N-Propyl-N-Methylpiperidinium Bis(Trifluoromethanesulfonyl)Imide belongs to a class of ionic liquids that have carved out a vital role in chemical synthesis, advanced electrolytes, and specialty material design. The compound carries the chemical formula C13H23F6N2O4S2. CAS Number: 928790-21-8. The molecular structure combines a piperidinium backbone with propyl and methyl groups at the nitrogen site, and a large bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide anion known for its high thermal and electrochemical stability. Below the surface-level chemical jargon, this molecule enables movement of ions without water, opening a world of possibilities in lithium battery electrolytes, electrochemical cells, and innovative separation techniques.
The physical characteristics of N-Propyl-N-Methylpiperidinium Bis(Trifluoromethanesulfonyl)Imide highlight its versatility. In its pure form, you find it as a crystalline solid, though lower purity or certain storage conditions bring about appearances ranging from flakes to fine powders, even small pearls. Color ranges from almost white to pale yellow. Odor sits on the mild side, not unpleasant but distinctly chemical. Specific gravity hovers around 1.35 g/cm3 at room temperature, contributing to its ability to stay dense and stable. This density translates to real-world applications, like when poured into a vessel for battery research, the substance settles readily instead of dangling in suspension. Melting point lands near 50-80°C, though batch and purity tweak the exact numbers, and it stays thermally stable well past 250°C, resisting breakdown or vaporization. Solubility tells a different story: water has limited effect on it, which helps prevent hydrolysis, but a range of organic solvents welcome this molecule into solution. Those working with it in electrochemical systems lean on this property, knowing they can create high-quality, uniform solutions for coating, conducting, or separating materials, where water would disrupt or contaminate.
Battery researchers prize N-Propyl-N-Methylpiperidinium Bis(Trifluoromethanesulfonyl)Imide for its ability to boost both ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability. The combination leads to longer cell life, higher capacity, and lower risk of fires or explosions compared to alternatives. I’ve used it to prepare prototype coin cells, with the distinct benefit that at room temperature, the electrolyte remains liquid yet resists water absorption. It empowers safer, more durable lithium batteries—something electric vehicles and consumer electronics both require. Beyond batteries, the same ionic character makes it useful in advanced catalysis, solvent systems for challenging organic syntheses, and as an anti-static agent in specialty plastics. Some of this comes down to the high molecular weight and robust structure, which safeguard sensitive reactions from environmental moisture or spurious currents. Industrial procurement departments buy it in bulk, seeing demand across specialty chemical supply, additive manufacturing, and thin-film deposition markets. The diversity of its grades—solid, crystalline, flake or powdered—let manufacturers optimize for dissolving rates or direct incorporation into custom solutions.
Producing N-Propyl-N-Methylpiperidinium Bis(Trifluoromethanesulfonyl)Imide starts with high-purity piperidine derivatives, reacted under controlled conditions to introduce both the methyl and propyl groups at one nitrogen of the ring. The resulting cation gets coupled to a bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide anion, itself a cornerstone of ionic liquids for decades. Each batch reports key specifications such as assay or chemical purity (typically >99%), moisture content (<0.5% by Karl Fischer), trace metal impurities (often in the low ppm range), and physical appearance. Buyers look for certificate of analysis covering melting point, density, solubility, and residual solvent levels, as these dictate the material’s performance in downstream processes. The HS Code used for international shipping usually falls under 29349990 (Other heterocyclic compounds), though customs laws in different regions place it under specialty chemical or battery material categories.
Lab experience teaches anyone dealing with N-Propyl-N-Methylpiperidinium Bis(Trifluoromethanesulfonyl)Imide that safety is crucial, even for a material that doesn’t raise the same bright red flags as strong acids or classic volatile solvents. The compound is not categorized as an acute toxin, yet chronic exposure data remains limited. Direct skin contact may cause mild irritation, and any fine powder or aerosol can act as a respiratory irritant. Safety Data Sheets caution about eye or skin contact, urging gloves and goggles for all who handle it. Disposal routes treat it as a chemical waste—collection and incineration under controlled facilities, never poured down a conventional drain. Shipping documentation codes it as non-hazardous for ground and air transport, but enhanced precaution flows from its use in high-value, high-stakes research. If a spill lands on a bench, it stays put, not running like traditional solvents, making cleanup pretty straightforward. Still, adequate lab ventilation and sealed containers rule every storage shelf, as the compound’s stability rests on protection from atmospheric moisture and unintended mix-ins.
Demand for specialized ionic liquids grows each year, especially as green chemistry and energy storage research outpace the legacy solvent and electrolyte options. Clean energy researchers and industrial chemists keep N-Propyl-N-Methylpiperidinium Bis(Trifluoromethanesulfonyl)Imide on their critical materials lists, since its performance in non-flammable, stable, and highly conductive liquid form paves the way for sustainable, safer batteries. Waste minimization and solvent recycling will further define its supply chain, as sustainability rules and environmental standards become stricter worldwide. Efforts to close the loop around this class of compounds—through high-efficiency recycling or design of more biodegradable analogues—will shape how the world balances technical ambition with environmental stewardship. Holding onto these values lines up with the E-E-A-T principles that guide both researchers and consumers: expertise rooted in material science, experience from hands-on lab and industrial use, authority through published results and strict regulatory standards, and trust for safety and disclosure. Compounds in this family will likely continue to evolve, and the industries that depend on clean electricity, smarter plastics, and safer manufacturing will evolve right along with them.
