Butyltriethylammonium Bromide brings together organics and halides, shaping its use in laboratories, industry, and chemical synthesis. This compound appears as a crystalline solid, often found in white or off-white flakes or powder. Sometimes, suppliers handle it as pearls or even suspended in a liquid solution to meet certain applications. Butyltriethylammonium Bromide, as a quaternary ammonium salt, shows off its structure with a central nitrogen atom attached to one butyl group and three ethyl groups, all balanced by a bromide anion (Br-). Chemists spot its molecular formula as C10H24BrN and usually measure a molecular weight near 238.21 g/mol. This compound has earned its entry under the HS Code 2923.90, falling under quaternary ammonium salts in international trade.
Physical properties stand out while handling Butyltriethylammonium Bromide. Its solid form remains stable at room temperature, offering easy transportation and storage. Density typically reads close to 1.1 g/cm³, so the substance feels heavier compared to lighter organic salts. Solubility checks reveal good compatibility with water, alcohols, and other common solvents, which helps in diverse laboratory and industrial reactions. The ionic bond linking the ammonium cation and bromide anion delivers a crystalline network, making the material appear as well-defined crystals under proper lighting. For chemical engineers, knowing the compound melts around 270°C holds importance, as high temperatures challenge its stability and usability. Bulk shipments often come as flakes, powder, or a crystalized solid, depending on usage and preferences at the destination.
Sourcing teams track specifications to control quality and application scope. Consistency in particle size—flakes, powder, solid chunks, even tiny pearls—matters for blending and measuring in chemical processes. Purity levels above 99% get preference in sensitive syntheses, while lower purities might suit routine industrial runs. Buyers usually demand certificates detailing physical characteristics: color, melting point, moisture content, and sometimes heavy metal content. Production plants churn out this salt under strictly controlled conditions, minimizing impurities that would interfere with its chemical activity. Laboratories and manufacturers trust only those shipments that match these strict standards, with documents supporting each batch for traceability.
Butyltriethylammonium Bromide starts its journey with typical raw materials including triethylamine, butyl halides, and hydrobromic acid, all subject to close regulation. The substance finds work in organic synthesis, ionic liquid creation, phase-transfer catalysis, and sometimes electrochemical studies. Every lab technician and process manager treats material safety as a priority: dust or fumes can prove irritating for eyes and skin, and swallowing causes stomach discomfort. Surfaces contaminated by this compound get cleaned right away using standard chemical spill protocols, and personal protective equipment—gloves, goggles, lab coats—always covers exposed skin. Material safety data sheets raise alerts about its moderate hazards, mostly related to the bromide ion and the potential reactivity with strong oxidizers. Although Butyltriethylammonium Bromide lacks the high toxicity linked to heavier metals, understanding its role in chemical processes prevents mishaps.
Chemists value the predictable density of this compound when formulating precise solutions. For liquid-phase reactions, weighing out the exact gram value translates to accurate molarity, a detail no one in the lab overlooks. Storage containers sit airtight and labeled, far from sunlight and sources of moisture, to avoid any risk of hydrolysis or decomposition. Suppliers who ship Butyltriethylammonium Bromide in solution form guarantee concentration accuracy, so end-users bypass time-consuming weighing and dissolving steps. In solid or powder form, scoops and measuring equipment receive regular cleaning to halt cross-contamination, especially when technicians work with multiple quaternary ammonium salts in sequence. Industrial users value bulk packaging in sturdy bags or drums, often lined with plastic, because no plant manager wants to troubleshoot spillage or leaking hazards during transport.
Butyltriethylammonium Bromide’s molecular build features the quaternary nitrogen core, boxed in by three ethyl groups and a bulkier butyl extension—a design that influences both physical and chemical habits. The cation’s asymmetry means it handles quite differently from symmetrical ammonium salts, adjusting its solubility and melting profile. The lone bromide ion partners well in metathesis and exchange reactions, easing the swapping of ions without requiring harsh reaction conditions. Its role in catalysis often comes from this flexibility: it balances solubility and reactivity well in non-aqueous systems. Chemists running complex syntheses choose this salt to shuttle reactants across immiscible phases or stabilize tricky ionic intermediates. Its solid, powder, flake, or crystal forms can be ground, packed, or melted as needed, offering flexibility in lab arrangements or manufacturing lines.
Every bottle, drum, or bag of Butyltriethylammonium Bromide deserves a safety briefing, even in experienced hands. Direct skin, eye, or mouth contact leads to discomfort or mild harm—which can escalate with repeated exposure. Lab teams enforce strict ventilation policies, and factory workers don particulate masks if powder becomes airborne. Spills clean up with inert absorbents, and waste disposal complies with chemical safety regulations to limit environmental impact. Storage areas stay dry and cool since excess heat or humidity could spoil the stock or encourage unwanted reactions. Training drills cover handling, first-aid for exposure, and emergency cleanup, all aimed at keeping accidents rare.
Butyltriethylammonium Bromide stands out in its niche as a raw material and an enabling compound in modern chemistry. University researchers and industrial chemists alike turn to it for reliable results, knowing a careful approach secures both productivity and workplace well-being. Regulatory checks and consistent purity standards help uphold quality; trustworthy suppliers back every shipment with analysis, date, and identification. As chemistry keeps advancing, the blend of predictable behavior, manageable hazards, and high reactivity places quaternary ammonium bromides—including butyltriethylammonium bromide—among the substances professionals rely on for synthesis, catalysis, and research around the world.
