One of the most popular products on the market used for a bitterant, Denatonium Benzoate is a staple additive for applications to deter from consumption of potential dangerous chemicals. As one of the most bitter compounds in existence it is an excellent option for bitterant applications.
Common Applications for Denatonium Benzoate
Common product applications for Denatonium Benzoate include:
- Automotive products – Engine coolants and windshield washer fluid
- Denatured alcohol and other solvents
- Detergents, cleaners, and sanitizers
- Household products such as candles and fragrances
- Pest control products and repellants
Denatonium Synthesis
Denatonium is synthesized by quaternization of lidocaine using a suitable organochloride. The resulting intermediate is reacted with a metal hydroxide and neutralized with benzoic acid to form the quaternary ammonium salt denatonium benzoate.
Advantages of Denatonium in Bitterant Applications
Denatonium benzoate is extremely bitter at low concentrations with a taste threshold of 0.05 ppm. Solutions of 10 ppm denatonium benzoate are intolerably bitter to most people.
Key Properties of Denatonium Benzoate
Denatonium benzoate is a odorless and colorless crystalline solid with an extremely bitter taste that is most commonly used in solutions.
Denatonium benzoate is a quaternary ammonium salt with a molecular weight of 446.58 g/mol and a molecular formula C28H34N2O3. Denatonium benzoate is soluble in alcohols, glycols, and water. It has a melting point of 163 – 171°C.
Denatonium benzoate is bitter due to its interaction with bitter taste receptors. Denatonium benzoate reacts with bitter taste receptors at very low concentrations to activate a bitter taste response.
Denatonium Benzoate Safety
Denatonium benzoate is safe for usage. Denatonium benzoate has low toxicity and only very small amounts are needed to make products extremely bitter. Denatonium benzoate is generally considered safe at the recommended use concentrations which are very low (parts per million).
