Quaternium-91 is a quaternary ammonium compound used primarily as a conditioning agent in hair and skin care products. It is known for its ability to improve the texture and manageability of hair while providing moisturizing benefits and enhancing product stability.

Chemical Composition and Structure

The chemical composition of Quaternium-91 includes:

• Quaternary Ammonium Salts: Composed of ammonium ions that are positively charged, which enhance its conditioning properties.
• Polymeric Structure: Its polymeric nature allows it to form a film on hair and skin, providing long-lasting conditioning effects.

Structurally, Quaternium-91 consists of a long carbon chain attached to a quaternary nitrogen atom, contributing to its emulsifying and conditioning properties.

Physical Properties

• Appearance: Typically a clear to slightly yellow liquid.
• Solubility: Soluble in water, allowing for easy incorporation into aqueous formulations.
• pH: Generally neutral to slightly acidic, depending on the specific formulation.
• Odor: Mild, characteristic of quaternary compounds.
• Stability: Stable under normal storage conditions but should be protected from extreme temperatures.

Production Process

• Synthesis: Quaternium-91 is produced through a chemical reaction that combines ammonium compounds with fatty acids or alcohols to create the quaternary structure.
• Purification: The resulting compound is purified to remove any unreacted materials and by-products.
• Formulation: The purified Quaternium-91 is incorporated into hair and skin care products, often combined with other conditioning agents for enhanced performance.

Applications

• Medical: Limited use in specific medical formulations that require conditioning properties.
• Cosmetics: Widely used in shampoos, conditioners, creams, and lotions for its ability to improve hair and skin texture and provide moisturizing benefits.

INCI Functions:

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.

• Industrial Uses: Occasionally utilized in formulations where conditioning and emulsifying properties are needed.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Quaternium-91 is generally regarded as safe for topical application when used according to recommended guidelines. However, individuals with sensitivities to quaternary ammonium compounds should exercise caution. Responsible sourcing and formulation practices are essential to ensure that the ingredient is free from harmful contaminants and produced sustainably.

Molecular Formula  C₅₁H₁₀₃N₃O₅S

Molecular Weight  870.4 g/mol

CAS     

UNII    00J8H295NB