended to maintain a dry application environment.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in coated medical materials as an antimicrobial treatment component.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in polymer matrices designed for gradual antimicrobial release.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in medical-device research to reduce bacterial colonization on surfaces.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in antimicrobial coating studies involving catheters and tubing.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in experimental wound dressings, films, and membranes.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in biomaterial research focused on surface-associated infection control.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in textile-treatment research to impart antimicrobial properties to selected fibers.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in experimental medical textiles such as dressings and protective fabrics.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in coating systems intended to retain antimicrobial activity on fabric surfaces.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in durability testing of antimicrobial textile finishes.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in laboratory microbiology as a reference antiseptic compound.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in minimum inhibitory concentration and microbial susceptibility studies.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in comparative research involving antiseptic and disinfectant agents.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in studies of bacterial membrane disruption by cationic compounds.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in analytical chemistry as a reference standard for chlorhexidine determination.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in chromatographic method development for purity and assay testing.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in dissolution and release studies of antimicrobial dosage forms.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in stability studies involving heat, light, pH, and formulation excipients.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in quality control to verify identity, assay, impurities, moisture, and particle size.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is used in formulation development to optimize antimicrobial activity, dispersion, and release.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride acts primarily by interacting with negatively charged microbial cell surfaces.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride disrupts membrane integrity and increases leakage of intracellular components.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride may produce bacteriostatic effects at lower concentrations and bactericidal effects at higher concentrations.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is generally more active against Gram-positive bacteria than against some Gram-negative organisms.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride can also show activity against selected yeasts and enveloped viruses under suitable conditions.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is not considered reliably sporicidal under normal use conditions.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride activity can be reduced by anionic surfactants, soaps, and incompatible negatively charged materials.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride should therefore be evaluated carefully with all formulation ingredients.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride can adsorb onto skin, mucosa, textiles, polymers, and other negatively charged surfaces.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride surface adsorption can contribute to residual antimicrobial activity.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride release from coatings and matrices depends on salt form, concentration, and material structure.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride may precipitate or lose effectiveness if formulation pH and ionic composition are unsuitable.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride quality is commonly assessed through identity, assay, related substances, moisture, and microbiological testing.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride should be handled according to pharmaceutical or industrial hygiene requirements appropriate to its grade.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride should be stored in tightly closed containers protected from moisture, contamination, and excessive heat.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride use in finished products must comply with applicable medical, cosmetic, veterinary, and biocidal regulations.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is valued for broad antimicrobial performance, surface substantivity, and compatibility with controlled-release applications.
DESCRIPTION
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is the hydrochloride salt form of chlorhexidine, a bisbiguanide antimicrobial compound containing two p-chlorophenyl groups connected through a hexamethylene chain.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride acts mainly by binding to negatively charged microbial cell surfaces, disrupting membrane integrity, and interfering with normal cellular function.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is cationic, so its antimicrobial activity and formulation stability can be reduced by anionic surfactants, soaps, phosphates, alginates, and other incompatible negatively charged ingredients.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride has lower water solubility than chlorhexidine digluconate, so formulation design often requires attention to pH, solvent system, concentration, and dispersion quality.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride can show persistent antimicrobial activity on treated surfaces because cationic chlorhexidine can adsorb onto skin, oral tissue, and other negatively charged substrates.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride should not be used casually in sensitive body areas or high-risk medical contexts without appropriate product approval and professional guidance.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride should be protected from excessive heat, strong oxidizers, incompatible anionic materials, contamination, and prolonged light exposure.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride should be handled carefully because concentrated powder can irritate the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract and may cause allergic reactions in susceptible individuals.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride should be used according to pharmaceutical, cosmetic, veterinary, medical-device, biocidal, and workplace safety regulations for the target market and final product type.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is the hydrochloride salt of chlorhexidine, a broad-spectrum cationic antimicrobial compound.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is a bisbiguanide derivative containing two chlorophenyl groups linked through a hexamethylene chain.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is generally supplied as a white or nearly white crystalline powder.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride is commonly used in pharmaceutical, veterinary, dental, and biomedical research applications.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride has lower water solubility than highly soluble chlorhexidine salts such as Chlorhexidine Digluconate.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride may be selected when limited solubility or controlled release is useful.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride can be dispersed in creams, ointments, gels, powders, coatings, and polymer systems.
Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride formulation behavior depends on particle size, pH, solvent system, and excipient compatibility.
PROPERTIES
Chemical Formula: C22H32Cl2N10·2HCl
Molecular Weight: 578.37 g/mol
Common Name: Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride
Chemical Type: Bisbiguanide antiseptic; cationic antimicrobial agent; chlorhexidine salt
Appearance: White to off-white crystalline powder
Odor: Odorless or nearly odorless
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water; solubility depends on pH and formulation conditions
Ionic Character: Cationic
pH Behavior: Formulation dependent; activity and stability depend on final pH
Function: Antiseptic, antimicrobial active, preservative-support ingredient, topical hygiene active
Compatibility: Compatible with selected nonionic and cationic systems; incompatible with many anionic surfactants and soaps
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 is inhaled.
Seek medical attention if coughing, respiratory irritation, wheezing, or breathing discomfort occurs.
Avoid further exposure until dust 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, 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 Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride powder or concentrated solution can cause significant eye irritation.
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 during weighing, transfer, milling, blending, and charging operations.
Use clean, dry equipment to prevent contamination and maintain pharmaceutical or cosmetic grade quality.
Ventilation:
Use general ventilation for normal small-scale handling.
Use local exhaust ventilation where dust may be generated during powder processing.
Avoid inhalation exposure during bulk handling and high-shear blending.
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, and incompatible reactive chemicals.
Spill and Leak Procedures:
Avoid dust generation and restrict access to trained personnel.
Collect spilled powder 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 Hydrochloride activity can be reduced by anionic surfactants, soaps, and negatively charged formulation ingredients.
Control concentration and regulatory status because Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride use limits differ between pharmaceutical, oral-care, cosmetic, veterinary, and biocidal products.
Rotate stock using FIFO practices to maintain consistent purity, color, odor, solubility, and antimicrobial performance.