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Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride is a long-chain quaternary ammonium cationic surfactant widely used in hair conditioners and shampoos for its detangling, antistatic, and conditioning effects, as well as for its antimicrobial activity in hygiene formulations.
Structurally, Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride consists of a hydrophobic hexadecyl (C₁₆) chain attached to a positively charged trimethylammonium head with chloride as the counterion, enabling strong interaction with negatively charged surfaces such as hair keratin and microbial membranes.
Beyond cosmetics, Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride is also used in fabric softeners, surface cleaners, and even molecular biology workflows such as DNA extraction due to its strong surface activity and membrane-disrupting properties.
CAS Number: 112-02-7
EC Number: 203-928-6
Molecular Formula: C19H42ClN
Molecular Weight: 320.00 g/mol
Synonyms: Quartemine, Cetrimonium chloride, Cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, CTAC, Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride, Trimethylhexadecylammonium chloride, N,N,N-trimethylhexadecan-1-aminium chloride, Cetyl-trimethyl ammonium chloride, CTAC surfactant, CTAC 30% solution, Cetyltrimethyl ammonium chloride, Hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, N-hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, Hexadecyl-trimethyl-ammonium chloride, Cetyl trimethyl ammonium salt, Cetyl trimethyl ammonium cation chloride, Ammonium, hexadecyltrimethyl-, chloride, Quaternary ammonium compound CTAC, Quaternary ammonium surfactant CTAC, Quat 16 (trade short form), Cetyl ammonium chloride, Cetyltrimethylammonium salt, Cetyltrimethylammonium cation chloride, Cetrimonium halide (chloride form), Cetrimonium (INCI), CTAC (cosmetic grade), Cetyl N-trimethyl ammonium chloride, Cetrimide, Genamin CTAC, Dehyquart A, Ammonyx 4002, CTAC 25% solution, CTAC 29% solution, CTAC 30% aqueous, Cetyl trimethyl ammonium quaternary salt, Hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium halide (chloride form), Quaternary ammonium salt of cetyl trimethylamine, Cetrimonium chloride, Cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, Cetyltrimethyl ammonium chloride, Cetyl-trimethyl-N-ammonium chloride, Cetyl trimethyl ammonium compound, Quaternary ammonium chloride (C16 chain), CTAC, Hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium salt, Hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, Cetyl quaternary ammonium chloride, Quaternary cationic surfactant CTAC, Quat disinfectant CTAC, 2-hydroxy-3-[(1-oxodocosyl)oxy]propyltrimethylammonium chloride, 1-Propanaminium, 2-hydroxy-N,N,N-trimethyl-3-(1-oxodocosyl)oxy-, chloride, QUARTAMIN(R)BTC131, 2-Hydroxy-3-[(1-oxodocosyl)oxy]propyltrimethylammoniumchlorid, BEHENOYL PG-TRIMONIUM CHLORIDE, (3-docosanoyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl)-trimethylazanium,chloride
Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride’s a long-chain quaternary ammonium cationic surfactant and topical antiseptic widely used in hair conditioners and shampoos for detangling, antistatic and conditioning effects, and also leveraged for its antimicrobial activity in certain hygiene and cleaning formulations.
Chemically, Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride is a white to off-white solid (or aqueous solution), readily water-soluble, with the cation [C₁₆H₃₃N(CH₃)₃]⁺ balanced by chloride.
Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride's cationic head binds to negatively charged surfaces (e.g., hair keratin), forming lamellar/gel structures in the presence of fatty alcohols and improving combability and softness.
In addition to personal-care uses, Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride appears in fabric softeners, emulsions, and lab workflows (e.g., DNA extraction buffers) due to its strong surface activity and membrane-disrupting properties.
Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride is a cationic surfactant - behentrimonium chloride - used as high conditioning surfactant, with substantive properties.
Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride provides smoothness, shine and anti-static effect to the hair.
Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride is a raw material with an oily cationic property, usually in the odor of isopropyl alcohol, in a very hard or creamy consistency.
Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride is used as the main raw material in the detergent industry and especially in fabric softener.
Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium compound widely recognized for its surfactant, conditioning, and antimicrobial properties.
