3-Chloro-4-fluoroaniline shows up in modern chemical labs and manufacturing plants as a solid aromatic amine, featuring a benzene ring with a chlorine at the third carbon and a fluorine at the fourth. This structure brings a mix of reactivity and selectivity that makes it valuable for further organic synthesis. Chemists often use it as a base for producing pharmaceuticals and agricultural agents. Its molecular formula, C6H5ClFN, gives away its composition: a single ring, a couple of halogens, and an amine group. Its molecular weight clocks in at 145.56 g/mol, not far off from other halogenated anilines.
Color and form matter in the warehouse. This chemical ranges from slightly yellow to light beige, turning up as crystalline flakes or powder. The density usually measures around 1.4 g/cm³ at standard temperature, giving a solid bulkiness that makes it easy to handle with the right protective gear. Melting point falls between 32 and 35 °C, so watch out when storage temperatures rise. Anyone used to handling aromatic amines will notice the faint, slightly pungent smell, though not as sharp as plain aniline. It doesn’t dissolve in water easily—just a trace at best—but slips quickly into organic solvents like acetone, methanol, and ethyl acetate. In my own experience in the lab, a tightly sealed glass bottle and a low-humidity cabinet prevent clumping or degradation.
Armed with both chlorine and fluorine atoms attached to the ring, 3-Chloro-4-fluoroaniline gives chemists targeted reactivity. These groups make substitution reactions at other sites on the ring more selective. The amine, as an electron donor, boosts nucleophilic activity, while the halogens pull on the electron cloud and resist oxidation. This balance matters in multi-step synthesis, where accidental side products eat into time and money. Production of specialty pharmaceuticals, key agrochemicals, and pigments tap into these properties. I’ve seen it used for the stepwise creation of herbicides and antibacterial agents in pilot plant runs, showing reliability batch after batch.
Quality control teams and customs inspectors check for technical details. The purity often lands above 98% by GC analysis, with only trace residual solvents allowed. I’ve dealt with HS Code 29214220 assigned for international transport and customs paperwork; getting this wrong causes paperwork jams and delivery delays. Other properties tracked by suppliers include melting point, water content by Karl Fischer titration below 0.5%, specific surface area for solid forms, and packaging in HDPE drums or glass bottles (typically one or five kilograms per unit). Consistency on particle size makes downstream processing smoother, especially when feeding into automated reactors or blending with other solid reactants.
This compound, even in neat crystalline form, demands respect. Reports and safety labels show skin and eye irritation as clear hazards, and inhalation of dust brings respiratory discomfort. The SDS lists precaution codes P264 and P280, calling for gloves, goggles, and lab coats with every use. Based on GHS, most batches get hazard codes H302 (harmful if swallowed), H315 (causes skin irritation), and H319 (causes serious eye irritation). Chronic exposure studies stay limited, though precaution always outweighs regret. In my years working with aromatic amines, routine air quality monitoring and fume hoods dropped incident rates close to zero. Safe work practices—don’t eat or drink where powders might spread, double-bag waste—go a long way toward keeping facilities running smoothly.
Waste from labs or production lines can’t go down the standard drain. Specialized disposal companies collect halogenated organics like 3-Chloro-4-fluoroaniline for high-temperature incineration. Some places regulate storage and transport as hazardous material; check local laws before arranging shipment. Spills, though rare, call for containment with sand or vermiculite and careful pickup, since residues left behind can trigger regulatory headaches. Secondary containment in storage, good ventilation, and quick spill response protect workers and the environment alike.
Sourcing this chemical means upstream players provide chlorinated aniline and fluorobenzene streams for industrial-scale halogenation. Each step in the supply chain faces audits for purity, batch traceability, and impurity profiles, which helps keep downstream products clean and reduces regulatory warnings. Facilities investing in advanced filtration—like carbon bed scrubbers for off-gassed halides—boost sustainability and keep community relations on track. Long-term, transitions to greener reagents and closed-loop solvent recovery look promising but need buy-in from both suppliers and customers.
3-Chloro-4-fluoroaniline’s story isn’t just technical detail or paperwork. Safe handling relies on boots-on-the-ground discipline, and a good supply chain grows with attention to both regulation and innovation. The solid and powder forms, tested and proven in specialty applications, keep industry wheels turning in pharmaceuticals and agriculture. Continued investment in safer processes and neutral disposal closes the loop—protecting workers and the environment for the long haul.
