Benzethonium chloride

• BPBenzethonium Chloride
• JPBenzethonium Chloride
• Ph. Eur.Benzethonium Chloride
• USP–NFBenzethonium Chloride

Benzethonii chloridum; diisobutylphenoxyethoxyethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride; Hyamine 1622; phemerol chloride

N-Benzyl-N,N-dimethyl-2-{2-[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy]ethoxy}ethanaminium chloride · [121-54-0]

UNII PH41D05744 · PubChem CID 8478

C27H42ClNO2 · 448.08

Antimicrobial preservative

Typical concentrations: 0.01–0.02% · Dosage forms: Liquid, Sterile (parenteral/ophthalmic)

A quaternary ammonium antimicrobial preservative used in injections, ophthalmic and otic preparations, typically at 0.01–0.02% w/v. At higher concentrations it is used as a topical antiseptic and disinfectant, and it is used in cosmetics such as deodorants and mouthwashes.

A white, odourless crystalline powder with a very bitter taste; pharmacopoeial material may be anhydrous or the monohydrate.

Melting point

≈ 158–163 °C

Solubility

very soluble or freely soluble in water and ethanol; freely soluble in chloroform; practically insoluble in ether

Surface activity

cationic surfactant; aqueous solutions foam strongly on shaking

Appearance

white, odourless crystalline powder with a very bitter taste

Stable. Aqueous solutions can be sterilised by autoclaving. Store in an airtight container, protected from light, in a cool, dry place.

Like other cationic surfactants it is incompatible with soaps and anionic surfactants, and it may be inactivated by some nonionic surfactants, anionic polymers and high concentrations of electrolytes. It may be adsorbed by rubber and plastics.

Prepared by reacting the corresponding tertiary amine, derived from p-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol (octylphenol), with benzyl chloride, followed by purification.

At preservative concentrations it is generally non-irritant, but concentrated solutions irritate the skin, eyes and mucous membranes. It is toxic if swallowed in quantity, and hypersensitivity reactions have been reported.

Use gloves and eye protection; the powder and concentrated solutions are irritant. Avoid inhaling the dust.

Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredient Database (injections, ophthalmic, otic and topical preparations) and in medicines licensed in Europe.

Benzalkonium chloride; cetrimide; cetylpyridinium chloride; methylbenzethonium chloride.

Unlike benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride is a single defined compound rather than a homologue mixture, which simplifies assay and specification, although its spectrum and incompatibilities are similar.