Tetrabutylammonium

Tetrabutylammonium is a quaternary ammonium cation with the formula [N(C4H9)4]+, also denoted [NBu4]+ (where Bu = butyl group). It is used in the research laboratory to prepare lipophilic salts of inorganic anions. Relative to tetraethylammonium derivatives, tetrabutylammonium salts are more lipophilic but crystallize less readily.

Tetrabutylammonium
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
N,N,N-Tributylbutan-1-aminium
Other names
Tetrabutylammonium
Tetrabutylazanium
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
DrugBank
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C16H36N/c1-5-9-13-17(14-10-6-2,15-11-7-3)16-12-8-4/h5-16H2,1-4H3/q+1 checkY
    Key: DZLFLBLQUQXARW-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • CCCC[N+](CCCC)(CCCC)CCCC
Properties
C16H36N+
Molar mass242.470 g·mol−1
Related compounds
Related compounds
tetrabutylammonium fluoride
tetrabutylammonium bromide
tetrabutylammonium hydroxide
tetrabutylammonium hydroxide
tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Derivatives

Some tetrabutylammonium salts of simple anions include:

Some tetrabutylammonium salts of more complex examples include:

See also

References