3,5-Difluorophenol belongs among the family of difluorinated aromatic compounds used throughout the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors. The molecular formula sits at C6H4F2O, and this particular compound carries a structure marked by two fluorine atoms substituted at the third and fifth positions of a phenol ring. These substitutions impact not only the reactivity but also the physical character compared to mono-fluorinated or non-fluorinated phenols.
Some materials sit in a grey area between solid science and daily practicality. With 3,5-Difluorophenol, properties such as melting point and boiling point often catch attention. The compound generally presents as an off-white to beige solid at room temperature, often in the form of flakes, fine powder, or sometimes crystalline pearls. Its molecular weight lands at 130.09 g/mol. The substance typically displays a melting point near 51–54°C and a boiling point in the region of 187–188°C. In the lab, it’s not uncommon to encounter slight deviations in these values due to material handling and sample purity. The density of this material, generally around 1.32 g/cm3, tells you about its compactness when handling bulk material, and bears directly on shipping, storage, and precise dosing tasks in both R&D and quality control.
Peering into the structure unveils a six-membered phenol ring, substituted by fluorines on the meta positions (positions 3 and 5). Each fluorine atom draws electron density and changes both electronic and steric properties, which shows up during synthetic manipulations or catalyst design. Chemists often exploit this configuration for molecular scaffolding, intermediates in pharmaceutical synthesis, and for tuning chemical reactions where electron-withdrawing groups speed up or slow down targeted transformations.
In regulatory or logistics conversations, the Harmonized System (HS) Code becomes critical. For 3,5-Difluorophenol, this code usually fits under 2909.50, reserved for phenol and phenol-alcohols, halogenated. These designations keep customs and regulatory filings consistent worldwide. Typical purity specifications delivered by suppliers hit anywhere between 97% and 99%, and quality assurance teams often examine the presence of residual halogenated or non-halogenated analogs. For buyers, documented specifications spell out not only minimum purity but also details like moisture content, particle sizing for powders or flakes, and recommended material handling practices.
3,5-Difluorophenol most often ships and stores as a solid—sometimes as fine powder, crystalline flakes, or compact pearls. Often, larger commercial samples appear slightly off-white. In high-purity crystalline form, faint translucency appears, though color never signals quality unless discoloration suggests degradation. Any solution containing this substance, either in water or organic solvent, takes on clarity typical for low-molecular-weight organics unless highly concentrated. Handling as a bulk solid, the material requires sealed storage because phenolics can pick up water from the air. Melting and remelting cycles sometimes yield a more homogeneous solid, and freshly opened bottles emit a mild, medicinal or phenolic odor, familiar to folks spending hours at chemical benches.
Solubility of 3,5-Difluorophenol swings with the choice of solvent. Distribution in water runs low due to aromaticity and fluorination, though it dissolves well in many organic solvents, including ethanol, acetone, and ether. Lab routines often start with dissolving this phenol in DMF, DMSO, or other polar aprotic solvents for reaction set-ups. Density, mentioned earlier, weighs into bottle labelling and secure containment to prevent unwanted spills or leaks. In my own experience, careful capping becomes crucial, since phenolic chemicals escape and taint shared air quickly, affecting those working nearby, especially if kept in higher concentrations.
Working with chemicals demands respect for health, and 3,5-Difluorophenol makes no exception. The phenolic moiety usually brings skin and respiratory irritation risks. Personal protective equipment—nitrile gloves, safety glasses, a functional lab coat—provides basic protection. The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) flags the compound as hazardous, with a particular focus on skin and eye contact, as well as inhalation hazards during handling of powders or concentrated solutions. Chronic exposure, even at low levels, can cause headaches or sensitization. Ventilated hood space acts as the first line of defense. All labs keep absorbent material handy for accidental spills, and plenty of clean running water for rinsing away accidental splashes—lessons learned from countless afternoons cleaning up accidental phenol spills.
Nearly every new drug, plastic, or advanced chemical comes from careful selection and combination of raw materials. With 3,5-Difluorophenol, the fluorine atoms enhance metabolic stability and hydrophobicity, making it valuable as a pharmaceutical intermediate. The material gets built into agrochemical products, performance polymers, and specialty coatings, exploiting those very same chemical and physical tweaks delivered by the presence of difluoro groups. In synthesis settings, this compound often acts as a nucleophile, a ligand, or a building block for larger, more complex molecules seen nowhere else. Chemical manufacturers keep ready stocks and detailed traceability records—tracking source, batch, purity, and storage—for regulatory audits and safety reviews.
A lot of the challenge in working with hazardous raw materials comes down to practical, day-by-day care. Spill management protocols grow from the reality of what happens in a busy workspace, not just from paperwork. Routine checks on storage stability, good labeling, and thorough regular training make sure everyone gets home healthy. Automatic fume extraction and closed transfer systems help, especially for bulk users, while newer packaging formats (like durable, fluoropolymer-lined containers) lengthen shelf life. Investing in robust digital tracking can help teams prevent mix-ups in high-throughput chemical production. That supports both safety and efficient use of costly raw stocks.
Accuracy around specifications, structure, and harm potential shapes every step from sourcing through final disposal. Most experienced industry hands know how even a slight mislabeling or an unnoticed impurity can wreck an entire batch or slow down a project by weeks. Tracing a compound from its raw form to its ultimate application—whether it ends up as a drug ingredient or camouflaged inside a polymer coating—translates to better outcomes for consumer safety, environmental protection, and business reputation. My years of handling similar phenolic and fluorinated intermediates have driven home the need for clear safety practices, keeping the focus not just on the impressive chemical tricks these small molecules enable, but also on their safe, thoughtful use.
