An Improved Synthesis of Tetramethylammonium Azide

An improved synthesis of tetramethylammonium azide, N(Me) 4 + N 3 -, is presented.It involves a neutralization of tetramethylammonium hydroxide with sulfuric acid, followed by a metathetical reaction with sodium azide in methanol.Tetramethylammonium azide is then separated from the less soluble Na 2 SO 4 via filtration.This method provides a convenient access to tetramethylammonium azide.It is therefore more usable in a typical academic laboratory setting than previously reported syntheses.