Tetramethylammonium

Tetramethylammonium
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
N,N,N-Trimethylmethanaminium[1]
Other names
Tetramethylammonium[1]
Tetramethylazanium
Tetramine
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChemSpider
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C4H12N/c1-5(2,3)4/h1-4H3/q+1
    Key: QEMXHQIAXOOASZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • C[N+](C)(C)C
Properties
C4H12N+
Molar mass 74.14 g/mol
Related compounds
neo-pentane
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Not to be confused with Trimethylammonium.

Tetramethylammonium (TMA) is the simplest quaternary ammonium cation. It has the chemical formula [Me4N]+ and consists of four methyl groups (−CH3, denoted Me) attached to a central nitrogen atom. The cation is isoelectronic with neopentane (Me4C). It is positively-charged and can only be isolated in association with a counter-ion. Common salts include tetramethylammonium chloride and tetramethylammonium hydroxide. Tetramethylammonium salts are used in chemical synthesis and in pharmacological research. It confers no color to its salts.

  1. ^ a b Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry : IUPAC Recommendations and Preferred Names 2013 (Blue Book). Cambridge: The Royal Society of Chemistry. 2014. p. 1086. doi:10.1039/9781849733069-FP001. ISBN 978-0-85404-182-4.