Acronym in chemistry and materials science: BSA for bis(trimethylsilyl)acetamide

In chemistry, BSA is short for bis(trimethylsilyl)acetamide. Structurally more precise is N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)acetamide and more systematic, with regard to nomenclature rules, are the longer names N-trimethylsilyl-1-trimethylsilyloxyethanimine and trimethylsilyl N-(trimethylsilyl)ethanecarboximidate. (CH₃)₃SiOC(CH₃)=NSi(CH₃)₃ is a structural formula for BSA, from which the empirical formula C₈H₂₁NOSi₂ (molar mass: 203.43 g/mol) is derived. Further identifiers: CAS number 10416-59-8, ChemSpider ID 4523073 [trimethylsilyl (1E)-N-(trimethylsilyl)ethanimidioate], and Gelest Product Code SIB1846.0 [1].

BSA melts (freezes) at -24 °C. Its flash point is 42 °C and it can be distilled around 72°C under reduced pressure at 35 mm [1]. BSA has been applied, for example, to the derivatization (silylation) of alcohols, phenols, aldehydes and ketones and the formation of peptide bonds: find examples at  Materials Matter! using matform C8H21NOSi2 or bookmark, share and link BSA properties and applications of your interest.

Reference
[1] Barry Arkles (Editor): Silicon, Germanium, Tin and Lead Compounds, Metal Alkoxides, Diketonates and Carboxylates - A Survey of Properties and Chemistry. 2nd edition, Gelest, Inc., 1998; SIB1846.0 on page 125.