The first time CHPTAC gained real traction happened in the dye and textile industries several decades back. Folks in that space needed something reliable to make cotton react better with different colors and cationization was the ticket. Around the 1970s, academics and engineers got together, looking for a way to add positive charges onto cellulose fibers. This wasn’t about making things more complicated—it was about unlocking new performance and options in paper and fabric processing. Big chemistry firms started pumping out CHPTAC by the ton, and the product spilled out into water treatment, oil recovery, and a range of specialty chemicals. Over the years, technical improvements trimmed down impurities and improved reaction efficiency. This product’s story runs parallel to the broader push for efficiency and more sustainable industrial chemistry.
CHPTAC shows up as a clear to slightly yellowish liquid. Its most noticeable characteristic is its strong chemical scent, a reminder of its ammonium roots. Its main draw? The ability to convert materials that don’t usually mix with water into water-loving ones. Textile finishers and paper processors reach for CHPTAC to unlock properties that, in the past, would have taken multiple steps or heavier chemicals. Instead, they get a single molecule doing double duty. It doesn’t make the papers and textiles look fancier on its own, but it sets the stage for the brilliance that colorists and specialty engineers bring to their products.
Dive deep and you see that CHPTAC carries a molecular weight of about 188.1 g/mol in its anhydrous form. The product comes with a density just above that of water, usually floating near 1.1 g/cm³. It dissolves well in water, forming a solution stable enough for industrial handling and long transport hauls. CHPTAC stands stable under normal storage temperatures, but exposure to strong alkalis triggers hydrolysis—a reaction that releases byproducts that influence downstream processing. Its reactivity allows for a host of modifications on natural polymers—turning the stubborn, oil-loving surfaces of cellulose into something ready for new chemical adventures.
Technical data sheets break it down by purity—commercial-grade CHPTAC often arrives at a 65% solution by weight, leaving the rest to water and some stabilizers. Labels highlight the content of active matter, free epichlorohydrin (a precursor), and pH, which typically lands between 5 and 7. Container sizes range from drum shipments to bulk tankers for large installations. It’s hard to ignore the regulatory footprint—regulations require manufacturers to monitor free epichlorohydrin levels tightly due to known health risks. Safe handling and clear labeling are vital in the transport and distribution process, and companies provide transparent paperwork on these points as part of standard practice.
Manufacturers start with trimethylamine and epichlorohydrin as their base chemicals. The process involves dissolving trimethylamine gas into an aqueous solution, followed by careful and slow addition of epichlorohydrin, all while controlling temperature to avoid runaway reactions. Once the chemicals combine and react, an acid quench helps complete the process. Technicians filter the resulting mixture to remove impurities before storage and packaging. Running the reaction under controlled temperature and pH keeps unwanted byproducts in check. These steps reflect decades of effort to improve yield and keep the workplace safer for everyone involved.
The most useful chemistry starts after production. CHPTAC reacts strongly with cellulose and other polysaccharides, attaching its quaternary ammonium group to polymer backbones through an ether or ester linkage. This new cationic function helps bind dyes more efficiently or boosts retention of fillers and fines in papermaking. Beyond that, chemical researchers and engineers see value in using CHPTAC to modify starches and gums, flipping their characteristics to match requirements for food processing or adhesives. During these transformations, a sharp eye on temperature, pH, and mixing speed can shave hours off production time and cut costs in the lab or on the shop floor.
Different regions and suppliers attach their own brand flavors to CHPTAC’s name. The most common synonyms include N-(3-Chloro-2-hydroxypropyl)trimethylammonium chloride, 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, and the acronym itself, CHPTAC. You’ll also see names like Quat-188 or Cationic Reagent for Starch in technical circles, which appear on safety sheets and shipping manifests. Despite the jumble of names, experienced operators know to check the CAS number—most often 3327-22-8—to guarantee they’re getting the real deal.
