1-Bromo-4-pentylbenzene: From Early Discoveries to Today’s Chemical Benchmarks
Historical Development
Curiosity about 1-bromo-4-pentylbenzene stretches back to the post-war glow of aromatic chemistry, when substitution patterns fascinated chemists. These scientists weren’t simply hunting for pretty molecules; they wanted intermediates that connected classic aromatic systems with functional building blocks. World War II research, cold war R&D, and the growth of petrochemicals brought new focus to bromoalkyl aromatic compounds. By the 1960s, chemists began exploring para-substituted benzenes as precursors to more complex molecules, with 1-bromo-4-pentylbenzene gaining traction both in academic studies and industrial test labs. Academic citations show repeated interest in its use as a synthetic stepping-stone, especially for organic electronics, specialty surfactants, and ligand design. Despite all the technological leaps since then, curiosity continues because the structure bridges simple hydrocarbon chemistry and halogen reactivity.
Product Overview
The compound 1-bromo-4-pentylbenzene holds a special place among aryl bromides due to its stable aromatic backbone, moderate hydrophobicity, and convenient bromine leaving group. Even with countless analogues, this molecule pops up across catalogs, surprising anyone browsing for functionalized benzenes that strike a balance between reactivity and processability. Most suppliers highlight it as a high-purity, crystalline or oily substance, sealed under inert atmosphere to prevent slow degradation. Papers list it as a key intermediate, reference standard, and precursor—for laboratories doing metal-catalyzed cross-couplings or designing liquid crystals. The demand comes from those who want to build up complexity: the right combination of long alkyl chain and reactive bromine simplifies synthesis of tailored aryl derivatives.
Physical & Chemical Properties
1-Bromo-4-pentylbenzene comes as a warm-white solid or faintly oily liquid, melting near 17°C, boiling at about 299°C under atmospheric pressure, and with a density hovering around 1.1 g/cm³. The pentyl tail pushes up solubility in nonpolar solvents, like toluene and hexane, while the bromo group limits water miscibility. On the reactivity side, the benzene core confers aromatic stability, but the bromine atom, plugged para to the pentyl chain, opens up a world of functionalization. Typical odor is faintly aromatic—not entirely pleasant, but not offensive. The molecular weight number is 241.17, a familiar friend in any organic lab inventory. Physicochemical indexes sit favorably for chromatographic purification, crystal formation, and routine spectroscopic characterization (notably NMR and IR).
Technical Specifications & Product Labeling
Reliable chemical suppliers provide lots of detail on label and data sheets. Purity often sits above 98%, sometimes higher, which matters when catalyst or polymerization side reactions threaten project timelines. The material typically gets packed in amber glass vials or bottles, sometimes with septa for syringe withdrawal to block moisture ingress and light-triggered breakdown. Each supply batch ships with Certificate of Analysis (CoA), listing batch number, lot identification, purity (GC or HPLC measured), exact melting point, and NMR trace. Labels warn of standard hazards—may cause skin or respiratory irritation, combustion precautions, and storage recommendations at room temperature or cooler, dry and inert.
Preparation Method
Organic synthesis routes to 1-bromo-4-pentylbenzene usually start with 4-pentylphenol or 4-n-pentylaniline, transformed into the brominated product under carefully controlled conditions. The favored laboratory route leans into the electrophilic aromatic substitution of a pentylbenzene ring, using molecular bromine or N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) in the presence of acid catalyst. This process avoids overbromination, keeps yields up, and sidesteps tedious purification steps. Some commercial routes run via Grignard chemistry or halogen exchange, but these tend to see less service outside industrial tanks. As environmental rules tighten, more labs aim for greener solvents and milder reagents, making atom-efficient protocols a driver for research.
