CETYLTRIMETHYLAMMONIUM COMPOUNDS Meaning and
Definition
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Cetyltrimethylammonium compounds refer to a group of chemical compounds that contain the cetyltrimethylammonium cation (CTAC) as their key component. The cetyltrimethylammonium cation is an organic quaternary ammonium compound with the formula (CH3)3N+(CH2)15CH3. These compounds are commonly used in various industrial and scientific applications.
Cetyltrimethylammonium compounds are known for their surfactant properties, which allow them to lower the surface tension of liquids and facilitate the formation of stable emulsions. Due to their effectiveness in stabilizing the interface between immiscible liquids, they are widely used in the production of emulsifiers, detergents, and conditioners for personal care products.
In addition to their surfactant properties, cetyltrimethylammonium compounds also exhibit antimicrobial properties. Studies have shown that these compounds possess broad-spectrum activity against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. As a result, they find application in the formulation of disinfectants, sanitizers, and preservatives.
Furthermore, cetyltrimethylammonium compounds have been investigated for their potential use in various fields such as drug delivery, gene therapy, and materials science. They have been employed as stabilizers and templates in the synthesis of nanoparticles, as well as carriers for delivering drugs and genetic material into cells.
It is important to note that cetyltrimethylammonium compounds should be handled with caution due to their potential irritant and toxic effects.
Common Misspellings for CETYLTRIMETHYLAMMONIUM COMPOUNDS
- xetyltrimethylammonium compounds
- vetyltrimethylammonium compounds
- fetyltrimethylammonium compounds
- detyltrimethylammonium compounds
- cwtyltrimethylammonium compounds
- cstyltrimethylammonium compounds
- cdtyltrimethylammonium compounds
- crtyltrimethylammonium compounds
- c4tyltrimethylammonium compounds
- c3tyltrimethylammonium compounds
- ceryltrimethylammonium compounds
- cefyltrimethylammonium compounds
- cegyltrimethylammonium compounds
- ceyyltrimethylammonium compounds
- ce6yltrimethylammonium compounds
- ce5yltrimethylammonium compounds
- cettltrimethylammonium compounds
- cetgltrimethylammonium compounds
- cethltrimethylammonium compounds
- cetultrimethylammonium compounds
Etymology of CETYLTRIMETHYLAMMONIUM COMPOUNDS
The word "cetyltrimethylammonium compounds" is derived from the combination of several components:
1. Cetyl: The term "cetyl" comes from the Latin word "cetus", meaning whale, as it was originally derived from whale oil. It refers to a saturated fatty alcohol with 16 carbon atoms, which is commonly found in natural sources like coconut oil or other animal and vegetable waxes.
2. Trimethylammonium: The term "trimethylammonium" is composed of three parts. "Tri-" means three, indicating the presence of three methyl groups (-CH3), and "ammonium" refers to a positively charged ion derived from ammonia (NH3). In this case, the nitrogen atom in ammonia is substituted with three methyl groups, resulting in a positively charged quaternary ammonium ion.
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