3-Chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride
[CAS# 3327-22-8]

Identification

• Classification: Surfactant >> Cationic surfactant >> Quaternary ammonium salt type
• Name: 3-Chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride
• Synonyms: (+/-)-(3-Chloro-2-hydroxypropyl)trimethylammonium chloride
• Molecular Formula: C₆H₁₅Cl₂NO
• Molecular Weight: 188.10
• CAS Registry Number: 3327-22-8
• EC Number: 222-048-3
• SMILES: C[N+](C)(C)CC(CCl)O.[Cl-]

Properties

• Melting point: 191-193 ºC

Safety Data

• Hazard Symbols: GHS08 Warning
• Hazard Statements: H351-H412
• Precautionary Statements: P203-P273-P280-P318-P391-P405-P501

Hazard Classification

Hazard	Class	Category Code	Hazard Statement
Carcinogenicity	Carc.	2	H351
Chronic hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Chronic	2	H411
Chronic hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Chronic	3	H412
Skin irritation	Skin Irrit.	2	H315
Eye irritation	Eye Irrit.	2	H319
Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure	STOT SE	3	H335

Discovory and Applicatios

3-Chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride, commonly abbreviated as CHPTAC, is a versatile quaternary ammonium compound. It has attracted widespread attention for its wide range of applications in various industries including textiles, paper, and personal care products.

The discovery of CHPTAC is associated with the development of cationic modification techniques in the mid-20th century. These techniques seek to enhance the properties of natural and synthetic polymers by introducing cationic groups. CHPTAC is an important reagent for this purpose due to its ability to react with hydroxyl groups in various matrices and impart cationic properties.

The chemical formula of CHPTAC is C6H15Cl2NO and its molecular weight is 188.1 g/mol. Its structure consists of a trimethylammonium group attached to a chlorohydroxypropyl group. This structure makes CHPTAC highly reactive with hydroxyl groups in cellulose and other polysaccharides, forming a stable ether bond. This reactivity is essential for its widespread use in modifying natural polymers.

CHPTAC is widely used in the textile industry to modify natural fibers such as cotton, wool, and cellulose. By introducing cationic groups, CHPTAC improves the dyeability of these fibers with anionic dyes, resulting in brighter and more vivid colors. Additionally, it enhances the shrinkage and wrinkle resistance of fabrics, thus improving the overall quality and durability of fabrics.

In the paper industry, CHPTAC is used to produce cationic starches and wet-strength resins. Cationic starches help improve the strength, retention, and drainage properties of paper during the papermaking process. Wet-strength resins, on the other hand, impart water resistance to paper products, making them suitable for applications such as packaging and tissue.

CHPTAC is also used as a flocculant in water treatment processes. Its cationic nature enables it to neutralize negatively charged colloidal particles in water, facilitating their aggregation and subsequent removal. This application is essential in ensuring the purity and safety of drinking water and treating industrial wastewater.

In the personal care industry, CHPTAC is used as a conditioning agent in hair care products. It helps improve wet combing and manageability of hair, reduces static electricity, and enhances the overall feel and appearance of hair. CHPTAC-modified polymers are also used in skin care products to improve their texture and moisturizing properties.

CHPTAC is used as a drilling fluid additive in the oil and gas industry. It helps stabilize clay particles in drilling muds, preventing them from swelling and causing blockages. Such applications are critical to ensuring the efficiency and safety of drilling operations.

The versatility and effectiveness of CHPTAC continues to drive research into new applications and improvements to existing ones. Future developments focus on enhancing the environmental sustainability of CHPTAC production and applications. Innovations in green chemistry could lead to more environmentally friendly methods of synthesizing and utilizing this compound.

References

2024. Chemical Crosslinking, Acid Hydrolysis, Oxidation, Esterification, and Etherification of Starch. Advanced Research in Starch.
DOI: 10.1007/978-981-99-9527-1_2

2024. Waste-to-Value-Added Customized Cationic Banana Starch for Potential Flocculant Application. Journal of Polymers and the Environment.
DOI: 10.1007/s10924-024-03349-8

2024. Salt-Free Dyeing of Cellulosic Fibers. Sustainable Textiles: Production, Processing, Manufacturing & Chemistry.
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-51362-6_2