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1-Chlorohexadecane (Cetyl Chloride) is an organic chemical featuring a 16-carbon chain with a chlorine atom at one end. It is primarily an industrial intermediate, not a drug.
Its main use is in synthesizing cationic surfactants. When reacted with amines, it produces compounds like cetrimonium chloride, a key ingredient in hair conditioners, fabric softeners, and disinfectants due to its antistatic and antimicrobial properties.
Additionally, it serves as an alkylating agent in organic chemistry labs to attach long carbon chains to other molecules and in materials science research.
Handled as an irritant, this compound is valued for its role in manufacturing everyday consumer chemicals rather than for direct application.
1-Chlorohexadecane is an organic compound belonging to the class of chloroalkanes (alkyl halides). Its chemical formula is C₁₆H₃₃Cl.
It consists of a long, straight 16-carbon hydrocarbon chain (hexadecane, also known as cetyl) with a chlorine atom attached to one terminal carbon (the 1-position).
Other Names: Often called cetyl chloride or palmityl chloride.
Appearance: Typically a colorless to pale yellow liquid or low-melting solid.
Properties: It is hydrophobic (water-repelling) and has relatively low chemical reactivity due to its long carbon chain, though the chlorine atom can be displaced in certain reactions.
Organic Synthesis & Chemical Intermediate:
This is its most significant application. The chlorine atom is a "good leaving group," making 1-chlorohexadecane a useful alkylating agent.
It is used to attach the long cetyl (C16) chain onto other molecules, a process called quaternization.
Surfactant and Quaternary Ammonium Compound Production:
Cosmetics & Hair Conditioners: As an antistatic agent and detangler.
Disinfectants & Sanitizers: For its antimicrobial properties.
Fabric Softeners.
Its major industrial use is as a key raw material for synthesizing cationic surfactants.
When reacted with tertiary amines (e.g., trimethylamine), it produces cetrimonium chloride (hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride).
Cetrimonium chloride is widely used in:
Phase-Transfer Catalyst Precursor:
It can be used to make phosphonium salts (e.g., by reaction with triphenylphosphine), which serve as phase-transfer catalysts in organic reactions.
Laboratory Research:
Used in studies to create self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on surfaces, modify silica materials, or as a model long-chain alkylating agent in synthetic chemistry.
Not a Pharmaceutical: Unlike the previous compounds discussed (Rifampicin, Sodium 4-aminosalicylate), this is not a drug. It is an industrial and laboratory chemical.
Safety: It is generally considered an irritant to skin, eyes, and respiratory system and must be handled with appropriate safety precautions (gloves, goggles, ventilation).
In essence, 1-Chlorohexadecane (Cetyl Chloride) is a specialty chemical intermediate. Its primary commercial value lies in its role as the building block for manufacturing cationic surfactants like cetrimonium chloride, which are foundational ingredients in personal care products, disinfectants, and fabric softeners.
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