Denatonium Benzoate Monohydrate

Chemical Properties

Denatonium benzoate occurs as an odorless, very bitter tasting, white crystalline powder or granules.

Uses

Pharmaceutic aid (alcohol denaturant); pharmaceutic aid (flavor).

Uses

Denatonium Benzoate Hydrate is a stimulant of the bitter taste receptors which allows for maintenance of the airways. Bronchodilator.

Production Methods

Denatonium benzoate was first synthesized in the 1950s and is usually prepared by reacting denatonium chloride with benzyl benzoate.

brand name

Bitrex (Mac Farlan Smith, Scotland).

Pharmaceutical Applications

Denatonium benzoate is among the most bitter of substances known and is detectable at concentrations of approximately 10 ppb. In pharmaceutical and other industrial applications it is added to some products as a deterrent to accidental ingestion. It is most commonly used at levels of 5–500 ppm. Denatonium benzoate may also be used to replace brucine or quassin as a denaturant for ethanol.
In pharmaceutical formulations, denatonium benzoate has been used as a flavoring agent in placebo tablets, and in a topical formulation it has been used in an anti-nailbiting preparation.

Safety

Denatonium benzoate is generally regarded as a nonirritant and nonmutagenic substance.However,there has been a single report of contact urticaria attributed to denatonium benzoate occurring in a 30-year-old man who developed asthma and pruritus after using an insecticidal spray denatured with denatonium benzoate.
LD50 (rabbit, oral): 0.508g/kg
LD50 (rat, oral): 0.584g/kg

storage

Denatonium benzoate is stable up to 140°C and over a wide pH range. It should be stored in a well-closed container (such as polythene-lined steel) in a cool, dry place. Aqueous or alcoholic solutions retaintheir bitterness forseveral years evenwhenexposed to light.

Incompatibilities

Denatonium benzoateis incompatible with strongoxidizing agents.

Regulatory Status

Denatonium benzoate is used worldwide as a denaturant for alcohol. It is included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Database (topical gel and solution).

Raw materials

Preparation Products