1,3-Dibutylimidazolium Bromide shows up in labs as an ionic liquid or as a kind of solid you might call pearly or crystalline depending on how it’s handled and stored. People know it from its chemical formula, C11H21BrN2, and if you like numbers, the pure powder tips the scale with a molecular weight of about 261.21 g/mol. Its construction comes down to a positively charged imidazolium ring, padded on both sides with butyl groups, then paired with a bromide anion. In the world of science and industry, this combination opens all kinds of doors. You find it as raw material in research, working its way into catalysis, extraction, separations, materials science, and sometimes as a solvent or even as part of a reaction medium.
Hold 1,3-Dibutylimidazolium Bromide in your hand as a white to off-white solid, though that look can change—powder, chunky flakes, small pearls, or even as a liquid at higher temperatures. Temperature and storage play a big part in the physical feel of this compound. In regular room conditions, the material stays solid, pretty stable, and doesn’t give off much odor. Depending on how finely it’s ground or produced, it might look like sugar, salt, or regular lab crystals. Density stacks up at about 1.2 g/mL, though this can shift a little with temperature and how much moisture the compound holds. At times, labs find it’s hygroscopic, soaking up water from the air, so sealed containers stay necessary. The material stays soluble in polar solvents like water, methanol, or acetonitrile, leaving behind a clear solution as long as it’s pure and dry.
Chemical suppliers label this compound by its specifications: purity usually measures above 98% by mass, with melting points from 60–90°C depending on the batch, and it carries a CAS number that research teams use to identify it in supply chains. The HS code, or Harmonized System code, for this material often falls under 2933.21, which covers heterocyclic compounds but this could shift with changes in customs regulations or new classifications. Since 1,3-Dibutylimidazolium Bromide tends to be chemically stable, storage away from light and moisture works best. Labs and warehouses put material safety at the front: although it isn’t the most dangerous chemical you’ll find, direct skin contact can be harmful, and swallowing or inhaling dust brings health risks. Good lab practice means gloves, goggles, and dust masks. Disposal follows standard rules for halogenated organic chemicals—it’s never tossed in the regular trash.
Behind the formulas and specifications, the structure keeps things interesting. Imidazolium-based ionic liquids get attention for their ability to dissolve organic and inorganic compounds and bring unique properties to electrochemistry work. In the solid state, crystals line up the butyl-imidazolium cations beside bromide anions in repeating patterns. Pour it in a flask with enough heat and you get a clear liquid with a slightly higher viscosity than water. The colorless, nearly neutral solution under a microscope shows how easily the ions slip apart, which plays a direct role in extraction and synthesis reactions. Material scientists appreciate that the ionic liquid form can hold up to high temperatures before decomposing, and doesn’t evaporate like traditional solvents. These small differences drive innovation in battery electrolytes, pharmaceutical extractions, and materials for next-generation devices.
Getting your hands on 1,3-Dibutylimidazolium Bromide in bulk involves reliable supply chains and raw materials free from serious contamination. Synthetic routes start from imidazole, an organic base, paired with n-butyl bromide through straightforward alkylation reactions, with purification steps like crystallization and repeated washes. This keeps impurities out of the final product and supports applications in high-precision chemistry. In real-world terms, ionic liquids like this step in as “designer solvents,” swapping out hazardous, volatile, or flammable organics for safer, recyclable alternatives. That goes a long way for sustainable chemistry. Environmentally, while the bromide ion sticks around in wastewater, researchers design treatment options to break down or recover and reuse the chemicals, cutting down on hazardous waste.
Every chemical brings safety concerns—1,3-Dibutylimidazolium Bromide is no different. Anyone spending a day working with it sees why data sheets matter. Direct exposure causes itchy skin or eyes, and inhaling powder might cause coughing or sore throat. Spill cleanup uses gloves and safety goggles, and lab benches get a good wipe-down after use. If spilled, it dissolves quickly in water but doesn’t float or vaporize. Labs post emergency wash stations and safe handling reminders, and regulatory paperwork documents its risk level, hazard codes, and recommendations. Better ventilation and wearing gear add practical layers of safety. In rare cases, long-term exposure or improper handling has led to workplace incidents, but most hazards come down to basic chemical precautions.
Big companies and research labs keep an eye out for the downstream impact of this compound, especially regarding its breakdown products and release into wastewater. While ionic liquids often score high for low volatility and non-flammability, brominated compounds can stick around in the environment if not managed. Scientists and engineers explore recovery methods, using filtration, ion exchange, and recycling to get spent chemicals back out of process streams. Automated monitoring, lab-scale pilot recovery, and improved training for waste management close the loop, so fewer hazardous substances leave the lab. This mindful approach, weighing the benefits of safer solvents against the challenge of final disposal, pushes the whole industry toward greener chemistry and better stewardship of raw materials.
