Polyquaternium-47
[CAS# 197969-51-0]

Identification

• Classification: Surfactant >> Cationic surfactant >> Quaternary ammonium salt type
• Name: Polyquaternium-47
• Synonyms: Acrylic acid-3-methacryloylaminopropyltrimethylammonium chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer; N,N,N-Trimethyl-3-[(2-methyl-1-oxo-2-propenyl)amino]-1-propanaminium chloride polymer with methyl 2-propenoate and 2-propenoic acid
• Molecular Formula: (C₁₀H₂₁ClN₂O)_x^.(C₄H₆O₂)_y^.(C₃H₄O₂)_z
• CAS Registry Number: 197969-51-0
• EC Number: 606-383-6
• SMILES: CC(=C)C(=O)NCCC[N+](C)(C)C.COC(=O)C=C.C=CC(=O)O.[Cl-]

Safety Data

Hazard Classification

Hazard	Class	Category Code	Hazard Statement
Chronic hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Chronic	2	H411
Skin sensitization	Skin Sens.	1	H317

Discovory and Applicatios

Polyquaternium-47 is a synthetic polymer belonging to the polyquaternium family, which consists of polymers containing quaternary ammonium groups. These polymers are widely used in the cosmetic and personal care industries due to their ability to impart conditioning, film-forming, and antistatic properties to hair and skin. Polyquaternium-47 is specifically valued for its mildness, compatibility with a wide range of surfactants, and its ability to enhance the feel and appearance of formulations.

The development of polyquaternium-47 originated from research into improving the performance of cationic conditioning agents in shampoos, conditioners, and skin care products. During the late 20th century, as consumer demand for gentler and more effective personal care products grew, researchers focused on designing polymers that could offer strong substantivity to hair and skin while minimizing irritation potential. Polyquaternium-47 was synthesized as a copolymer that combines hydrophilic and cationic characteristics, enabling it to provide effective conditioning without the heavy build-up often associated with earlier generation quaternary ammonium compounds.

Structurally, polyquaternium-47 is composed of acrylamide and quaternized acrylate monomers. The quaternary ammonium groups confer a positive charge to the polymer, which allows it to interact strongly with the negatively charged surfaces of hair and skin. This ionic interaction helps to smooth hair cuticles, reduce static electricity, and improve detangling and manageability. In skin care formulations, the polymer forms a thin, flexible film on the skin surface, contributing to a soft, moisturized feel without clogging pores or creating a greasy residue.

Polyquaternium-47 is most commonly applied in hair care products such as shampoos, conditioners, hair treatments, and styling products. Its film-forming ability helps to protect hair from environmental damage, improve shine, and enhance the durability of styling effects. In addition, it can improve the sensory properties of shampoos by providing a rich, lubricious feel during application and by helping hair to remain soft and hydrated after rinsing.

In skin care, polyquaternium-47 is used in facial cleansers, body washes, moisturizers, and sunscreens. It enhances the mildness of cleansing formulations by reducing the irritation potential of surfactants, which can strip natural oils from the skin. By forming a protective film, it also aids in maintaining the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Its compatibility with anionic, nonionic, and amphoteric surfactants makes it a versatile ingredient that can be incorporated into a wide variety of formulation types without destabilizing the product.

Polyquaternium-47 is known for its good biodegradability relative to some older cationic polymers, which is an important factor as the personal care industry increasingly emphasizes sustainability and environmental safety. Although it is synthetic, its breakdown products are generally considered to pose minimal ecological risk compared to more persistent quaternary ammonium compounds.

Safety evaluations of polyquaternium-47 have confirmed its low toxicity and minimal skin and eye irritation potential at concentrations commonly used in cosmetic products. Regulatory bodies such as the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel have assessed the available safety data and concluded that it is safe for use in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating.

Manufacturing polyquaternium-47 involves standard radical polymerization techniques, with careful control of monomer ratios and reaction conditions to achieve the desired molecular weight and cationic charge density. The final polymer is typically supplied in aqueous solution form, facilitating its incorporation into water-based cosmetic formulations.

The continued use of polyquaternium-47 across a wide range of personal care products reflects its proven effectiveness as a conditioning agent and its compatibility with evolving consumer demands for high-performance, mild, and environmentally responsible ingredients.

References

2020. S13 | EUCOSMETICS | Combined Inventory of Ingredients Employed in Cosmetic Products (2000) and Revised Inventory (2006). Zenodo.
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