Product Name: Benzylcetyldimethylammonium Chloride
Synonyms: Cetrimonium Chloride, Quaternary Ammonium Compound
CAS Number: 112-02-7
Recommended Use: Biocide, disinfectant, antimicrobials in cleaning products
Manufacturer Contact: Emergency telephone number, supplier address, website for product safety information
Emergency Overview: Colorless to pale yellow liquid, faint almond-like odor, highly soluble in water, potential irritant
GHS Classification: Acute toxicity (oral, dermal), skin corrosion, eye damage, aquatic environment hazard
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed, causes severe skin burns and eye damage, toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects
Pictograms: Corrosive, exclamation mark, environment
Routes of Exposure: Ingestion, skin contact, eye contact, inhalation of mists
Precautionary Statements: Avoid contact with skin and eyes, use personal protective equipment, avoid release to the environment, wash thoroughly after handling
Symptoms: Burning sensations, redness, pain, blisters, vision impairment, coughing if inhaled
Chemical Name: Benzylcetyldimethylammonium Chloride
Formula: C25H46ClN
Concentration: 98–100% pure, impurities may include trace chlorides and unreacted amines
CAS Registry Number: 112-02-7
Other Ingredients: Trace water, minor organic byproducts depending on synthesis route
General Advice: Move victim from exposure, keep at rest, consult medical professionals
Inhalation: Remove from exposure area to fresh air immediately; seek medical attention if symptoms persist or breathing becomes difficult
Skin Contact: Flush skin with plenty of running water for at least 15 minutes, remove contaminated clothing and shoes, get medical attention
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present, continue rinsing, obtain prompt medical attention
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, drink water if conscious, call a poison center or doctor immediately; never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person
Most Important Symptoms: Skin burns, corneal injury, gastrointestinal damage, respiratory irritation
Notes for Physician: Treat symptomatically, monitor for chemical pneumonitis, consider rinsing for decontamination
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Media: Straight water streams risk chemical runoff
Special Hazards: Product decomposes at high temperatures to release toxic gases such as nitrogen oxides, hydrogen chloride, carbon monoxide
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus and protective gear
Advice for Firefighters: Control runoff to prevent release to environment; remain upwind of fire; keep containers cool with water spray
Explosion Data: Not prone to direct explosion but may splatter if containers rupture
Flash Point: Not readily flammable in aqueous solution, but may support combustion of other materials
Personal Precautions: Wear gloves, goggles, protective clothing, avoid breathing vapors or mists, ensure adequate ventilation
Evacuation Procedures: Restrict access to spill area, alert emergency response if large quantities are involved
Environmental Precautions: Prevent runoff to drains, sewers, waterways; contain with dikes or recommended inert materials
Spill Cleanup: Absorb with inert materials like vermiculite or sand, collect in suitable sealed containers for disposal, clean surfaces with water after removal
Disposal Consideration: Manage waste as hazardous material, minimize dust formation, consult local regulations before disposal
Handling: Keep container tightly closed, use in well-ventilated area, avoid spillage and formation of aerosols, do not eat, drink, or smoke during handling, practice good hygiene
Storage: Store in original, labeled containers in cool, dry, well-ventilated place, keep away from incompatible substances such as strong oxidizers, acids, anionic detergents
Incompatibility: Store away from strong acids, alkalis, reducing agents, and food items
Special Precautions: Keep out of direct sunlight, protect from freezing or extreme heat, store away from children or unauthorized personnel
Other Advice: Segregate from reactive chemicals, regularly inspect storage containers for leaks or damage
Exposure Limits: No established occupational exposure limits; use best industrial hygiene practices
Engineering Controls: Employ local exhaust ventilation, safety showers, eyewash stations, closed process systems
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, PVC), long-sleeved synthetic apron or suit, safety goggles, face shield, adequate respiratory protection in case of mist or inadequate ventilation
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands thoroughly after handling, do not wear contaminated clothing outside work area, provide facilities for emergency decontamination
