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.

Origin of quaternary ammonium compound

First recorded in 1815–25

Also called quaternary ammonium salt.

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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

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