Benzethonium chloride is a synthetic quaternary ammonium, surfactant, antiseptic, and anti-infective compound used as a topical antimicrobial agent in cosmetics and personal care products like anti-itch ointments and antibacterial moist towelettes and wipes. Benzothonium chloride is also used is the food industry as a disinfectant and preservative. [1]. It has the appearance of an odorless white crystalline hygroscopic powder and has a melting point of 162-164 °C. The compound is moderately soluble in water and is toxic orally because it may cause failure in neuromuscular transmission as a result of pathological disturbance at the myoneural junction.[2]
It is available under trade names salanine, BZT, diapp, quatrachlor, polymine d, phemithyn, antiseptol, disilyn, phermerol, and others. [3]
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