What is "tetraethylammonium"

n. (context organic chemistry especially in combination English) The quaternary ammonium cation (CH₃CH₂)₄N⁺

Tetraethylammonium (TEA) or (EtN) is a quaternary ammonium cation consisting of four ethyl groups attached to a central nitrogen atom, and is positively charged. It is a counterion used in the research laboratory to prepare lipophilic salts of inorganic anions. It is used similarly to tetrabutylammonium, the difference being that its salts are less lipophilic and more easily crystallized.