Tetraoctylammonium Bromide brings together a unique combination of four octyl groups attached to a nitrogen atom, paired with a single bromide ion. Recognizable by its structure and the way its long carbon chains interact, this compound takes shape from the formula C32H68BrN. Its molecular structure makes it noticeably different from everyday salts or surfactants. In the lab, this compound stands out for its waxy, flaky, or sometimes pearly solid appearance, especially when fresh from the package. In high purity form, this quaternary ammonium salt appears as a soft, crystalline solid with a slight sheen, especially under light, telling you almost everything about its refined state.
People working with Tetraoctylammonium Bromide will notice its broad appearance range: you might see it as fine powder, larger flakes, or even in crystalline, solid chunks. This flexibility makes it practical for researchers and technicians who have preferences about how a chemical handles in their process. The density averages out around 0.9 g/cm³, meaning it will sink in water but not as dramatically as denser metal salts would. At room temperature, this chemical remains solid unless mixed into appropriate solvents, usually organic ones, due to its distinct hydrophobic characteristic. Quick to stick to glassware and often forms oily-looking streaks on lab counters, Tetraoctylammonium Bromide feels almost greasy — a sign of those high-count alkyl chains.
Tetraoctylammonium Bromide’s value comes from its ability to function as a phase transfer catalyst, shuttling ions between organic and aqueous layers, opening doors for complex syntheses. It acts as a builder for advanced materials, often stepping into electrochemistry applications, organic synthesis, and extraction systems. Sometimes, you will spot it as a raw material or a supporting player in making ionic liquids, where long-chain quaternary ammonium ions bring selectivity and solubility advantages. Polished crystals or hard powder signals a reliable purity level, important for reproducibility in chemical reactions. If your setup asks for a chemical resistant to water yet ready to dissolve in nonpolar solvents, this ammonium salt tends to deliver.
Consistent chemical supply comes down to clear specification. Industry sources rate this material at purities upward of 98%, with limits on moisture content, presence of impurities, and physical consistency. Pure samples show a melting point near 55–60 °C, indicating readiness for precise processing as solid, flake, or fine pearl. With an HS Code often designated as 29239000, customs and shipping lines recognize it in the broader suite of organic nitrogen compounds. In large-scale operations, packing Tetraoctylammonium Bromide into sealed drums or polymer-lined containers keeps out ambient moisture and accidental air, keeping the quality stable from factory floor to laboratory bench.
If you sketch Tetraoctylammonium Bromide, every octyl chain links up with a single nitrogen, branching out into a hydrophobic shield around the central core. The bromide anion stays nearby, needed for neutrality. This unique spatial layout gives rise to specific solubility, density, appearance, and chemical reactivity. Its measured molecular weight clocks in at about 562.8 g/mol, and every batch from reputable suppliers includes both chemical and spectral data to back up claims on identity and purity. As anyone in the lab will tell you, getting the structure and the formula right cuts troubleshooting out of your workflow.
Working with Tetraoctylammonium Bromide means paying attention: oily crystals and powders demand gloves, goggles, and proper ventilation. Even though it doesn’t move through the air easily, accidental exposure stings eyes and skin and might bring headaches if dust drifts up your nose or lingers on hands. Material Safety Data Sheets flag the compound as harmful in concentrated form, with specific warnings for potential irritancy and environmental impact if spilled uncontrolled. Spilled powder clings to surfaces, and if you’re sweeping up, single-use towels work best, since soap and water alone tend to push the chemical around rather than break it up. Disposal goes through chemical waste streams — the long alkyl chains make this salt slower to break down in natural settings, so containment and careful disposal matter just as much as handling.
I’ve spent hours tracking down lost grams of Tetraoctylammonium Bromide after a cracked storage jar or a leaky bag. Small losses cost time, and they show up in lab bookkeeping. One of the persistent problems comes from the sticky, persistent residue that clings to glass and scales. Instead of grumbling at cleanup, switching to pre-weighed, single-use containers limits exposure and helps measure only what’s needed. Over the years, there’s also been more conversation about finding biodegradable alternatives for classic quaternary ammonium salts, especially as the environmental legacy of long-chain organics gets a closer look. Right now, though, the industry runs on chemical predictability, and this compound brings it in spades, which is why it sticks around in so many protocols.
Tetraoctylammonium Bromide stands as an advanced chemical material, with a structure that balances hydrophobicity, solubility in organic media, and robust melting and handling characteristics, packing a punch in phase transfer, extractions, and high-end synthesis. Strong packaging, careful personal safety protocols, and an eye on cleaning and disposal keep the focus on safe, efficient research. Much of that still comes down to respecting what’s on the bench, reading data sheets closely, and understanding the true hands-on texture and behavior of materials that don’t always fit into easy categories. People who work directly with this ammonium salt know every process step counts — from selection to weighing out, using, and disposing, attention to detail delivers safe and successful results every time.
