Benzylbis(hydrogenated tallow alkyl)methyl quaternary ammonium compounds chlorides
[CAS# 61789-73-9]

Identification

• Classification: Surfactant
• Name: Benzylbis(hydrogenated tallow alkyl)methyl quaternary ammonium compounds chlorides
• CAS Registry Number: 61789-73-9
• EC Number: 263-082-9

Safety Data

• Hazard Symbols: GHS05;GHS07;GHS09 Danger
• Hazard Statements: H315-H317-H318-H410
• Precautionary Statements: P261-P264-P264+P265-P272-P273-P280-P302+P352-P305+P354+P338-P317-P321-P332+P317-P333+P317-P362+P364-P391-P501

Hazard Classification

Hazard	Class	Category Code	Hazard Statement
Serious eye damage	Eye Dam.	1	H318
Skin irritation	Skin Irrit.	2	H315
Skin sensitization	Skin Sens.	1	H317
Chronic hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Chronic	1	H410
Acute hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Acute	1	H400
Skin corrosion	Skin Corr.	1C	H314
Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure	STOT SE	3	H335
Skin corrosion	Skin Corr.	1A	H314

Discovory and Applicatios

Benzylbis(hydrogenated tallow alkyl)methyl quaternary ammonium compounds chlorides belong to the family of cationic surfactants widely known as quaternary ammonium compounds, or quats. Their discovery and development were part of the broader search during the mid-20th century for surfactants with antimicrobial properties, fabric-softening abilities, and conditioning effects for use in both industrial and household applications. The structural basis of these compounds lies in the quaternization of a tertiary amine carrying two long-chain alkyl substituents, a methyl group, and the subsequent introduction of a benzyl group. The long alkyl groups are derived from hydrogenated tallow, a mixture of saturated fatty acids mainly composed of C₁₆ and C₁₈ chains, which provide hydrophobic character and stability.

The synthesis involves the reaction of tertiary amines with benzyl chloride, resulting in the formation of the quaternary ammonium cation. In the case of benzylbis(hydrogenated tallow alkyl)methyl quaternary ammonium compounds chlorides, the nitrogen atom is bonded to two long saturated alkyl groups from hydrogenated tallow, a methyl group, and a benzyl group. The positive charge is balanced by a chloride anion. Industrial-scale production of these quaternary ammonium chlorides has been established for decades, with the hydrogenation of tallow ensuring consistency in chain length and saturation to improve product quality and performance.

Applications of these compounds are diverse. A major area of use is in fabric softeners and textile conditioners. The cationic head groups bind strongly to negatively charged surfaces of textile fibers, while the hydrophobic tallow-derived tails form an outward-facing layer that imparts softness, reduces static electricity, and improves the feel of fabrics. This property has made them important in household laundry care products. Similar mechanisms of action apply in hair conditioners, where adsorption onto keratin smooths the hair surface, reduces static buildup, and enhances manageability.

Another critical application is in antimicrobial formulations. Quaternary ammonium compounds of this type are widely used as disinfectants and sanitizers because they adsorb to microbial cell membranes, causing structural damage and leakage of cellular contents. Their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi, and certain viruses has made them important components of cleaning products used in hospitals, food processing facilities, and domestic settings. Their stability, effectiveness at low concentrations, and compatibility with other formulation ingredients further support their use in disinfection.

Beyond personal and household care, benzylbis(hydrogenated tallow alkyl)methyl quaternary ammonium compounds chlorides serve as antistatic agents, emulsifiers, and corrosion inhibitors. In industrial applications, they are employed in coatings, lubricants, and water treatment systems. In oilfield chemistry, they act as biocides to control microbial growth in pipelines and equipment, where biofouling can reduce efficiency and cause damage. They also find use in leather processing, paper manufacturing, and as components of phase transfer catalysts in organic synthesis, taking advantage of their amphiphilic and surface-active nature.

Despite their versatility, environmental and safety considerations have emerged. These quaternary ammonium compounds are persistent in aquatic environments and toxic to some aquatic organisms, leading to regulatory monitoring of their concentrations in effluents and formulated products. Occupational and consumer safety assessments generally find them to have low acute toxicity under normal conditions of use, though they can cause skin or eye irritation at higher concentrations. These issues have prompted efforts to balance their functional benefits with safe and environmentally responsible application.

The discovery and commercialization of benzylbis(hydrogenated tallow alkyl)methyl quaternary ammonium compounds chlorides illustrate the importance of quaternary ammonium chemistry in applied science. They combine antimicrobial efficacy with conditioning and antistatic properties, making them indispensable in both consumer products and industrial processes. Their widespread adoption demonstrates how chemical innovation in surfactants has shaped modern cleaning, conditioning, and disinfecting technologies.