Structurally, Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride belongs to the family of cationic surfactants, consisting of a long hydrophobic hexadecyl (C₁₆) chain attached to a positively charged trimethylammonium head, with chloride as the counterion.
This amphiphilic nature allows Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride to interact strongly with negatively charged surfaces such as hair fibers, skin proteins, and microbial membranes.
Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride typically appears as a white to creamy solid or clear, viscous aqueous solution, is freely soluble in water and alcohol, and exhibits characteristic surface-active behavior, forming micelles and lamellar phases in solution.
In the cosmetic and personal care industry, Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride is extensively used as a hair-conditioning agent, emulsifier, and antistatic additive.
Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride is a key ingredient in shampoos, conditioners, creams, and lotions, where it neutralizes the negative charges on hair shafts, reduces frizz, enhances softness, and improves combability.
In hair conditioners, Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride works synergistically with fatty alcohols (e.g., cetyl or stearyl alcohol) to form stable lamellar gel networks that deposit on hair, creating a smooth, silky feel and long-lasting conditioning effect.
Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride's antistatic property helps prevent flyaway and tangling, making it indispensable in modern hair care formulations.
Beyond cosmetics, Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride exhibits antimicrobial and preservative-like properties, owing to its ability to disrupt microbial cell membranes.
This makes Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride useful in skin cleansers, antiseptic formulations, and hygiene products, where it provides broad-spectrum activity against bacteria, fungi, and some viruses.
In industrial and household products, Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride is incorporated into fabric softeners, surface cleaners, and emulsions, where its cationic nature ensures effective interaction with negatively charged surfaces, improving deposition and antimicrobial efficacy.
Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride also finds important roles in scientific and laboratory applications.
In molecular biology, Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride is used in DNA extraction and purification, where its cationic head interacts with nucleic acids and polysaccharides, enabling separation of high-purity DNA.
Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride's strong surfactant properties make it valuable in colloid stabilization, nanoparticle synthesis, and as a phase-transfer catalyst in certain organic reactions.
Market Overview of Hexadecyltrimethylammonium Chloride:
The global market for Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride is experiencing steady growth, driven primarily by its widespread use in personal care, textile, and industrial sectors.
Valuations vary depending on scope, with estimates ranging from USD 75–350 million in 2023 to projections as high as USD 2.5 billion by 2035, reflecting compound annual growth rates between 4.5% and 6.6%.
Demand is strongest in the cosmetics and personal care industry, where Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride is valued as a conditioning, emulsifying, and antistatic agent in shampoos and conditioners, while the textile industry relies on it as a softener and antistatic additive.
Industrial applications extend to cleaning products, disinfectants, and water treatment, where it functions as a surfactant and antimicrobial.
Regionally, Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing market due to rapid expansion in consumer care and textile manufacturing, while North America and Europe remain mature but stable markets with consistent demand.
Growth is supported by rising consumer awareness of hair care and hygiene products, expanding textile production, and broader industrial use, positioning Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride as an essential quaternary ammonium compound with diverse and expanding market opportunities.
Uses of Hexadecyltrimethylammonium Chloride:
Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride is widely used in cosmetics and personal care, where manufacturers add it to shampoos and conditioners to neutralize negative charges on hair, smooth cuticles, reduce frizz, and improve combability.
Formulators also use Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride as an antistatic agent to prevent flyaway in hair and fabrics, and cosmetic chemists employ it as an emulsifier and stabilizer to blend oil and water phases in creams, lotions, and serums.
Skin care developers include Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride in creams and cleansers for its antimicrobial and emulsifying benefits.
In antimicrobial applications, Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride acts as an antiseptic agent with bactericidal and fungicidal effects, product formulators rely on it as a preservative booster to reduce contamination, and manufacturers incorporate it into surface cleaners, disinfectants, and sanitizers to disrupt microbial membranes.
In the textile industry, Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride is used in fabric softeners as a cationic surfactant to improve softness and reduce static, and fabric finishers apply it in conditioning treatments to enhance texture.
Molecular biologists use Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride in DNA extraction and purification to precipitate DNA and polysaccharides, while researchers employ it as a surfactant in nanomaterials and colloid synthesis.
