cetyltrimethylamonium

Cetyltrimethylammonium, often abbreviated as CTMA or sometimes referred to as hexadecyltrimethylammonium, is a quaternary ammonium compound. It is a cationic surfactant, meaning it possesses a positively charged head group and a long hydrocarbon tail. This amphiphilic nature allows it to interact with both polar and nonpolar substances.

In its common form, it is a salt, such as cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) or cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC). These salts are white, crystalline solids that are soluble in water and polar organic solvents.

CTMA and its salts find widespread application in various industries. They are frequently used as emulsifiers, helping to stabilize mixtures of oil and water. Their surfactant properties also make them effective foaming agents and dispersants. In personal care products, such as conditioners and shampoos, CTMA derivatives are employed for their conditioning and antistatic properties, helping to detangle hair and reduce frizz. They can also be found in some disinfectants and antimicrobial formulations due to their ability to disrupt cell membranes. In scientific research, CTAB is commonly used as a reagent in DNA extraction protocols and in the synthesis of nanoparticles.