Tetramethylammonium bromide

Chemical properties

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The Uses of Tetramethylammonium bromide

Tetramethylammonium bromide acts as an ion pair reagent. It is used as a surface-active agent and an active ingredient for conditioners. Further, it is used as a softner for textiles and paper products. It is also employed as a disinfection agent, sanitizer, antimicrobial and antistatic agent. In addition to this, it plays in important role as a phase transfer catalyst in synthetic chemistry.

The Uses of Tetramethylammonium bromide

Tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) may be used in the molten state in the following processes:

• Synthesis of (2S)-5-(3-phenyl-2-phthalimidylpropanoylamino)isophthalic acid.
• Synthesis of alkyl-substituted pyrroles in the absence of catalyst and organic solvent.
• Synthesis of dithioacetals from acetals by transthioacetalisation in a solvent free environment.
• Synthesis of polyamides (PAs) by the polymerization of terephthalic acid and diisocyanates.
• Catalyze the addition of thiols to conjugated alkenes.
• Dehydrochlorination of poly(vinyl chloride).

Definition

ChEBI: The bromide salt of tetramethylammonium.

General Description

Tetrabutylammonium bromide is a quaternary ammonium compound that is widely used as a phase transfer catalyst. Absolute viscosities of its aqueous solutions have been measured at various temperatures (20,25 and 30°C). Various physical properties (activity coefficient up to saturation, conductance, density and solubility in water) of TMABr have been evaluated.

Purification Methods

Crystallise the bromide from EtOH, EtOH/diethyl ether, MeOH/acetone, water or from acetone/MeOH (4:1) by adding an equal volume of acetone. It is dried at 110o under reduced pressure or at 140o for 24hours. [Beilstein 4 IV 145.]