Chemical Reactions & Modifications
Bromo-arenes serve as bread-and-butter coupling partners for modern organic syntheses. In the case of 1-bromo-4-pentylbenzene, the aryl-bromide bond reacts cleanly via Suzuki, Heck, or Negishi cross-coupling. The molecule provides the perfect anchor—enough chain length to control solubility, the right electronic push for coupling yield, and mechanical properties suitable for advanced materials. With nickel or palladium catalysts, chemists attach amines, boronic acids, or alkynes, customizing molecular architecture for OLEDs or coordination complexes. Another popular trick swaps the bromine for other leaving groups (like fluorides or iodides), supporting organometallic explorations. Any synthetic organic chemist who’s ever struggled with steric hindrance or overfunctionalization will recognize the advantages here: robust, reliable, and versatile.
Synonyms & Product Names
On catalog pages, the molecule surfaces under several names, including p-pentylbromobenzene, 4-bromopentylbenzene, and 1-bromo-4-n-pentylbenzene. The CAS number 1698-54-0 typically stands out, offering clarity for procurement teams and regulatory records. Some suppliers bundle it as part of “advanced aryl bromide intermediates,” a nod to its cross-disciplinary use. Now and then, researchers dig up obscure historic names, like para-bromopentylbenzol—reminders of how global and long-lived interest in the molecule has become.
Safety & Operational Standards
Anyone working with 1-bromo-4-pentylbenzene follows general halogenated aromatic safety: gloves, lab coats, eye protection, good ventilation. The bromo substituent carries moderate toxicity and potential environmental impact, especially for aquatic life. Material safety data sheets (MSDS) always spell these risks out—absorbed through skin, inhaled dust, even open flames in poorly ventilated spaces can all trigger problems. Incineration above 800°C neutralizes waste streams, but not all facilities can handle halogenated burn-off, so disposal typically heads for licensed chemical contractors. Years spent in industry teach that safety routines—clear signage, spill kits, and regular training—pay off far more than tempting short-cuts in process scale-up.
Application Area
The main uses for 1-bromo-4-pentylbenzene stretch across organic electronics, pharmaceuticals, and applied materials. In organic light-emitting diode (OLED) research, it acts as a feedstock for custom-tailored polyaromatic molecules, fine-tuning emission and mechanical durability. Polymer scientists use it as a handle for side-chain engineering in block copolymers and specialty elastomers, chasing improved processing characteristics. In medicinal chemistry, the molecule sometimes shows up in antitumor agent syntheses or channel ligands, supporting drug-discovery screens. With ongoing miniaturization and demand for soft materials, this simple aryl bromide continues to find its way into experimental devices, assays, and pigment systems.
Research & Development
R&D labs have always had a fondness for functionalized aromatic building blocks, and 1-bromo-4-pentylbenzene delivers versatility. Research groups use it to probe new catalytic cycles, test out greener chemistry, and launch iterative syntheses in both academic and startup labs. Industry consortiums pair it with high-throughput robotics, cycling through derivatives for property optimization—from viscosity and transparency to charge mobility in electronics. Plenty of research grants focus on safer, higher-yield synthetic protocols, shifting toward less toxic brominating agents or renewable feedstocks to ease environmental footprints. A persistent challenge has been maximizing atom economy while dodging unwanted waste from side-products; recent case studies reveal promising advances by switching up reaction media and leveraging continuous-flow reactors.
Toxicity Research
Studies on the molecule’s toxicity show moderate hazards, aligning with general expectations for halogenated aromatics. Animal models expose risks of skin and eye irritation, with longer exposures pointing to possible liver and kidney impacts at very high doses. Inhalation studies point to low volatility but urge good ventilation in confined settings, especially with heated open vessels. Environmental persistence ranks as a real concern, since the compound resists fast natural degradation and can bioaccumulate in aquatic ecosystems. Regulatory pressure in the European Union, plus EPA monitoring stateside, increasingly nudge producers to adopt green chemistry and supply robust environmental impact statements. The best way forward combines transparency with practical mitigation—robust fume extraction, solvent recycling, and strict chemical audits.