In industrial and specialty applications, chemical engineers utilize Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride as an emulsifier and phase-transfer catalyst, plastics and coatings manufacturers add it as an antistatic additive to reduce static defects, and hygiene product producers formulate it into disinfectant wipes, sprays, and hand-care products for its antimicrobial performance.
Cosmetics and Personal Care:
Manufacturers use Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride in shampoos and conditioners to neutralize negative charges on hair, smooth cuticles, reduce frizz, and improve combability.
Formulators add Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride as an antistatic agent to prevent flyaway and static electricity in hair and fabrics.
Cosmetic chemists employ Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride as an emulsifier and stabilizer to blend oil and water phases in creams, lotions, and serums, improving product texture and stability.
Skin care developers include Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride in creams and cleansers for its antimicrobial and emulsifying benefits.
Antimicrobial Applications:
Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride acts as an antiseptic agent by exerting bactericidal and fungicidal effects, making it useful in topical hygiene and skin care products.
Product formulators rely on Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride as a preservative booster to reduce microbial contamination in formulations.
Household and industrial cleaner manufacturers incorporate Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride into surface cleaners, disinfectants, and sanitizers, where it disrupts microbial membranes.
Fabric and Textile Industry:
The textile industry uses Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride in fabric softeners as a cationic surfactant that improves texture, softness, and static control.
Fabric finishers apply Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride in conditioning treatments to enhance softness and reduce static buildup.
Laboratory and Research Applications:
Molecular biologists use Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride in DNA extraction and purification to precipitate DNA and polysaccharides, aiding molecular workflows.
Researchers employ Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride as a surfactant in nanomaterials and colloid synthesis to stabilize nanoparticles and emulsions.
Industrial and Specialty Uses:
Chemical engineers utilize Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride as an emulsifier and phase-transfer catalyst in diverse chemical processes.
Plastics and coatings manufacturers add Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride as an antistatic additive to improve handling and reduce static defects.
Hygiene product producers formulate Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride into disinfectant wipes, sprays, and hand-care products for its antimicrobial performance.
Benefits of Hexadecyltrimethylammonium Chloride:
Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride offers multiple benefits across cosmetics, healthcare, industry, and research.
In personal care, Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride provides strong conditioning benefits by neutralizing negative charges on hair, smoothing the cuticle layer, reducing frizz, and making hair softer, shinier, and easier to comb.
Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride's antistatic properties further improve manageability and reduce flyaway, enhancing the consumer experience in shampoos and conditioners.
In addition, Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride improves formulation stability by acting as an emulsifier and thickener, helping creams, lotions, and serums achieve a smooth texture and long shelf life.
In antimicrobial applications, Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride benefits formulators by offering broad-spectrum activity against bacteria and fungi, reducing the need for additional preservatives and improving hygiene in both personal care and cleaning products.
The textile and fabric care industries also benefit from Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride’s ability to soften fibers, control static, and improve overall feel, while researchers and molecular biologists rely on its surfactant properties to enable DNA extraction, nanoparticle stabilization, and biochemical analysis.
Industrial sectors benefit from Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride's role as a phase-transfer catalyst, antistatic additive, and surface-active agent, making it versatile for plastics, coatings, and disinfectants.
Overall, Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride provides a unique combination of conditioning, antimicrobial, antistatic, and emulsifying benefits that make it indispensable across diverse fields.
Production of Hexadecyltrimethylammonium Chloride:
Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride is produced on an industrial scale through quaternization reactions that convert fatty amines into quaternary ammonium salts.
The process typically begins with natural or synthetic fatty alcohols such as cetyl alcohol, which are first converted into the corresponding fatty amines like cetyl dimethylamine.
These long-chain amines are then reacted with methylating agents such as methyl chloride or dimethyl sulfate under controlled conditions to yield Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride.
The reaction is conducted in the presence of suitable solvents and catalysts, with temperature and pH carefully regulated to maximize yield and purity.
After quaternization, the crude product undergoes purification steps including filtration, neutralization, and concentration to remove unreacted amines and residual reagents.
The final product is supplied either as a pure crystalline solid or as aqueous solutions of varying concentrations, commonly between 25% and 30%, depending on the intended application in cosmetics, cleaning agents, or industrial processes.
Major production hubs are located in Asia, especially in China and India, where cost-effective raw materials and large-scale chemical facilities enable mass manufacturing.