CHPTAC doesn’t belong on your skin or near your face—handling always occurs with gloves, goggles, and decent ventilation. Every workplace I’ve visited posts a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) near chemical storage and requires worker training to cover eye contact, inhalation, and emergency procedures. In storage, CHPTAC stays reliably stable in its closed drum or tank, though regular inspections catch leaks long before they pose a risk. Fire is not a common worry—it’s about limiting access and preparing for spills. Procedures follow OSHA and similar safety guidelines globally, keeping workers and the environment front and center. Spills get contained with absorbents that can handle concentrated salts, then cleaned up thoroughly to minimize impact. Disposal lines up with hazardous waste standards, and every load out the door comes with tracking documentation to assure compliance with national and regional rules.
The true power of CHPTAC settles into paper manufacturing, textile finishing, water treatment, and oil recovery. In the paper mill, it serves as a cationizing agent, allowing trash that would otherwise escape capture to stick fast in the web. For textile dyeing, its use brings out brighter colors and consistent shades in cotton, rayon, and blends. Water treatment experts use it to boost the performance of coagulants, removing suspended solids before water heads back into rivers or gets recycled. Drilling fluid engineers rely on it to improve oil recovery, helping prevent clumping and mud loss in tough drilling environments. Food chemists tinker with modified starches carrying CHPTAC’s signature, improving the shelf life and stability of sauces, gravies, and dressings. No single application defines the product, but the range highlights its robust versatility.
Academic and industrial researchers keep pushing CHPTAC into new frontiers. Work in the last decade covers enzyme-resistant polymers for biomedical use and antimicrobial additives for packaging and textiles. Researchers at major universities balance the need for improved product performance with pressure to improve environmental outcomes. They scrutinize each reaction byproduct, hunting for greener alternatives to epichlorohydrin or ways to recycle process water more efficiently. Projects explore novel uses—as in smart textiles, which enable conductive threads or sensors in clothing for health monitoring. The appetite for cross-disciplinary approaches sparks collaboration with teams in physics, medicine, and nanotechnology, always with an eye on safe, responsible use.
Toxicologists keep a close eye on CHPTAC thanks to its reactivity and potential for breakdown into less friendly chemicals. Acute contact causes irritation to skin, eyes, and lungs, so every safety training reinforces the basics—good gloves, goggles, and ventilation. Long-term exposure studies show limited systemic toxicity if handled properly, but concerns over free epichlorohydrin in workplace environments drive continuous improvement. Water treatment effluent guidelines include limits for quaternary ammonium compounds for a reason. Animal testing, cell-based assays, and environmental fate modeling all line up in peer-reviewed literature. Agencies like the EPA set out benchmarks, and companies follow these recommendations, often using alternatives in sensitive applications like medical devices or food production.
Looking forward, the quest with CHPTAC involves balancing performance, cost, and sustainability. Chemists search for new ways to derive precursor chemicals from renewable sources, slashing the carbon footprint of production. Synthetic biology and green chemistry receive growing attention, with startups sprouting across Asia, Europe, and North America. The focus on circular economy thinking ensures that process streams and waste can be repurposed or reused where possible. At the same time, regulatory pressure mounts for safer processes in line with changing consumer expectations for eco-friendly supply chains. Next-generation applications likely involve blends for high-performance fibers, smart materials, and advanced water purification processes. Industry, research, and policy will keep stepping up to answer those calls with real-world solutions built from both cutting-edge science and the lessons of decades past.
Take a stroll through any supermarket or office building, and you’ll see stacks of white paper, rows of cotton shirts, and even clear bottles filled with hand soap. What ties them together? CHPTAC. This chemical turns up in more places than most people realize. I’ve come across it during a summer job at a paper mill, and saw how a small drum of it could actually change the way the huge paper rollers ran. It works as a cationic agent—basically, it sticks a positive charge onto other things, and that can make a huge difference in both how products feel and how they’re made.