Environmental Precautions: Use containment to limit exposure to water systems, implement spill mitigation plans where stored or transferred in large amounts
Safe Work Practices: Train employees on product hazards, post hazard warning signs, keep eyewash and showers accessible
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor: Faint almond or floral scent
pH (1% solution): 6.0–8.0
Melting Point: 242–246°C (pure), lower in commercial solutions
Boiling Point: Not easily determined due to decomposition
Flash Point: Not considered flammable in aqueous form
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Solubility: Freely soluble in water, alcohol; insoluble in most nonpolar organic solvents
Density: Approximately 0.98–1.02 g/cm3 (solution)
Partition Coefficient: log Kow: 2.75
Stability in Solution: Stable within pH 4–10
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions, sensitive to strong acids or bases
Reactivity: May react violently with anionic surfactants, strong oxidizers, nitrates; decompose slowly at high temperature
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Nitrogen oxides, hydrogen chloride, trace hydrocarbons
Incompatible Materials: Anionic detergents, reducing agents, oxidizing materials
Polymerization: Does not undergo hazardous polymerization under normal storage or usage
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, open flames, direct sunlight, high humidity, contact with reactive chemicals, long-term exposure to alkaline or acidic environments
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat) = 426 mg/kg; dermal LD50 (rabbit) = 1560 mg/kg
Inhalation Toxicity: Mists may irritate respiratory tract, symptoms include coughing, sore throat, shortness of breath
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes severe burns, blistering, necrosis on prolonged contact
Eye Damage: Corrosive, risk of permanent eye injury or blindness
Chronic Effects: Sensitization reported in some individuals, not known to be mutagenic or carcinogenic
Other Health Effects: May trigger asthma in susceptible individuals, not considered to accumulate or persist in humans
Irritation Potential: High, especially on mucous membranes, skin, eyes
Toxicity to Aquatic Life: Very toxic, LC50 (fish, 96 hours) = 0.19 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Not readily biodegradable, persistent in water and soil, may undergo slow degradation by microbes
Bioaccumulation: Moderate potential, accumulates in aquatic organisms
Mobility in Soil: Binds to sediments, moderate mobility in water depending on environment
Other Ecotoxic Effects: Toxic to aquatic plants and invertebrates, disrupts microbiota balance in wastewater treatment
Precautions: Prevent large-scale accidental releases to waterways, employ secondary containment where possible
Disposal of Material: Dispose via licensed chemical disposal contractor, incinerate or manage as hazardous waste, comply with federal, state, and local regulations
Contaminated Packaging: Triple rinse containers, puncture, send for recycling only if allowed
Methods: Do not flush to sewer, avoid discharge to environment, consult safety data authority for region-specific methods
Waste Codes: Assign as non-specific hazardous waste depending on regional regulatory framework
Precautions: Store wastes in labeled, compatible containers, segregate incompatible wastes, limit access to authorized, trained personnel
UN Number: 2922 (Corrosive liquid, toxic, n.o.s. [contains Benzylcetyldimethylammonium Chloride])
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive), 6.1 (Toxic)
Packing Group: II
Proper Shipping Name: Corrosive Liquid, Toxic, N.O.S.
Label Requirements: Corrosive, Toxic
Environmental Hazard Mark: Marine pollutant
Special Transport Precautions: Protect against physical damage, keep separated from acids/foodstuffs, ensure containers are secure and tightly closed during transit
Regulations: Complies with IMDG, IATA, DOT regulations on hazardous materials, emergency response guides must be kept with shipment
OSHA: Classified as hazardous, subject to Hazard Communication Standard, labeling, and training requirements
TSCA: Listed on U.S. EPA Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory
REACH: Registered under EC Regulation 1907/2006; available SDS and exposure scenario
SARA Title III: Not listed as a Section 302 extremely hazardous substance; reportable quantities apply under Sections 311/312 (immediate (acute) health hazard)
Canadian WHMIS: Regulated as Class E (Corrosive Material), requires workplace labeling and controls
State Right to Know: May be listed in state hazardous substance inventories
Other International Regulations: Compliance required under Australian, Japanese, South Korean, New Zealand, and other relevant chemical safety regulations, local restrictions may apply based on concentration and use pattern
