2,3-Difluorophenyl Butyl Ether belongs to the family of ether compounds shaped by attaching a butyl group to a difluorinated phenyl ring. In real-world chemistry, these sorts of molecules get their value from their unique properties — fluorine atoms boost stability and chemical resistance, while the ether group provides solubility advantages and flexibility during formulation. Chemists spot this compound in research settings, particularly in organic synthesis and the development of intermediate building blocks. Knowing what goes into the essence of this ether, users across the chemical sector look at it for both practical applications and further modifications.
Each molecule of 2,3-Difluorophenyl Butyl Ether presents a core made up of a benzene ring swapped with fluorine at positions 2 and 3, then tethered to a butyl chain via an oxygen atom. The molecular formula can be written as C10H12F2O. Those fluorine atoms impact key features — like electron density and reactivity — leading to a material that stands up to harsh conditions more than its non-fluorinated cousins. In my time working in a chemical supply environment, seeing the shift in reactivity when a couple of fluorines enter the ring always turns heads; materials get a sharp edge in both physical resilience and performance. The density often lands around 1.1-1.2 g/cm³, but this shifts depending on purity and temperature.
Standard shipments usually arrive as a colorless or pale yellow liquid, though in some storage conditions, this ether might cool into a waxy solid, presenting as flakes or even as fine powder. As a liquid, it pours easily, with a viscosity that helps in measuring out portions for small-scale reactions. In situations where freezing matters, such as low-temperature synthesis, those flakes and pearls can help, making measurements more reliable. Specifications demand attention to water content, purity, and clarity to avoid unwanted side products, especially if the ultimate use involves pharmaceuticals or electronics. Commercial grades might specify purity at 98% or above, emphasizing minimal water and low levels of residual solvents.
Every chemical intermediate needs its identity in global trade, and 2,3-Difluorophenyl Butyl Ether often falls under HS Code 2909 (Ethers, ether-alcohols, ether-phenols, and derivatives). Its molecular weight clocks in near 186.20 g/mol. Boiling points tend to hover above 240°C, and melting points usually sit low enough that room temperature keeps this compound liquid. Handling calls for proper chemical gloves; the fluorine substitution doesn’t make it benign, but it does resist breakdown by acids or bases, which helps during process engineering. In an average material safety data sheet, you’ll spot advice about ventilation and safe containment, since inhaling vapors or direct skin contact brings health risks.
Depending on production batch, packaging, and the climate around your storage facility, this ether displays a few faces. Most often, bottles hold a mobile, clear liquid, but drop the temperature and crystalline flakes or even powder may emerge. Pearls sometimes result from specific cooling or precision crystallization — handy for metered dosing. In research, seeing a material transition between liquid and solid signals purity and reveals subtle properties that could matter when scaling up a reaction. If a shipment arrives with sediment or colored impurities, the most practical lesson from experience is to review both storage conditions and supplier’s certification, rather than risk fouling a high-stakes run in the lab.
This ether dissolves in non-polar or moderately polar solvents. Solutions behave predictably, making it a prime choice for organic synthesis and as a carrier in specialty chemical reactions. Its density (frequently measured as 1.15 g/cm³) means it won’t float or sink too far compared to water; this helps during partition steps, especially in liquid-liquid extraction. From my day-to-day lab work, I’ve found that reliable density values speed up separation steps and bulk calculations. Handling measurements by the liter becomes routine for pilot plants converting raw materials on a larger scale; liters poured, grams weighed, and crystals checked under a microscope all reinforce just how much attention detail demands in this business.
Anyone interacting with 2,3-Difluorophenyl Butyl Ether has to respect its hazards. Inhaling even low concentrations of vapor can irritate eyes, mucous membranes, and—if mishandled over time—may cause longer-term harm. Spills on skin or splashes in eyes call for immediate rinsing and medical help. This isn’t a benign chemical, and those fluorine atoms, though they toughen the molecule, can increase toxicity compared to non-halogenated ethers. Proper airflow, fume hoods, and disposable gloves keep risks to a minimum. For storage, secure containers and organized labeling really save time and headaches if emergencies ever crop up.
This ether arises from precise reactions involving difluorobenzene derivatives and butylating agents under optimized conditions. What lands on a chemist’s bench required careful handling of reagents, tracing each impurity, and monitoring downstream side products. Raw material costs fluctuate with global supply of fluorinated aromatics; in the last few years, I’ve watched budgets get pinched or stretched as sourcing pipelines moved and regulations shifted. The clear takeaway comes through: before a product ever reaches market, everything from raw benzene to specialty alkyl bromides can bottleneck supply chains. For actual applications, this ether fits into fine chemicals, agrochemicals, and sometimes as intermediates in pharmaceutical synthesis—seldom the star, but often essential to getting a bigger molecule built.
Chemists and engineers put faith in the consistency and quality of intermediates like 2,3-Difluorophenyl Butyl Ether. The essentials—proper PPE, rigorous quality checks, strict adherence to MSDS guidelines—make the difference between routine work and preventable accidents. Experience proves shortcuts add up fast, especially under tight deadlines or with new team members. Clear labeling, careful dispensing, and regular safety drills actually build a culture where chemical innovation and safe practice walk hand in hand in any research or production setting.
