Quaternary ammonium compound
Quaternary Ammonium Compound
A Quaternary Ammonium Compound (pronounced: kwuh-tur-nuh-ree am-uh-nuh-um kom-pound), often abbreviated as Quats, is a type of antimicrobial agent that is widely used in a variety of health and hygiene products.
Etymology
The term "Quaternary Ammonium Compound" is derived from the fact that these compounds contain a nitrogen atom with four substituents, making them quaternary (fourth-order) in nature. The term "ammonium" refers to the positively charged ion that is formed when ammonia (NH3) gains a proton.
Description
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds are nitrogenous organic compounds used as disinfectants in restaurants, hospitals and homes. The basic chemical structure of ammonium is a nitrogen atom with four hydrogen atoms attached around it. Quaternary Ammonium Compounds have a similar structure but one of the hydrogen atoms is replaced with a structure such as a long alkyl chain.
Uses
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds are used in a variety of industrial and domestic applications. They are commonly found in disinfectants, sanitizers, and cleaning supplies due to their ability to kill a wide range of microorganisms. In the medical field, they are used in surgical scrubs and hand washes. They are also used in personal care products such as shampoos and conditioners, where they function as antistatic agents and emulsifiers.
Related Terms
See Also
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