INGREDIENT PROFILE
reduce static charge buildup, and aid in
film formation and style retention. Due
to its exceptional chemical stability,
PQ-6 is especially preferred for use in
high pH and/or highly oxidative formulations such as bleaches, dyes, relaxers
and permanent waving products.
Formulation Guidelines
Recommended use levels of active
PQ-6 typically range from 0.2–1.2% w/w.
Due to its relatively high cationic charge
density, PQ-6 readily forms strong physical complexes with anionic surfactants
and anionic polymers; therefore, special
care must be taken when combining
PQ-6 with such ingredients to prevent
the formation of insoluble precipitates
during processing. To solubilize PQ-6
in the presence of anionic surfactants,
either a large excess of anionic surfactant is required, or amphoteric, betaine
or nonionic secondary surfactants must
be added to the formulation. High loads
of secondary surfactants are especially
necessary when formulating clear liquid
cleansers with PQ-6.
PQ-6 should never be combined
directly with solutions of anionic
polymers or concentrated anionic
surfactants. Instead, commercial PQ-6
solutions are preferably pre-diluted
with water and added to formulations
following the addition and complete
dissolution of all other polymers and
surfactants. The portion of the water
used to pre-dilute PQ-6 will depend on
the level of PQ-6 in the formulation,
but it typically is about 5–10 times the
% w/w of PQ-6 solution being added
to the batch. Alternatively, PQ-6 may
be added up front to the water phase
when there are no anionic polymers,
e.g. thickeners, or anionic surfactants
that require dissolution first.
Next month’s “Ingredient Profile”
column will review PQ-6’s conditioning
cousin copolymer, polyquaternium-7.
Be sure to check it out.
Reproduction of the article without expressed
consent is strictly prohibited.
References
Send e-mail to CT_author@allured.com.
1. Polyquaternium-6, Monograph ID 2442,
International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and
Handbook, 13th ed, Personal Care Products
Council: Washington DC (2010)
2. C Wandrey, J Hermindez-Barajas and D Hun-keler, Diallyldimethylammonium chloride and its
polymers, Adv Polym Sci 145, 123– 182 (1999)
3. Merquat Polyquaternium-6 Series, Nalco product
bulletin PC-PolyQ-6, Nalco Company, Naperville,
IL (2007)
4. US 3461163, Synthesis of dimethyl diallyl
ammonium chloride, JE Boothe, assigned to
Calgon Corp. (Aug 12, 1969)
5. US 4151202, Preparation of dimethyl diallyl
ammonium chloride and polydiallyl dimethyl
ammonium chloride, WE Hunter and TP Sieder,
assigned to Nalco Chemical Co. (Apr 24, 1979)
6. JE Boothe, HG Flock, MF Hoover, Some
homo- and copolymerization studies of dimethyl-diallylammonium chloride, J Macromol Sci, Part
A, Pure Appl Chem 4 6 1419–1430 (1970)
7. GB Butler, Cyclopolymerization and cycloco-polymerization, Marcel Dekker Inc., New York
(1992)
8. Genamin PDAC, Clariant Industrial & Consumer
Specialties Product Bulletin, Clariant International
Ltd., Muttenz, Switzerland (Jan 2010)
9. Mirapol 100, Rhodia Product Data Sheet
N000169, Rhodia Novecare, Cranbury, NJ (Jul
2009)
10. Optasense CP6 Conditioning Agent, Croda
product bulletin DS-205R-2, Croda Inc., Edison,
NJ (Jan 2008)
154 | Cosmetics & Toiletries® magazine www.CosmeticsandToiletries.com
Vol. 126, No. 3/March 2011
