Benzyl(Ethyl)Dimethylammonium Bis(Trifluoromethanesulfonyl)Imide: A Practical Perspective

What is Benzyl(Ethyl)Dimethylammonium Bis(Trifluoromethanesulfonyl)Imide?

Benzyl(Ethyl)Dimethylammonium Bis(Trifluoromethanesulfonyl)Imide stands out as a substance often seen in the form of solid flakes, fine powder, small pearls, or even crystalline chunks. Chemists build this material from a benzyl(ethyl)dimethylammonium cation combined with a bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide anion, forming a salt with unique properties valuable to a range of industries. Many laboratories handle this compound for its chemical versatility, especially where stable ionic environments are essential. This material serves as a key ingredient in the production of ionic liquids, electrolytes, and specialty solvents that need steady performance across extreme conditions. From batteries to pharmaceuticals, users reach for this chemical due to its combination of thermal stability and chemical resistance, making it a staple in research and manufacturing.

Product Structure, Molecular Formula, and Properties

The molecular construction centers around the formula C12H19F6N3O4S2. At its core, the molecule features a benzyl group attached to a nitrogen that has two methyl and one ethyl substituent, creating a cation known for strong solubility in organic solvents. The bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide unit carries six fluorine atoms, bringing both hydrophobicity and exceptional chemical finesse. This specific structure introduces a high level of purity and controlled reactivity in the workplace. The compound shows up mostly as a white or off-white solid; flakes and pearls often let users measure and transport material with ease, while powdered and crystalline versions can dissolve rapidly in compatible solvents. These forms give precise options during both large-scale and bench-scale experiments. Its specific density frequently measures near 1.45 g/cm³, reflecting the packed molecular structure guided by multiple fluorine atoms. As a result, users can expect consistency in weight measurements and concentration calculations, facts that technicians double-check every day in real-world applications.

Specifications, HS Code, and Supply Details

Chemical suppliers provide Benzyl(Ethyl)Dimethylammonium Bis(Trifluoromethanesulfonyl)Imide under various grades—typically higher purity versions for pharmaceutical or electronics applications, and industrial grades for less sensitive needs. Purity often meets 98% or greater, as required by the standards of most laboratories relying on measured reactivity. Bulk suppliers might deliver this material in sealed drums or liter-sized containers, depending on whether users request solid chunks, crystals, or prepared solutions. Each delivery outlines strict batch specifications that detail moisture content, particle size, and impurity profile. Sourcing this material necessitates awareness of global trade requirements; its Harmonized System (HS) code usually falls under 2923, reflecting organic quaternary ammonium compounds. Every shipment comes tracked by batch documentation and safety data that meet the compliance rules of exporting and importing countries, minimizing customs complications and regulatory holdups.

Physical Properties: Density, Form, and Solubility

People working with Benzyl(Ethyl)Dimethylammonium Bis(Trifluoromethanesulfonyl)Imide get used to its high density and predictable melting points, which often stay above room temperature. Its solid and crystalline forms move easily from warehouse to laboratory, providing clear, measurable mass. In solution, the compound mixes smoothly with polar solvents such as acetonitrile or dimethyl sulfoxide; this property becomes particularly important in battery research, catalysis, and analytical testing, where uniform dispersal in liquid phases saves both time and resources. Liquids created from this material rarely react unexpectedly, provided they remain in a controlled environment away from highly reactive chemicals. Packing, storing, and handling guidelines grow out of these physical factors. Proper containers limit contamination and moisture uptake, because the compound’s hygroscopic nature can affect both storage life and reactivity. Solid forms, like flakes and pearls, often resist caking, making them easier to handle in automated systems.

Safety, Hazard, and Risk Issues

Painstaking attention to safety accompanies Benzyl(Ethyl)Dimethylammonium Bis(Trifluoromethanesulfonyl)Imide at every stage. Experiences in chemical handling teach that the substance, while stable, carries risks typical of many specialty raw materials. Direct contact with skin or eyes can lead to irritation; occupational guidance always urges gloves, eye protection, and fume extraction—practices drilled into every technician during training. Inhalation of fine powder must be avoided, since respiratory irritation or more serious health hazards can result. Many facilities enforce strict labeling, storage, and emergency response routines: Safety Data Sheets clarify routes of exposure, firefighting measures, and accidental release protocols. While the chemical’s toxicity stays lower than many industrial solvents or acids, vigilance proves necessary because repeated or long-term exposure may produce harm, especially if proper ventilation or personal protective gear lapses. Waste disposal follows specific routes laid out by chemical safety regulators to keep hazardous waste streams separated and environmentally sound, avoiding fines or accidents down the line.

Raw Materials Sourcing and Quality Considerations

Behind every kilogram of Benzyl(Ethyl)Dimethylammonium Bis(Trifluoromethanesulfonyl)Imide stands a supply chain rooted in specialty organic and fluorinated raw materials. The benzyl, ethyl, and methyl building blocks arrive from established chemical producers, chosen for their stability and reactivity under controlled synthetic conditions. The bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide counterion depends on access to highly pure sulfur, fluorine, and methane-based reagents. Every production step—quaternization, salt formation, purification—imposes its own purity thresholds and manufacturing limits, demanding constant monitoring from synthesis technicians and quality assurance staff. Years of experience in chemical industry labs have shown that batch-to-batch consistency makes or breaks downstream application research; flaws in raw material selection or intermediate purification rarely escape notice in performance testing. Manufacturers keep documentation on every lot’s source inputs, and product users often request full origin and specification sheets before placing an order. These records not only preserve transparency but also guard against future regulatory changes or raw material shortages.

Material Applications and Future Trends

Benzyl(Ethyl)Dimethylammonium Bis(Trifluoromethanesulfonyl)Imide finds new uses each year. Electrochemistry labs value it for its conductivity and solubility in battery electrolyte formulations, especially in high-energy applications. Organic synthesis benefits from the compound’s stability, enabling specialty reactions and catalyst systems that work under harsh thermal or oxidative conditions. Pharmaceutical scientists explore its inclusion in drug delivery systems and as a phase transfer catalyst. Its unique physical and chemical profile helps bridge gaps between traditional solvents and highly engineered ionic liquids. Researchers track changing demand in line with electric mobility, grid storage, and advanced manufacturing pipelines, looking for safer or more sustainable alternatives where old chemicals fall short. Careful study of lifecycle risks and recycling potential points to growing scrutiny from environmental authorities; efforts to improve recovery, reuse, and disposal methods encourage steady innovation along the supply chain.