Tetrabutylammonium bromide (CAS 1643-19-2)

Tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) is a versatile organic compound extensively utilized as a reagent across various laboratory experiments. This compound consists of a tetrabutylammonium cation and a bromide anion, forming a quaternary ammonium salt. Exhibiting a white, crystalline powder form, Tetrabutylammonium bromide readily dissolves in organic solvents like ethanol and methanol while remaining insoluble in water. The applications of Tetrabutylammonium bromide span a wide range of scientific disciplines, including chromatography, spectroscopy, and organic synthesis. In organic synthesis, Tetrabutylammonium bromide serves as a catalyst, enabling diverse chemical reactions. Furthermore, it acts as a reagent for detecting metals in aqueous solutions and determining anions in aqueous solutions. Chromatographic techniques, such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), and thin-layer chromatography (TLC), also make use of Tetrabutylammonium bromide. Notably, Tetrabutylammonium bromide′s structure as a quaternary ammonium salt involves a positively charged nitrogen atom surrounded by four alkyl groups. This positive charge attracts the negatively charged bromide anion, resulting in the formation of an ionic bond. This ionic bond accounts for Tetrabutylammonium bromide′s solubility in organic solvents, contributing to its efficacy as a reagent.