benzalkonium chloride

[ ben-zal-koh-nee-uhm ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a white or yellowish-white, water-soluble mixture of ammonium chloride derivatives having the structure C 8 H 10 NRCl, where R is a mixture of radicals ranging from C 8 H 17 – to C 18 H 37 –, that occurs as an amorphous powder or in gelatinous lumps: used chiefly as an antiseptic and a disinfectant.

benzalkonium chloride

/ bĕn′zăl-kō′nē-əm /

1. A yellow-white powder prepared in an aqueous solution and used as a detergent, fungicide, bactericide, and spermicide. Benzalkonium chloride is a mixture of the chlorides of various organic compounds having a benzene ring attached to an ammoniated alkane.

Word History and Origins

Origin of benzalkonium chloride¹

benz- + alk(yl) + (amm)onium

Example Sentences

Health officials also say to avoid hand sanitizers that replace alcohol with benzalkonium chloride, which is less effective at killing certain bacteria and viruses.

From Washington Post

Health officials also say to avoid hand sanitizers that replace alcohol with benzalkonium chloride, which is less effective at killing certain bacteria and viruses.

From Seattle Times

Health officials also say to avoid hand sanitizers that replace alcohol with benzalkonium chloride, which is less effective at killing certain bacteria and viruses.

From Washington Times

The FDA also flagged several more products that had inadequate amounts of benzalkonium chloride, a chemical with antimicrobial properties.

From Seattle Times

Another common ingredient in household disinfectants, including many Lysol products, is benzalkonium chloride.

From Los Angeles Times