Papermakers count on CHPTAC to give their products strength, softness, and performance. In the pulping process, it reacts with cellulose to create cationic starch. That one change lets paper bind better, hold onto ink, and stay tough through folding and printing. Without it, you’d probably smear your notes on regular copy paper, or find flyers that fall apart in the rain. The reason CHPTAC gets chosen comes down to cost, availability, and results. Compared to older, less refined additives, this one does the job with less waste and fewer headaches for the folks working the machines. Data from industry reports show that over half the paper produced globally now relies on cationic modification, often with chemicals just like this one.
In textiles, manufacturers use CHPTAC to modify cotton and other fibers. This makes colors last longer, and cuts down water and energy use because dyes grab onto the fiber better and run less in the wash. I remember reading case studies from Indian textile plants that cut their dye runoff in half by adding just a small amount of CHPTAC upstream. That sort of change not only saves companies money but also puts less pollution downstream, and the rivers notice the difference.
Water treatment plants also lean on it. Municipal water engineers add CHPTAC-modified polymers into tanks, and suddenly all the small bits of sludge start to clump together. The result? Faster settling and less trouble clearing up drinking water. The global trend toward tighter pollution control means demand for this chemical keeps ticking upward, according to EPA regulatory reports. Every improvement in water cleaning can affect millions of people without most even knowing it. These advances don’t just come from the latest gadget, but from fine-tuned chemistry like this.
Talking about a chemical often turns to health concerns. CHPTAC itself doesn’t end up in final paper or clothing—the reaction binds it tightly—but handling and manufacture still call for good ventilation and protective gear. Workplace safety sheets underline the importance of avoiding skin contact and spills. Over the last decade, suppliers have stepped up transparency around toxicity, storage, and transport. That helps keep workers safe while homes and offices benefit from cleaner, tougher materials.
If you look at where CHPTAC fits in global supply chains, you start to see why safer and more efficient production matters. Using better-captured and processed versions reduces environmental load and lowers the risk of contamination. Shifting to even “greener” alternatives gets easier with clear reporting and ongoing research. These are boring details until something goes wrong, and industry leaders know that. In practice, solid rules around chemical handling—combined with constant oversight—make a big difference.
CHPTAC stands for 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride. Its chemical formula is C6H15Cl2NO, and many people recognize it by its CAS number, which is 3327-22-8. Anyone who has worked in water treatment or textile manufacturing likely recognizes this mouthful of a name, probably from plenty of safety data sheets and product spec sheets cluttering up the back office.
People don’t talk about CHPTAC unless they are in a lab or a facility where big tanks and beakers are part of daily routine. I first came across CHPTAC while working with a team trying to figure out why a batch of paper pulp kept clogging a screen. It turned out our chemical supplier had swapped out a key component—CHPTAC—for a cheaper alternative that didn’t do the job. That situation made it obvious just how important it is to pay attention to chemical details, not just the big picture.
Across the world, CHPTAC plays a big role in turning cheap basic raw materials into polished end-products. It acts as a cationic reagent – giving a positive charge to starches or cellulose fibers. That matters because positive charges help fibers stick together, which makes for stronger, smoother paper. Textile workers coat fabrics so that dyes hold better. In water treatment, CHPTAC-based polymers help pull out unseen dirt and oily junk from water, making it clear enough to send back to rivers or for reuse.
Some workers never see CHPTAC directly, but that doesn’t mean safety doesn’t matter. This chemical needs careful handling. Its material safety datasheet lays it all out: skin contact can cause irritation, and enough exposure means time off the clock for medical visits. At one factory I visited, they required not just splash goggles, but also special gloves after someone accidentally splashed dilute solution on their wrist. No one got badly hurt, but it was a necessary learning experience. Those mistakes don’t just slow production—they remind us chemicals aren’t just technical details, but have real effects on people in and outside the plant.
