Infrared spectroscopic studies. The TBZ salts were examined using IR spectroscopy, and the corresponding IR spectra can be found in the supplementary information (Figures ). Each salt exhibits a distinctive spectral signature, which serves as a unique fingerprint for identification purposes. However, tracking the proton transfer process using this method posed challenges due to the presence of the N-H functional group in both neutral and ionic forms of TBZ and the presence of the O-H functional group in both neutral and ionic acids. Consequently, characteristic frequencies associated with the N-H and O-H functional groups can be observed before and after salt formation.