Triethylammonium acetate

Triethylammonium acetate is a volatile buffering agent, which, when diluted in water, maintains pH at about 7. When mixed with other components, such as methanol or acetonitrile other pHs may be attained. It is used in the purification of DNA, for instance.

It is prepared from equimolar quantities of triethylamine and acetic acid. After the reaction requiring buffering is done, this buffer can easily be removed by freeze drying or some other evaporative method.

In a pure state, it is liquid at room temperature and it has a yellowish color. This compound tends to get oxidized during heating (observed as a darkening of the solution); thus, it is recommended to do so under a nitrogen blanket or purge.