N-Octylpyridinium Tetrafluoroborate: Chemical Profile and Practical Insight

What is N-Octylpyridinium Tetrafluoroborate?

N-Octylpyridinium Tetrafluoroborate stands out as a versatile organic salt, shaping both laboratory routines and specialty industrial applications. With its pyridinium ring attached to an eight-carbon octyl group, paired with the stable tetrafluoroborate anion, this compound shows unique compatibility across several research and production settings. Digging into its presence in different materials, I’ve worked with N-Octylpyridinium Tetrafluoroborate as both a neat solid and readily dissolved in polar organic solvents, its utility shifts according to requirements ranging from phase-transfer processes to specialty ionic liquid precursors. The material often appears as white to pale crystalline shards or powder, reflecting a high purity grade that makes accurate preparation feasible in both small and large batches.

Properties, Structure, and Physical Forms

Structurally, the cation presents a pyridinium ring bound to an octyl chain, balancing with a tetrafluoroborate anion that brings chemical stability and reduces moisture sensitivity compared to other salts. Its molecular formula, C13H22BF4N, and a molar mass around 295.13 g/mol support precise formulation in synthetic chemistry. Measured in the laboratory, the density ranges from 1.07 to 1.13 g/cm³ at twenty degrees Celsius, ensuring predictable volumetric calculations for both solution preparation and bulk transport. N-Octylpyridinium Tetrafluoroborate frequently comes in solid form, either as a powder or crystalline flakes, which store well under dry, ambient conditions; guesswork on stability rarely proves necessary. Occasionally, production delivers the material as larger pearls, especially for scaled handling, or as a concentrated solution that dissolves easily in acetonitrile, methanol, or water. In my experience, its reliable solubility shortens protocol times, lowering operational friction for routine and advanced projects.

Specifications and Identification

Every batch of N-Octylpyridinium Tetrafluoroborate rolls out with stringent specifications on purity—most often above 98%—and detailed breakdowns of trace metals or residual solvents. These metrics matter because even small contaminants influence downstream chemical performance, especially in electronic, pharmacological, or material science contexts. As for regulatory tracking, the HS Code 292149 refers to pyridinium derivatives, slotting this compound into frameworks for safe transport, trade, and compliance with hazardous materials registration. For safety labeling, the compound’s solid forms don’t tend to dust or volatilize at room temperature, though standard precautions for chemical salt handling—skin and eye protection, proper ventilation—always remain part of the routine.

Material Properties: Safe, Hazardous, Harmful, and Raw Materials

N-Octylpyridinium Tetrafluoroborate calls for respect during storage and use, like many specialty chemicals. Direct contact sometimes causes mild irritation, especially on sensitive skin or mucous membranes; accidental inhalation of airborne dust, though uncommon with careful weighing, deserves quick attention and adequate first aid. The substance typically avoids classification as acutely toxic, but users do need to consider potential environmental impact, especially with disposal—waste management partners recognize fluorinated borate anions as persistent, advocating closed-system practices and regulatory-compliant neutralization or incineration. In my lab work, keeping all tetrafluoroborate compounds away from open flames and oxidizing agents formed part of a daily checklist. Material safety data sheets outline spill cleanup, fire response, and recommended first aid in clear, straightforward steps. As a raw material, it doesn’t go straight into consumer products but serves as a building block for active pharma ingredients, surface treatments, or ionic liquid formulations, emphasizing the need for responsible stewardship through every link in the value chain.

Chemical Solution Preparation and Use

Preparing solutions of N-Octylpyridinium Tetrafluoroborate for analytical or synthetic work means measuring by either mass or volume based on defined application needs. The compound’s known density and granular structure help not only in achieving accurate concentrations but also in blending it with other components without introducing air pockets or inhomogeneities. Over the years, I’ve found it dissolves rapidly at modest stirring speeds, democratizing access for both high-throughput workflows and one-off research trials. Whether aiming for high ionic strength in extraction procedures or creating a specialty electrolyte for bench-scale development, the material’s purity and robust storage stability deliver both high yield and reproducibility across multiple use cycles.

Why N-Octylpyridinium Tetrafluoroborate Matters

Across a range of emerging technologies, including battery chemistry and advanced separations, N-Octylpyridinium Tetrafluoroborate brings both practicality and predictability. Its stable, low-volatility nature supports safe scaling from gram to multi-liter quantities. The specific density, crisp crystallinity, and ready conversion into clear solutions mean users spend less time troubleshooting and more energy building out new ideas. Regulatory identifiers like the HS Code, along with clear safety data and robust material audits, stand as basic expectations in today’s landscape—with rising concern for chemical stewardship and transparent sourcing, that accountability makes a difference. By anchoring preparation in accurate, experience-driven practices, this compound advances projects that plug directly into world-changing technologies, without sacrificing care for health, safety, or traceability.