Didecyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride: Antimicrobial Efficacy, Applications in Cleaning Products, and Safety Concerns

General Description

Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride is a versatile quaternary ammonium compound known for its strong antimicrobial properties, making it widely used in disinfectants and cleaning products. It appears as a light yellow to straw-yellow liquid, soluble in cold water and various solvents, effective within a pH range of 6-9. Despite its efficacy, Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride poses health risks, being a skin irritant and potentially harmful if ingested, with studies indicating possible liver damage from repeated exposure. It's crucial to handle Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride with care, using personal protective equipment and keeping it away from children. Its application ranges from laundry detergents to kitchen cleaners, highlighting its importance in hygiene and sanitation practices while underscoring the need for safe handling protocols.

Figure 1. Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride

Overview of Characteristics

Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium compound characterized by its light yellow to straw-yellow transparent liquid form with a slight odor. This compound demonstrates excellent solubility in cold water, low-carbon alcohols, ketones, and propylene glycol, making it versatile for various applications. Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride tends to solidify at low temperatures; however, this can be reversed by heating and stirring, ensuring its ease of use across different conditions. Physically, Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride has a specific gravity of 0.891 at 25 degrees Celsius and an average molecular weight of 361. Its appearance is consistent with its chemical description, and it has an active content of 80%, with a pH range of 6.5-9.0 when in a 10% solution. The flashpoint of DDAC is noted to be 107 degrees Fahrenheit, with a freezing point of 50 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating its relative stability under normal storage conditions. Chemically, Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride exhibits strong bactericidal properties, especially effective within a pH range of 6-9, highlighting its utility in disinfection and sanitation applications. Overall, Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride stands out for its effective solubility, strong bactericidal capabilities, and excellent safety and toxicological profile, making it an important chemical in hygiene and disinfection practices. ¹

Applications in Cleaning Products

Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride is a broad-spectrum, long-acting antimicrobial agent, surpassing many conventional disinfectants in both efficacy and safety. Its versatility allows for widespread use across various products with different functionalities. In the context of laundry and cleaning products, Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride's solubility in cold water and compatibility with hard water conditions (up to 800 ppm) without a decrease in antimicrobial effectiveness make it an ideal ingredient. It works well in combination with nonionic and amphoteric surfactants as well as other additives, ensuring no damage to fibers while offering color protection benefits over chlorine-based disinfectants. Increasingly incorporated into a variety of detergents, Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride enhances products like disinfectants, hand washes, antimicrobial rinses, laundry liquids, disinfectant wipes, and kitchen cleaners with its germicidal properties. Its ability to dissolve in cold water and maintain efficacy in hard water conditions, alongside its fiber-friendly and color-preserving attributes, has made it a preferred choice for incorporating antimicrobial functions into household and commercial washing products. This broad application underscores Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride's importance in promoting hygiene and sanitation in everyday environments. ²

Health and Safety Concerns

Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride is a chemical compound known for its antimicrobial properties, commonly used in disinfectants and sanitizers. However, it is important to be aware of its safety profile to ensure proper handling and use. This compound has been identified as a skin irritant, capable of causing significant eye injury if contact occurs. It is harmful when ingested, underlining the need for careful storage and usage to prevent accidental ingestion. The substance has been reported to cause burns and is not marketed in its pure form, but rather in alcoholic or aqueous solutions, which might mitigate direct exposure risks. Repeated-dose oral studies in animals have shown that Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride can lead to increased liver weights with corresponding histopathological changes, alongside elevated ALT activity, indicating potential liver damage. Additionally, it has been associated with contact urticaria, a form of skin irritation characterized by hives and itching upon contact with the skin. Given these findings, it is crucial to adhere to safety guidelines when handling Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize skin and eye exposure, and ensuring that it is kept out of reach of children to prevent ingestion. ³

Reference

1. Didecyldimonium Chloride. National Center for Biotechnology Information (2024). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 23558.

2. 1-Decanaminium, N-decyl-N,N-dimethyl-, chloride (1:1). EPA Chemicals under the TSCA.

3. PubChem Annotation Record for DIDECYL DIMETHYL AMMONIUM CHLORIDE. National Center for Biotechnology Information, 2024, Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB).

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