The resulting compound is then exported globally to supply cosmetic formulators, textile finishers, disinfectant manufacturers, and research laboratories.
Synthesis of Hexadecyltrimethylammonium Chloride:
Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride is synthesized through a quaternization reaction in which a long-chain tertiary amine is converted into a quaternary ammonium salt.
The synthesis usually begins with fatty alcohols such as cetyl alcohol (hexadecanol), which are first converted into cetyl amine derivatives.
Cetyl dimethylamine, a key intermediate, is then reacted with a methylating agent such as methyl chloride or dimethyl sulfate under controlled conditions of temperature and pressure.
This reaction introduces a positively charged trimethylammonium group to the nitrogen atom, forming Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride, which is marketed as Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride.
The crude reaction mixture undergoes purification steps such as neutralization, filtration, and vacuum concentration to remove unreacted starting materials and by-products.
The final product is typically standardized as a 25–30% aqueous solution or dried into a crystalline powder, depending on its end use.
Process optimization focuses on achieving high yield, consistent purity, and stability, since residual amines or by-products may affect cosmetic safety and antimicrobial performance.
The quaternization pathway is straightforward, cost-effective, and scalable, which explains why Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride is widely manufactured in large volumes for global cosmetic, textile, and industrial markets.
History of Hexadecyltrimethylammonium Chloride:
The history of Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride is closely linked to the development of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) in the early 20th century.
Quaternary ammonium salts were first synthesized in the late 19th century, but their industrial and commercial significance grew in the 1930s and 1940s, when researchers discovered their strong antimicrobial and surface-active properties.
During World War II, QACs were adopted as disinfectants and antiseptics because of their effectiveness against bacteria and fungi, leading to large-scale production and widespread application.
Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride, later marketed under trade names including Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride, emerged as one of the most important QACs due to its dual functionality as both a conditioning agent and an antimicrobial surfactant.
By the 1950s and 1960s, cosmetic and personal care industries began incorporating Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride into shampoos and conditioners, where it became valued for its ability to smooth hair, reduce static, and improve combability.
Around the same time, Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride gained traction in the textile sector as a softener and antistatic agent, and in laboratories as a surfactant for DNA extraction and colloid stabilization.
Today, Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride continues to be produced globally on a large scale, especially in Asia, and remains an indispensable ingredient in hair care formulations, disinfectants, and industrial products.
Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride's history demonstrates how a compound initially developed for disinfection evolved into a versatile material bridging healthcare, cosmetics, textiles, and scientific research.
Handling and Storage of Hexadecyltrimethylammonium Chloride:
Handling:
Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing.
Do not breathe vapors, mists, or aerosols.
Use only in well-ventilated areas or under local exhaust ventilation.
Wear appropriate protective equipment (gloves, goggles, lab coat). Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
Storage:
Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place.
Protect from heat, direct sunlight, and freezing.
Keep away from strong oxidizers, strong acids, and anionic surfactants.
Stability and Reactivity of Hexadecyltrimethylammonium Chloride:
Stability:
Stable under normal temperature and pressure conditions.
Reactivity:
May react with strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, and strong bases.
Incompatible with anionic surfactants, which can form insoluble precipitates.
Thermal decomposition or combustion can produce carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, amines, and hydrogen chloride fumes.
First Aid Measures of Hexadecyltrimethylammonium Chloride:
Inhalation:
Move the affected person to fresh air.
If breathing is difficult, administer oxygen.
Seek medical attention if symptoms persist.
Skin Contact:
Wash immediately with soap and plenty of water.
Remove contaminated clothing.
Get medical advice if irritation develops.
Eye Contact:
Rinse cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes, lifting eyelids occasionally.
Remove contact lenses if present.
Seek medical attention if irritation persists.
Ingestion:
Rinse mouth thoroughly with water.
Do not induce vomiting.
Give plenty of water to drink and seek medical attention immediately.
Firefighting Measures of Hexadecyltrimethylammonium Chloride:
Extinguishing Media:
Use carbon dioxide, foam, dry chemical powder, or water spray.
Hazards:
Burning may release toxic fumes such as CO, CO₂, NOₓ, HCl, and amines.
Protective Equipment:
Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and protective clothing.
