Tetrabutylammonium Dicyandiamide shows up in many lab settings, especially where specialty chemical reactions matter. This compound comes from the pairing of tetrabutylammonium — a bulky, four-aliphatic substituted ammonium ion — with dicyandiamide, a molecule built around two cyanamide groups. Together, they form a stable ionic material. On paper, the formula reads C16H36N5, which captures the combination of nitrogen-rich dicyandiamide and the hydrophobic tetrabutylammonium part.
The material looks like a soft white solid under normal conditions. Sometimes, batches show as crystalline flakes, sometimes as a fine powder. Handling it by hand, the gritty texture often shows the presence of free-flowing small solids. Density comes in around 1.03–1.10 g/cm³, a bit lighter than table salt, sitting somewhere between sugar and sand in feel. Solubility displays a strong affinity for polar solvents, with water dissolving it quite well due to ionic properties. Higher alcohols and acetone can also carry the substance into solution, which helps in chemical synthesis. Moisture can clump the powder, so sealed containers make sense in any lab or warehouse.
A closer look at its molecular setup tells a quiet story. The tetrabutylammonium cation wraps long carbon chains around a nitrogen center. Dicyandiamide sticks to the other side, with two triple-bonded carbon-nitrogen groups. The union forms a salt, where ionic and some van der Waals forces bind it together. This setup makes the substance stable at ordinary temperatures, though heat will break it down beyond 200°C. The formula itself — C16H36N5 — hints at a large, nitrogen-rich backbone that can sometimes affect the ways reactions play out, especially where nucleophilic and electrophilic sites interact.
Commercial bags usually list purity from 98% up to 99.5%. Trace water sometimes sneaks in, especially if stored in humid regions, but a good source keeps moisture well below 0.5%. Bulk flakes ship by the kilogram or ton, depending on use. Sometimes, labs order it pre-dissolved in litre bottles, especially for specialty reactions. It mostly appears in powder or crystal form, not as a liquid or pearls, because the salt won’t melt or dissolve into pearls at room temperature. Packing requires good barrier film and sometimes desiccant packs, since clumping hurts later handling and dosing in production.
Tetrabutylammonium Dicyandiamide usually carries the HS code 2926909090 under harmonized chemical import and export classification. Shipping it crosses only minor regulatory hurdles, but safety sheets flag some basic hazards. While not classed as a major toxin, it can irritate skin, eyes, and airways in a poorly ventilated workspace. Chronic exposure risks remain low, but gloves and goggles sit nearby whenever larger quantities get measured or mixed. Dust can trigger sneezing or mild sore throat. The material doesn’t burn easily on its own, but high heat can drive decomposition to ammonia and other nitrogen-based vapors. Neutral pH in water makes spill cleanup easier but vacuuming always outperforms sweeping to keep clouds of dust off the floor and out of the nose.
Chemistry labs and factories turn to Tetrabutylammonium Dicyandiamide for its unique chemical profile. In synthesis work, it brings a soluble source of dicyandiamide without introducing metal cations, something that can disrupt sensitive reactions. It often acts as an intermediate: either added directly to create more complex molecules or used to help shift equilibrium in favor of a desired product. The large, organic tetrabutylammonium ion gives more organic solubility than potassium or sodium variants, which means it works great in two-phase solvent systems. Engineers working on polymer modifications or electronics materials sometimes pick it because it lets them add nitrogen functions without introducing too much water or ionic contamination.
Suppliers usually make the compound starting from dicyandiamide, itself derived by condensing cyanamide under moderate heat. They react it with tetrabutylammonium chloride or bromide via salt metathesis, followed by purification and drying under vacuum. Sourcing quality raw inputs matters since impurities can block or slow downstream reactions. My experience with specialty supply chains shows that consistency outweighs price, especially for labs needing repeatable results. Analytical labs always check the batch with chromatography and spectrometry, keeping an eye on color, flow, and trace contaminants.
This isn’t your garden-variety bulk commodity. Handling Tetrabutylammonium Dicyandiamide demands real care, not just a nod to safety posters. Open bags near an extractor hood to avoid breathing in the fine dust. Always close the cap tight between withdrawals, because even a bit of air moisture leads to sticky lumps over time. The solid flows like flour but won’t dissolve in non-polar solvents, so shelf selection matters in any storage room. Using scoopulas or powder funnels beats pouring by hand, which just spreads particles all over the bench. Decontamination with mild water or alcohol wipes up most residues, while gloves take care of skin contact.
Disposal plans for unused or expired Tetrabutylammonium Dicyandiamide reflect its composition and use. While not ranked high in environmental hazard scales, it can increase nitrogen loads in wastewater, especially if poured down the drain unchecked. Process engineering teams work out recycling steps or neutralization wherever practical, especially in green chemistry-focused organizations. Anyone breathing too much dust over the years can report allergies or irritation, so hazard awareness training beats any guesswork.
Using Tetrabutylammonium Dicyandiamide isn’t just about ticking a product box on a form—it’s a key choice for chemistry teams chasing efficiency, safety, and results. Knowing the physical properties, structure, and handling quirks keeps work flowing smoothly, while respect for hazards protects both health and investment. Good science grows from solid facts, genuine respect for safety, and an ongoing focus on practical experience at the bench and in the warehouse. The right approach turns a specialty salt from just another bag on the shelf into a dependable raw material in advanced chemical production.
