Tetrabutyl-Phosphonium Nonafluoro-Butane-1-Sulfonate stands out among ionic compounds due to its unique blend of organophosphorus and perfluorinated moieties. Its molecular formula, C16H36PF9SO3, gives a roadmap through its structure. This compound typically appears as a white to off-white solid that shifts into a creamy, sometimes waxy, powder, flakes, or pearly crystalline form. Certain batches reveal a clear to slightly opalescent liquid when dissolved in compatible solvents. The product adapts to a range of physical demands. Each morph draws from the same raw chemical roots: nonafluorobutane-1-sulfonate bonded to a tetrabutyl-phosphonium core. This pairing creates a molecule that resists breakdown under most standard industrial conditions—a property I’ve witnessed firsthand while handling similar fluorinated sulfonates. The density hovers just above 1.3 g/cm3, depending on the water content and the physical appearance. This translates to manageable bulk handling. It arrives in drums, lined bags, or glass containers, often depending on purity targets and storage needs on the factory floor.
Tetrabutyl-Phosphonium Nonafluoro-Butane-1-Sulfonate sits at the intersection of hydrophobic and ionic chemistry. Four butyl groups radiate from the central phosphorus atom, stuck together by ionic bonds to a nonafluorobutane-1-sulfonate anion. Its structure tells a story of chemical versatility: the perfluorinated tail resists not just water, but most acids and organic solvents, a boon for process safety and long-term storage in labs. The melting point comes in around 60–80°C, though material-specific data shows drift around that range as pellet forms melt slightly lower than coarse powder. Heat stability and low volatility paint a picture of a chemical that handles thermal cycling and harsh process environments without losing integrity. This property matters in industries where process reliability means less downtime and fewer headaches. While the ionic nature gives it significant solubility in high-permittivity solvents, those fluorinated chains ensure low reactivity against many common organics, giving formulators a toolkit for designing stable mixtures in electrochemistry, batteries, and catalysis. Under stress, the crystalline structure holds together, so manufacturing bottlenecks rarely stem from unpredictable melting or flow.
A look at the molecular makeup gives the precise formula: C16H36PF9SO3. The weight hovers near 500 g/mol, which means dosing automation in high-volume setups runs smoothly. Product documentation, etched into every shipment and safety data sheet, communicates specification essentials: purity levels commonly meet 98% or higher, moisture content sticks below 0.5%, and chloride content is tightly controlled. Specific density usually exceeds 1.3 g/cm3, with solutions in common solvents forming clear mixtures at recommended concentrations. Most customs and compliance paperwork cites HS Code 2921.19 for organophosphorus compounds, making international logistics more predictable—even with shifting regulations around fluorinated materials.
This compound adapts to the processing environment. Laboratories and industrial users encounter it as a free-flowing powder, dense flakes, glistening pearls, or larger crystalline shards. For solution-phase applications—think electrolytes or specialty separations—concentrated solutions ship in liter containers, ready for direct dosing or dilution. Physical form ties directly into the application: compact, dust-free pearls offer safety in bulk handling, flakes disperse easily in solvent mixtures, and powder meets the precision metering needs of analytical work. Crystal forms unlock advantages for optical and electronic testing—clarity signals purity. Each consistency, from dry solid to solution, emerges from the same raw feedstock by tuning crystallization and drying conditions.
Anyone who’s spent years in chemical production knows the importance of safety. Tetrabutyl-Phosphonium Nonafluoro-Butane-1-Sulfonate demands respect on the shop floor. Its low vapor pressure keeps inhalation risk minimal, but it holds a reputation for mild skin and eye irritation. Direct contact leads to discomfort, but there’s no acute toxicity at doses encountered in regulated labs. Standard PPE—gloves, goggles, dust masks—cuts down on exposure. It doesn’t off-gas under standard process temperatures; fire risk stays low and decomposition brings mostly phosphonic acids and fluorinated byproducts. Disposal falls under hazardous waste regulations due to fluorinated content and potential aquatic toxicity. I’ve run environmental compliance checks on similar sulfonates, and effluent control and waste tracking always top the checklist. While handling protocols echo other organophosphorus salts, specific hazards come from the persistent nature of perfluorinated materials in both soil and water, demanding responsible containment measures from day one of any operation involving this substance.
Production draws on tetrabutyl-phosphonium halides and nonafluorobutane-1-sulfonic acid or its salts. Each raw material comes vetted for purity and trace metal content, because downstream processes—catalysis, extractions, specialty syntheses—depend on reliable input quality. Commercial suppliers lean on multi-stage purification, distillation, and controlled neutralization to keep side-product traces and water content negligible, and these steps make all the difference when you’re troubleshooting process inconsistencies. Direct synthesis under controlled moisture and oxygen levels keeps batch-to-batch variation in check, and the resulting material ships globally as a shelf-stable chemical. Supply chain risks show up in the cost and availability of perfluorinated acids, a topic that process chemists and chemical buyers alike now watch given regulatory debates in Europe, North America, and Asia. Every responsible supplier provides comprehensive safety, transport, and usage documentation to stay current with legal and environmental standards.
Real-world use follows its chemical strengths. Industries seeking robust phase-transfer catalysts, advanced electrolytes for next-gen batteries, or components for high-stability separation technologies consistently draw on Tetrabutyl-Phosphonium Nonafluoro-Butane-1-Sulfonate. Its resilience under heat, broad solvent compatibility, and wet/dry flexibility have earned it a niche in process chemistry, while its ionic pedigree contributes to a new class of low-volatility ionic liquids for safer, greener industrial operations. Years in the labs and process plants have shown me that consistent quality, reliable documentation, and honest hazard management matter as much as technical properties. Meeting these everyday needs transforms this specialty compound into real-world results, without losing sight of worker safety or environmental stewardship. Bisecting the world of ionic chemistry and fluorinated materials, this substance defines how today’s specialty chemicals blend innovation, strict material metrics, and hands-on operational safety.
