Sodium Tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate belongs to a category of specialty borate salts that often show up in advanced chemical processes, research labs, and industrial settings where high purity counts. Chemists sometimes call it NaB(C6F5)4. This compound leans heavily on its molecular structure, and there are a lot of reasons it stands out in both function and appearance. Its makeup includes a sodium cation paired with the Tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate anion. The borate features a boron atom at the center, surrounded by four pentafluorophenyl rings, delivering both stability and chemical interest.
HS Code: 28269090
The molecular formula of Sodium Tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate is C24BF20Na. This single sodium atom links with an intricate borate anion covered in fluorine atoms. Each pentafluorophenyl ring swaps regular hydrogens for five fluorines, which does more than make the molecule heavier—it also makes it resistant to many things that break down or discolor less robust compounds. This stability means that it can serve as a counterion in sensitive reactions, never interfering unless pushed to extremes.
In a regular setting, Sodium Tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate comes as either a white solid, a fluffy powder, or sometimes crystalline flakes. It can take on a slightly off-white tint depending on its dryness and how pure it is. Packages sometimes label it as “flakes,” “solid,” “powder,” “pearl,” or “crystal,” depending on how the main batch gets processed. The density often falls close to 1.5 g/cm3, but fine powder versions can be less tightly packed. Water doesn’t dissolve it well, which comes as no shock because of those heavy fluorinated rings. Most organic solvents, like acetonitrile or dichloromethane, will do the job though. In these solutions, Sodium Tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate tends to let chemists keep reactions free from metal cation influences. Instead of the sodium interfering, the giant borate ion swallows it up and shields what’s happening in the mixture.
Safety needs to be in focus with any raw materials, especially in chemical labs or manufacturing warehouses. Sodium Tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate doesn’t throw up red flags for wild reactivity, but just because it stays put in storage doesn’t mean you can skip gloves and goggles. The heavy fluorinated groups and boron core put toxic dust in the realm of possibility. Direct skin contact or inhaling fine powder should always be avoided. Spills need careful sweeping and a steady hand since even though this compound resists a lot of solvents, it can still make a slippery mess and not all workplace vacuums handle microcrystalline solids well. Always segregate it from harsh acids or strong bases to avoid unplanned chemical reactions, even though it stands pretty robust against many chemicals in the set. Store it dry, keep the lid tight, and prevent cross-contamination—those are the habits that protect not only results, but hands and lungs too.
Working with Sodium Tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate bridges classic lab science and modern tech. In electrochemistry, this salt’s huge, non-coordinating borate anion comes in handy. It stabilizes highly reactive cations, which otherwise can’t keep their structure long enough for chemists to see what’s happening. Its use in catalysis, ionic liquid creation, and as an electrolyte in advanced batteries shows up far more than most non-specialists realize. Because it disrupts so little, this borate helps researchers measure properties and reactions, unclouded by tricky byproducts or metal ion interference. Working in research environments, I’ve seen a steady reliance on it for sophisticated ion pairing and salt metathesis, especially when high-fidelity NMR or other demanding analysis methods are in play. Even outside the chemical community, suppliers of advanced materials and fine chemicals keep it on hand, both as a raw material and finished product, ready for diverse research groups, academics, and industrial innovators.
Suppliers provide Sodium Tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate in packs ranging from grams to kilograms, always with attention towards moisture content, color, and homogeneity. The product must be free of sodium impurities that would mess up sensitive reactions—a telltale mark of a mature supplier. Most academic and commercial buyers look for purity over 98%, with moisture kept under 0.5%. Particle size can matter for large setups or precision applications where surface contact must be consistent. In powder or flake form, lower clumping means smoother measurements and happier researchers. Crystalline purity often shows up in sample specification sheets, along with the presence or absence of solvents, possible contaminants, and exacting details on melting point, density, and appearance.
Handling Sodium Tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate requires a system—no open jars, no borrowing scoops, constant documentation of batch numbers. Traceability matters. The best solution comes from good habits: using dedicated utensils for each batch, logging every use, and keeping humidity out of storage spaces. Where static builds up, grounding mats cut down on waste and scattering of powder. For smaller research labs, ordering only what will be used in the near term minimizes both waste and degradation. For larger enterprises, investing in vacuum-sealed containers and monitored storage saves plenty of headaches. Strong communication with suppliers helps too—request up-to-date COA sheets and MSDS to guarantee safety standards and to avoid getting subpar or mislabelled stock. These habits don’t just keep the lab safe, they keep the quality straight and the results repeatable.
