1,2-Difluorobenzene brings a unique set of physical and chemical features. This compound stands out because of its two fluorine atoms anchored to a benzene ring in the ortho position, showing up in the world of chemicals as more than a raw material—it’s also a go-to solvent in specialty synthesis and a staple reference for those digging into NMR spectroscopy. With a chemical formula of C6H4F2, and a molar mass of about 114.09 g/mol, it offers a reliable molecular structure for those who need consistency in lab work or industrial processing.
1,2-Difluorobenzene takes shape as a clear, colorless liquid at room temperature, holding a density of around 1.19 g/cm³ at 20°C. There’s a boiling point at 90-91°C and a melting point resting between -4 and -3°C, which means that this material’s liquid form shows up in most storage and operational scenarios. The vapor pressure stands at roughly 20 mmHg at 20°C, bringing some volatility and calling for careful handling in airy workspaces. Its low solubility in water, but ease in mixing with organic solvents like ether, acetone, or ethanol, keeps it useful for industry and lab routines. The structure, with two fluorine atoms ortho on benzene, shapes both its reactivity and stability, nudging researchers to pick it as a practical benchmark or starting block in halogen chemistry and physical studies.
Liquid 1,2-Difluorobenzene appears in drums or bottles, sealed to block moisture and air. The product most commonly shows high purity, above 99%, since trace water or non-aromatic content can disrupt both research and manufacturing steps. It hardly ever arrives as flakes or powder, since its freezing point sits just below room temperature, but when cooled, it may form colorless crystalline solids instead of remaining a fluid. In some custom syntheses, techs might use it chilled to study or isolate certain intermediates, but in daily business, this remains primarily a liquid.
Each molecule stacks six carbon atoms and two fluorines in the familiar benzene ring, with the fluorines next to each other. This structure directly influences how it reacts in halogen exchange and coupling. Unlike many heavier halogen aromatics, 1,2-Difluorobenzene resists radical attack better, showing steady shelf life under standard storage. The unique arrangement brings utility in NMR—chemists lean on it as a reference because of its sharp, distinct signals from the two fluorines, a value you won’t find in all halogenated benzenes.
Density holds at a solid 1.19 g/cm³, packing more heft than plain hydrocarbons but not so much as to complicate handling. It doesn’t flake or turn into pearls; you get it as a clear, low-viscosity liquid. Sometimes, under the right cold-room conditions, you get small crystals or a slushy mass, which can be handy in specialty measurements. It pours cleanly and doesn’t stick, so those working with it in the lab know what to expect from each bottle. Industry prefers this consistency, since batch-to-batch uniformity cuts out surprises in multi-step syntheses.
Like many aromatic chemicals, 1,2-Difluorobenzene isn’t without hazards. It doesn’t snap into flames as quickly as lighter hydrocarbons, with a flash point around 24°C, but it still demands flame-proof storage and careful labeling under codes like HS Code 290369. Extended skin or eye contact can irritate, and since inhaling vapors over time can hit the respiratory system, good ventilation and reliable PPE make a difference—safety goggles, gloves, and well-ventilated benches should be non-negotiable. Unlike heavier polychlorinated counterparts, 1,2-Difluorobenzene isn’t a notorious environmental contaminant, but nobody wants to see it running off into wastewater; a spill kit and proper waste management matter.
Folks who spend time with this chemical in the lab know it as a flexible solvent—combining stability and compatibility that makes it useful in both organic synthesis and analytical chemistry. It steps in where plain benzene or less stable fluoroaromatics don’t measure up, especially as a raw material for new pharmaceutical leads or electronic chemicals. Those working with NMR instruments run into it as a reference or internal standard, leaning on its consistent response across experiments. Addressing the known safety aspects, more facilities now combine traditional fume extraction with robust storage systems to reduce risk, and training workers on precise handling steps goes a long way to cut accident rates. Switching to closed transfer systems and careful tracking—as much a culture change as a tech upgrade—can also keep small but hazardous spills off the table.
Over the years, I’ve seen how the right solvent or intermediate shapes both results and workflow. 1,2-Difluorobenzene serves as an anchor for anyone looking to balance reactivity, safety, and reliability. You may not find it in every high-volume process, but for those trying to push boundaries in fine chemicals or high purity syntheses, its stable structure and predictable density help avoid time lost on rework. Even with hazardous tags attached, teams can lean on careful storage, targeted training, and smart process design to squeeze value out of this compound without putting people or environments in harm’s way. In my own runs, swapping from older halogenated solvents to this material cut down on clean-up, reduced interference in readings, and made scaling up projects more predictable, a reminder that the physical properties and safe practices, as much as the chemical formula, decide what gets used in real labs.
