Ethyl(2-hydroxyethyl)dimethylammonium chloride

Ethyl(2-hydroxyethyl)dimethylammonium chloride (CAS 85736-63-6), also marketed as Alkyl Hydroxyethyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride, is a quaternary ammonium surfactant used across personal care, cleaning, and industrial processing. It functions primarily as a conditioning agent, emulsifier, and surface modifier, delivering substantivity to treated substrates and stabilizing formulation systems. In personal care, it conditions hair and skin by adsorbing onto negatively charged surfaces.

This improves texture and manageability in rinse-off and leave-on products. Household and industrial cleaners use it as an emulsifying and wetting agent to improve soil removal and product stability across hard surface formulations. Textile processors apply it during finishing stages to modify fiber surfaces, reducing static and improving handle on synthetic and natural fabrics. In paper and leather processing, it acts as a surface-active treatment agent.

This aids dispersion and promotes uniform coating adhesion. This quaternary ammonium compound is typically supplied as an aqueous solution, with active content concentrations commonly ranging from 50% to 80%. Technical-grade material is the standard offering for industrial and household cleaning applications, while cosmetic-grade specifications are available for personal care use. Packaging options generally include drums and intermediate bulk containers.

These containers suit both mid-scale formulators and high-volume industrial buyers. The material is handled according to standard industrial safety protocols to ensure stability and performance throughout its shelf life.