Quaternium-15

Quaternium-15 (systematic name: hexamethylenetetramine chloroallyl chloride) is a quaternary ammonium salt used as a surfactant and preservative in many cosmetics and industrial substances. It acts as an antimicrobial agent because it acts as a formaldehyde releaser, though doing so can also cause contact dermatitis, a symptom of an allergic reaction, especially in those with sensitive skin. Quaternium-15 (systematic name: hexamethylenetetramine chloroallyl chloride) is a quaternary ammonium salt used as a surfactant and preservative in many cosmetics and industrial substances. It acts as an antimicrobial agent because it acts as a formaldehyde releaser, though doing so can also cause contact dermatitis, a symptom of an allergic reaction, especially in those with sensitive skin. It can be found under a variety of names, most commonly those of the Dow Chemical Company: Dowicil 200 (cis isomer only), Dowicil 75 and Dowicil 100 (both a mix of cis and trans isomers). Quaternium-15 can be prepared by reacting hexamethylenetetramine with 1,3-dichloropropene to produce the product as a mixture of cis and trans isomers.