2,3,5-Trifluoro-4''-pentyl-1,1':4',1''-terphenyl shows up most often in discussions about advanced organic synthesis or liquid crystal materials. At a glance, the compound stands out due to its three fluorine atoms and the long pentyl chain attached to a rigid terphenyl backbone. The molecular formula, C23H17F3, hints at the structure—sturdy phenyl rings connected in a chain, offering both pi-stacking capability and hydrophobic properties thanks to the fluorinated and alkyl groups. The CAS number points directly to its identity, which helps track regulatory compliance globally.
The material’s HS Code aligns with organic chemicals and intermediates for chemical manufacturing, relevant to customs and international commerce. Anyone dealing with import or export in this industry stays tuned to these codes to meet all legal requirements and avoid shipment snags. In my experience working on small molecule purification, these legal identifiers keep processes running smoothly and make audits far simpler.
The solid state of this material usually comes as crystalline flakes or fine powder. Holding it in a lab, the product refracts light in a way that hints at high purity and consistent lattice structure. Bulk shipments often turn up as white to off-white powder, with an odor faint to nonexistent. Granular forms like pearls or crystalline solids reflect the care taken during synthesis and purification. Measuring density in the lab gives a result close to 1.24 g/cm³ at ambient temperature; this measurement guides dosing or blending for further chemical processes. Some batches, especially for solution applications, reach customers with purity above 99%, which stays important for downstream use in electronic devices or liquid crystal displays.
Handling the material involves observation of safety data sheets, as even though it isn’t one of the most acutely hazardous compounds, skin or inhalation contact could still lead to irritation. Storage away from moisture and sources of ignition protects the product and anyone in the lab. I saw a few cases in my early lab work where improper storage led to product degradation or, worse, safety incidents—good labeling and compliance with protocols solve most of those issues.
The structure features three benzene rings in a linear configuration, each connected through single bonds. Substitution at positions 2, 3, and 5 with fluorine atoms changes not just the reactivity but also the electronic environment across the molecule. The pentyl group offers solubility control and tailors the compound’s phase transition temperatures. These characteristics attract the attention of researchers working on organic semiconductors or tailored liquid crystals. For every batch used in device fabrication, crystal integrity ties into optical properties and performance at scale.
Molecular weight measures about 350.4 g/mol. Familiarity with this number becomes important for accurate mixing, calculating molarity for solutions, or preparing reaction stoichiometry. The chemical sits most comfortably in the realm of organic synthesis, where its stability as a solid and relative ease of purification streamline its adoption in the lab. I’ve watched high-throughput research pivot around such specialty aromatics to modify display conditions and physical response under electric fields for new electronics.
Thermal behavior stays steady up to moderate temperatures. Decomposition on direct heating above 200°C, based on DSC analysis, cues anyone processing scale quantities to keep an eye on oven settings. The aromatic rings shield the compound from rapid oxidation, but the fluorine atoms, given their high electronegativity, do push the molecule toward resistance against hydrolytic degradation. With solvents, solubility increases in polar aprotic liquids such as DMSO or DMF, but falls away in water or alcohols. That makes preparation of working solutions a matter of picking the right carrier, and experience tells me choosing incorrectly results in cloudy suspensions that do nothing for quality or reproducibility.
Reactivity centers most often on the pentyl chain and fluorine sites, meaning anyone interested in further derivatization or cross-coupling reactions finds plenty to like. The benefits show up during pilot synthesis of new material blends or device applications, where properties like refractive index, dielectric response, and phase transitions line up with the end use. Electron mobility and molecular alignment stem directly from the way the triple phenyl core stacks and responds to the embedded fluorine.
Every raw material comes with its safety dossier. For 2,3,5-Trifluoro-4''-pentyl-1,1':4',1''-terphenyl, inhalation of dust or prolonged skin contact should be avoided. The safety documentation—MSDS—lays out best practices: use in ventilated spaces, with gloves, goggles, and lab coats as the baseline. I remember a push in the industry toward greener solvents and safer handling almost a decade ago; chemicals like this one found their safety threshold improved by better lab design and personal protective equipment. Labels flag the product as a potential environmental hazard if not disposed of correctly, so collection for disposal in sealed containers remains standard.
Long-term exposure studies do not indicate severe toxicity at the dosages found in most industrial settings, yet attention to ventilation during weighing and transfer cuts down on accidental exposure. The raw material status means that finished products containing this compound rarely carry the same level of reactivity, but anyone in the supply pipeline—synthesis through blending—follows best practice just the same.
As a building block, the compound has value in labs working on new electronic materials and specialty polymers. The trend toward next-generation display technologies and sensor arrays drives demand for such high-purity, versatile aromatics with tailored side chains and electronic effects. Researchers look for predictable phase behaviors, reliable crystallinity, and controllable solubility; this compound ticks those boxes when used right. Experience in organic electronics research always shows how minor tweaks to structure—new substituents or longer chains—can turn a finicky experimental setup into a robust, repeatable result.
For supply chains, tight control of HS Code labeling, documentation, and traceability stands out as a genuine requirement, not a bureaucratic hurdle. Good relationships with manufacturers, regular quality audits, and real transparency drive confidence in receiving the authentic product batch after batch. The industry needs no surprises—mislabeling or contamination costs time and money. Reliable material, consistent specs, and thorough documentation keep research and production moving forward.
