Tetramethylguanidine Trifluoromethanesulfonate brings together a powerful guanidine base with a highly electronegative trifluoromethanesulfonate anion. In laboratories and production plants, this compound appears in a range of physical forms including a flaky solid, crystalline powder, granular pearls, or sometimes a liquid, depending on manufacturing and storage conditions. Each of these forms shares the same molecular formula, C5H13N3.CF3SO3, and the compound carries a distinct density, which hovers around 1.35 g/cm³, though precise measurement comes with temperature and hydration factors. With a molecular weight of roughly 279.26 g/mol, this compound stands out in synthetic chemistry spaces for its role in facilitating a broad spectrum of chemical reactions.
Colorless to off-white, Tetramethylguanidine Trifluoromethanesulfonate can show up as flakes, crystalline solids, powders, or sometimes as larger pearls, depending on production settings and intended use. Under standard conditions, the material remains stable but reacts strongly with moisture in the air due to its hygroscopic nature. Its crystalline structure forms through ionic bonding, with bulky methyl groups around the guanidine core lending it a sterically hindered shape. This translates into high solubility in many common solvents, including water, methanol, and acetonitrile, which gives researchers plenty of flexibility. The product has a melting point that often falls between 100 to 130 °C, though thermal stability depends on ambient humidity and purity. Immediate contact with the skin or eyes leads to irritation, so chemical handlers share stories about the necessity of gloves and splash protection in daily practice.
Chemists recognize this compound for its robust guanidine base attached to the trifluoromethanesulfonate group. The guanidine, with four methyl groups, combines a strong nucleophilicity with a broad base of practical utility in synthesis. The trifluoromethanesulfonate (OTf) counterion boosts solubility while lowering the volatility, a combination well suited to solid-phase organic reactions. The molecular structure, confirmed by NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy, typically presents as a highly symmetrical ionic compound. These characteristics make it valuable as a phase transfer catalyst or in alkylation, amidation, or protection-deprotection steps in pharmaceutical research.
Shippers and customs brokers trace Tetramethylguanidine Trifluoromethanesulfonate via the international HS Code 2925290090, which falls under other organic bases. The gold standard for its density remains the aforementioned value, but seasoned buyers check up on batch-to-batch specifications because moisture content can push density readings up or down. Each supplier typically provides a certificate of analysis listing purity, melting range, water content (often under 0.3% by Karl Fischer titration), and crystalline habit, since consistency drives safe and successful downstream use.
Years in the chemical trade mean respecting compounds like Tetramethylguanidine Trifluoromethanesulfonate for their acute and chronic health risks. The strong basicity can corrode tissue, inflame mucous membranes, and produce severe respiratory irritation if dust escapes into the lab air. Safety data chronicles episodes of dermatitis after repetitive contact—direct proof why PPE and fume hoods are non-negotiable. The chemical weighs in as hazardous under both GHS and EU REACH regulations, so storage requires dry, cool conditions, away from acids and water. Emergency coordinators should keep calcium gluconate and eye-wash stations ready, just as seasoned lab managers always walk new hires through proper cleanup and storage before they even think about opening a new drum.
Industry often turns to commercial tetramethylguanidine and high-purity trifluoromethanesulfonic acid as core raw materials. The synthesis pivots on neutralization, with controlled addition and temperature monitoring to manage vigorous heat evolution. In my experience overseeing installations, careful titration and staged mixing make all the difference between a smooth batch and a runaway exotherm. Older literature describes crystallization under vacuum, and modern facilities echo this approach with precision solvent drying and inert atmosphere handling. The outcome is a purified product, filtered, dried, and packaged as demanded by the downstream application.
In active synthesis labs, Tetramethylguanidine Trifluoromethanesulfonate unlocks new C-N bonds, capping off intermediates or deprotonating acids with pinpoint efficiency. Colleagues in pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals lean on it for yield improvements and reagent compatibility. At the same time, it pays to plan for waste. Disposing of unused quantities calls for chemical incineration or specialized neutralization—never pour it down a sink or into regular trash. The risk of environmental harm persists, so regulation-compliant containers and strict documentation keep everyone out of legal trouble.
Continued innovation means refining process controls, exploring greener alternatives for synthesis, or dialing up recycling within industrial plants. Digitized inventory tracking trims the odds of accidental overstock, which translates directly into less surplus and fewer disposal headaches. Researchers experiment with alternative quaternary ammonium bases or greener anions to trim environmental footprints. From experience, early and continuous training enables safer workplaces—washing hands, avoiding cross-contamination, and keeping raw materials secure under lock and key. Decision-makers who value a balance between productivity and safety find room to improve in both, driving responsible use from the loading dock to the lab bench and out the door for delivery.
