Benzethonium chloride is a (synthetic) quaternary ammonium salt that is benzyldimethylamine in which the nitrogen is quaternised by a 2-{2-[p-(2,4,4-trimethylpentan-2-yl)phenoxy]ethoxy}ethyl group, with chloride as the counter-ion. An antiseptic and disinfectant, it is active against a broad spectrum of bacteria, fungi, moulds and viruses. It has a role as an antiseptic drug, a disinfectant, an antibacterial agent, an antiviral agent and an antifungal agent. It is a quaternary ammonium salt, a chloride salt and an aromatic ether.