2,6-Difluorophenol stands out as a specialized chemical raw material with the molecular formula C6H4F2O, offering two fluorine atoms positioned on the benzene ring at the 2 and 6 locations. This structure gives it a unique balance between traditional phenolic compounds and modern fluorinated aromatics. In the world of chemists and manufacturers, the presence of those fluorines influences reactivity, boiling point, and even the way it interacts with other molecules during chemical synthesis.
Encountering 2,6-Difluorophenol in the laboratory or a warehouse, you find a white to off-white solid, often found as flakes or powder but sometimes as small crystals, depending on storage conditions and purity grade. Its slight, sharp odor and crystalline appearance hint at underlying purity. The density reaches around 1.339 g/cm3, noticeable for such a compact aromatic structure. When heated, it melts close to 48–49 °C, then gives off vapor with a boiling point around 182 °C. Its relative stability makes it a solid candidate for intermediates. The chemical dissolves easily in organic solvents like acetone, ether, and chloroform, but less so in water, a trait that shows up in separation work. Large producers supply it in solid form—powder, pearl, or crystalline—sealed to slow moisture absorption.
The arrangement of two fluorine atoms on a phenol backbone brings changes that organic chemists favor. Fluorine's electronegativity not only affects hydrogen bonding with other molecules but also impacts acidity; pKa values are often lower compared to unsubstituted phenol. This subtlety drives a lot of the raw material demand in pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. In pharmaceutical routes, 2,6-Difluorophenol serves as a starting point for more complex molecules, sometimes acting as a stepping stone in anti-inflammatory compounds or advanced agrochemicals. Industrial chemists sometimes reach for it when looking to tune final product properties, since the bulky, electron-rich structure can block reactions at certain positions, offering selectivity.
For international buyers and regulatory teams, the Harmonized System Code (HS Code) for 2,6-Difluorophenol helps classify it for customs. It slots into HS Code 2908.99 (halogenated, sulfonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives of phenols or phenol alcohols), which signals authorities that the material sits in the category of fine, specialty chemicals. Typical product specifications in technical data sheets list purity, moisture content, color, melting point, and sometimes solvent residues. Material is often available in industrial, laboratory, and high-purity grades—what someone chooses depends on whether it’s headed for pharmaceutical formulation or another chemical synthesis.
Handling 2,6-Difluorophenol means keeping an eye on both chemical hazards and physical risks. Classified as harmful, the compound irritates eyes, skin, and the respiratory tract. Some workers have experienced headaches or nausea just from inhaling the dust or vapors. Standard Material Safety Data Sheets (SDS) advise personal protective equipment like gloves and goggles, and storage in airtight containers away from incompatible substances. In my own work, I've seen careless handling spell disaster—once, an unsealed jar led to headaches and a lingering, unpleasant odor in the lab. Proper ventilation and clear labeling keep accidents at bay, while regular training can save hours of lost productivity or worse. Waste containing 2,6-Difluorophenol goes in designated containers due to toxicity; water treatment plants don’t always neutralize fluorinated aromatics.
Most hazards related to 2,6-Difluorophenol aren’t unique, but the risks ramp up if monitoring or protective steps fall short. Factories that take time to install point-source extraction—removing fumes at the source—see fewer health complaints. Tracking material with batch numbers, origin, and storage conditions not only helps in recall scenarios but also builds trust. Modern labs embed QR codes on bottles for real-time data access, boosting traceability. For transport, using UN-approved drums and clear UN number assignments streamlines customs and emergency response. As environmental awareness grows, research shifts toward biodegradable fluorophenol derivatives, though current markets stick with what works. Some industrial buyers request documentation covering raw material sources and supply chain impacts; transparency like this aligns with today’s push for E-E-A-T—Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness—principles.
Over the past decade, global interest in fluorinated phenols like 2,6-Difluorophenol has increased. Stringent regulatory frameworks mean every step, from synthesis to distribution, comes under scrutiny. Many industrial users realize cost savings through supplier audits, locking in contracts with manufacturers who comply with ISO and REACH standards. Pharmaceutical, electronic, and agricultural sectors keep asking for consistently high-purity material, pushing suppliers toward better analytical technologies and tighter quality control. In real practice, finding a balance between affordability and safety matters—a single contamination can threaten downstream production and reputations alike. Digitalization of documentation, serial number tracking, and rigorous lot testing allow raw materials handlers to understand not just chemical composition, but performance implications and safe end-use.
Not everyone recognizes just how interconnected raw material choices, workplace practices, and end-user safety have become. By prioritizing supplier qualifications, cross-checking certificates of analysis, and enforcing storage standards, businesses cut down on both health incidents and legal headaches. Sharing incident near-misses and safety bulletins, whether they concern 2,6-Difluorophenol or other toxic intermediates, shines a light on points for improvement. Those who have weathered a chemical scare—where a fume hood failure or spill meant calling in emergency cleanup—don’t soon forget the fallout, nor the lessons learned about communication and crisis protocols. Newcomers to chemical handling benefit from mentorship: experienced staff remind them why double-checking density or molecular weight against a trusted database avoids costly mix-ups.
| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | 2,6-Difluorophenol |
| Formula | C6H4F2O |
| Structure | Phenol ring, fluorines at 2,6-position |
| Density | ~1.34 g/cm3 |
| Physical Forms | Flakes, powder, solid, crystal |
| Appearance | White to off-white solid |
| Melting Point | 48–49 °C |
| Boiling Point | 182 °C |
| HS Code | 2908.99 |
| Hazard | Harmful, irritant |
| Applications | Pharmaceuticals, agrochemical intermediates, specialty chemicals |
| Storage | Sealed, cool, dry, ventilated |
| Raw Material Grade | Technical, laboratory, high-purity |
