Polyquat

Polyquat is the common name for a class of swimming pool and hot tub algaecide which is chemically mostly n-alkyl-dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (some dialkyl monomethyl isomers are also included). The alkyl groups are usually C14 and C16. The common name derives from the fact that these compounds are POLY-alkyl QUATernary amines.

R-N⁺(CH3)₂-CH2-C6H5 Cl^-

R = -C₁₄H₂₉ or -C₁₆H₃₃

Pre-diluted solutions of polyquat of 5% or less are sold for the hot tub market, at large mark-up. It may be more economically used as the concentrated product intended for swimming pools, but in amounts scaled for hot tubs (300 gal).

n-alkyl-dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride is also used in some disinfecting products such a wipes including those made by companies such as Clorox.

References

*http://www.aldenleeds.com/Polyquat.pdf