Halide Quaternary Ammonium Salts
— High-purity fluorinated, chlorinated, brominated, and iodinated quats supporting scientific research and industrial applications
Halogenated quaternary ammonium salts (Quats) are a class of important compounds composed of quaternary ammonium cations and halide anions (such as F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, and I⁻). Owing to their tunable structures and excellent performance, they are widely used in disinfectants, phase-transfer catalysts, surfactants, and the development of functional materials.
As a professional supplier of halogenated Quats, Alfa Chemistry offers a comprehensive range of high-purity and customizable products to meet the diverse needs of both scientific research and industrial production.
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Structural Analysis of Halogenated Quas
The basic structure of halogenated quaternary ammonium salts consists of a central nitrogen atom (N+) bonded to four organic substituents, forming a quaternary ammonium cation, which is paired with a halide anion (such as F-, Cl-, Br-, or I-) to create an electrically neutral salt.
1. General Molecular Formula
[R₁R₂R₃R₄N]+ X-
- R₁–R₄: Alkyl, aryl, or functionalized chains (identical or different)
- X-: Halide ions (F-, Cl-, Br-, I-)
2. Structural Features
- Tetra-substituted nitrogen atom: Carries a positive charge, high water solubility, and surface activity
- Stable halide counterions: Ionically paired with the cation, modulating physicochemical properties
- Tunable R-groups: Chain length, branching, and functional groups can be customized to tailor molecular performance
3. Effects of Different Halide Ions
| Halogen Type | Anion Size | Electronegativity | Solubility Impact | Application Differences |
| Fluoride (F-) | Smallest | Highest | Stable in highly polar solvents | Fluorinated materials, biomedical coatings |
| Chloride (Cl-) | Moderate | Relatively high | Broad solubility profile | Disinfectants, surfactants |
| Bromide (Br-) | Larger | Moderate | Slightly less than chloride | Catalysts, organic synthesis |
| Iodide (I-) | Largest | Lowest | Good compatibility with organics | Biological dyes, pharmaceutical intermediates |
Categories of Halogenated Quats and Representative Products
Halogenated quaternary ammonium salts, categorized by their halogen components (F, Cl, Br, I).
Versatile Applications
These compounds are widely used in applications ranging from antimicrobial formulations to advanced material modification and catalysis.
What Are the Application Areas of Halide Quas
Halogenated quaternary ammonium salts exhibit multifunctionality, making them widely applicable across various fields:
Disinfectants and Antimicrobial Agents
Used as active ingredients in medical, environmental, and personal protective applications
Phase-Transfer Catalysts (PTC)
Facilitate interphase reactions in organic synthesis
Surfactants and Emulsifiers
Applied in agrochemicals, coatings, cosmetics, and cleaning products
Biomedical Research
Serve as cell lysis agents, nanoparticle carriers, and biological dyes
Functional Coatings and Polymer Modification (fluorinated products)
Enhance corrosion resistance and hydrophobicity of materials
Why Choose Us?
High Purity Assurance
Each batch is validated by HPLC, GC-MS, NMR, and other analytical techniques
Diverse Structural Options
Customizable alkyl chain lengths, substituents, and halide types
Custom Synthesis Available
Tailored molecular structures or functional groups upon request
Fast Global Shipping & Technical Support
MSDS, COA, and regulatory documentation provided
Packaging
Available in Both Lab-Scale and Industrial-Scale Packaging
Customers Often Look For
- Fluoride Series
- Chloride Series
- Bromide Series
- Iodide Series
Fluoride Series
- Tetrapropyl ammonium fluoride, CAS 7217-93-8
- Tetradecyl trimethyl ammonium fluoride, CAS 78165-04-5
- Tetrabutylammonium fluoride trihydrate, CAS 87749-50-6
- Tetraethylammonium fluoride hydrate, 98%, CAS 98330-04-2
- Tetra-n-butylammonium dihydrogentrifluoride, CAS 99337-56-1
Chloride Series
- (±)-Myristoylcarnitine chloride, CAS 14919-38-1
- (±)-Decanoylcarnitine chloride, CAS 14919-36-9
- Tetradecyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, CAS 139-08-2
- Trimethylphenylammonium chloride, CAS 138-24-9
- Stearyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, CAS 122-19-0
Bromide Series
- (1-Octyl)trimethylammonium bromide, CAS 2083-68-3
- Didecyldimethylammonium bromide, CAS 2390-68-3
- Benzoylcholine Bromide 98.0+%, CAS 24943-60-0
- Benzyltributylammonium bromide, CAS 25316-59-0
- Trimethylpropylammonium bromide, CAS 2650-50-2
Iodide Series
- Tetrapropylammonium iodide, CAS 631-40-3
- Tetraethylammonium Iodide, CAS 68-05-3
- Hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium iodide, CAS 7192-88-3
- Dimethyldioctadecylammonium Iodide, CAS 7206-39-5
- Tetramethylammonium iodide, CAS 75-58-1
Technical Support & Custom Services
We don't just supply products — we offer one-stop scientific and industrial support tailored to your needs:
Custom Synthesis
Flexible customization from 1 g to kilogram scale
Analytical Data Support
Comprehensive spectral data, analysis reports, and regulatory documentation
What Success Stories Can We Share?