Future Prospects
As organic synthesis and materials research keep evolving, the role of 1-bromo-4-pentylbenzene looks set to expand. Structural tuning is becoming ever more important for advanced optical devices and modular biomaterials, drawing more attention to this versatile molecule. Demand for greener, higher-efficiency preparative routes will push academia and industry to share protocols and data across international boundaries. Cross-disciplinary projects, linking organic synthesis, electronics, and environmental science, offer fertile ground for new applications—especially as computational chemistry reveals more about structure-property links. Technological adoption depends on reliable sourcing, high-purity standards, and supply-chain transparency, which are already top priorities for major producers watching global regulations tighten. In a world where researchers need robust, customizable building blocks, 1-bromo-4-pentylbenzene remains an essential tool in the organic chemist’s toolkit.
Understanding What’s On Offer
Buyers searching for 1-Bromo-4-pentylbenzene often scan product data sheets and supplier catalogs. Most vendors, especially those catering to research and industrial labs, list this compound with a purity level marked as “98%” or sometimes a touch higher, for instance 98.5%. It’s not uncommon to find 97% on a few shelves, usually offered at a slightly lower price point and targeted at non-pharmaceutical work. High-purity lots aren’t just some marketing claim—in my own experience in chemical procurement, trusted suppliers back up these numbers with clear HPLC or NMR test results.
Why Purity Matters in Practice
Researchers use 1-Bromo-4-pentylbenzene as a building block for making more complex molecules or as a precursor in pharmaceuticals and material science. Lower-grade material doesn’t just bring in a little extra dirt; it can throw off reaction yields, force extra purification steps, and risk introducing mystery side-products. Someone scaling up for industrial synthesis, especially in electronics or anything going into a regulated drug, pays close attention to that assay percentage.
My time working beside a synthetic organic chemistry group taught me how even a 1% impurity can pile up costs and chase away reproducibility. We once switched from a 97% batch to 99% after dealing with persistent noise in our analysis, and that alone unclogged weeks of workflow. This reflects a lesson that repeats across labs—purity hits not just the success of the chemistry, but the time and credibility invested in the result.
Realities of Commercial Purity Claims
Not every supplier sets the same standards for purity guarantees. The big names in lab chemicals—Sigma-Aldrich, TCI, Alfa Aesar—ship lots with supported certificates of analysis. In their catalogs, 1-Bromo-4-pentylbenzene mostly falls at 98% purity unless a special request is made. Less-known distributors or bulk chemical marketplaces sometimes struggle to document their testing methods. The lack of standardization here can frustrate anyone who needs reliable starting materials.
Pricing reflects that risk. A researcher or company paying extra for higher purity isn’t just falling for a label—they’re buying trust backed by data. For anything bioactive or destined for advanced electronics, buyers tend to pursue the highest listed grade they can afford and demand a breakdown of impurity profiles. No one likes to be surprised by a contaminant, especially if it means failed experiments or regulatory headaches.
Possible Paths Toward Improvement
Transparent reporting stands out as a solution. Suppliers willing to share detailed impurity analysis, and explain the source or significance of residuals, tend to build more loyal customers. This isn’t just about posting a percentage on the website. Making real data available, maybe even raw spectra on request, raises the whole market standard.
Regulatory agencies and professional groups could help by publishing tighter guidelines for reporting purity and analytical methodology for specialty chemicals like this. Consistent standards empower buyers and sellers alike. Lab groups benefit by routinely verifying critical reagents in-house, confirming supplier claims before committing to large-scale projects.
The push for transparency, careful supplier vetting, and in-house checking puts power back into the hands of chemists, engineers, and entrepreneurs who depend on 1-Bromo-4-pentylbenzene. Knowing exactly what goes into the flask makes ambition and innovation that much more achievable.
