N-Butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium trifluoroacetate stands out in chemistry circles as a powerful ionic liquid with unique features. Structurally, it belongs to the pyrrolidinium family, linked to a trifluoroacetate anion. Its molecular formula is C11H20F3NO2, forming a compact, functional molecule. Researchers lean on this compound in several settings: advanced solvents, catalysis, and electrochemistry. Its structure—specifically the butyl and methyl groups on the pyrrolidinium ring—contributes to its versatile solubility and notable chemical stability. The trifluoroacetate anion supplies increased ionic conductivity and can boost selectivity in separation technologies or battery electrolytes.
N-Butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium trifluoroacetate appears as a solid at room temperature. Depending on storage and handling, users may encounter this material as flakes, powder, crystalline clusters, or even compressed pearls. Occasionally, under certain conditions, it flows as a viscous transparent liquid or concentrated solution. Specific gravity often lands between 1.2 and 1.3 g/cm3, placing it on the heavier side for organics with comparable carbon content. The density matters for dosing into reactions or managing inventory in laboratories. Because it resists easy evaporation, losses to vapor are minimal. This persistence cuts costs and keeps exposure risks in check.
The compound’s ionic character sits at the core of its defining properties. A low volatility profile reduces hazards compared to common volatile solvents. It does not catch fire under typical operating temperatures, relieving a major worry for workplace safety. From my own controlled handling, gloves keep hands safe, and goggles cover potential contact with eyes, since skin irritation may follow repeated exposure. The chemical remains mostly stable under light and air, but open flames or intense heating can cause decomposition, sometimes giving off corrosive fumes. Concerning water, its miscibility varies based on concentration and temperature, but it generally forms solutions with polar solvents. This flexibility allows use across organic and aqueous systems, particularly in extraction, catalysis, or as a medium for electrochemical studies.
Each batch often comes with purity above 98%. Analytical labs run spectroscopy or chromatography checks, targeting leftover raw materials or related ionic liquids as contaminants. Some specifications request water content below 0.1%, ensuring the compound keeps its structure in sensitive reactions. Handling protocols suggest storing sealed, away from acids or bases, to avoid unwanted by-products. The HS Code for tracking global shipment sits under 2922.19.90, grouping it with other organic compounds containing nitrogen but not specified elsewhere. Units arrive packaged by the kilogram, or in smaller ampoules where researchers need high reliability per milliliter.
N-Butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium trifluoroacetate’s safety draws from its low vapor pressure and chemical resistance. While it does not pose flammability risks, long-term studies on chronic toxicity remain limited. Acute contact can irritate the skin or respiratory system, so proper ventilation and routine use of personal protective equipment are standard in my experience. Users do not face explosive peroxides or sudden thermal runaway here, but decomposition under heat or strong acid/base leads to harmful gases, including hydrogen fluoride. Waste streams require neutralization and cannot dump down ordinary drains, since many jurisdictions classify it as hazardous or harmful. Waste management regulations urge secure labeling and specialized collection, both for environmental and worker safety.
The synthesis process for N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium trifluoroacetate usually builds on the reaction of N-butylpyrrolidine and methylating agents, with subsequent quaternization. Suppliers source trifluoroacetic acid or trifluoroacetate salts to finish the ionic liquid formation. Intermediate purification steps remove trace by-products, leaving only water or minor organics to clean up. Sourcing high-quality raw materials drives down impurities, limiting those knock-on effects in research results. Because of this, manufacturers who prioritize traceability and verified raw supply chains can provide consistent, reliable product lots—something that piques researcher trust and repeat orders far better than low-cost, less rigorous competitors.
This compound plays a critical role where high ion conductivity matters, such as in prototyping new battery chemistries or non-volatile electrolytes. Chemical engineers value its use in catalytic cycles for biomass processing, or as a phase-transfer agent in multi-step synthesis. The balance of low flammability and good chemical solubility opens doors to greener, safer processes compared to classic volatile compounds. Some start-ups now investigate its performance in emerging separation schemes, like CO2 capture or ionic exchange purification, since stability and solubility profiles promise better yield with fewer environmental complications. Experience tells me these features can help streamline steps in pharma and fine chemical labs—cutting waste, improving reproducibility, and reducing the need for constant fume hood operation.
Diving into the details of N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium trifluoroacetate highlights the need for chemists and engineers to fully understand what materials bring to their tasks. Those downstream applications depend not just on correct formulas or data sheets, but on direct experience with behavior in the lab or plant. Getting the density right affects dosing, knowing stability profiles shapes safe storage, and tracing raw material sources underpins reproducible, ethical research. Regulatory awareness—HS code accuracy, hazardous designation, and disposal pathways—guards both human health and the environment. Without deep knowledge and clear practices, one risky error quickly undoes months of careful work, or causes harm where it shouldn’t. Real progress links technical properties to hands-on experience, shaping better science and safer industry.
