N-Butylpyridinium Iodide belongs to the family of ionic liquids and salts that find application in advanced chemistry labs and various research sectors. Chemists run into this material in the form of dense, white crystals, with grains that remind you a little of sea salt or crushed pearls. The appeal of these crystals comes from both their physical stability and their ability to dissolve easily in water and other polar solvents, helping them fit neatly into reactions where traditional organic salts lose their grip. Unlike some finicky compounds, N-Butylpyridinium Iodide handles both solid and liquid phases thanks to its melting point sitting well below common high-heat thresholds, usually sliding just above room temperature. This flexibility makes it valuable for those hunting for ionic conductors, green solvents, or electrolytes that won’t quit under pressure.
Touching the crystals, they show a silky texture, almost slippery, thanks to the butyl tail that stretches off the pyridinium ring. The density clocks in around 1.5 grams per cubic centimeter, far heavier than simple organic powders, which comes from that big iodine atom anchoring each molecule. The compound’s formula, C9H14IN, describes the ring of six carbons with the nitrogen at its core, a butyl chain dragging out the side, and iodine bonded tightly in the structure. Having worked in a lab with a jar of this stuff, lifting the lid fills the air with a faint, almost invisible whiff, though nothing sharp enough to make your eyes water. Unlike some other iodides, the handling risks lean lower, thanks to the relatively inert nature of the butylpyridinium ring, but basic precautions make sense since exposure can still dry out your hands.
Chemists spent time mapping out the structure and found a stacked system of ionic lattices. Each positive butylpyridinium ion lines up with a hefty, sluggish iodide anion, giving the solid structure a geometric regularity. The crystal habit tends toward flake and powder forms, easily ground up with a mortar and pestle. It doesn’t cake or clump in humid conditions if kept sealed because the butyl segment fends off water absorption, making long-term storage more straightforward than with some other hygroscopic salts. The ionic bond dominates the landscape, leading to high solubility in polar solvents, which is one reason why electrochemists keep returning to this material for cutting-edge batteries and supercapacitors that require robust, stable electrolytes.
N-Butylpyridinium Iodide typically arrives in purity grades topping 98%, with trace water content kept below 1% to protect against unwanted hydrolysis. In the lab, ordering a 100-gram bottle covers most small-scale project needs, and suppliers include full safety documentation with each shipment. The HS Code for customs declaration lands at 29333999, fitting under other nitrogen-based heterocyclic compounds. Handling storage doesn’t call for hazardous material controls beyond basic ventilation and gloves, and waste material can usually join organic solid residue streams unless it mixes with strong oxidants. Measured out, each liter of solution delivers precisely known molar concentrations, letting anyone running titrations or conductivity tests dial in accurate results. Long experience bears out that the solid flakes won’t break down or darken on the shelf across seasons if shielded from direct sun.
You won’t spot N-Butylpyridinium Iodide on lists of acutely harmful chemicals, but it pays to respect the standard risks of organic salts. It irritates eyes and skin with prolonged contact, and the iodine atom means a bitter taste if someone ever made a mistake not washing up, something I learned during a misstep in grad school. Spillages dust surfaces, but a vacuum fitted with a HEPA filter handles cleanup without risk of scatter. Gloves, goggles, and a fume hood build peace of mind, especially if you’re dissolving it for electrochemical cell prep. Disposal wants neutralization and containment rather than plain water drains because iodine and pyridinium fragments don’t play well if left to travel through groundwater. Manufacturers and research outfits keep prioritizing tighter closed-loop handling, and that’s a must for any group working with kilogram lots or more.
This compound started as an academic curiosity, but its role now stretches into pharmaceuticals as an intermediate in alkylation strategies, in energy storage for advanced fuel cells, and as a solvent base for carbon capture trials. The butyl group lowers melting points, giving rise to practical applications in both green chemistry and catalytic reactions that need that little bit of extra solvating power. A good ionic liquid never goes out of style in modern labs looking to cut volatile organic solvents from their footprint. Still, cost per kilogram runs higher than bulk chlorides or simple acetates, so real-world projects tend to reserve it for pilot-scale runs or high-end syntheses. Market watchers predict wider adoption as battery tech focuses more on non-flammable electrolytes, which makes sense for anyone tired of fire hazards in battery labs. Those who have tried to swap out standard salts for this one in pilot units saw smoother current flow and less gassing, underscoring the promise in next-generation applications that build on both its chemical stability and environmental performance.
Production usually starts with pyridine, which picks up a butyl group through alkylation. After this, iodide gets exchanged in, forming the final salt. Suppliers keep close eye on water content, heavy metal contamination, and particle size to ensure downstream results match up, since any impurity can derail a sensitive reaction or electrical application. As demand inches up, more companies start competing to drive quality higher. Sourcing matters in my own experience; glassy, dry crystals always outperform powders exposed to air or rough transit. For labs chasing reproducible outcomes, checking certificates of analysis before signing for a delivery saves a lot of heartache when results count and deadlines press in. Any material this versatile rides on the shoulders of robust supply lines and high standards, both in batch chemical production and logistics.
