2-Fluoroaniline shows up in industrial catalogs as a specialized organic molecule, valued for a quirky twist—one hydrogen in the iconic aniline ring gets replaced by a fluorine atom at the ortho position. You get a colorless to pale yellow liquid at room temperature, sometimes described as oily or slightly viscous. The chemical formula spells out C6H6FN, with a molecular weight calculated at 111.12 g/mol. This small shift—just a single fluorine plugging into the aromatic ring—makes it valuable in chemical synthesis and research, offering new directions that plain old aniline can't reach. Lab folks notice the mild but distinct odor, not too strong but still something you remember. 2-Fluoroaniline’s chemistry sets it apart as a useful building block for pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and material science.
Dig into the physical traits—2-Fluoroaniline stays liquid under normal lab conditions, melting at about -9 °C and boiling near 181 °C. The density comes in around 1.179 g/cm3, so it's a bit heavier than water, a fact that shows up easily when decanting or separating layers in glassware. The ortho-fluoro group tweaks the electron density across the ring, changing how this compound interacts, reacts, and even smells compared to its relatives. You’ll find its structure drawn with a benzene ring, an amino group (–NH2) on one carbon, and the fluorine sitting right next door. That tight positioning matters in synthesis, since it steers reactions with acids, bases, and other electrophiles along distinct routes. Most samples arrive as clear or barely tinted liquids—no surprise for someone who enjoys working with aromatic amines in the lab. Crystalline or solid forms rarely show up at room temperature, but chilling the sample well below freezing brings out slippery, glistening flakes.
Industrial shipments tag 2-Fluoroaniline with the HS Code 29214200, categorizing it among aromatic amines set for customs and transport regulation worldwide. Commercially, it comes packaged as a liquid in glass or heavy-duty polymer bottles, tightly sealed to avoid leaks and fumes. Most suppliers disclose purity running above 98%, with only trace impurities tolerated—a necessary demand in analytical labs and pharmaceutical production. Occasionally, you might spot it in crystal or powder form after a chill or careful solidification, but preparing solutions remains the most common route for direct use. A liter of this specialty chemical packs a hefty punch in both volume and reactivity, so chemists treat it with respect. As a raw material, it sits near the front of the supply chain in specialty chemical and drug synthesis, offering a reactive amino group and the predictable tug of fluorine for building complexity.
The functional groups on 2-Fluoroaniline define its personality in the lab: a fused fluorine and amino combo drives unique behavior in reactions. Fluorine’s draw on electron density amps up the stability against oxidation compared to plain aniline, so the material stores a little better over time. Solubility comes up as a mixed bag—moderately soluble in water but freely miscible with organic solvents like ethanol, diethyl ether, or chloroform. Researchers leverage the molecule’s balance between electron-rich amino and the halogen’s hungry pull to create medical intermediates and advanced polymer materials. Handling it—keeping gloves, eyewear, and fume extraction part of the routine—is crucial, since even casual skin contact or vapor inhalation can turn hazardous for the unwary.
Dealing with 2-Fluoroaniline, safety makes a difference each day in the lab. The compound tests as toxic, showing harmful effects by inhalation, ingestion, or skin absorption. Early symptoms can show up as headaches, dizziness, or skin irritation, and higher doses get much worse—methemoglobinemia can develop, disrupting oxygen delivery in the blood. Chemical training drives home that any spill or exposure needs immediate washing, ventilation, and medical attention. The molecular structure—aromatic, halogenated, and with an exposed amino group—signals potential risks for both short-term accidents and long-term health impacts. Industrial users lean on closed handling systems, regular glove checks, and storage in cool, dry, well-labeled spaces, far from strong oxidizers or acids. Even small leaks push strict response protocols, with waste streams managed carefully due to the harmful breakdown products.
Markets for 2-Fluoroaniline link directly to the surge in demand for fluorinated intermediates in pharmaceuticals and crop protection. Drug chemists count on the compound for preparing newer generations of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents, and experimental therapies, banking on the unique metabolic stability fluorine brings. In agrochemicals, adding a fluorinated touch to aniline frameworks leads to molecules that outlast sunlight, rainfall, and shifting soil pH—key for next-level pesticides and herbicides. Material scientists prize its role in advanced polymers, coatings, and specialty resins that need thermal or chemical resilience. Pricing and availability shift with the cost of precursors and changing regulatory rules, as governments keep a close eye on hazardous chemicals moving between countries. While the product rarely shows up outside factories or research centers, its fingerprints stretch throughout high-value supply chains around the world.
The challenge many face—myself included—in sourcing and handling 2-Fluoroaniline boils down to balancing chemical innovation with strict safety standards. Some manufacturers explore greener routes to aromatic amines, cutting dangerous byproducts and leaning on renewable feedstocks when possible. Waste minimization, better air handling, and modern safety training play key roles in staying ahead of both regulatory and personal risk. Tracking with E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) principles, any use or recommendation for 2-Fluoroaniline needs firm grounding in direct, hands-on knowledge along with up-to-date data from peer-reviewed research and trusted industry guidelines. At the end of the day, keeping the workspace organized, procedures tight, and communication open stands out as the single best way to stay productive while respecting the hazards natural to the chemical world.