Discover how our products are applied in real-world scenarios through our case studies.
Case 1: Hexadecyl Trimethyl Ammonium Fluoride (CTAF)
CAS: 14002-56-3
Application Area: Surface modification for fluorinated antibacterial coatings
A university research team specializing in functional antibacterial materials sourced high-purity Hexadecyl Trimethyl Ammonium Fluoride (CTAF) from our company to develop durable fluorinated antibacterial coatings. The researchers leveraged the long-chain hexadecyl group in CTAF as a hydrophobic scaffold, while the fluoride ion imparted excellent low surface energy and anti-adhesive properties to the coating.
By grafting CTAF onto glass and stainless steel substrates, they successfully constructed functional surfaces with strong resistance to bacterial adhesion and liquid fouling. Experimental results showed that the modified surfaces achieved over 95% inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. This research was published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces and provides a valuable structural model for the development of next-generation medical device coatings.
Case 2: Octyltrimethylammonium Chloride(OTAC)
CAS: 10108-86-8
Application Area: Research on Phase-Transfer Catalysis in Organic Synthesis
A chemistry laboratory specializing in green organic synthesis sourced high-purity Octyltrimethylammonium Chloride (OTAC) from our company to investigate the mechanism of phase-transfer catalysis in biphasic water-organic reaction systems. In this study, OTAC served as a lipophilic quaternary ammonium salt carrier, efficiently transferring hydrophilic anions into the organic phase and thereby accelerating nucleophilic substitution reactions.
Using the SN2 reaction between aryl halides and cyanide ions as a model system, the team systematically examined the influence of alkyl chain length on catalytic efficiency. Results demonstrated that OTAC significantly enhanced both reaction conversion and selectivity under neutral conditions. It also exhibited good recyclability and environmental compatibility, highlighting its potential as a “green PTC” for scale-up in industrial processes.
Case 3: Dodecyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide (DTAB)
CAS: 1119-94-4
Application Area: Research on Cationic Micelle-Based Nanocarrier Systems
A biomedical research institute procured high-quality Dodecyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide (DTAB) from our company to construct cationic micelle-based nanocarriers for the encapsulation and delivery of nucleic acid drugs, such as siRNA.
In this project, DTAB molecules self-assembled into positively charged micelles in aqueous solution, effectively encapsulating negatively charged nucleic acids. The dodecyl (C12) alkyl chain also enhanced membrane penetration capability. Cell-based assays revealed that the nanocarrier system achieved high transfection efficiency without the need for additional transfection reagents, while significantly reducing cytotoxicity.
This study provides a promising strategy for developing non-viral gene delivery systems and has resulted in a related patent application.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the difference between halogenated quaternary ammonium salts and regular quaternary ammonium salts?
Halogenated quaternary ammonium salts refer to quats paired with halide anions (such as F-, Cl-, Br-, or I-). Compared to other types of quaternary salts (e.g., sulfate or nitrate forms), halogenated quats offer enhanced ionic stability, broader-spectrum antimicrobial activity, and greater versatility in catalytic and functional material applications. For instance, fluorinated quats exhibit excellent surface activity and chemical resistance.
Q2. Are your halogenated quaternary ammonium salts suitable for biomedical research?
Yes. Our halogenated quats are offered in high-purity, analytical-grade quality and are widely used in biomedical research, including nanomaterial surface coating, cell lysis, gene transfection, and surface functionalization. Each product is supplied with a Certificate of Analysis (COA), MSDS, and corresponding analytical data to ensure reliable and safe use in scientific research.
Q3. Do you offer customization of quats with different alkyl chain lengths or halide types?
Absolutely. We provide custom synthesis services tailored to your research requirements, including:
- Alkyl chain lengths (e.g., C8, C12, C16);
- Halide types (F-, Cl-, Br-, I-);
- Functional group modifications.
Our technical team can support synthesis from lab-scale to kilogram-scale quantities based on your specifications.
Q4. Are these products suitable for phase-transfer catalysis?
Yes. Several halogenated quats—such as Octyltrimethylammonium Chloride and Benzyltrimethylammonium Bromide—are classic phase-transfer catalysts. They are especially effective in biphasic systems (e.g., aqueous/organic) and can significantly enhance reaction rates and selectivity. These compounds are commonly used in organic synthesis and polymerization processes.
Q5. Do you offer international shipping for halogenated quaternary ammonium salts?
Yes. As a U.S.-based supplier, we offer reliable international shipping services. All products come with complete documentation for compliant transportation, including MSDS, hazard classification (e.g., UN number, packing group), and COA. Many products are classified as non-hazardous and can be shipped via standard international couriers. For bulk orders or specific export documentation, our customer service team is ready to assist.
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