N-Allyl-N-Methylpiperidinium Bis((Trifluoromethyl)Sulfonyl)Imide shows up in research circles as an ionic liquid with interesting uses in both laboratory and industrial settings. Its molecular formula stands as C13H21F6N3O4S2. The molecule brings together a piperidinium ring with methyl and allyl groups, matched with the bis(trifluoromethyl)sulfonylimide anion, which lowers viscosity and enhances conductivity relative to more basic salts. This chemical structure does not show up in nature — labs make it by a multi-step process using well-understood organic reactions that demand careful control and skilled technicians.
Depending on how pure a batch comes out, the material tends to appear as clear to off-white solid flakes, crystals, or sometimes in pearl or powder form. It can display a greasy slick feel in the hand at warm room temperature, with a melting point usually listed near 25–35°C, so storage conditions matter. Density lands around 1.3–1.5 g/cm3, sometimes measured as slightly higher when tightly packed powder is compressed for shipping. In rare high-purity liquid form, it pours easily and looks like a viscous oil. This kind of density gives it heft and makes precise measuring easier in the lab, helping keep trials reproducible. Among ionic liquids, its low volatility keeps it from evaporating into the air, making it safer for repeated handling or sensitive bench work than classic volatile organic solvents.
This compound gives researchers a stable ionic medium without water content, resisting both oxidation and hydrolysis over a wide working range. The bis(trifluoromethyl)sulfonylimide anion, sometimes abbreviated as TFSI, brings strong non-coordinating properties, so it doesn’t tie up metal cations during reactions. For electrochemical groups, this matters — the wide electrochemical window (often up to 5–6 volts) lets chemists push reactions that break down other solvents. High ionic conductivity has made this compound a favorite in developing next-generation electrolytes for lithium and sodium batteries, where safety and energy density are always pressing challenges. In experience, the solution stirs and dissolves lithium salts far better than many tried-and-true organic electrolytes. When researchers use it in supercapacitors or dye-sensitized solar cells, they talk about steady current, low leakage, and solid long-term performance. Thermal stability goes hand in hand with that — tests put the decomposition temperature far above 200°C, letting the compound support demanding reactions and storage conditions without breaking down or releasing vapors.
Shipping and legal paperwork require a proper HS Code; for this compound, importers and logistics teams often list it under 2934.99 (heterocyclic compounds with nitrogen hetero-atom(s) only). Catalogs from raw material vendors caution against casual handling, reminding that, like many ionic liquids, this one can irritate the skin, eyes, or mucous membranes if spilled. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) note the absence of significant volatility helps— but gloves and eye protection always belong in the standard kit, and care must be taken not to ingest or inhale dust. Industrial users sometimes install dedicated closed systems just to avoid any error in transfer or measurement, especially when making battery cells in large numbers. No system guarantees perfect safety, so responsible use calls for training anyone handling this material so that best practices — like spill clean-up and safe disposal — become habit, never afterthought.
The raw materials for making N-Allyl-N-Methylpiperidinium Bis((Trifluoromethyl)Sulfonyl)Imide, such as piperidine, allyl halides, and trifluoromethanesulfonyl-imide acid, read like a checklist pulled from any advanced synthetic lab’s storage cabinet. Intermediates and solvents used in its manufacture bring their own hazards and disposal needs, with manufacturers under pressure from both regulators and customers to keep their processes clean. The attractively broad utility of this molecule means chemists keep trying to evolve the synthetic route — safer reagents, less waste, lower energy input. Data from major chemical suppliers shows that demand keeps growing from battery research, supercap testing, and specialist coatings, driving both supply and more focused safety reviews.
Reading through chemistry trade journals, stories crop up of teams using ionic liquids like this to solve headaches in everything from fuel cells to catalysis. As a person who’s spent time prepping gloveboxes and running experiments in electrochemistry, the impact feels real. The right solvent or electrolyte doesn't just speed up a lab project; it can open new doors in what’s technically possible. Not every compound fixes every problem, but the lesson comes clear: knowing your material, down to density, melting point, crystal habit, and even the best way to manage spills, becomes the difference between safety and danger, success and costly setback. Working with this material teaches respect for both the power and complexity that comes with advanced specialty chemicals — and how far the chemical field has progressed in balancing new frontiers with safety and sustainability.
