It is used for synthesizing tetra-n-butylammonium triiodide by mixing with iodine.

[1] The enthalpy of formation ΔfH0 of tetra-n-butylammonium iodide is −499 kJ/mol, which is lower than that for the bromide or chloride (−540, −564 kJ/mol).

[2] At lower temperatures with water tetra-n-butylammonium iodide forms a clathrate hydrate.

The absolute enthalpy of hydration (from gas phase) is −260 kJ/mol.

[2] The He(I) photoelectron spectrum of tetra-n-butylammonium iodide contains a peak at 11 eV due to the tetra-n-butylammonium cation, and at 7 and 8 eV due to iodide.