Choline chloride
Choline chloride is an organic compound with the formula. It is a quaternary ammonium salt, consisting of choline cations and chloride anions. It is a bifunctional compound, meaning, it contains both a quaternary ammonium functional group and a hydroxyl functional group. The cation of this salt, choline, occurs in nature in living beings. Choline chloride is a white, water-soluble salt used mainly as an animal and human dietary supplement.
Synthesis
In the laboratory, choline can be prepared by methylation of dimethylethanolamine with methyl chloride.Choline chloride is mass-produced with world production estimated at 160 000 tons in 1999. Industrially, it is produced by the reaction of ethylene oxide, hydrogen chloride, and trimethylamine, or from the pre-formed salt:
Choline chloride can also be made by treating trimethylamine with 2-chloroethanol.
Applications
It is a dietary supplement used to accelerate the growth of chickens.It forms a deep eutectic solvent with urea, ethylene glycol, glycerol, and many other compounds.
It is also used as a clay control additive in fluids used for hydraulic fracturing.