N-Butyl-N-Methylpyrrolidinium Chloride, known to researchers and industrial users by the formula C9H20ClN, stands out as a quaternary ammonium compound. This material comes from the pyrrolidinium family, recognized for robust cationic features and stability under a range of laboratory and industrial conditions. The compound combines a methyl and butyl side chain attached to the nitrogen atom within the five-membered pyrrolidine ring, forming a structure that brings out unique solubility and physicochemical characteristics. Many users in academia and manufacturing report that they see its chloride salt form as an ideal fit for both experimental and scalable chemical tasks. The HS Code—2921309990—places this compound in the class of organic nitrogen compounds, making international trade and regulatory reporting clearer for importers, exporters, and customs brokers.
You won’t miss the range of physical forms this compound can show. Some suppliers provide N-Butyl-N-Methylpyrrolidinium Chloride as a white crystalline solid, dense and granular, easy to scoop or weigh out for direct application. Others distribute it as off-white powder or compact flakes, which dissolve quickly for use in solution-based chemistry. Research labs looking for consistent measurements rely on its stable solid state, but there’s also availability as pearls or even concentrated liquid solutions, which simplify dosing for high-throughput synthesis or bulk industrial processing. Physical forms like crystals or powders differ in particle size and flowability, which matters for handling, packaging, and automated dosing equipment. The density depends on moisture content and granule size, typically falling near 0.95 – 1.05 g/cm³ when dry and pure.
At the molecular level, each unit of N-Butyl-N-Methylpyrrolidinium Chloride consists of a positively charged pyrrolidinium core with methyl and butyl chains, paired against a chloride anion. This setup impacts its melting point, usually measured around 180–190°C in pure form, making storage at standard warehouse conditions hassle-free. The chloride counterion gives it natural hygroscopicity, so users seal containers tightly to keep out moisture, preventing caking or unwanted hydrolysis. The structure shows remarkable chemical resistance—acidic and neutral conditions rarely provoke decomposition, and even moderate bases don’t break the pyrrolidinium ring, which encourages use in environments ranging from analytical chemistry to process-scale catalysis. The raw material status of this compound, as reported by manufacturers, lets process chemists use it as an ionic liquid precursor, phase transfer catalyst, or electrolyte additive with repeatable outcomes.
Purity often dictates suitability for advanced manufacturing or sensitive lab work. Commercial products list purities above 98%, with trace-level analysis for water, residual solvents, or heavy metals. Material safety data sheets (MSDS) note that handling requires gloves and eye protection—dust or aerosols irritate skin, eyes, and, if inhaled, mucous membranes. Although N-Butyl-N-Methylpyrrolidinium Chloride isn’t classed as highly toxic, its quaternary ammonium structure means that accidental ingestion or extended contact can interfere with cellular processes. Chemical suppliers recommend storing all forms, whether flakes, powders, crystals, or liquids, in sealed, inert containers away from strong acids, oxidizers, or extreme heat sources. Trained staff weigh out material using closed scoops or in fume hoods to keep fine dust out of the air.
Industries rely on the versatility of N-Butyl-N-Methylpyrrolidinium Chloride for diverse end uses. In battery technology, it functions as an electrolyte additive for advanced lithium or sodium systems. Formulators in specialty chemical plants use it as a supporting salt in ionic liquid synthesis, noticing how its large cation volume and chloride anion produce stable ionic environments, lowering melting points and boosting solubility for other reactants. This property lets them tune reaction media, which speeds up synthesis for pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, or fragrance ingredients. In process engineering, batch operators prefer the granular or crystalline state for automated weighing and dissolving, streamlining production without wasteful spillage or dust generation. Some teams dissolve it in water or organic solvents to make standard solutions, used for titration, electrochemical studies, or custom resin preparations.
Safety always comes up, especially with new chemical materials in the workplace. While not flagged as an acute toxin, N-Butyl-N-Methylpyrrolidinium Chloride can pose health risks through repeated, unprotected contact. Users see that skin rashes, mild burns, or eye irritation follow accidental spills or poor cleaning routines. In poorly ventilated spaces, dust or vapor causes throat discomfort or sneezing fits, so fume extraction and closed sampling routines remain best practices. Its chloride content means waste streams can build up chloride load, possibly triggering corrosion if left unchecked in pipes or waste tanks. Responsible operators neutralize leftover product and send rinse water to controlled effluent treatment to guard against long-term buildup. Raw material registries in regions like the EU mandate careful tracking and reporting, which drives down the odds of accidental releases and enforces traceability across global supply chains.
My time working with ionic liquids and phase transfer catalysts showed the importance of respecting how salts like this act in real-world settings. I remember one lab shifting from smaller vials of free-flowing powder to larger drums of dense crystalline material—suddenly, dust became a problem, and the team had to review protocols to keep surfaces and floors clear, especially in busy spaces shared by multiple departments. Simple tweaks, like grounded scoops, humidity control in storage bins, and clear labeling on every bulk package, cut down on mistakes and near-misses. Project leads often organize on-site training to make sure everyone—from warehouse staff to senior process chemists—knows how to handle raw materials safely and gets familiar with emergency steps for spills or splashes. Investments in decontamination kits and reinforced workwear paid off, especially during periods when new workers came in or when bulk deliveries started. Keeping open logs and direct feedback channels with chemical supplier reps helped our site catch new safety updates, spec changes, or regional compliance alerts before small annoyances turned into exit reasons for staff.
Better outcomes with chemicals like N-Butyl-N-Methylpyrrolidinium Chloride come from a blend of personal vigilance, institutional memory, and straight talk between suppliers, buyers, and users at every level. Stronger cross-team communication surfaces issues quickly—for example, if shipment containers show unexpected clumping or visible contamination, labs log a non-conformance, suppliers check their batch records, and replacement or refund processes move ahead without pushing blame around. Up-to-date labeling, regular safety walk-throughs, and mentoring for early-career staff mean teams don’t let ignored safety practices become habits. Industry groups sharing real-life incident reports and close calls double up the effect, letting smaller organizations tap into a wider safety culture and technical know-how. Suppliers working with end users on form adaptation—maybe switching a client from powder to pre-dissolved solution, or switching package sizes for less exposure risk—can directly address pain points. With better data reporting, transparent review of specifications, and hard-earned respect built from hands-on experience, workplaces raise both quality and safety standards for everyone handling N-Butyl-N-Methylpyrrolidinium Chloride.
