Database/Antistatic/Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Mostly natural · ISO 16128

Is Behentrimonium Methosulfate natural?

Mostly. Behenyl chain and sulfate are natural; the trimethylammonium head and methyl-sulfate cap are petrochemical, methanol/ammonia-derived.

INCI nameBehentrimonium Methosulfate
CAS81646-13-1
FormulaC26H57NO4S · 479.8 Da
FunctionAntistatic · Hair Conditioning
FeedstockQuaternary ammonium salt of behenyl alcohol with a…

How we scored it

Behenyl C22H45 309.6 Da + SO3 80.1 Da = 389.7 Da (natural) vs N(CH3)3 59.1 Da + CH3O 31.0 Da = 90.2 Da (petrochemical). 389.7/479.8=0.81.
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.

How it’s made

Menshutkin quaternisation of behenyl dimethylamine with dimethyl sulfate (SN2). Each curved arrow moves one electron pair, and the film ends on the score above.

Where it comes from

Quaternary ammonium salt of behenyl alcohol with a methosulfate counter-ion, milder than the chloride version. The fatty chain and sulfate oxygen are oleochemical/mineral; the methylated nitrogen head is petrochemical.

In plain English

A hair-conditioning agent combining a long vegetable-oil-derived fatty chain with a synthetic quaternary ammonium and methylsulfate head group. It is a common conditioner ingredient, milder than chloride versions.

Natural alternatives with the same function

Structure

2D structure of Behentrimonium Methosulfate

docosyl(trimethyl)azanium;methyl sulfate

PubChem CID 157846 ↗

References

  1. 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
  2. 2Behentrimonium Methosulfate. PubChem CID 157846. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
  3. 3BEHENTRIMONIUM METHOSULFATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  4. 4BEHENTRIMONIUM METHOSULFATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=BEHENTRIMONIUM%20METHOSULFATE