Chlorine compounds, specifically hypochlorites, have a wide spectrum of activity but are rapidly inactivated in the presence of organic debris. Therefore, they would be the least effective in the presence of organic debris. Their mechanism of action is oxidation of peptide linkages and denaturation of protein via unionized hypochlorous acid.2
Phenolic compounds have broad-spectrum activity and retain the greatest effectiveness in the presence of some organic debris. Their mechanism of action depends on the phenolic composition within each product.2
Hydrogen peroxide has broad-spectrum activity and reasonable effectiveness in the presence of organic debris. The mechanism of action is attributed to its strong oxidizing capability to denature proteins and lipids.2
Because QACs have a limited spectrum of activity, their effectiveness is significantly reduced in the presence of organic debris. They are cationic surface-active agents.2