The main route for exposure comes during mixing and transport. Storage guidelines usually emphasize using sealed, labeled containers kept away from acids and oxidizers, since accidents are likelier when those simple rules get overlooked. A clear plan for spills and a drum of neutralizing agent by the sink give peace of mind on a daily basis.
A recurring question in industry circles asks whether there’s a safer or more eco-friendly way to achieve the same bonding and cleaning powers. Research keeps turning up alternatives that claim a lower environmental toll, but CHPTAC shows up in so many tried-and-true recipes that change moves slowly. Developing greener options doesn’t mean demonizing familiar tools, but it does push everyone to keep refining safety practices and stay up to date as regulations shift.
The chemical formula and CAS number for CHPTAC don’t set hearts racing, but they’re the details that keep thousands of industrial systems running smoothly. Knowing those facts, and what they mean for real-world work and health, brings chemistry off the paper and into daily life.
People working with chemicals often hear about CHPTAC, known in the industry for its important role in water treatment, paper-making, textiles, and personal care products. The real question that crops up is about its hazard potential and what kind of attention it deserves during storage and use.
CHPTAC, or 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride, carries more risk than something you’d find under your kitchen sink. It’s not a chemical for casual use. Many manufacturing and research facilities store it in tightly sealed drums, posted with clear hazard signs. The main reason? Exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, and if inhaled as a mist, the respiratory tract. There’s also the risk of more severe outcomes in high concentrations, including chemical burns. These are not minor inconveniences. A stray splash, or a whiff of vapors, can quickly ruin a day—or worse. So, the concern over whether CHPTAC is truly hazardous is not just legalese or regulatory posturing.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates CHPTAC as moderately toxic, reminding anyone handling it to work with care. According to safety data sheets from leading manufacturers, it’s labeled as a corrosive substance. I’ve come across more than one case where a simple handling mistake led to trips to the emergency eyewash station, and those lessons leave a mark.
Firms that use CHPTAC don’t take shortcuts. Personal protective equipment is the first line of defense: gloves, goggles, long sleeves, closed shoes. The workplace design encourages zero skin contact, stronger ventilation, and reliable spill containment kits. I’ve seen full training sessions dedicated to this one chemical, especially for new operators who might underestimate the risks because they can’t smell any danger.
Disposal isn’t just a matter of pouring leftovers down a drain. Environmental regulations require specialized waste handling. Authorities like the EPA and OSHA demand strict record-keeping. Pouring it off just anywhere damages water ways, hurts aquatic life, and can get a facility into legal trouble. Good companies don’t just follow these rules to escape fines—they know the reputation damage that follows an accident or a toxic spill stays for years.
The conversation around CHPTAC isn’t only about what goes wrong—it’s also about doing things right. Constant training, audits, and attention to material data sheets help avoid costly mistakes. Facilities that set up clear step-by-step processes and keep emergency buffers close by rarely regret it. Lessons from the past teach us this approach saves money, time, and sometimes lives.
Suppliers and regulators work on improving labeling and sharing incident data. The push for safer chemical alternatives continues, but for now, CHPTAC is a fixture in many industries. Until something better comes along, strict control and a little healthy respect for what this chemical can do remain the best way forward.
Anyone who has handled a cheap napkin knows how easily it falls apart. Paper manufacturers face the ongoing challenge of delivering a product that doesn’t shed, crumble, or break. CHPTAC, short for 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride, steps in as a game changer. It works as a cationic agent for starches and cellulose fibers. This means that paper treated with CHPTAC holds together through wet presses, resists tearing after printing, and takes up ink without bleeding. With higher demand for recycled content, papermakers also reach for CHPTAC to help fibers bond after so many cycles of use. Environmental regulations have put more pressure on papermills to get the most out of raw materials, so having a dependable aid like CHPTAC has moved from an option to a necessity.
