[Oxalylbis(iminoethylene)]bis[(o-chlorobenzyl)diethylammonium] salts, e.g. ambenonium chloride (INN)
[Oxalylbis(iminoethylene)]bis[(o-chlorobenzyl)diethylammonium] salts, e.g. ambenonium chloride (INN) is listed in Annex II as a prohibited substance for cosmetic products placed on the EU market.
Chemical identity and properties

Ambenonium Chloride
Ambenonium chloride is a symmetrical oxalamide-based bis-quaternary ammonium salt having ethyl and 2-chlorobenzyl groups attached to the nitrogens. It has a role as a neurotransmitter agent and an EC 3.1.1.8 (cholinesterase) inhibitor. It is a quaternary ammonium salt and an organic chloride salt. — ChEBI
- IUPAC name
- (2-chlorophenyl)methyl-[2-[[2-[2-[(2-chlorophenyl)methyl-diethylazaniumyl]ethylamino]-2-oxoacetyl]amino]ethyl]-diethylazanium dichloride
- Molecular formula
- C28H42Cl4N4O2
- Molecular weight
- 608.5 g/mol
- Exact mass
- 608.203237 Da
- Topological polar surface area
- 58.2 Ų
- Hydrogen-bond donors
- 2
- Hydrogen-bond acceptors
- 4
- Covalent units
- 3
- Defined stereocentres
- 0
Also known as
16 more reported names
External database identifiers
- ChEBI:CHEBI:2628
- ChEMBL:CHEMBL1200541
- EPA DTXSID:DTXSID3022582
- PubMed:33844597
- PubMed:11132996
- PubMed:11099780
- PubMed:8010419
- PubMed:3912090
Evidence from additional scientific databases
NIH PubChem PUG-View
Attributed physical-property, hazard, environmental and use annotations.
- Carcinogen Classification: No indication of carcinogenicity to humans (not listed by IARC). Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
- Exposure Routes: Oral - poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
- Signal: Danger Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- GHS Hazard Statements: H300 (100%): Fatal if swallowed [Danger Acute toxicity, oral] Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- Precautionary Statement Codes: P264, P270, P301+P316, P321, P330, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- ECHA C&L Notifications Summary: Aggregated GHS information provided per 38 reports by companies from 1 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory.; Information may vary between notifications depending on impurities, additives, and other factors. The percentage value in parenthesis indicates the notified classification ratio from companies that provide hazard codes. Only hazard codes with percentage values above 10% are shown. For more detailed information, please visit ECHA C&L website. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- Health Effects: Acute exposure to cholinesterase inhibitors can cause a cholinergic crisis characterized by severe nausea/vomiting, salivation, sweating, bradycardia, hypotension, collapse, and convulsions. Increasing muscle weakness is a possibility and may result in death if respiratory muscles are involved. Accumulation of ACh at motor nerves causes overstimulation of nicotinic expression at the neuromuscular junction. When this occurs symptoms such as muscle weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, fasciculation, and paralysis can be seen. When there is an accumulation of ACh at autonomic ganglia this causes overstimulation of nicotinic expression in the sympathetic system. Symptoms associated with this are hypertension, and hypoglycemia. Overstimulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the central nervous system, due to accumulation of ACh, results in anxiety, headache, convulsions, ataxia, depression of respiration and circulation, tremor, general weakness, and potentially coma. When there is expression of muscarinic overstimulation due to excess acetylcholine at muscarinic acetylcholine receptors symptoms of visual disturbances, tightness in chest, wheezing due to bronchoconstriction, incre Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
- Toxicity Summary: Ambenonium is a cholinesterase or acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor. A cholinesterase inhibitor (or 'anticholinesterase') suppresses the action of acetylcholinesterase. Because of its essential function, chemicals that interfere with the action of acetylcholinesterase are potent neurotoxins, causing excessive salivation and eye-watering in low doses, followed by muscle spasms and ultimately death. Nerve gases and many substances used in insecticides have been shown to act by binding a serine in the active site of acetylcholine esterase, inhibiting the enzyme completely. Acetylcholine esterase breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is released at nerve and muscle junctions, in order to allow the muscle or organ to relax. The result of acetylcholine esterase inhibition is that acetylcholine builds up and continues to act so that any nerve impulses are continually transmitted and muscle contractions do not stop. Among the most common acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are phosphorus-based compounds, which are designed to bind to the active site of the enzyme. The structural requirements are a phosphorus atom bearing two lipophilic groups, a leaving group (such as a hal Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
- Uses: Ambenonium is used to treat muscle weakness due to muscle disease (myasthenia gravis). Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
Mapped by: Existing checksum-valid CAS to unique PubChem CID match. Retrieved: 2026-08-31. Open source record
Scientific classifications and hazard annotations provide context and do not replace the market-specific regulatory decision shown above.
