Didecyldimethylammonium Chloride

What is Didecyldimethylammonium Chloride?

Molecular Formula (Didecyldimethylammonium Chloride): C₂₂H₄₈ClN

Molecular Weight: 362.08 g/mol

Chemical Name: Didecyldimethylammonium Chloride

CAS Number: 7173-51-5

DDMACs are alkyl or heterocyclic radicals. They are synthetic, tetrasubstituted organic ammonium compounds.

DDMAC has a long-chain hydrophobic alkyl group.

It is a quaternary ammonium-based antimicrobial chemical used in liquid form as a bacteriostat, deodorant, disinfectant, or microbiocide.

It is a raw material classified under pharmaceutical chemicals.

It is an effective cationic surfactant used in cleaning systems.

It is a compound that provides fungicidal and antimicrobial functions.

Other Names Include;

• DDAC
• Didecyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride
• N-Decyl-N,N-dimethyldecan-1-aminium chloride
• Didecyl(dimethyl)azanium chloride
• N,N-dimethyl-1-decanaminium chloride
• Quaternium 12
• Didecyldimonium Chloride
• Water Treatment Chemical
• Quaternary Ammonium Salt
• Dioctyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride

How is it Produced?

Like all Quaternary Ammonium Chlorides, it is industrially synthesized and marketed through the alkylation of tertiary amines with alkyl halides or other alkylating agents.

What are the Physical and Chemical Properties of Didecyldimethylammonium Chloride?

It is a chemical substance found in liquid form. It has a colorless crystalline appearance.

Commercially, it is available as a light yellow liquid in an aqueous solution.

At 20 °C, DDMAC is a slightly yellowish solid powder.

It has a mushroom-like odor. Sometimes, it has a faint alcoholic smell.

Its boiling point is above 180 °C. It tends to decompose before boiling.

It does not have a fixed melting point. It melts at 94-100 °C.

Didecyldimethylammonium Chloride solubility: Soluble in acetone, highly soluble in benzene, and insoluble in hexane.

Its density is 0.95 g/cm³.

In Quaternary Ammonium compounds, biodegradability decreases as the number of alkyl chains increases.

It has the property of degrading very quickly upon contact with air.

What are its Effects on Human Health?

Humans come into direct contact with it through disinfectant products, hair care products, fabric softeners, and food items.

In case of human exposure, the main systemic effects reported are nausea, headache, and sore throat.

Upon dermal contact, it can cause rashes, a burning sensation, numbness, and itching.

It causes severe skin burns and eye damage.

It is very toxic to aquatic life.

What are the Applications of Didecyldimethylammonium Chloride?

• Didecyldimethylammonium Chloride is used as an algaecide, bacteriocide, fungicide, fungistat, microbiocide, microbiostat, disinfectant, virucide, tuberculocide, sanitizer, and wood preservative.
• It is the main compound used in the production of Biocides.
• It is used in the formulations of medications for the treatment of eczema.
• Its applications include use as an indirect additive in food products.
• Its applications also include agriculture, where it is used as a microbiocide. Didecyldimethylammonium Chloride is also used in the production of fungicides.
• It is also used in the production of antiseptic disinfectants.
• One of its most important uses is as a surfactant. It is used as a cationic surfactant.
• It is used in the manufacturing of wood preservatives to prevent fungal growth and to defend against insect attacks. It penetrates the cell walls of fungi, causing the intracellular fluid to leak out. Therefore, it is effective against fungi and molds.
• It is used in the production of Upholstery Cleaning Chemicals to inhibit bacteria that may arise from oil and dirt.
• In the production of wood preservatives, it is mixed with compounds like Boric Acid, Borax, and Copper Sulfate to create a synergistic effect.

What Factors Affect its Price?

The price of Didecyldimethylammonium Chloride is directly linked to the prices of the chemicals used in its industrial production. As the price of the raw materials used in its production increases, the price of DDMAC will also increase.

The price of this chemical is directly related to its applications. As the applications for DDMAC increase, the price of Didecyldimethylammonium Chloride will rise.

The price of DDMAC, a type of biocide, will increase with distance from the production region because transportation costs will increase.

The price of DDMAC will decrease with the establishment of a new production facility.