Properties of Cetrimonium chloride
- Chemical formula: ClN
- Molar mass: 320.00 g/mol
- Topical antiseptic and surfactant
- Lamellar structure forming a percolated network giving rise to a gel

Uses of Cetrimonium chloride
- Found in hair conditioners and shampoos
- Acts as a surfactant
- Provides antiseptic properties
- Helps in detangling and conditioning hair
- Can be used in formulations for skin care products

Related compounds
- Behentrimonium chloride – a structural analogue
- Cetrimonium bromide – the corresponding bromide salt
- Quaternary ammonium surfactants
- Long-chain fatty alcohols
- Lamellar structures in hair care products

References
- 'What is cetrimonium chloride?' - naturallycurly.com
- Archived article on cetrimonium chloride
- Cetrimonium chloride stub on Wikipedia
- Respiratory system drug stub on Wikipedia
- Dermatologic drug stub on Wikipedia

Additional information
- PubChem CID: 8154
- UNII: UC9PE95IBP
- CompTox Dashboard (EPA): DTXSID6026901
- InChI: InChI=1S/C19H42N.ClH/c1-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-20(2,3)4;/h5-19H2,1-4H3;1H/q+1;/p-1
- Key: WOWHHFRSBJGXCM-UHFFFAOYSA-M

Cetrimonium chloride, or cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC), is a topical antiseptic and surfactant. Long-chain quaternary ammonium surfactants, such as cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC), are generally combined with long-chain fatty alcohols, such as stearyl alcohols, in formulations of hair conditioners and shampoos. The cationic surfactant concentration in conditioners is generally of the order of 1–2% and the alcohol concentrations are usually equal to or greater than those of the cationic surfactants. The ternary system, surfactant/fatty alcohol/water, leads to a lamellar structure forming a percolated network giving rise to a gel.

Cetrimonium chloride
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
N,N,N-Trimethylhexadecan-1-aminium chloride
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard100.003.571 Edit this at Wikidata
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C19H42N.ClH/c1-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-20(2,3)4;/h5-19H2,1-4H3;1H/q+1;/p-1 checkY
    Key: WOWHHFRSBJGXCM-UHFFFAOYSA-M checkY
  • InChI=1/C19H42N.ClH/c1-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-20(2,3)4;/h5-19H2,1-4H3;1H/q+1;/p-1
    Key: WOWHHFRSBJGXCM-REWHXWOFAY
  • CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC[N+](C)(C)C.[Cl-]
Properties
C19H42ClN
Molar mass320.00 g/mol
Pharmacology
D08AJ02 (WHO) R02AA17 (WHO)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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