The quaternary ammonium salt known as TBAF is very soluble in polar organic solvents and water. It is frequently employed in organic synthesis as a moderate and selective fluorinating reagent, particularly in the deprotection of various protective groups like silyl ethers and acetals.
Additionally, the natural product and pharmaceutical TBAF has been employed in the production of Taxol, an anti-tumor agent. TBAF has also been utilised to functionalize a variety of materials, including the production of self-assembled monolayers and the alteration of carbon nanotubes.