The textile world can be unforgiving; consumers expect colors that stick after repeated wash cycles. Dye houses spend a lot on chemicals that help fibers grab onto dye molecules and keep them. CHPTAC offers much better dye uptake for cotton and blends. Textile workers tell me that, without CHPTAC-assisted batches, color rubs off quickly. There’s less wasted fabric, and companies save water and energy with fewer rinse cycles. Most of us don’t notice, but uniform colorfastness greatly improves quality—without requiring heavier pollution downstream. The extra bonus is softer hand feel; it’s not just a technical tweak but something the end user notices.
Water utilities and industrial wastewater plants find themselves on the frontlines of protecting communities from contamination. Surfactant-modified polymers and coagulants based on CHPTAC help lift out suspended particles, oils, and even microplastics. Plants using CHPTAC derivatives do better at keeping contaminants out of rivers and tap water. I’ve visited sites where plant managers lean on these cationic polymers because they work even under high-flow conditions. The alternative—letting more pollutants through—raises risks, especially as population density overwhelms older infrastructure. By locking up fine particles fast, CHPTAC-based products mean fewer emergency shutdowns and cleaner effluent.
Anybody who reads the back of a shampoo bottle will see a list of unpronounceable ingredients. In many hair conditioners and styling products, the smooth texture and ease of combing often trace back to CHPTAC-modified guar or cellulose. These surfactant-like molecules help spread moisture evenly, tame frizz, and give that “slip” everyone loves. Formulators say that without these types of conditioning agents, products would feel gritty or leave residue. With so many consumers concerned about ingredient safety, it’s important to know that CHPTAC derivatives have gone through toxicology screens and regulatory checks before hitting the market.
Oilfield operations demand chemicals that hold up under tough temperature and salinity swings. CHPTAC-modified polymers thicken water-based drilling muds and keep fine solids from plugging wells. In fracturing jobs, these compounds help suspend sand in fluids, making sure it gets deep into the fractures to keep channels open. Field engineers want reliability. The price swings in energy drive constant change, but demand for stable, effective polymers sticks around. Tough jobs in harsh drilling environments turn into manageable projects with the help of this chemistry.
People rarely stop to wonder what keeps paper sturdy, why fabric holds color, or how water gets filtered before reaching the tap. My tours through plants and conversations with engineers have shown that CHPTAC quietly supports many industries. As more sectors search for efficient, low-impact solutions, this ingredient keeps proving its worth—one batch, shipment, and product at a time.
CHPTAC, or 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride, finds its way into many industries. Paper production, water treatment, and textile industries rely on it for cationizing starches and modifying cellulose. Even though it appears as a somewhat clear, colorless liquid, don’t let its plainness fool you. CHPTAC can be hazardous. It’s corrosive and reacts with moisture, and direct contact isn’t just a minor irritation—it can cause burns. On top of that, improper storage or careless transport can turn a profitable substance into a safety nightmare.
Factories and warehouses keep chemical safety as a top priority for good reason. From my own experience visiting several plants, employees work better—and sleep better—when hazardous goods control is airtight. For CHPTAC, stainless steel tanks or high-density polyethylene drums work best. These stand up well against its corrosive nature. Never store it in containers made from copper, aluminum, or basic steel, since CHPTAC will eat through those faster than anyone expects.
Keep the storage place cool and dry. Sunlight and high temperatures speed up chemical breakdown or unexpected reactions. Ventilation can’t fall under the “maybe” list—fumes mustn’t collect. Moisture control proves essential too, since water causes CHPTAC to hydrolyze, creating heat and slippery, hazardous messes. Staff double-check gaskets, seals, and drums regularly. Any small leak needs immediate clean-up—no room for sloppiness here.
