Tetraoctylammonium Bis((Trifluoromethyl)Sulfonyl)Imide brings something fresh to the table for chemists and material scientists looking for unique properties in ionic compounds. This chemical, often called by its abbreviation TOMA-TFSI, grows more popular thanks to a rare blend of stability and solubility in organic phases. Applications span from cutting-edge electrolytes for lithium batteries to advanced extraction and separation processes, making it a popular choice in both research and industry. TOMA-TFSI attracts attention for its role in facilitating efficient ion transfer and reducing viscosity in electrochemical systems, which feeds directly into the push for improved energy storage and next-generation material manufacturing.
Physically, you’ll usually find Tetraoctylammonium Bis((Trifluoromethyl)Sulfonyl)Imide as a fine, off-white crystalline powder, sometimes with a slightly greasy feel. There’s also the chance to see it form in solid flakes, with irregular shapes that set it apart from common salts. Its glossy texture makes it easy to spot when mixed into solutions or dry blends. Unlike volatile solvents, this compound stays solid at room temperature, showing a melting point that usually arrives in the 60-70°C range, which allows for ease of handling during transfers or measurements in the lab. Some suppliers offer it as pearl-like granules or even as a ready-to-dissolve batch in specific solvents, broadening its versatility.
Looking at stability, Tetraoctylammonium Bis((Trifluoromethyl)Sulfonyl)Imide resists hydrolysis and stays inert under most storage conditions. Its long organic chains on the quaternary ammonium core help it stay soluble in non-polar and weakly polar solvents, yet it never loses its knack for helping polar ionic liquids push boundaries in conductivity. With the two TFSI anions, the molecule delivers high electrochemical stability, often up to 4.5 volts versus lithium, making it a preferred additive or primary salt for sensitive battery work. Decomposition only shows up under severe heat or strong oxidizing environments, which means it behaves predictably, a big plus for anyone planning long-running chemical processes.
Chemically, the backbone combines a single tetraoctylammonium cation (a bulky nitrogen with four C8 chains) and two bis(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)imide (TFSI) anions. The full molecular formula comes down to C32H68N.C2F6NO4S2, with each ion carrying enough size and mass to keep interactions stable in liquid or solid states. The overall molecular weight rounds out at roughly 912 g/mol, a hefty number due to the stacked carbons, fluorines, and sulfur groups. These ingredients mean TOMA-TFSI falls into the category of room-temperature ionic liquids when dissolved, which ramps up its value in areas needing chemical stability mixed with strong ionic transport.
In bulk, Tetraoctylammonium Bis((Trifluoromethyl)Sulfonyl)Imide settles at a density close to 1.11-1.13 g/cm³, measured around 20°C. Drop it into solvents like dichloromethane, acetonitrile, or chloroform and you’ll see quick dissolution, making solution preparation straightforward. The hydrophobic tails drive its behavior, pulling it away from water but toward organic media, making it a popular phase transfer catalyst or an extractant for rare earth element separation. This selectivity opens new avenues for recycling projects and resource recovery, which has strong implications for sustainability efforts in modern industries.
Anyone handling Tetraoctylammonium Bis((Trifluoromethyl)Sulfonyl)Imide must treat it with respect. It rarely lets off significant fumes or dust, but as with most organofluorine and ammonium salts, prolonged skin contact or inhalation carries mild to moderate health risks. Gloves and goggles are standard precautions; individuals with prior sensitization to ammonium compounds will want to take extra care. Accidental spillage rarely threatens major danger, though ingestion or large-scale releases call for immediate cleanup and controlled waste handling. Keep it out of strong acids and oxidizers, and always store in a dry, sealed container well away from direct sunlight or sources of moisture. Labeled as hazardous for aquatic systems, any disposal must follow community and national waste guidelines, respecting the balance between research needs and environmental responsibility.
Industrial buyers should look to technical sheets for specifics, but product grades swing from ultra-pure with less than 0.1% water and trace metal content to industrial batches sufficing for extraction and catalysis work. Whether you need solid powder, compact flakes, or pre-mixed solutions, most suppliers package the material in quantities from small bottles to one-liter jugs for liquid dispersions, supported by an HS Code around 2923.90.0000 for import/export, pointing clearly to the organic nitrogen compound family. Its use as a raw material ties directly to the quest for cleaner, more efficient manufacturing, whether in next-generation batteries, specialized catalysis, or as a template in material synthesis. The raw input cost stays relatively high, reflecting complex synthesis and purification demands—an issue industry continues to grapple with as global demand for specialty ionic liquids rises.
Tetraoctylammonium Bis((Trifluoromethyl)Sulfonyl)Imide still straddles an interesting line: plenty of promise, some practical hurdles. Labs love the stability, high ionic mobility, and adaptability in a broad field of organic and inorganic systems. It shapes the charge transfer profile in electrochemical setups; its hydrophobic core lets it drive selective separation in recycling plants. The main limits sit with cost and scale, since raw fluorinated and ammonium materials never come cheap or easy thanks to carefully managed supply chains and strict safety oversight. For companies and scientists willing to invest in its promise, the results often pay back with improved performance, longer cycles for batteries, and cleaner yields in specialty syntheses. Safer handling protocols, new packaging approaches, and recycling schemes could help curb the remaining obstacles and push this compound from niche luxury to everyday staple in modern chemistry toolkits.