Additional source coverage and match status
| Source | Result | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| NIH PubChem PUG-View | Exact match | 2026-08-31 |
A recorded no-match is useful evidence that the source was checked; it is not a claim that the substance does not exist elsewhere.
Retrieved from NIH PubChem on 2026-09-02 by checksum-valid CAS matching. Chemical properties do not replace the regulatory decision on this page.
Record details
Chemical name
[Oxalylbis(iminoethylene)]bis[(o-chlorobenzyl)diethylammonium] salts, e.g. ambenonium chloride (INN)
Regulatory information
Key data
Related records for [Oxalylbis(iminoethylene)]bis[(o-chlorobenzyl)diethylammonium] salts, e.g. ambenonium chloride (INN)
Direct matches are limited for this record, so nearby entries from Annex II are shown as well.
O,O'-Diethyl-O-4-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate (Parathion - ISO)
Methyprylon (INN) and its salts
Digitaline and all heterosides of Digitalis purpurea L.
Cinchocaine (INN) and its salts
7-[2-Hydroxy-3-(N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methylamino)propyl]theophylline; (Xanthinol)
2-Diethylaminoethyl 3-hydroxy-4-phenylbenzoate and its salts
Dioxethedrin (INN) and its salts
Lysergide (INN) (LSD) and its salts
Dichloroethylenes (acetylene chlorides) e.g. Vinylidene chloride (1,1-Dichloroethylene)
What Annex II means for [Oxalylbis(iminoethylene)]bis[(o-chlorobenzyl)diethylammonium] salts, e.g. ambenonium chloride (INN)
[Oxalylbis(iminoethylene)]bis[(o-chlorobenzyl)diethylammonium] salts, e.g. ambenonium chloride (INN) is listed as a prohibited substance under Annex II of EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 and must not be intentionally added. Article 17 separately addresses unintended small quantities that are technically unavoidable under good manufacturing practice and compatible with the Article 3 safety requirement.
Formulators must screen their ingredients and raw materials to ensure none contain this substance. Suppliers should provide documentation confirming absence when requested.
The page also surfaces 12 related annex records with overlapping identifiers, annex logic or naming patterns.
Compliance checklist
- Verify this substance is absent from all raw materials and finished formulations.
- Request absence confirmation or CoA from raw material suppliers.
- Document the screening result in the Product Information File (PIF).
Frequently asked questions
Source note for Annex II record [Oxalylbis(iminoethylene)]bis[(o-chlorobenzyl)diethylammonium] salts, e.g. ambenonium chloride (INN)
This page summarizes one Annex II record for [Oxalylbis(iminoethylene)]bis[(o-chlorobenzyl)diethylammonium] salts, e.g. ambenonium chloride (INN) from public European Commission cosmetic materials and adds linked inventory or identifier matches when available.
Use this record page to review Annex II conditions for [Oxalylbis(iminoethylene)]bis[(o-chlorobenzyl)diethylammonium] salts, e.g. ambenonium chloride (INN), but confirm any final regulatory decision against the current official annex wording and source files.
Tools & next steps
Check your formula
Paste a full INCI list to detect [Oxalylbis(iminoethylene)]bis[(o-chlorobenzyl)diethylammonium] salts, e.g. ambenonium chloride (INN) and other flagged EU annex records in one pass.
INCI CheckerCompare entries
Compare [Oxalylbis(iminoethylene)]bis[(o-chlorobenzyl)diethylammonium] salts, e.g. ambenonium chloride (INN) side by side with another annex record to review differences in restrictions, concentrations and annex placement.
CompareBrowse the annex
See all records in Annex II and compare regulatory conditions across substances in this annex.
Open Annex II