Quaternary ammonium compounds, or quats, are versatile chemical agents known for their antimicrobial properties and are used in products like disinfectants, fabric softeners, and food sanitizers. They are prepared through a chemical process called quaternization involving the alkylation of tertiary amines with halocarbons, resulting in permanently charged cations. Industrial applications include a wide range of consumer products, emphasizing their stability and effectiveness in various formulations.

1. Quaternary Ammonium
Compound
Chemical Composition & Uses

2. Introduction
Abbreviated as Quats, the compound can be categorized into
hundreds of products, providing several individual
chemicals. It has found its use in several formulations, most
of them involving a blend of different type of Quats. Due to
its distinct anti-microbiological property, Quaternary
Ammonium Compound is widely preferred for wood
preservation, disinfectants, surfactants, antistatic agents,
and fabric softeners.

3. Composition
Quats are basically the salts of Quaternary Ammonium Cations
– a positively charged polyatomic ion. They are permanently
charged, unlike ammonium cations, and independent of the pH
of their solutions.
These compounds are prepared by a chemical process called
quaternization, also known as Menshutkin reaction in the older
times. The process involves alkylation of tertiary amines with
halocarbons.

5. Composition
Quats are basically the salts of Quaternary Ammonium Cations
– a positively charged polyatomic ion. They are permanently
charged, unlike ammonium cations, and independent of the pH
of their solutions.
These compounds are prepared by a chemical process called
quaternization, also known as Menshutkin reaction in the older
times. The process involves alkylation of tertiary amines
(derivatives of ammonia) with halocarbons.
Categories of Quats
●
Group 1 – Alkyl or Hydroxyl substituted Quats
●
Group 2 – Non-halogenated benzyl substituted
Quats
●
Group 3 – di- and tri- chlorobenzyl substituted
Quats
●
Group 4 – unusual substitutes (charged
heterocyclic compounds)

6. Composition
Quats are basically the salts of Quaternary Ammonium Cations
– a positively charged polyatomic ion. They are permanently
charged, unlike ammonium cations, and independent of the pH
of their solutions.
These compounds are prepared by a chemical process called
quaternization, also known as Menshutkin reaction in the older
times. The process involves alkylation of tertiary amines
(derivatives of ammonia) with halocarbons.
Chemical Properties
●
Quats are usually in solid form and easily dissolve in liquid
solutions.
●
They are stable towards nucleophiles, and are unreactive to
acids, oxidants, and strong electrophiles as well.
●
Quats do not evaporate into air, but persist in the
environment.
●
Quat solutions leave a solid residue upon drying.

8. Composition
Quats are basically the salts of Quaternary Ammonium Cations
– a positively charged polyatomic ion. They are permanently
charged, unlike ammonium cations, and independent of the pH
of their solutions.
These compounds are prepared by a chemical process called
quaternization, also known as Menshutkin reaction in the older
times. The process involves alkylation of tertiary amines
(derivatives of ammonia) with halocarbons.
Applications & Uses
●
Quats have found their way into popular products like
shampoos, spermicidal jellies, chloride salts as fabric
softeners, and sulfate salts as fabric conditioner.
●
Due to the antimicrobial and disinfectant property, Quats
like benzalkonium chloride, cetrimonium, centrimide, and
more, are actively in demand.
●
Quats are popular in the food industry due to their role of a
sanitizing agent.
●
They are lethal against various fungi, amoeba, virus and
other organisms.

9. Composition
Quats are basically the salts of Quaternary Ammonium Cations
– a positively charged polyatomic ion. They are permanently
charged, unlike ammonium cations, and independent of the pH
of their solutions.
These compounds are prepared by a chemical process called
quaternization, also known as Menshutkin reaction in the older
times. The process involves alkylation of tertiary amines
(derivatives of ammonia) with halocarbons.
●
Used to remove organic materials.
●
Perform best in soft waters and are deactivated by common
soaps.
●
One important application includes combination with Phenols.
●
Widely used in organic chemistry as PTC or Phase Transfer
Catalyst.
●
Popular fabric softeners are based on quaternary ammonium
cations containing one or two long alkyl chains.
●
To stabilize osmotic pressure in cells and are present in
osmolytes, like glycine betaine.

10. Tatva Chintan Pharma Chem Pvt. Ltd is a leading
exporter & manufacturer of chemical and
pharmaceutical products.
We offer a wide variety of chemical products including
specialty chemicals, quaternary phosphonium salts,
methylating agents, electrolyte chemicals, and more.

11. 502/17, G.I.D.C,
Ankleshwar 393 002, India
+91­2646­253593 / 238991
shekhar@tatvachintan.com