Benzalkonium chloride

Structure of Benzalkonium chloride, source: Wikipedia

Properties

White to white-yellow powder or gelatinous yellowwhite fragments, the compound is hygroscopic, which means it easily attracts water (from f.e. the air).
When the compound gets heated, it will form a clear molten mass.
It is soluble in water and alcohol. When it is resolved in water, the H2O solution will form excessive foam.

How to identify the compound
It
- UV spectrophotometry: maxima at 257 nm, 263 nm and 269 nm.
- Using liquid chromatography
- Adding Na-tetraphenylborate and acetic acid will form a sediment of benzalkoniumtetraphenylborate. Which has a characteristic melting point of 127-133 °C.
- Bringing the compound in a NaOH solution together with BFB (bromephenol blue) and dimethylchloride will form a blue colour in the CH2Cl2 layer. This is caused by the ionpair forming with the anionic pigment (BFB) and extraction of the ionpair in the organic layer.
- Identification of Cl- ions: + AgNO3 will form a white precipitate which is soluble in NH3.
Or if you add dichromate -> chromylchloride will be formed + phenylcarbazide -> white precipitate.

Determining the content

Adding KI in an alkaline environment -> forms benzalkoniumiodide which will be extracted to CH2Cl2 (organic layer).
The excess of the I- ions (in the water layer) will be determined using KIO3 in strong acid (H+ milieu). This is also called the method of Andrews.

I- + IO3- -> I+ (jodoxyl)
Intermediate = I2

Use of benzalkonium chloride

It's used as a disinfectant in concentrations of about 0,1% for hands (used in surgery), small wounds, eat and drinking disinfectant, bed sheets, etc.

Comments

The proteasome [1]: a crucial structure of protein degradation

The proteasome Proteins are constantly being synthesized and at the same time being degraded in each cell of our body. One of the most known mechanisms of proteolysis (= protein degradation) is the degradation done by lysosomes. However, an other important mechanism is degradation by the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS). First of all, it is needed to understand that a cell maintains its protein concentration by a constant turn-over of proteins: when there is a lot of synthesis of a certain protein, this certain protein will also be degraded by a higher level, and vice versa. A protein that has to be degraded will be marked by a polyubiquitin chain which consists of 4 or more ubiquitinmolecules. This protein will be transported to a 26S proteasome. This structure in the cell is built by a 19S part and a 20S part. The 19S part mainly serves as a recognition and binding structure for the polyubiquitinated protein, and the 20S part will destroy the protein. Once attached to the...

Erythropoietin: definition, structure, synthesis in vivo

Definition: EPO: = erythropoietin A glycoprotein hormon-like structure, a sialoglycoprotein, which is an important factor in the survival, growth and proliferation of erythroid precursor cells (EPC) and it improves the de novo creation, differentation and growth of red blood cells (RBC). Thus, EPO controls the erythropoiesis = production of RBC. EPC: these are cells that are located in the bone marrow, will eventually form the RBC. RBC: cells responsible for the transport and distribution of oxygen throughout the body. Structure: Built out of 165 aminoacids (AA). They are all connected and form 1 polypeptide chain. Although, within the chain, there are 2 disulfide bonds. Respectively on positions: Cys7-161 and Cys29-33 Cys = cystein and the numbers indicate the positions these AA are located. Cystein structure. Available sulfide group for bonding There are also 4 positions where there is a possibility for glycosylation Namel...

Alkynes: addition of H2 gas and Lindlar catalyst

Alkynes: addition of Hydrogen gas (H2) Performing a catalytic reduction on an alkyn will result in giving an alkane. The alkene intermediate will be formed in the process, but will immediately react into an alkane. The end result is just the formed alkane, without stacking of the alkene intermediate. The Lindlar catalyst In theory this is a "poisoned or defected" catalyst. If you use a normal catalyst you will get the above effect with your alkyne. The Lindlar catalyst contains Palladium combined with Calcium-carbonate and treated with Lead. Palladium is the actual catalyst, the calcium carbonate is the carrier of the substance and the lead is the poisonous compound. Using the Lindlar catalyst instead of another catalyst together with Hydrogen gas, will lead into forming the cis-alkene intermediate instead of the forming of the corresponding alkane.

Pharmacist Blog about what I encounter and find useful/interesting

Search This Blog