On the road, transporting CHPTAC is a serious responsibility. Every worker involved in handling these shipments goes through hazardous goods training. Regulations spell out strict requirements: clear labeling, spill kits inside transport vehicles, and accident plans in case a drum tips or leaks. Inspections cover not just the containers but the vehicles themselves. Traffic accidents can happen anywhere, but loose chemical barrels shouldn’t add to the chaos. I’ve seen logistics managers refuse to let a truck leave the lot if a single strap isn’t tight or if paperwork has gaps—and that’s exactly the level of caution CHPTAC demands.
Weather can throw in surprises. I remember a shipment sitting in a truck yard during a summer heatwave. The containers were covered, shaded, and positioned far from any drain or water source, just in case. Companies work with carriers experienced with hazardous chemicals. It’s not just a checkbox; it’s an obligation to everyone on the road and at the destination.
Big-picture thinking leads to real safety. That’s why digital inventory tracking, regular refresher training, and site-specific emergency drills are common at responsible companies. Nothing beats knowing exactly where every drum sits and how old it is. Sensors monitor room temperature and moisture, sending alerts to managers’ phones when something drifts out of the safe range. These aren’t fancy extras—they spring from years of learning what happens when corners get cut.
Community trust grows when people know a plant or distributor puts safety over profit. Well-communicated safety plans, transparent incident reporting, and strong relationships with local fire departments tie everyone together. Over the years, I’ve seen workers at all levels feel more invested when leadership shows up for these drills and safety walkthroughs, treating CHPTAC with the seriousness it deserves.
CHPTAC doesn’t have to be a problem. Managed well, it brings real value to major industries without putting people or the environment in harm’s way.| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | 2-hydroxy-3-chloropropyl(trimethyl)azanium chloride |
| Other names |
CHPTAC 3-Chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride N-(3-Chloro-2-hydroxypropyl)trimethylammonium chloride Quaternary ammonium compound CHPTA Epoxypropy trimethyl ammonium chloride CHTA HCPA |
| Pronunciation | /θriː ˈklɔːroʊ tuː haɪˈdrɒksi ˈproʊpɪl traɪˈmɛθɪl əˈmoʊniəm ˈklɔːraɪd/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 3327-22-8 |
| Beilstein Reference | 3564836 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:59141 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL2106358 |
| ChemSpider | 21865120 |
| DrugBank | DB11370 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 03c5b7e7-ab70-4ff7-899c-4478b43ffb41 |
| EC Number | 202-967-7 |
| Gmelin Reference | 102173 |
| KEGG | C18716 |
| MeSH | D017367 |
| PubChem CID | 6919 |
| RTECS number | TS2325000 |
| UNII | 44K8GJM218 |
| UN number | UN2810 |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | DTXSID3020182 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C6H15Cl2NO |
| Molar mass | 188.10 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless to light yellow transparent liquid |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 1.05 g/cm³ |
| Solubility in water | Miscible |
| log P | -1.8 |
| Vapor pressure | <0.01 mmHg (20 °C) |
| Acidity (pKa) | 14.5 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 4.2 |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.464 |
| Viscosity | 70-90 mPa·s (25°C) |
| Dipole moment | 4.19 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 242.6 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -623.7 kJ/mol |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | Not assigned |
| Hazards | |
| Main hazards | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. Harmful if swallowed or inhaled. May cause respiratory irritation. |
| GHS labelling | GHS07, GHS05, GHS09 |
| Pictograms | GHS05 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H314, H302 |
| Precautionary statements | P264, P280, P301+P312, P305+P351+P338, P337+P313, P501 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 1-0-0 |
| Flash point | > 100°C |
| Autoignition temperature | > 270°C |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD₅₀ (oral, rat): 670 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | 850 mg/kg (rat, oral) |
| NIOSH | GN3530000 |
| PEL (Permissible) | Not established |
| REL (Recommended) | No REL established. |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | Not established |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Quaternary ammonium compounds Trimethylamine Epichlorohydrin 2,3-Epoxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride (EPTAC) Choline chloride Dimethylaminoethyl chloride Benzyltrimethylammonium chloride Tetraethylammonium chloride |
