Myristylamine Oxide is a long-chain amine oxide used as a surface-active ingredient in specialty cleaning, detergent, personal-care, and industrial formulations.
It may also be identified as Myristamine Oxide or N,N-Dimethyltetradecylamine N-Oxide. PubChem identifies Myristamine Oxide as a defined compound with the molecular formula C16H35NO.
The “myristyl” portion refers to a 14-carbon hydrocarbon chain, while the amine oxide group provides the molecule with its surface-active properties.
This structure allows Myristylamine Oxide to interact with both water and oily materials, making it potentially useful in formulas designed to wet surfaces, remove soil, create foam, or stabilize surfactant systems.
What Type of Chemical Is Myristylamine Oxide?
Myristylamine Oxide belongs to the alkyl dimethylamine oxide family.
These molecules contain:
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A long hydrophobic alkyl chain
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A polar amine oxide group
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Two methyl groups attached to the nitrogen
The long alkyl chain is attracted to oils and hydrophobic soils, while the amine oxide portion interacts more readily with water.
This dual character allows the ingredient to position itself at the interface between water, oils, air, and solid surfaces.
Is Myristylamine Oxide the Same as Myristamine Oxide?
The terms Myristylamine Oxide and Myristamine Oxide are commonly used for the same underlying chemical.
Other possible names include:
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Tetradecyldimethylamine Oxide
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N,N-Dimethyltetradecylamine N-Oxide
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Dimethyl Myristamine Oxide
However, buyers should always confirm the exact chemical identity, concentration, CAS information, and product specification before purchasing.
Supplier product names can vary, and a commercial grade may be supplied as a diluted solution rather than at full active strength.
How Does Myristylamine Oxide Work?
Myristylamine Oxide functions as a surfactant.
Surfactants help reduce the surface tension between water and other substances. This can make it easier for water to spread across a surface, interact with oily soil, and remove contaminants during rinsing.
Depending on the formulation, Myristylamine Oxide may support:
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Wetting
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Cleaning
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Soil removal
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Foam generation
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Foam stabilization
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Emulsification
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Dispersion
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Viscosity development
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Surfactant compatibility
The ingredient’s performance will depend on its use concentration and the other components in the formula.
What Is Myristylamine Oxide Used For?
Household Cleaning Products
Myristylamine Oxide may be evaluated for household cleaners that require wetting, detergency, foam, or assistance removing oily soils.
Potential products may include:
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Multipurpose cleaners
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Kitchen cleaners
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Bathroom cleaners
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Hand-dishwashing liquids
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Surface-cleaning concentrates
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Degreasing products
Industrial and Institutional Cleaning
Industrial formulations may require surfactants capable of functioning alongside alkaline builders, solvents, chelating agents, corrosion inhibitors, acids, or other cleaning ingredients.
Myristylamine Oxide may be considered for:
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Hard-surface cleaners
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Equipment-washing products
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Institutional detergent systems
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Specialty degreasers
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Vehicle-cleaning products
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Manufacturing-process cleaners
Suitability should be confirmed through controlled testing.
Personal-Care Formulations
Some amine oxides are used in rinse-off personal-care products because they can contribute to cleansing, lather, and formulation characteristics.
Potential applications may include:
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Shampoos
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Body washes
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Liquid hand soaps
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Facial cleansers
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Specialty wash products
Manufacturers must evaluate the specific commercial grade, regulatory status, purity, and intended use before incorporating it into a personal-care product.
Specialty Surfactant Blends
Chemical formulators may use Myristylamine Oxide as part of a larger surfactant package.
A blend may combine:
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Anionic surfactants
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Nonionic surfactants
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Amphoteric surfactants
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Other amine oxides
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Hydrotropes
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Solvents
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Builders
The objective may be to balance foam, detergency, viscosity, stability, and cost.
Why Does Carbon-Chain Length Matter?
The length of a surfactant’s alkyl chain can affect several performance characteristics, including:
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Water solubility
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Oil interaction
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Foam profile
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Detergency
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Wetting
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Thickening response
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Compatibility
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Temperature behavior
Myristylamine Oxide has a 14-carbon chain. This places it between shorter-chain and longer-chain amine oxides and may give it a different performance profile from Lauramine Oxide, Cocamine Oxide, or mixed-chain amine oxide products.
The best choice depends on the desired formulation properties.
Myristylamine Oxide vs. Lauramine Oxide
Lauramine Oxide typically refers to a 12-carbon alkyl dimethylamine oxide, while Myristylamine Oxide contains a 14-carbon alkyl chain.
The additional carbon atoms may influence:
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Solubility
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Surface activity
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Foam characteristics
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Viscosity response
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Interaction with oils
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Temperature sensitivity
One ingredient should not be substituted for the other without laboratory evaluation.
Myristylamine Oxide vs. Cocamidopropylamine Oxide
These ingredients are both amine oxides, but their structures differ.
Myristylamine Oxide has a relatively uniform 14-carbon alkyl chain directly associated with the dimethylamine oxide group.
Cocamidopropylamine Oxide contains an amide and propyl linkage and is based on a mixture of coconut-derived fatty-acid chains.
These structural differences may affect performance, concentration, purity, appearance, odor, and compatibility.
What Should Buyers Review Before Purchasing?
Before selecting a commercial grade, buyers should request the available specification and review:
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Chemical identity
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Active concentration
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Appearance
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Color
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Odor
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pH
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Water content
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Impurity profile
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Storage requirements
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Shelf life
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Standard packaging
Manufacturers should also confirm whether the quoted product is Myristylamine Oxide alone or part of an amine oxide blend.
How Should Myristylamine Oxide Be Qualified?
A new material should be tested in the complete formulation before full-scale manufacturing.
A typical qualification process may include:
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Reviewing technical and safety documents.
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Comparing the new specification with the approved raw material.
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Testing a representative sample.
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Evaluating clarity, color, odor, pH, viscosity, and foam.
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Conducting accelerated and real-time stability testing.
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Confirming manufacturing-process compatibility.
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Reviewing the Certificate of Analysis.
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Completing internal quality approval.
Manufacturers should avoid assuming that materials from different suppliers are automatically interchangeable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the chemical formula of Myristylamine Oxide?
PubChem lists Myristamine Oxide with the molecular formula C16H35NO.
Is Myristylamine Oxide a surfactant?
Yes. Its long hydrocarbon chain and polar amine oxide group give it surface-active properties.
Where is Myristylamine Oxide used?
It may be evaluated for household cleaners, industrial cleaners, personal-care products, detergent systems, and specialty surfactant blends.
Is Myristylamine Oxide available in bulk?
Availability depends on the supplier, concentration, packaging, and order size. Commercial orders may include drums, totes, multiple pallets, or other bulk configurations.
Contact Rock Chemicals for Bulk Myristylamine Oxide
Contact Rock Chemicals when your company needs Myristylamine Oxide for formulation development, production-scale manufacturing, or a recurring raw-material program. Buyers should reach out when requesting bulk pricing, confirming concentration, comparing packaging options, reviewing documentation, or planning future delivery requirements. Provide your order quantity, application, destination, target concentration, and required delivery date so Rock Chemicals can evaluate the appropriate bulk-order solution.