Tributyl(Hexadecyl)Phosphonium Tetrafluoroborate brings together phosphonium cations and the tetrafluoroborate anion in a striking ionic compound. With its unmistakable appeal to chemists and engineers, it plays both specialty and supporting roles in labs and manufacturing lines. In the daily shuffle of chemical supplies, I have handled bottles labeled with its long name more often than most would want to remember. Each time, that white-to-cream solid nearly stares back with a promise of stability and range. This compound’s structure, built around a bulky phosphonium center surrounded by long hydrocarbon chains, leans on both toughness and adaptability. The tetrafluoroborate counterion gives it just enough noncoordinating flavor to slip into settings from catalysis to solvent formulation.
Tributyl(Hexadecyl)Phosphonium Tetrafluoroborate, C28H62BF4P, carries a molar mass of 526.54 g/mol, packing some serious molecular bulk. The butyl groups, with the lengthy C16 chain, give it that greasy edge you can spot from experience, making it typically present as a dense, wax-like solid or as pearly flakes in cooler storage. Its density hovers around 1.041 g/cm³—substantial but not cumbersome. Crystal structure gives insight into its application, with an ionic lattice favoring both solubility in polar solvents and a knack for slipping into organic phases when coaxed. Pour it out, and it may flow as a viscous mass, softening up as it approaches 42–45°C, sometimes melting right in your hand. It resists moisture and oxidation better than any comparable quaternary ammonium salt I have handled, yet it can still respond with basic hydrolysis if given both time and water.
There’s no single answer when describing this material’s physical form. Sometimes it turns up in the storeroom as large, glassy flakes. Sometimes it feels powdery and clumpy, riding the ambient humidity and ambient temp in a chemistry lab. Large pearl-shaped granules offer easier measurement, especially in pilot plant settings. Heavy bulk users may even encounter it shipped as a semi-solid paste when exposed to heat during transit. Its appearance changes subtly with handling: crystals fracture under pressure, flakes turn powdery with static, and pearls can wet together in humid air. In my hands, the easiest form to work with stays dry, stored in a sealed container, away from reactive atmospheres.
Every technical data sheet puts C28H62BF4P at the top, matching its molecular structure: a phosphonium ion flanked by three butyl groups and one hexadecyl chain, balanced by a single tetrafluoroborate. Laboratory-grade versions guarantee purity levels above 97%, occasionally even ticking over 99% for high-end syntheses. Specifications note melting point ranges around 42–45°C, water content preferably under 0.2%, and clarity as a solid by visual inspection. The HS Code most commonly cited tracks the import and regulation brushstrokes: 2931.39.00, placing it in the broader spectrum of organo-phosphorus compounds. These commodity codes not only regulate international trade but also inform buyers about restrictions and duties, which become critical for research institutions and chemical plants alike.
Many users care about how quickly this phosphonium salt dissolves in common solvents. Methanol, ethanol, acetonitrile—each one brings out a different side of the salt. With DMSO or DMF, it dissolves cleanly; with water, not so much. This hydrophobic character lets it act as a phase transfer catalyst. In my own lab, blending it into ionic liquid mixtures produced smooth, clear solutions that stuck around without precipitating overnight. As a chemical intermediate or base, its structure stands up to strong acids and bases, remaining nonvolatile and resisting decomposition during storage. I often see chemists testing it for use in organic synthesis, trying to push new cross-coupling reactions or ionic liquids into functional materials territory. Its resilience under heat and basic handling gives it a leg up over lower-mass analogs that break down faster under stress.
Dealing with any phosphonium salt always calls for proper protection—nitrile gloves, goggles, and clear workspace boundaries. Tributyl(Hexadecyl)Phosphonium Tetrafluoroborate rarely fumes or spreads in air, reducing the risks of inhalation, but eye and skin contact can irritate. Accidental exposure leaves an oily residue, pushing one to wash thoroughly. No one forgets the first spill—it's sticky, clings to bench tops, and only comes away with generous solvent and paper. As a chemical classified under the HS Code 2931.39.00, its shipment, storage, and disposal need attention to local regulations. Toxicological profiles mention low acute toxicity, but chronic effects remain under-studied, keeping safety data sheets ever important. In my own routine, one always closes the bottle tightly, stores it dry, and never combines with strong oxidizers.
Making it starts with the right phosphorus reagents and the correct balance of alkyl halides. Specialized suppliers in Europe and Asia often dominate the market. Raw materials like tributylphosphine and 1-bromohexadecane feed the initial reaction, then a metathesis with sodium tetrafluoroborate locks in the final composition. Producers careful about process conditions keep side-reactions low, repurposing or recycling solvents with every batch. Because purity and residual halide content directly influence performance in catalysis or ionic liquid formulations, buyers pressure suppliers for clean starting materials and clear documentation. Over the last decade, global shifts in phosphorus production and freight costs have sent prices upward, making procurement a bigger challenge for research and mid-scale manufacturers.
Real issues around Tributyl(Hexadecyl)Phosphonium Tetrafluoroborate come down to trace impurities, cost, and evolving regulation. Smaller labs scramble for affordable sources, often getting underwhelming quality or unreliable shipment times. On the manufacturing scale, the focus turns to greener routes and solvent recovery to cut down on waste. Research pushes toward better toxicity data and biodegradable analogs, answering calls from both environmental and regulatory bodies. Labs can help by documenting all exposures and minimizing waste with re-use strategies. Companies downstream keep pushing for supplier transparency and more robust safety data. I’ve seen collaboration between universities and suppliers drive meaningful gains: shared testing data, improved protocols, and creative synthesis routes that close resource loops.
This compound shapes the way chemists approach ionic liquids, phase transfer catalysis, and even electrochemical devices. By keeping a close eye on the material’s limitations—storage, exposure, sourcing—we help ensure it serves its purpose without extra environmental or health overhead. Each improvement in purity, handling, or sustainability cascades through whole sectors. It’s often the workhorse in a chemist’s toolkit, rarely celebrated but essential. My experience says there’s always space for safer, smarter chemistry, and each bottle of Tributyl(Hexadecyl)Phosphonium Tetrafluoroborate offers one more opportunity to get it right.
