Tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate

Chemical properties

WHITE FINE CRYSTALLINE POWDER

The Uses of Tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate

Tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate may be used in the following studies:

• As supporting electrolyte in the voltammetric determination of Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ(9)-THC).
• Synthesis of biologically relevant macrolactones, Sansalvamide A.
• As supporting electrolyte in the determination of the oxidation and reduction potentials of 5,10,15,20-tetra[3-(3-trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]porphyrin by cyclic voltammetry.
• Preparation of 1:1 adduct with 1,10-phenanthroline.
• Used to prepare other tetrabutylammonium salts in aqueous solutions.
• As electrolyte additive in the synthesis of conducting poly(thiophenes).

The Uses of Tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate

TBATFB has been used as an electrolyte to understand the paraffin graphite powder modified with sweet potato tissue (PCPET) electrode response.

General Description

Tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate (TBATFB) is a phase transfer catalyst. It can be synthesized by the reaction between 30% aqueous solution of tetrafluoroboric acid and 40% aqueous solution of tetrabutylamonium hydroxide. Tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate acts as an electrolyte and inhibits the self-assembly of alkylthiosulfate on gold.

Purification Methods

Recrystallise it from H2O, aqueous EtOH or from EtOAc by cooling in Dry-ice. Also recrystallise it from ethyl acetate/pentane or dry acetonitrile. Dry it at 80o under vacuum. [Detty & Jones J Am Chem Soc 109 5666 1987, Hartley & Faulkner J Am Chem Soc 107 3436 1985.] The acetate has m 118±2o (from BuCl), the bromide has m 118o (from EtOAc) and the nitrate has m 120o (from *C6H6). [Witschonka & Kraus J Am Chem Soc 69 2472 1947, Wheeler & Sandstedt J Am Chem Soc 77 2024 1955, Beilstein 4 IV 558.]