Cocamidopropyl Betaine - CAPB 45

Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB-45) is a mixture of organic compounds derived from coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine (DMAPA). It appears as a viscous, pale-yellow solution and is commonly used as a surfactant in personal care products and animal husbandry.

CAPB acts as a foam booster in shampoos and is a medium-strength surfactant found in bath products such as hand soaps. It also functions as an emulsifying agent and thickener in cosmetics, helping to reduce irritation caused by purely ionic surfactants. Additionally, it serves as an antistatic agent in hair conditioners and is generally gentle on skin and mucous membranes, although some studies suggest it may cause allergic reactions in certain individuals.

Cocamidopropyl Betaine is produced by reacting dimethylaminopropylamine (DMAPA) with fatty acids derived from coconut or palm kernel oil. The highly reactive primary amine group in DMAPA selectively forms an amide, followed by a reaction between chloroacetic acid and the remaining tertiary amine to create a quaternary ammonium center.

Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid amide featuring a long hydrocarbon chain at one end and a polar group at the other. This molecular structure allows CAPB to function effectively as both a surfactant and detergent. It is a zwitterion, containing both a quaternary ammonium cation and a carboxylate anion.