Benzalkonium chloride

Benzalkonium Chloride (BAC, BKC) is a quaternary ammonium compound commercially available under trade names including Hyamine 3500, Zephiran Chloride, and Neo Germ-i-Tol. Assigned CAS 8001-54-5 and EC 616-786-9, it is a mixture of alkylbenzyldimethylammonium chlorides with varying alkyl chain lengths, typically C12 to C16.

In water treatment, BAC disrupts microbial cell membranes at low concentrations, functioning as an effective algaecide and bactericide in cooling towers and industrial water systems. In pharmaceutical and personal care formulations, it serves as a preservative in ophthalmic solutions and topical antiseptics, where its cationic charge enables binding to negatively charged bacterial surfaces.

BAC is supplied in liquid and solid grades conforming to Ph.Eur., USP, and REACH requirements, with concentrations typically ranging from 50% to 80% aqueous solution for industrial applications. Pharmaceutical-grade material meets compendial purity specifications. Packaging formats include IBC containers, drums, and bulk tanker delivery depending on grade and volume.