1-Bromo-3,4-difluorobenzene stands as an organic compound built on the benzene ring, carrying a bromine atom at the first carbon and two fluorine atoms arranged at the third and fourth positions. The clear arrangement of these elements adds both reactivity and utility, making it more than a chemical formula on a sheet. Users find it in research labs, chemical manufacturing, and often in the early stages of developing more complex molecules.
This chemical carries the molecular formula C6H3BrF2 and a molar mass near 193.99 g/mol. The benzene ring backbone offers both aromatic stability and a flat, rigid shape. Each substituent – one bromine and two fluorines – brings unique electron effects. Fluorine, with strong electronegativity, draws electrons toward itself, while bromine brings bulk and a reactive site favorable for further modification. Such a pairing offers options for synthetic chemists who seek starting materials ready for tough conditions or late-stage functionalization.
1-Bromo-3,4-difluorobenzene presents as a clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid at room temperature. Even small labs notice its low viscosity and well-defined density, measured at roughly 1.64 g/cm³. This density speaks to the halogen content built into the molecule. Though classified as a liquid, certain temperatures dip it closer to a supercooled solid, but in storage and handling, staff will usually manage a mobile, slightly oily fluid rather than a powder, crystals, flakes, or pearls. Such materials sit comfortably in glass bottles or amber glass to minimize UV degradation, as is common with halogenated aromatics.
Everyone handling 1-Bromo-3,4-difluorobenzene should recognize its risk profile. Halogenated benzenes frequently show muscle for both inhalation and skin exposure hazards. Prolonged or repeated contact brings a risk of respiratory, skin, and eye irritation. Often, those working with it use nitrile gloves, splash goggles, and a fume hood to cut down exposure. Fire safety teams watch for its combustibility in open flame scenarios and possible toxic decomposition products like hydrogen bromide or fluorinated vapors. Emergency protocols usually sit ready in any lab with this material on the shelf. On environmental grounds, it should be kept far from drains and soil, since aromatic halides resist breakdown and can pile up in aquatic systems.
This compound's worth stretches from raw material for pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals right up to specialty polymers. Chemists pull value from its bromine, which serves as a reactive handle, making the molecule ready for Suzuki, Heck, or other cross-coupling reactions. Adding new groups onto the aromatic ring gets much easier, thanks to the reactive bromine and the stabilizing fluorines. Electronic and optical industries pursue difluorinated aromatic rings for liquid crystals, OLED precursors, or advanced chemical sensors. Its raw purity and reactivity have supported teams developing products from anti-inflammatory agents to specialty solvents.
Reliable suppliers provide 1-Bromo-3,4-difluorobenzene with strict quality benchmarks. Buyers expect reports confirming purity above 98%, minimal mixed halides, and tight moisture limits. Typical batch specifications come with GC or HPLC data showing solid separation from unwanted isomers or similar aromatics. For shipping, workers use leakproof bottles wrapped for hazardous materials — every drum labeled with the correct UN number and clear hazard statements as required by international shipping codes.
In cross-border sales, 1-Bromo-3,4-difluorobenzene usually falls under the HS Code 290369. This umbrella covers halogenated derivatives of aromatic hydrocarbons, not further specified in the tariff books. Labs and warehouses need proper paperwork, and customs checks frequently dive into exact documentation and test reports. Exporters treat it as a chemical with dual-use potential—safe on its own, but capable of entering other chemical syntheses or material streams, so trade control teams stay alert.
Site managers choose storage solutions kept cool, away from ignition sources, and always in tightly sealed vessels. Direct sunlight or rough handling gets avoided, since light or mechanical shock can sometimes push halogenated aromatics toward unwanted reactions. Teams log any leaks or spills, clean with specific absorbents, and treat each clean-up as a chemical response, not just routine housekeeping. Good records track every liter in and out, and waste gets held for specialized incineration or high-temperature processing.
Chemical users have become more aware of the environmental and health burdens that go with these molecules. A push exists in research to design alternatives using lighter, less persistent halogenated rings or green chemistry methods. Some product designers already move toward replacement by biosourced aromatics or molecules using milder halogens like chlorine, but in many syntheses, nothing currently matches the power of a difluorobenzene core modulated by bromine. Safer handling practices, better training, and clear communication with downstream users help reduce the risk for chemical techs and end-users alike. Policies with strong focus on risk assessment, exposure minimization, and proper chemical hygiene keep incidents low and safety culture strong.
