Quaternary ammonium disinfectant

Description

A series of surface-active, odorless, antiseptic compounds that are widely used as a disinfectants in detergents. Quaternary ammonium compounds are active at low concentrations and have been used to kill bacteria, fungi, Algae, and lichens. They do not kill spores and have little residual activity. These surfactant agents have reduced effectiveness in solutions containing hard water, salts, or organic compounds. Some examples include:

- alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride or benzalkonium chloride (Preventol R50, R80 R90 [Bayer], Hymaine 3500 [Rohm & Haas], Neo-desogen [Ciba Geigy];   - benzyldimethylhexadecylammonium chloride or cetalkonium chloride (Cetol);   - trimethyl 1-(p-tolylalkyl)ammonium methane sulfate (Desogen [Ciba Geigy]);   - dodecyl dioxyethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (Cradophen [Ciba Geigy]);   - lauryl dimethyl benzyl ammonium bromide (Metatin 101 [Acima Chemical], Proseptyl B [Sicca], Cetlavlon [ICI]);   - diisobutylphenoxyethoxyethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride or benzethonium chloride (Hyamine 1622 [Rohm & Haas])   - alkylaryl trimethyl ammonium chloride (Gloquat C [A.B.M. Chemical])

Sources Checked for Data in Record

• G.Caneva, M.P.Nugari, O.Salvadori, Biology in the Conservation of Works of Art, ICCROM, Rome, 1991