benzalkonium chloride

American  

[ben-zal-koh-nee-uhm] / ˌbɛn zælˈkoʊ ni əm /

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.

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benzalkonium chloride Scientific  

/ 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.

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Etymology

Origin of benzalkonium chloride

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

Example Sentences

I heard on your radio show that I should avoid benzalkonium chloride.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 3, 2017

The industry is now submitting data to the FDA on the safety and effectiveness of the three main replacements, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride and chloroxylenol.

From Washington Times • Dec. 25, 2016