Building Block in Organic Synthesis
Ask any chemist who’s spent time at a benchtop: aryl bromides make life easier when it comes to cross-coupling. 1-Bromo-4-pentylbenzene stands out because it combines a reactive bromine atom with a straightforward pentyl tail, giving it two distinct qualities—reactivity and customizable structure. Researchers lean on this compound for Suzuki, Heck, and Stille reactions. I’ve watched graduate students light up after a successful coupling, producing biphenyls, stilbenes, or even diarylalkanes, all starting from this molecule.
Pharmaceutical companies look for these types of building blocks to make small changes to drug candidates. Even a modest tweak—like swapping a methyl for a pentyl group—changes solubility, permeability, and sometimes even the activity of a lead compound. Having 1-Bromo-4-pentylbenzene handy means hitting several chemical targets from a single starting point, which is a blessing in the tight deadlines of drug development.
Stepping Stone for Liquid Crystals
The pentyl group in this compound brings in more than just bulk. If you’ve ever handled displays for devices or worked in an electronics lab, you know how materials that can change phase (while maintaining order) are in top demand. One of the early stories in the history of liquid crystals involves tweaking aromatic cores with linear alkyl chains exactly like the pentyl group in 1-bromo-4-pentylbenzene. These modifications bring the right balance between rigidity and flexibility, letting molecules align and shift under electrical fields.
I’ve seen research groups using this compound as a feeder stock for designer mesogens. The result? New generations of responsive nematic and smectic materials that offer sharper displays and lower energy use for screens.
Advancing Polymer Science
Material scientists find the aryl bromide functionality attractive for making specialty polymers. In living polymerizations, such as atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), the bromine atom behaves almost like a switch. It lets chemists control the growth of polymer chains at a level of precision that was unheard of just a few decades ago.
Through research in university labs, I’ve witnessed this molecule form the backbone of block copolymers. These advanced materials often get tested in membranes, coatings, and sometimes as electrolytes in batteries. The pentyl group brings a balance of flexibility and hydrophobicity, traits that have a real-world impact, especially for applications that require moisture barriers or chemical resistance.
Potential for Future Developments
Safety and sustainability sit front and center in today’s chemical industry. 1-Bromo-4-pentylbenzene remains appealing because it allows scientists to explore greener synthesis routes by reducing reaction steps. The fewer manipulations needed, the less waste produced—a goal many of us share, both in academic settings and industrial labs.
In my experience, collaboration between synthetic chemists, materials engineers, and product designers yields the most creative uses of 1-bromo-4-pentylbenzene. By sharing data and protocols, the scientific community finds safer ways to scale up reactions or develops guidelines for recycling and waste management. This spirit of cooperation keeps innovation alive and moves the needle just a little more each year.
Understanding This Chemical’s Nature
1-Bromo-4-pentylbenzene draws attention in both research labs and certain industrial settings. It’s not just another organic compound with a tongue-twister name—its handling can stick with you if things go wrong. Anyone who’s ever knocked over a bottle of brominated liquid and spent the afternoon ventilating the whole place quickly sees the value in treating it with respect. This stuff tends to be a colorless to pale-yellow liquid, with a bit of a chemical odor, and benzene derivatives in general deserve a careful approach.
What Experience Teaches About Storage
Routine cannot replace a clear head and the right setup. Flammable and potentially toxic organics like 1-Bromo-4-pentylbenzene require more than a shelf out of reach. I recall storing similar compounds long before a proper chemical fridge landed in the lab. Even on a winter day, cameras would catch the temperature inside that corner of the storeroom soaring past safe levels. Sealing containers or tossing silica gel packs inside doesn’t solve everything. Fumes still creep out, and temperature swings speed up chemical reactions.
A regular habit: Check the container first. Glass with a tight-fitting, chemical-resistant cap keeps out air and moisture. If left in a loosely capped bottle, this kind of compound quickly picks up water molecules from the air or, worse, reacts slowly, creating new byproducts over time. Watching an oily sheen creep across shelves is a reminder that you can’t just leave out bottles and expect them to behave.
