How Do You Spell DIMETHYLDIOCTADECYLAMMONIUM CHLORIDE?

Pronunciation: [dˌa͡ɪmθɪldɪˌɒkte͡ɪdsˌɪlɐmˈə͡ʊni͡əm klˈɔːɹa͡ɪd] (IPA)

The spelling of "dimethyldioctadecylammonium chloride" can be quite intimidating. However, breaking it down into smaller parts can make it easier to understand. "Di-" means two, "methyl" refers to a carbon atom with three hydrogen atoms attached, "dioctadecyl" means 18 carbon atoms in a chain, and "ammonium chloride" is the functional group of the molecule. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word would be /daɪˌmɛθəldaɪˌɒktəˌdɛsəlaˌməʊniəm ˈklɔːraɪd/. While the word may look overwhelming, understanding its roots can help with pronunciation.

DIMETHYLDIOCTADECYLAMMONIUM CHLORIDE Meaning and Definition

1. Dimethyldioctadecylammonium chloride is a chemical compound commonly referred to as DODAC, and it falls under the category of quaternary ammonium salts. This compound is a powerful surfactant and cationic liposome-forming agent. It is typically found in the form of a white or off-white powder with a faint odor.

   The term "dimethyldioctadecylammonium chloride" can be broken down into its constituent parts for a comprehensive definition. "Dimethyl" indicates the presence of two methyl (-CH3) groups attached to the nitrogen atom. "Dioctadecyl" signifies that there are two octadecyl (-C18H37) groups, which consist of an 18-carbon hydrocarbon chain, attached to the nitrogen atom. Finally, "ammonium chloride" refers to the presence of a chloride (Cl-) ion, forming a positively charged quaternary ammonium group.

   Dimethyldioctadecylammonium chloride acts as a surfactant by reducing the surface tension between two immiscible substances, such as oil and water. It forms cationic liposomes, which are lipid bilayers with a positive charge. These liposomes are widely used in biomedical research, drug delivery systems, and gene therapy applications. Additionally, this compound possesses antimicrobial properties, aiding in the protection against various microorganisms.

   Overall, dimethyldioctadecylammonium chloride plays a crucial role in various industries due to its surfactant, cationic liposome-forming, and antimicrobial properties.

Etymology of DIMETHYLDIOCTADECYLAMMONIUM CHLORIDE

The word "dimethyldioctadecylammonium chloride" is derived from two parts: its chemical structure and nomenclature conventions.

1. Chemical Structure:

- The term "dimethyl" indicates that there are two methyl (-CH3) groups attached to the compound.

- "Dioctadecyl" refers to two octadecyl chains. Each octadecyl chain contains 18 carbon atoms.

2. Nomenclature conventions:

- "Ammonium" denotes a positive charge on the nitrogen atom (N) in the molecule.

- "Chloride" indicates that the counterion is a chloride ion (Cl-).

The overall naming convention for this compound follows the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) system for naming quaternary ammonium compounds. It combines the structural components with the naming conventions for organic compounds.