2,4,6-Trifluorobenzylamine belongs to the class of fluorinated aromatic amines. The chemical structure features a benzene ring substituted with fluorine at positions 2, 4, and 6, and an aminomethyl group attached to the benzene core. Its molecular formula is C7H6F3N. The unique arrangement of fluorine atoms brings a set of physical and chemical properties that sets it apart from other benzylamine compounds. For those who have worked in chemical synthesis or pharmaceutical research, the presence of fluorine often means a jump in both the stability and bioactivity of the final product, pushing researchers to turn to this molecule for tasks that require precision and performance.
2,4,6-Trifluorobenzylamine takes a range of physical forms depending on factors like purity, temperature, and storage conditions. In laboratory settings, you most likely encounter it as a colorless to pale yellow liquid, although at lower temperatures or higher purity, the compound may present as crystals or as a solid mass that breaks down into flakes or a coarse powder. The density sits around 1.2 g/cm³, making it denser than water, which helps when trying to separate phases in extractions or purifications. Those involved in large scale handling need to keep an eye on its tendency to form pearls or crystals if stored below room temperature, and should not be surprised by a slightly pungent amine smell that hangs in the air once the bottle is opened.
The core benzene ring of 2,4,6-Trifluorobenzylamine carries three electronegative fluorine atoms, which dig deep into altering the electron balance of the molecule. This change boosts the molecule’s lipophilicity and resistance to metabolic breakdown, which is a key attribute in pharmaceutical and agrochemical development. Chemists use this raw material for building blocks in reactions that demand high selectivity because the benzylamine’s reactivity shifts due to its strong electron-withdrawing groups. The compound’s purity, often above 98%, is essential for tight-tolerance syntheses, and the material typically comes specified by its melting point range, refractive index, density, elemental analysis, and spectral data (NMR, IR).
International trading of 2,4,6-Trifluorobenzylamine requires attention to its customs classification. The HS Code system, which standardizes import and export, typically lists it under 292149 as a benzylamine derivative. Even experienced chemists can trip over paperwork delays by neglecting accurate nomenclature or product code. Shipping this chemical across borders also ties back to regulations around hazardous or harmful goods, with some countries requesting additional documentation or special labeling due to its amine group and fluorinated nature. Ensuring clear labeling, MSDS access, and compliance with REACH or TSCA registration streamlines its transport and use in research or manufacturing settings.
Fluorinated amines deliver chemical punch and 2,4,6-Trifluorobenzylamine commands real respect in the lab. The amine group lends corrosive properties that can irritate eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. You need gloves, goggles, and a well-ventilated hood to keep safe from splashes or vapors. Many years of chemical handling have taught me that even seemingly mild aromatic amines can sneak up with toxic effects if proper care slips, and this holds true for the trifluorinated versions. The compound falls under harmful or irritant classification, so storing in airtight containers, away from incompatible acids or oxidizers, makes sense for both safety and raw material integrity. Fire hazards stay low because of the fluorine content, which chills out reactivity, but amines still require careful waste disposal, often through specialized chemical incineration facilities.
Industries tap 2,4,6-Trifluorobenzylamine as a versatile intermediate. In drug discovery, this raw material carves a path to synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients designed for enhanced metabolic stability and unique biological profiles. Agrochemical laboratories use it to increase the pest resistance and longevity of their latest formulations. Specialty material companies appreciate both its basic amine function and the fluorinated skeleton, which feed into the creation of performance polymers or advanced liquid crystals. In my experience with fluorinated building blocks, a bottleneck often appears not in technical reaction success, but in timely access to high-quality raw material. Clear traceability, batch purity, and lot consistency help chemists trust this product beyond just a formula written on paper.
The molecular weight of 2,4,6-Trifluorobenzylamine clocks in at about 161.13 g/mol. Its molecular structure supports hydrogen bonding through the amine, but the ring fluorines restrain much of the normal electron cloud movement. This subtle interplay shows up in both physical tests and computational studies. Elemental analysis routinely confirms the expected 7 carbons, 6 hydrogens, 3 fluorines, and single nitrogen, supporting what the formulas predict. Spectroscopists see signature peaks: aromatic multiplets split by fluorine, amine stretches in the IR spectrum, and sharp singlets in 19F NMR. Labs running solutions measure good stability in common organic solvents like dichloromethane or acetonitrile, and the solid form stands up to months of bench storage with proper sealing against moisture or light.
Bulk material either shows up as liquid in tightly capped bottles, crystals in cold packs, or as fine powder depending on the shipping method and supplier. Density and melting point remain key identifiers on receipt. Many organic chemists opt to transfer the compound into amber glass when setting up reactions or long-term storage, preventing breakdown from stray light or trace oxygen. As a lab veteran, I vouch for routine label checks—there’s nothing worse than grabbing the wrong trifluorinated amine under time pressure. Solution preparation also factors in density and solubility, guiding measurements when scaling up from milligrams to multi-liter batches. All these details shape how easy and safe the compound is to use day to day, linking back to both research success and environmental stewardship in chemical operations.
