1,3-Ditetradecylimidazolium Bromide: Material Overview and Properties

What is 1,3-Ditetradecylimidazolium Bromide?

1,3-Ditetradecylimidazolium Bromide stands out as a specialized ionic liquid derived from the imidazolium cation paired with a bromide anion. Its chemical formula, C34H69BrN2, tells a lot about its makeup—two extended tetradecyl (C14) alkyl chains attached to an imidazole ring tend to impart a waxy, solid structure at room temperature. Many in research and chemical manufacturing circles recognize this compound for its role in processes where stability, thermal endurance, and structure-directing power matter. You might spot it as white to pale yellow crystals, flakes, or granulated powder, and sometimes it turns up in a slightly viscous liquid form, depending on environmental conditions and handling. Its HS Code, crucial for international trade and customs classification, usually falls under 29252999, aligning it among the quaternary ammonium and related salts category.

Molecular Structure and Physical Character

The big standout in the molecular architecture of 1,3-Ditetradecylimidazolium Bromide is its bulky hydrophobic side chains. Packing these long hydrocarbon tails into one molecule creates a compound that hardly dissolves in water yet finds a comfortable fit in organic solvents. The molecular weight sits at about 588.8 g/mol. These straight chains can drive the compound to aggregate, making crystalline, pearl-like, or flake forms pretty common in storage barrels or production pouches. As for density, expect measurements near 0.9–1.1 g/cm³ based on purity, temperature, and the state of aggregation on your lab bench.

Properties and Performance

This chemical shows off surprising thermal stability, often holding strong up to 200°C before any decomposition signs show on a thermal analyzer. Such toughness lines up with applications that test the limits of other organic compounds. The substance handles most air exposure calmly, though exposure to high humidity sometimes causes slight surface blooming or stickiness. Its bromine content gives it certain reactivity, and industry folks watch for compatibility issues when it appears in multicomponent formulations since bromides sometimes kickstart unwanted side reactions. You can blend or grind it for powdery forms, though crystal versions shine when optical purity is needed for research or technical purposes. Under regular handling and storage, no overwhelming odors break through, making this chemical easy to manage in a standard chemical facility.

Chemical Safety, Toxicity, and Handling

Risk always accompanies raw materials and specialty chemicals in any lab or production line. 1,3-Ditetradecylimidazolium Bromide typically counts as hazardous under transport and workplace safety standards. Inhalation, ingestion, or skin exposure may cause irritation, breathing difficulty, or allergic responses, highlighting the importance of gloves, face shields, good ventilation, and clear labeling. Its relatively high molecular mass minimizes acute vapor inhalation risks, but dust particles from grinding or pouring can stir up coughing and throat irritation if precautions lapse. On chemical compatibility, strong oxidants or acids warrant some careful double-checking—reactions can get unpredictable or even hazardous. Disposal follows protocols for halogenated organics, with waste collection and certified incineration ensuring no bromine leaches into local water systems. Many industries now ask for toxicology data and environmental fate assessments to reduce harmful impacts or accidental releases, and the track record for this compound so far suggests limited persistence in most habitats if managed according to international standards.

Raw Material Role in Industry

1,3-Ditetradecylimidazolium Bromide doesn't just fill a label in a chemical catalog—it strongly influences synthesis, catalysis, material science, and nanotechnology. In my own work, I've seen its usefulness in structuring nanomaterials, guiding self-assembly processes, and tweaking surface chemistry for advanced coatings. Those hydrophobic tails help prevent unwanted clumping in colloidal systems, and its ionic structure makes it a candidate for tunable solvents and electrolyte additives. As demand grows for safer, more efficient synthesis routes in fine chemical and pharmaceutical shops, such innovative ionic liquids step up, facilitating reactions with fewer by-products, gentler processing, or better material yields. Pressure is growing from regulators and responsible manufacturers to vet every raw material more deeply, not just for short-term performance, but for long-term safety, supply security, and ecological impact.

Material Specifications and Supply Considerations

Suppliers now list 1,3-Ditetradecylimidazolium Bromide in flake, crystalline, powder, or sometimes viscous liquid form, priced and packaged based on bulk quantity and purity—usually over 98% for R&D work, a little less for broader industry. Storage typically requires sealed drums, away from moisture, in cool rooms to prevent caking or slow hydrolysis. For engineers measuring out precise gram-amounts, understanding bulk density saves time, especially when mixing solid and liquid raw ingredients by weight rather than volume. Large-scale processors look closely at shelf life, transport restrictions, and customs paperwork, all tied to its HS Code and chemical hazard statements, to avoid costly shipping delays or compliance gaps. Labs demanding high purity sometimes request COA’s (certificates of analysis) for every batch, checking against known standards to guarantee reliable performance in critical syntheses.

Future Applications and Sustainable Solutions

The push for safer, less harmful chemicals highlights the value of deep technical understanding behind each raw material. 1,3-Ditetradecylimidazolium Bromide’s unique mix of structure-directing ability, thermal endurance, and selective solubility helps drive new ideas in catalysis, battery electrolytes, and green synthesis. Optimists in research point toward recycling methods and advanced purification to reduce environmental burden. Some forward-thinking operations choose closed-loop production, minimizing exposure risk and cutting waste disposal costs. Broader adoption hinges on continued data sharing, better labeling of risks and handling guidelines, and tighter collaboration between producers, users, and regulatory groups. The effort to combine technical know-how with a strong safety mindset shapes the ongoing story of specialty chemicals like this—opening new frontiers, but only with careful attention to every property, hazard, and real-world application.