Behentrimonium Chloride is a quaternary ammonium compound commonly used as a conditioning agent, preservative and antistatic in hair and skin care products. It is valued for its ability to improve the texture of formulations, providing softening and anti-static properties.

Chemical Composition and Structure

The chemical composition of Behentrimonium Chloride includes:

• Behentrimonium: A long-chain fatty amine derived from rapeseed oil, which contributes to its conditioning properties.
• Chloride: The chloride ion acts as a counterion, stabilizing the quaternary ammonium structure.

Structurally, Behentrimonium Chloride consists of a long hydrocarbon chain attached to a quaternary nitrogen atom, allowing it to function effectively as a cationic surfactant.

Physical Properties

• Appearance: Typically a clear to slightly yellow liquid.
• Solubility: Soluble in water and alcohol; insoluble in oils.
• pH: Generally neutral to slightly acidic, around 5-7.
• Odor: Mild, characteristic of quaternary ammonium compounds.
• Stability: Stable under normal storage conditions; should be protected from extreme temperatures.

Production Process

• Synthesis: Behentrimonium Chloride is produced by reacting a fatty amine (derived from behenic acid) with a suitable alkylating agent, followed by the addition of hydrochloric acid to form the quaternary ammonium salt.
• Purification: The resulting product is purified to remove any unreacted materials and by-products.
• Formulation: The purified Behentrimonium Chloride is incorporated into hair and skin care products, often combined with other conditioning agents to enhance performance.

Applications

• Cosmetics: Commonly included in conditioners, shampoos, and skin care products for its conditioning and anti-static effects.

INCI Functions:

Antistatic agent. Static electricity build-up has a direct influence on products and causes electrostatic adsorption. The antistatic ingredient reduces static build-up and surface resistivity on the surface of the skin and hair.

Hair conditioning agent. A significant number of ingredients with specific and targeted purposes may co-exist in hair shampoo formulations: cleansers, conditioners, thickeners, matting agents, sequestering agents, fragrances, preservatives, special additives. However, the indispensable ingredients are the cleansers and conditioners as they are necessary and sufficient for hair cleansing and manageability. The others act as commercial and non-essential auxiliaries such as: appearance, fragrance, colouring, etc. Hair conditioning agents have the task of increasing shine, manageability and volume, and reducing static electricity, especially after treatments such as colouring, ironing, waving, drying and brushing. They are, in practice, dispersants that may contain cationic surfactants, thickeners, emollients, polymers. The typology of hair conditioning agents includes: intensive conditioners, instant conditioners, thickening conditioners, drying conditioners. They can perform their task generally accompanied by other different ingredients.

Preservative. Any product containing organic, inorganic compounds, water, needs to be preserved from microbial contamination. Preservatives act against the development of harmful microorganisms and against oxidation of the product.

Cosmetic safety

Restricted cosmetic ingredient as V/44 a Relevant Item in the Annexes of the European Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009. Substance or ingredient reported: Alkyl (C12-C22) trimethyl ammonium bromide and chloride.

Maximum concentration in ready for use preparation    0.1%

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Behentrimonium Chloride is generally regarded as safe for topical application in cosmetics when used according to recommended guidelines. It is well-tolerated by most skin types, but individuals with sensitivities to quaternary ammonium compounds should exercise caution (1).

Responsible sourcing and formulation practices are essential to ensure that the ingredient is free from harmful contaminants and produced sustainably.

Molecular Formula:     C₂₅H₅₄ClN

Molecular Weight: 404.2

CAS: 17301-53-0

UNII X7GNG3S47T

EC Number: 241-327-0    926-569-3

MDL number  MFCD09744670

PubChem Substance ID 

Sinonimi: 

• N,N,N-Trimethyldocosan-1-aminium chloride
• Docosyltrimethylammonium chloride
• behenyl trimethyl ammonium chloride
• docosyltrimethylammoniumchloride

References____________________________________________________________

(1) Cameron DM, Donahue DA, Costin GE, Kaufman LE, Avalos J, Downey ME, Billhimer WL, Gilpin S, Wilt N, Simion FA. Confirmation of in vitro and clinical safety assessment of behentrimonium chloride-containing leave-on body lotions using post-marketing adverse event data. Toxicol In Vitro. 

Abstract. Behentrimonium chloride (BTC) is a straight-chain alkyltrimonium chloride compound commonly used as an antistatic, hair conditioning, emulsifier, or preservative agent in personal care products. Although the European Union recently restricted the use of alkyltrimonium chlorides and bromides as preservatives to ≤0.1%, these compounds have been safely used for many years at ≤5% in hundreds of cosmetic products for other uses than as a preservative. In vitro, clinical, and controlled consumer usage tests in barrier-impaired individuals were conducted to determine if whole body, leave-on skin care products containing 1-5% BTC cause dermal irritation or any other skin reaction with use. BTC-containing formulations were predicted to be non-irritants by the EpiDerm® skin irritation test and the bovine corneal opacity and permeability (BCOP)/chorioallantoic membrane vascular assay (CAMVA) ocular irritation test battery. No evidence of allergic contact dermatitis or cumulative dermal irritation was noted under the exaggerated conditions of human occlusive patch tests. No clinically assessed or self-reported adverse reactions were noted in adults or children with atopic, eczematous, and/or xerotic skin during two-week and four-week monitored home usage studies. These results were confirmed by post-marketing data for five body lotions, which showed only 0.69 undesirable effects (mostly skin irritation) reported per million shipped consumer units during 2006-2011; a value consistent with a non-irritating body lotion. No serious undesirable effects were reported during in-market use of the products. Therefore, if formulated in appropriate conditions at 1-5%, BTC will not cause dermal irritation or delayed contact sensitization when used in a whole-body, leave-on product.