Surfactants - Cationic Available — Bulk Only

Cetrimonium Bromide (CTAB)

CTAB
CAS 57-09-0 · Formula C19H42BrN · MW 364.4 g/mol

A cationic quaternary surfactant valued for strong substantivity to surfaces, fibers, and biological membranes. The bromide and chloride salts are established for use as antiseptics and as cationic surface-active agents.

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CAS Number
57-09-0
Formula
C19H42BrN
Molecular Weight
364.4 g/mol
Material Family
Surfactants - Cationic
At a Glance
Material Family
Surfactants - Cationic
Record Type
Pure compound
Primary Role
Biocidal Action · Surfactancy
Functional Roles
CETRIMONIUM BROMIDE
ANTIMICROBIALANTISTATICPRESERVATIVESURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING
Industries Served
Applications & Use Cases
  • Cationic surfactant: Surface-active agent for conditioning and emulsification
  • Antimicrobial agent: Quaternary ammonium biocidal chemistry
  • Substantive conditioning: Charge-driven deposition onto hair and textile surfaces
Physical Properties
Physical Description
White powder
Safety & Handling
Full SDS available on request

A grade-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — with the complete hazard classification, handling precautions, and transport information — is supplied with every shipment and available on request. Confirm all safety and regulatory details against the SDS for your specific grade.

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Chemical Identity
CAS Number
57-09-0
Molecular Formula
C19H42BrN
Molecular Weight
364.4 g/mol
IUPAC Name
hexadecyl(trimethyl)azanium bromide
INCI Name
CETRIMONIUM BROMIDE
PubChem CID
InChI Key
LZZYPRNAOMGNLH-UHFFFAOYSA-M
Synonyms & Trade Names
Cetrimonium bromide Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide Hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide Bromat CETAB Centimide Acetoquat CTAB Ctmab Cee dee Cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide Trimethylcetylammonium bromide Bromuro de cetrimonio N-Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide Bromure de cetrimonium Cetrimonii bromidum Trimethylhexadecylammonium bromide N-HEXADECYLTRIMETHYLAMMONIUM BROMIDE Palmityltrimethyl ammonium bromide Cetrimonio bromuro
Full Description

Cetrimonium bromide (CAS 57-09-0), or CTAB, is a quaternary ammonium cationic surfactant. The bromide and chloride salts are established for use as antiseptics and as cationic surface-active agents. It is handled industrially as a fine solid for surfactant, conditioning, and biocidal formulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another name for cetrimonium bromide?

It is commonly called CTAB and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide. The CAS is 57-09-0 and the formula is C19H42BrN. It is a quaternary ammonium cationic surfactant supplied industrially as a fine solid.

What is cetrimonium bromide used for in formulations?

CTAB is a cationic surfactant used for conditioning, emulsification, and charge-driven (substantive) deposition onto hair and textile surfaces. It is also used as a quaternary ammonium biocidal active. RawSource supplies it for surfactant and conditioning formulations.

What products contain cetrimonium bromide?

It is formulated into hair-conditioning and personal-care products as a cationic conditioning agent, and into surfactant and biocidal systems. Specific end-use is set by the formulator. RawSource supplies the raw material in bulk to manufacturers, not finished consumer products.

What is the CAS number and formula for cetrimonium bromide?

The CAS is 57-09-0 and the molecular formula is C19H42BrN. Verify the grade and assay against the CoA and SDS for your lot before formulating. RawSource provides both with each shipment.

What bulk packaging is cetrimonium bromide available in?

As a fine solid it ships in bags, fiber drums, or supersacks depending on volume. A CoA and SDS accompany each lot. Submit a bulk RFQ with your target volume and packaging for current pricing.

Disclaimer. Information on this page — including properties, identifiers, hazard, transport (DOT/UN) and tariff (HS) classifications, and applications — is provided for general reference and is compiled from authoritative public sources (e.g. PubChem/ECHA, 49 CFR 172.101, the Harmonized Tariff Schedule). Values are typical and are not a guaranteed specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot purchased governs. Products are sold for industrial and professional use only. Nothing here is a medical, health, or efficacy claim or advice. Always consult the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before handling, storage, transport or disposal, and confirm regulatory status, classification and suitability for your application and jurisdiction. Hazard, transport and tariff classifications must be verified for your specific shipment. RawSource makes no warranty, express or implied, and assumes no liability for use of this information. Trademarks. Third-party trademarks and brand names are the property of their respective owners; any reference is nominative — used only to identify a comparable product — and does not imply affiliation with, sponsorship by, or endorsement by the trademark owner.