What is tetrabutylammonium hydroxide?

Tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBAOH) is a quaternary ammonium salt with the chemical formula C16H37NO. It is a powerful base that is commonly used in organic chemistry as a catalyst or as a base for various reactions.

Tetrabutylammonium hydroxide is typically supplied as a colorless to yellowish transparent liquid, and is soluble in water, alcohols, and other organic solvents. It has a strong alkaline nature and can cause skin and eye irritation upon contact.

This compound is often used in organic synthesis for the deprotonation of acids, as a phase-transfer catalyst, and in the synthesis of perovskite materials. It is also used in analytical chemistry for the extraction and separation of different compounds.

Tetrabutylammonium hydroxide is a highly versatile and useful chemical reagent in the laboratory, but proper precautions should be taken when handling it due to its strong alkaline properties.