1-Bromo-3,5-difluorobenzene stands as a distinctly structured aromatic compound central to many chemical syntheses. This material features a benzene ring backbone, with carefully positioned substituents—one bromine atom and two fluorine atoms found at the 1, 3, and 5 locations. That specific arrangement directly shapes its reactivity, boiling point, and solubility. With a chemical formula of C6H3BrF2 and a molecular weight of 192.99 g/mol, the compound serves key roles as a starting material, often unlocking more sophisticated molecules used across pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and advanced polymers.
1-Bromo-3,5-difluorobenzene usually appears as a colorless to pale yellow liquid at room temperature, carrying a faint aromatic scent typical of halogenated benzenes. Workers handling this chemical rarely encounter it in solid, powder, flake, or crystalline forms because its melting point, about -24°C, keeps it liquid in most indoor settings. Liquid density hovers around 1.65 g/cm³, giving it a certain heaviness that’s noticeable in hands-on laboratory work, particularly compared to lighter, purely hydrocarbon solvents. The compound’s low melting point and manageable viscosity make pipetting, transferring, and blending fairly straightforward. Decanting even small volumes calls for attention, since its strong molecular weight per liter and persistent aroma will remind anybody nearby that this is not your average laboratory solvent.
The presence of both bromine and fluorine atoms defines how this compound interacts with other chemicals. Bromine, as a relatively large atom, often acts as a leaving group in substitution reactions, opening the door for the addition of other functional groups. The two fluorine atoms, placed opposite each other, pull electron density from the benzene ring, cutting down on nucleophilic attack and shifting reactivity toward electrophilic routes. This electronic effect continues to shape how the compound behaves under heat and light, as well as in acidic or basic conditions. Chemists value these effects not just in theory—real-world yields, reaction rates, and side-product profiles can swing depending on these small details.
The commercial material tends to land between 97% and 99.5% purity, usually confirmed by gas chromatography and NMR spectroscopy. Water and impurity content can pose risks to downstream syntheses, leading many buyers to request full technical data sheets. Material comes in sealed containers, commonly shipped with clear hazard statements. The Harmonized System (HS) Code for 1-Bromo-3,5-difluorobenzene is 2903999090—a designation helping customs agents and buyers alike keep tabs on regulatory obligations and shipping requirements. This code shows up with every customs entry and each import shipment, which matters a lot for any organization tracking global chemical flows.
A chemical like this doesn’t just stand out in textbooks. Direct experience in the lab brings its hazards into focus. 1-Bromo-3,5-difluorobenzene can irritate skin, eyes, and respiratory tracts. Splashing even a minuscule drop onto the skin yields an immediate burning sensation, so laboratory coats, gloves, and splash goggles become non-negotiables. Anyone working with this chemical needs clear access to safety data sheets, up-to-date first aid kits, and exhaust fans ready to clear out persistent fumes. The material should always stay far away from open flames and sources of static. Storing it alongside compatibly stable chemicals and inside well-sealed glass bottles keeps unnecessary risks off the table.
Manufacturing of 1-Bromo-3,5-difluorobenzene usually starts with basic aromatic feedstocks, fluorinating agents, and a controlled bromination process using trusted raw materials. End-users take advantage of its unique substitution points to craft specialty molecules found nowhere else. Drug discovery teams, for example, use it as a scaffold to build new therapeutic molecules, banking on the bromine’s reactivity and the fluorines’ metabolic stability. The agrochemistry sector leans on its sturdy benzene base and halogen pattern to design molecules with selective herbicidal or insecticidal action. Polymer chemists appreciate its ability to introduce fluorinated aromatic patterns into specialty plastics, changing how materials handle heat, corrosion, and UV exposure.
While this compound opens up new frontiers in industrial, pharmaceutical, and research settings, handling the risks and supply chain hurdles grows more pressing each year. Import/export regulations keep shifting, with tighter scrutiny on halogenated compounds. On top of that, environmental activists raise concerns about the persistent toxicities of haloaromatics. Making sure that companies source, store, and dispose of 1-Bromo-3,5-difluorobenzene safely will always matter more than filling out paperwork. Suppliers and end-users should advocate not only for personal protective equipment and proper exhaust setups, but also push for real investment in greener synthesis processes based on less hazardous reagents and waste streams. Safer chemical processes will not only protect workers and the environment but also guarantee steady supplies despite shifting regulatory landscapes.