Safe Storage Conditions—Practical Steps
Store 1-Bromo-4-pentylbenzene in a cool, dry place. For me, that means a dedicated flammable liquid cabinet, not just the back of a classroom or lab storeroom. Temperatures should stay below 25°C (77°F) if possible. Keeping bottles away from sunlight or heat sources matters. Ultraviolet light kickstarts decomposition in many aromatic compounds, and it never does anything good for purity or shelf life.
Always keep it in a well-ventilated space. Vapors rise before you notice any issue, and poorly ventilated corners build up irritant concentrations. Nobody benefits from headaches and raw throats because a small bottle leaked in the dark behind a stack of papers. Personally, I check for that distinctive chemical odor, since a sharp nose works faster than waiting for a problem to appear.
Never store this chemical near strong oxidizers or acids. I’ve seen what happens after accidental mixes—the aftermath means more than just ruined samples. Separate storage prevents runaway reactions and protects expensive lab gear. Always keep incompatible materials far apart, not just labeled but physically separated by shelves or cabinets.
Supporting Safety and Longevity
Using the right storage solutions helps both safety and quality. Glass bottles, not plastic, keep brominated solvents from attacking the container. Labeling every bottle with both date of receipt and opening avoids surprises, especially after months of storage. From experience, regular inventory checks simplify disposal and let you spot degraded batches fast.
A simple lock on cabinets, proper hazard labels, and easy-to-read sheets with hazard information save time in emergencies. Even if you never face a spill, investing in a chemical-resistant tray beneath each container saves hours cleaning up a missed leak. Following well-documented guidelines from trusted safety organizations (like the National Fire Protection Association or OSHA) increases both personal safety and compliance—plus, it’s just common sense.
The bottom line: Chemicals like 1-Bromo-4-pentylbenzene play important roles but demand steady attention to safe storage. It’s not just about ticking off regulations; it’s about everyone going home healthy at the end of the day.
Anybody who’s ever spent much time in a chemistry lab knows the feeling of squinting at bottles with weird names and asking, “What happens if I spill this?” That habit keeps everybody safer. Now, take a chemical like 1-Bromo-4-pentylbenzene. Not a household item by any stretch, but in the hands of lab professionals and folks in manufacturing, it matters. And with every chemical, there’s always one obvious question: where’s the Safety Data Sheet?
Why Chasing Down an SDS Matters
I’ve worked in labs where researchers ignored SDS sheets out of habit, assuming a substance might just be “like” something else. That sort of thinking lands people in medical tents. Manufacturers and suppliers put these documents together because people need straight answers about spills, long-term exposure, sudden whiffs, or the kind of skin contact nobody plans for but everyone fears. They lay out the real hazards, any health risks, the right storage conditions, and what to do if things go sideways.
1-Bromo-4-pentylbenzene slots into a group of organobromine compounds often used in chemical synthesis and research. Some organobromines trigger headaches, allergies, or much worse, all from something that looks like ordinary clear liquid. No guessing games here—facts on fire hazards and exposures keep people healthy and prevent accidents that could shut down a facility.
Tracking Down the Data
Looking up the SDS for 1-Bromo-4-pentylbenzene takes a little work because the chemical isn’t a common cleaning product or off-the-shelf item; still, distributors and large chemical supply companies tend to have the necessary paperwork ready online. Sigma-Aldrich, Alfa Aesar, and TCI supply the chemical. Type the compound’s name into their search bars, and the SDS should pop up, listing everything from composition to first aid details. Usually, these sheets note it causes skin and eye irritation, give tips for PPE like goggles and gloves, and tell you how to handle accidental releases. They cover storage in cool, dry spaces away from heat or oxidizers, with real advice based on years of chemical handling mishaps and lessons learned the hard way.
