Decyltriethylammonium Bis((Trifluoromethyl)Sulfonyl)Imide combines a large organic ammonium cation with an inorganic bis(trifluoromethyl)sulfonylimide anion, leading to an impressive set of physical and chemical traits that pull in many researchers and industry specialists. Its systematic structure consists of a decyl chain connecting to a triethylammonium center, resulting in a bulky organic cation paired with one of the world’s leading anions for ionic liquids, giving it unusual solubility and stability features. This combination makes it stand out in applications where other salts and liquids simply do not hold up, especially in extreme environments or where high conductivity and thermal stability are prized.
This compound has a molecular formula of C19H37F6N3O4S2, which captures its complexity. The molecular structure, combining a decyl group, three ethyl substituents, and the bis(trifluoromethyl)sulfonylimide moiety, influences the physical state, melting point, and chemical stability. Its density hovers around 1.2 to 1.4 g/cm³, reflecting the heavy atom content from the sulfonyl, nitrogens, and fluorines. In pure form, it tends to appear as a crystalline solid, but depending on storage temperature and atmospheric moisture, it may be seen as white or off-white flakes, a fine powder, or occasionally as glossy pearls. Known for high miscibility in polar and non-polar solvents, it offers flexibility for manufacturing, synthesis, or lab research. The structure ensures hydrophobic and lipophilic balance, which enhances its role in solvent systems, especially in electrochemical and separation technologies.
Many practical questions pop up around material properties: how it handles real-world use, what state to expect when opening a drum, and whether it needs special containment. Decyltriethylammonium Bis((Trifluoromethyl)Sulfonyl)Imide, at room temperature, often presents as a solid—either as flakes, chunky powder, glistening crystalline forms, or semi-fused pearl-like granules. Its melting point can lie below 60°C; the material softens or even turns liquid at slightly elevated temperatures, typical of some ammonium-based ionic liquids. It dissolves well in common organic solvents and even manages some compatibility with water—though in water, expect some dissociation or hydrolysis under extreme conditions. In a liter of solution, concentration dictates handling practices: dense stock solutions feature high ionic strength, so users in analytical, electrolytic, or extraction work can easily tailor conditions for specific yields or separations.
In lab and industry circles, demand for specialty chemicals like this one tracks with a shift toward greener, more sustainable materials as well as next-generation technologies. Equipment manufacturers reach for this salt as a key ingredient in non-aqueous electrolytes—think lithium battery research or advanced supercapacitors. Researchers prize its large electrochemical window, low volatility, and thermal stability, which opens doors for safer, longer-lasting devices. Engineers see value in its lubricity and non-flammable character for specialty coatings, anti-static agents, and unique solvent blends, which cuts fire risks and downtime. Environmental scientists look to ionic liquids as replacement solvents to cut VOC emissions, thanks to negligible vapor pressure. By tuning concentration, phase, and solvent system, production teams meet their workflow needs—whether in solid state as raw material, or dissolved as a working chemistry in pilot plants.
For importers, compliance teams, and those navigating customs, the HS Code – Harmonized System designation – clears the way for transparent trade and inventory tracking. Decyltriethylammonium Bis((Trifluoromethyl)Sulfonyl)Imide typically falls under codes for organic chemicals, specifically for organic salts with quaternary ammonium and sulfonylimide groups. Teams working in procurement and logistics check packing, labeling, and paperwork—ensuring correctness from warehouse to factory floor. This chemical, sourced as both raw material and finished reagent, supports innovation in laboratories and manufacturing, with reliability underpinned by careful quality control at every step from synthesis to tank storage.
Any compound with fluoroalkyl and sulfonyl groups draws safety reviews. In handling Decyltriethylammonium Bis((Trifluoromethyl)Sulfonyl)Imide, attention to PPE and engineering controls comes standard. Though considered less volatile than many industrial solvents, it may cause irritation on skin or eyes, and inhalation of dust should be avoided. Some users report that excessive contact leads to dryness or skin damage due to the ionic nature. Material Safety Data Sheets point to low acute toxicity, yet chronic exposure and improper disposal pose environmental risks, calling for closed-loop use, fume extraction, and trace monitoring in effluent. Training, air monitoring, and careful waste management help protect workers and communities. Suppliers, researchers, and plant teams share a responsibility for handling, right through to recycling or neutralization. With growing regulations on perfluorinated compounds, forward-looking programs integrate green chemistry, calling for alternatives where possible and tight controls where continued use is necessary.
For those of us invested in the next wave of technology, chemicals like Decyltriethylammonium Bis((Trifluoromethyl)Sulfonyl)Imide serve as a double-edged sword. They drive higher-performing batteries, advanced solvents, and safer industrial processes, but they also challenge us with new questions about environmental legacy, supply chain transparency, and worker safety. Emphasizing robust environmental and safety controls, investing in closed-loop manufacturing, and prioritizing transparent data sharing all make a measurable difference. Supply chains that track raw materials down to their origin—from fluorinated feedstocks to ammonium reagents—let companies react fast to regulatory shifts and customer needs. The future of safer, sustainable chemistry relies on practical solutions: smarter monitoring, better standards, and a willingness to innovate or substitute where health or ecosystems might be at risk.
