Tributyldecylphosphonium Bromide is a chemical compound with the molecular formula C25H56BrP. Structure-wise, it features a phosphonium core carrying three butyl and one decyl side chains, paired with a bromide anion. The density of this material generally ranges from 0.97 to 1.05 g/cm³, reflecting its solid but somewhat soft crystal or powder typology under standard conditions. In multi-kilogram lots, it often appears as white or off-white flakes, powder, pearls, or occasionally in a semi-crystalline solid form. Though rarely encountered as a liquid under regular laboratory temperatures, in higher concentrations or warm environments it can exhibit partial liquefaction or oiling. Some suppliers also offer it in prepared solution for ease of use in laboratory or manufacturing settings.
The property set of Tributyldecylphosphonium Bromide makes it valuable across chemical synthesis, catalysis, and materials science. Its relatively high molecular weight, about 487.6 g/mol, places it in the class of quaternary phosphonium salts with a hydrophobic alkyl tail, which brings good phase transfer abilities in both organic and aqueous media. This trait often leads researchers to favor it as a phase-transfer catalyst, especially for reactions where other salts fall short in solubilizing wide-molecule substrates. The strong ionic interaction between the phosphonium cation and the bromide anion gives the compound good thermal stability, typically with melting points in the 70–90°C range. As a raw material, this solid – whether shipped as flakes, powder, or crystals – shows low volatility and does not emit significant vapor at room temperature, cutting down inhalation risks in normal use.
Those working with Tributyldecylphosphonium Bromide will find its HS Code most often categorized under 2931.39 as per the Harmonized System for customs and international shipping, reflecting its classification among organo-phosphorus compounds. Specification sheets for industrial supply document minimum purity levels (usually >97%), trace moisture content, and detailed analytical results for heavy metals or residual solvents. Laboratory operators or quality control teams are encouraged to request full certificates of analysis and safety data to confirm compliance with regulatory frameworks in their country.
This chemical, like many raw materials with quaternary phosphonium or bromide groups, requires careful handling and respect for both its hazardous and harmful potentials. Acute exposure may irritate the eyes, respiratory tract, or skin, demanding gloves, goggles, and lab coats during weighing, transfer, or mixing. Its dust or powder, if suspended in air, could spark respiratory issues or even present combustibility in rare, confined environments. Extended or repeated contact—especially in manufacturing settings—can potentially aggravate pre-existing lung or skin conditions. Proper disposal and spill management practices matter, as washed-down residues could impact local wastewater systems due to low natural bio-degradation. For storage, cool, dry, and well-ventilated storage zones yield best safety outcomes; moisture uptake can alter material quality and handling properties.
Manufacturers looking to source Tributyldecylphosphonium Bromide as a raw material will often evaluate batch-to-batch consistency in terms of crystal size, specific density, and free-flow traits when supplied as flakes, powder, or pearls. Researchers prize its capacity to facilitate exchange reactions, reduce unwanted by-products, and enable milder, less energy-intensive reaction conditions in targeted syntheses. For anyone considering alternatives or replacements, nothing quite matches this compound’s sweet spot of lipophilicity, ionic interaction, and shelf-stable solid state. Suppliers in the global market must follow both chemical regulatory guidelines and practical security in labeling, packaging, and transit, aiming to avoid accidental exposure or environmental escape in the supply chain.
Looking closer at the molecular property, the phosphonium center—bearing three butyl and one decyl chain—imparts significant hydrophobic character and steric bulk, which often means this compound can partition effectively between non-aqueous solvents and water. Chemists making use of its phase transfer capability have expanded the toolkit for alkylation, nucleophilic substitution, and even heterogeneous catalysis. Its stability under a range of temperatures and typical laboratory solvents positions it as a time-saving, effective tool for academic labs as well as industrial product development. Whether handled as a dense powder, a low-dust crystal, or a fast-dissolving pearl, the practical impact comes down to its reliable, reproducible effect on reaction chemistry every day.
