An improved synthesis of tetramethylammonium azide

An improved synthesis of tetramethylammonium azide, N(Me)(4)N-+(3)-, is pre sented. It involves a neutralization of tetramethylammonium hydroxide with sulfuric acid, followed by a metathetical reaction with sodium azide in met hanol. Tetramethylammonium azide is then separated from the less soluble Na 2SO4 via filtration. This method provides a convenient access to tetramethy lammonium azide. It is therefore more usable in a typical academic laborato ry setting than previously reported syntheses.