quaternary ammonium compound
noun Chemistry.
any of a class of salts derived from ammonium in which the nitrogen atom is attached to four organic groups, as in benzalkonium chloride; the salts are cationic surface-active compounds used as antiseptics and disinfectants.
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Nearby words
quat., quater, quatercentenary, quatercentennial, quaternary, quaternary ammonium compound, quaternary structure, quaternate, quaternion, quaternity, quathlamba
Origin of quaternary ammonium compound
First recorded in 1815–25
Also called quaternary ammonium salt.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for quaternary ammonium compound
quaternary ammonium compound
noun
a type of ionic compound that can be regarded as derived from ammonium compounds by replacing the hydrogen atoms with organic groups
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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