2,4-Difluorobenzaldehyde comes up a lot in discussions among chemists working with fine chemicals and raw materials for active pharmaceutical ingredients. This compound, with the molecular formula C7H4F2O, gives a strong aldehyde presence on a fluorinated aromatic ring, showing up in specialty chemistry for its unique combination of reactivity and stability. The structure consists of a benzene ring where two hydrogen atoms get swapped for fluorine at positions 2 and 4, while a formyl group (–CHO) takes up the 1-position. Chemists often rely on its distinct substitution pattern to build more complex molecules.
2,4-Difluorobenzaldehyde typically comes as a solid at room temperature, either in pale yellow flakes or fine crystalline powder, sometimes even seen in small pearls or larger crystals depending on handling and purity. The molecular weight lands near 142.1 g/mol, reflecting the influence of fluorine atoms in the chemical backbone. The density usually sits around 1.3 g/cm³, making it more dense than many non-halogenated aromatic compounds. This compound shows fairly low solubility in water, but it dissolves well in common organic solvents such as ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, or acetone, which suits it for laboratory and industrial processes. Its melting point generally ranges from 40°C to 43°C, a useful figure for recrystallization and purification.
The presence of fluorine atoms does a lot more than just changing the name—the electronegativity of fluorine pulls electron density from the benzaldehyde ring, shifting reactivity and chemical behavior. Chemists working with aromatic substitution know how those fluorines direct further functionalization mostly away from their own positions, offering predictable transformations useful in material science and pharmaceutical manufacture. The aldehyde group remains active for condensation reactions, making this chemical an option in the synthesis of specialty intermediates, dyes, or building blocks for agrochemicals. The combination of electron-withdrawing fluorine and the reactivity of the formyl group lets manufacturers use this compound to create new molecular scaffolds, which has direct impact on research efficiency.
Product specs often include purity greater than 99%, with clear limits on moisture, impurities such as related benzaldehyde derivatives, and residual solvents. Handling starts with clear guidance on appearance, color, and crystal shape, since deviations signal possible contamination. Bulk density offers easy reference for transport and storage planning, and packaging in sealed, inert containers keeps the compound stable over time. HS Code usually falls under 2912.29, lining up with other aromatic aldehydes, which matters for customs documentation and raw materials tracking.
Anyone coming into contact with 2,4-Difluorobenzaldehyde needs to know that this chemical, like many aromatic aldehydes, presents some hazards. The vapors can irritate mucous membranes, and prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause sensitization or dermatitis. Safety data sheets point out the need for gloves, goggles, and good ventilation—standard precautions in most professional chemistry environments, but easily overlooked in smaller operations. Inhalation at high concentrations can be harmful, and spills should get managed with care, using absorbent material and proper disposal procedures. Fire fighting calls for dry chemical or CO2 extinguishers since the vapors can form flammable mixtures with air. Regulatory paperwork, transport labeling, and waste handling all rely on accurate documentation of hazards and compliance with local laws. On the supply side, manufacturers need to ensure high-purity shipments, document source and batch traceability, and anticipate hazards in downstream applications.
The main draw of 2,4-Difluorobenzaldehyde comes from its value as a raw material—specifically in specialties where organofluorine compounds open up improved metabolic stability and unique bioactivity. I’ve seen it used most in pharmaceutical R&D, specialty agrochemicals development, and electronics materials. Synthesis teams like the predictable regiochemistry and reactivity, so scale-up to pilot or full production has fewer surprises than untested alternatives. It pops up in chemical catalogs worldwide, with availability in multi-kg lots, so supply bottlenecks rarely slow down innovation. End users care about consistent density, melting range, and absence of colored impurities, since process efficiency depends on predictable starting points. Traceability and documentation covering HS Code, purity grade, and safety ratings help trading partners comply with global standards. Markets for this chemical keep growing, which underlines the need for green chemistry improvements to minimize waste and limit process hazards.
Near-term focus in the industry falls on safer manufacturing routes and better control of airborne emissions since aromatic aldehydes call for respect in handling and environmental protection. Recent investment pushes automation and closed-transfer equipment to cut exposure risks. I’ve talked with colleagues about batch-to-batch reproducibility, since pharmaceutical and advanced materials markets count on each shipment matching the exact specs noted above—especially density, melting point, and impurity limits. Awareness and transparency around raw materials sourcing matter more than ever, with supply chain audits and real-time data reporting supporting both regulatory compliance and user safety. For anyone bringing on new chemical suppliers, the top priorities stay rooted in quality assurance, robust safety protocols, and prompt, accurate documentation so every drum or pallet matches the required profile from density to HS Code and hazard labeling.
2,4-Difluorobenzaldehyde reflects the growing complexity of raw material choices in today’s fine chemistry markets. As manufacturers, researchers, and suppliers, we have to keep pushing for safer working practices, stronger documentation, and forward-looking improvements in production efficiency—since these feed directly into the reliability of the end-use products. By focusing on consistent specifications, understanding real-world hazards, and supporting a closed-loop supply chain, the industry can handle these specialty building blocks safely and efficiently, driving both commercial success and responsible stewardship of hazardous materials.
