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Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Chloride

Chemical Name: Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Chloride

CAS No.: 112-02-7

Molecular Weight: ≈ 320.0 g/mol

Molecular Formula: C₁₉H₄₂ClN

Appearance: White to off-white waxy solid, paste, or flakes. Often supplied as an aqueous solution.

Storage and transportation characteristics: low temperature, ventilation, dryness, waterproof, moisture-proof

Type Of Transportation:By Air/By Sea/By Train/By Express

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Detail

Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Chloride (CTAC), also known as Cetrimonium Chloride, is a fundamental and widely-used cationic surfactant. With its well-balanced 16-carbon alkyl chain, it serves as a critical ingredient in personal care, pharmaceuticals, and industrial applications, prized for its conditioning, emulsifying, and antimicrobial properties.

Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Chloride (CTAC) is a widely used quaternary ammonium cationic surfactant, valued for its excellent emulsifying, antistatic, and phase-transfer capabilities. It is commonly applied in cosmetic formulations, industrial surface treatments, and fine chemical synthesis. As a professional cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride supplier, we provide high-quality CTAC for global industrial and formulation applications.

Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Chloride (CTAC) Chemical Formula and Structure

Ceyl Trimethyl Ammonium Chloride is a quaternary ammonium salt featuring a single, long hydrophobic tail.

Key Structural Features:

A positively charged nitrogen (ammonium) center is bonded to three methyl groups and one cetyl (hexadecyl, C16) chain, with a chloride counterion. This structure provides the ideal amphiphilic character for numerous surface-active functions.

CAS: Cas No 112 02 7

Chemical Properties and Performance

CTAC's efficacy stems from its distinct physicochemical profile, making it a versatile performer. The table below summarizes its core properties.

• Excellent solubility in water and alcohol

• Strong cationic surface activity

• Compatible with cationic and non-ionic surfactants

• Provides good stability across a wide pH range

• Typical active content: 30% / 50% / customized

Property / Characteristic	Description / Typical Value
Appearance (25°C)	White to off-white waxy solid, paste, or flakes. Often supplied as an aqueous solution.
Active Matter Content	Common forms: 25-30% aqueous solution or ~100% pure solid/powder.
Density	0.968 g/mL at 25°C
Specific Gravity	0.968
Refractive Index	n²⁰/D 1.3778
pH Value	pH (50 g/l, 25°C): 6.0 ~ 8.5
Solubility	Soluble in hot water and alcohols (ethanol, isopropanol). Forms clear, low-foaming solutions.
Ionic Nature	Strong cationic surfactant; carries a permanent positive charge.
Surface Activity	Effectively lowers surface tension; forms micelles and stabilizes oil-in-water interfaces.
Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC)	~ 0.9 - 1.3 mM (in water at 25°C), indicative of high surface activity.
Primary Functions	Conditioning, emulsifying, antistatic, dispersing, and antimicrobial agent.
Compatibility	Compatible with cationic and nonionic surfactants; incompatible with anionic compounds (forms precipitates).
Melting Point	Approximately 60-65°C (for pure solid).
Storage Condition	-196°C (For long-term storage of pure standards or research samples; commercial products typically store at 2-25°C in a dry place.)
Biodegradability	Readily biodegradable under standard test conditions.
BRN	3657974
HS/Customs Code	29239000