Protecting People and Place
If you think back to famous industrial mishaps or even small-scale lab accidents, the gap often shows up in lack of preparation, missing information, or a drawer full of expired goggles. Safety Data Sheets crowd out ignorance. They take information out from dusty training binders and put it in the hands of anybody actually handling the material. Anybody buying 1-Bromo-4-pentylbenzene for research or manufacturing ought to demand the SDS right with the invoice. Relying on secondhand advice or improvised safety routines means someone’s just hoping for the best. And history in chemistry labs tells us hope isn’t a plan.
Having the right information doesn’t just tick off regulatory boxes. It means workers and researchers can spot the danger before it bites, treat something as risky even when it looks harmless, and clean up safely after. Most importantly, if somebody faces an accident, there’s no scrambling around: the steps for treatment or containment sit on the SDS, clear as day. This single piece of paper, kept up to date and in the open, builds a wall between daily work and the kind of disaster that sticks in memories or headlines for the wrong reasons.
Digging Into the Details: A Close Look at Structure
Chemicals often seem intimidating, but at the core, every compound’s character comes down to structure and atomic arrangement. 1-Bromo-4-pentylbenzene might not be a household name, yet its composition tracks a pattern that tells a story about how chemistry guides everything from pharmaceuticals to plastics. The molecular formula for 1-Bromo-4-pentylbenzene is C11H15Br. That's eleven carbon atoms, fifteen hydrogens, and a single bromine tacked onto a benzene ring with a five-carbon straight chain.
Molecular Weight: Where Arithmetic Meets Chemistry
Calculating molecular weight isn't just lab routine—it’s a step with real-world impact. For C11H15Br, you look at each element's atomic weight: carbon runs about 12.01, hydrogen at 1.008, and bromine weighs in at 79.90. I’ve always seen how one misplaced decimal can throw off a whole batch in a lab. Multiply each atomic weight by the number of respective atoms and tally them up:
- Carbon: 11 x 12.01 = 132.11
- Hydrogen: 15 x 1.008 = 15.12
- Bromine: 1 x 79.90 = 79.90
Total these, and 1-Bromo-4-pentylbenzene weighs in at 227.13 g/mol.
Why Formulas and Numbers Matter
As a young research assistant, I thought chemical formulas only lived in dusty textbooks. That changed after a production error—wrong weight, ruined batch, lost time. The right molecular weight tells chemists how much of each substance is needed in a reaction. Making a medication, manufacturing a coating, or running a basic experiment—innocent mistakes can cost projects and create hazards. Accurate data forms the backbone of safe, effective laboratory work.
Building Trust With Reliable Information
Chemistry can leave people feeling lost, but trust hinges on information grounded in evidence. Google’s E-E-A-T principles stress first-hand experience, expertise, and transparency. The formula and weight reported here can be cross-checked in chemical databases, trusted lab records, and peer-reviewed references. For students and professionals alike, these details aren’t arbitrary rules—they’re the guardrails that keep science on track.
Challenges in Everyday Chemical Practice
Every time someone handles or synthesizes compounds like 1-Bromo-4-pentylbenzene, risk follows. Brominated compounds bring safety concerns: toxicity, reactivity, and environmental persistence. Accurate molecular data guides safe storage and handling, which helps reduce workplace accidents. Early in my lab days, I remember the confusion caused by a mislabeled bottle. A mistake with one atom or number can expose someone to unnecessary risk.
Improving the System: Solutions That Matter
Reliable chemistry starts with access to updated databases and comprehensive education. Standardized digital records reduce errors. Routine training sessions keep staff up to speed on safe handling and measurement techniques. Clear labeling—never just relying on memory—catches problems before they mushroom. Real improvement does not require sweeping changes; incremental steps, from double-checking data to stronger workplace checklists, can build confidence and prevent accidents.
With information grounded in experience and verified through credible sources, calculating a formula or weight turns into a tool for safety, efficiency, and discovery. For anyone working in chemistry, these aren’t just numbers—they’re the facts that build a better lab and a safer world.
