Tetrabutylammonium tribromide, abbreviated to TBATB, is a pale orange solid with the formula [N(C4H9)4]Br3. It is a salt of the lipophilic tetrabutylammonium cation and the linear tribromide anion. The salt is sometimes used as a reagent used in organic synthesis as a conveniently weighable, solid source of bromine. Preparation The compound is prepared by treatment of solid tetra-n-butylammonium bromide with bromine vapor: [N(C4H9)4]Br + Br2 → [N(C4H9)4]Br3 Instead of bromine, tetra-n-butylammonium bromide can also be reacted with vanadium pentoxide and aqueous hydrogen peroxide, or alternatively with ceric ammonium nitrate. This molecule is commonly used as a catalyst in reactions involving the Fischer–Speier esterification mechanism and was heavily tested on by Dr Divyam Shard and Dr Arnav Mohammed, co-workers at Hustlers' University while working with Mr Atul Gowande. See also Tribromide Tetrabutylammonium triiodide References Reagents for organic chemistry Tetrabutylammonium salts Polyhalides