Accidental Release Measures of Hexadecyltrimethylammonium Chloride:
Personal Precautions:
Wear protective gloves, goggles, and suitable clothing.
Ensure adequate ventilation.
Avoid inhalation of vapors or mists.
Spill Cleanup:
Absorb with inert material (sand, diatomaceous earth, vermiculite).
Place in suitable, labeled container for disposal.
Wash spill area with water after cleanup.
Prevent entry into drains, surface water, and soil.
Exposure Controls / Personal Protection of Hexadecyltrimethylammonium Chloride:
Engineering Controls:
Provide local exhaust or general ventilation to keep airborne levels low.
Personal Protection:
Respiratory:
Use approved respirator if exposure limits are exceeded or if aerosols are generated.
Skin:
Wear chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene).
Eyes:
Use safety goggles or face shield.
Body:
Wear protective clothing such as a lab coat or chemical apron.
Hygiene Measures:
Do not eat, drink, or smoke when handling Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride.
Wash hands and face thoroughly after use.
Remove and wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
Identifiers of Hexadecyltrimethylammonium Chloride:
Common Name: Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride
INCI Name (Cosmetics): Cetrimonium Chloride
IUPAC Name: N,N,N-trimethylhexadecan-1-aminium chloride
Chemical Class: Quaternary ammonium compound (cationic surfactant)
CAS Number: 112-02-7
EC Number (EINECS): 203-928-6
PubChem CID: 33493
ChEBI ID: CHEBI:50254
UNII (FDA): A9G6203R3N
InChI Key: NHTMVDSIKLRUBI-UHFFFAOYSA-M
Molecular Formula: C₁₉H₄₂ClN
Molecular Weight: 320.00 g/mol
Trade / Common Name: Hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride
Official Cosmetic Name (INCI): Cetrimonium Chloride
Chemical Name (IUPAC): N,N,N-trimethylhexadecan-1-aminium chloride
Chemical Family: Quaternary ammonium salts (cationic surfactants)
CAS Number: 112-02-7
EC (EINECS) Number: 203-928-6
UNII (FDA): A9G6203R3N
PubChem CID: 33493
ChEBI ID: CHEBI:50254
MDL Number: MFCD00011724
InChI Key: NHTMVDSIKLRUBI-UHFFFAOYSA-M
Molecular Formula: C₁₉H₄₂ClN
Molecular Weight: 320.00 g/mol
Structural Formula: [C₁₆H₃₃–N⁺(CH₃)₃]Cl⁻
Chemical Structure: Long hydrophobic cetyl chain (C₁₆) bound to a trimethylammonium cation, paired with a chloride counterion.
Properties of Hexadecyltrimethylammonium Chloride:
Molecular Formula: C₁₉H₄₂ClN
Molecular Weight: 320.00 g/mol
Density (25 °C): ~0.89–0.93 g/cm³ (30% solution)
Melting Point: 237–243 °C (anhydrous solid)
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
pH (10% aqueous solution): 5.0 – 7.0
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at ambient temperature
Solubility: Freely soluble in water and ethanol; insoluble in non-polar solvents (hexane, benzene)
Partition Coefficient (log P): Positive (lipophilic character due to long alkyl chain)
Molecular Formula: C₁₉H₄₂ClN
Molecular Weight: 320.00 g/mol
Chemical Structure: Long hydrophobic cetyl (C₁₆) chain bound to a trimethylammonium cation, with chloride as counterion.
Structural Notation: [C₁₆H₃₃–N⁺(CH₃)₃]Cl⁻
Density (25 °C): ~0.89–0.93 g/cm³ (30% solution)
Melting Point: 237–243 °C (anhydrous solid)
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Refractive Index (30% solution): ~1.394–1.400
Viscosity (25 °C, 30% solution): ~150–250 mPa·s
pH (10% aqueous solution): 5.0 – 7.0
Vapor Pressure: Negligible under ambient conditions
Appearance: Yellowish clear liquid
Ionic type: Cationic
Actual Matter (%): 29 - 31
Color: 50.0 max. / APHA
Specific gravity(20°C): 0.973 (25°C)
Flash point(°C): 98<
Solubility(10%Liq.,25°C): Soluble
