4-Butyl-3-fluorobiphenyl carries attention in chemistry circles for unique structural features and physical performance in synthesis and industry. The chemical structure includes a butyl group at the fourth position and fluoride on the third, attached to a biphenyl skeleton. This gives the compound a distinct profile both in molecular shape and functionality. The molecular formula stands as C16H17F, with a molecular weight near 228.31 g/mol, shaping many of its measurable properties such as volatility, solubility, and phase behavior under lab and production conditions.
In appearance, 4-Butyl-3-fluorobiphenyl often turns up as an off-white to pale beige solid. The form may shift between small flakes, powder, or crystalline grains, depending on processing and storage. Some batches reveal a slight sheen or crystalline pearl aspect after proper recrystallization. Density falls in the range of 1.03 to 1.07 g/cm3, lending clues to its packing under pressure and mixing qualities alongside other solvents. Melting point averages range from 50°C to 60°C, while boiling hovers near 310°C, keeping it stable through a wide working window but still requiring thoughtful handling above room temperature.
With a backbone formed from two phenyl rings, this biphenyl derivative resists easy oxidation or reduction and can hold up under moderately harsh reaction setups. The butyl side chain increases lipophilicity, which often makes the compound more soluble in nonpolar organic solvents such as hexane, chloroform, or ether but less friendly with water. The fluorine attached enhances both electronic properties and the physical resilience of the molecule, pushing its value in pharmaceutical research, advanced material creation, and specialty chemical syntheses. Labs looking to build more complex or targeted molecules reach for 4-Butyl-3-fluorobiphenyl because it stands up during catalytic reactions and introduces interesting chemical handles for further derivatization.
Safe storage and handling draw from its classification as a solid at standard conditions, but users must take personal care due to its classification as a synthetic aromatic hydrocarbon. While there’s limited direct evidence about acute toxicity for this specific compound, related biphenyl derivatives can cause systemic irritation through inhalation, skin contact, or accidental ingestion. Proper laboratory hygiene stays important: use of gloves, protective coats, and well-ventilated environments cut down on risk, while closed storage in labeled, airtight containers at cool temperatures helps manage volatility and contamination. Operators should never discharge it directly into wastewater streams, as persistence and possible breakdown products could challenge water systems.
The harmonized system (HS) code for aromatic biphenyl derivatives such as 4-Butyl-3-fluorobiphenyl lands in the 290290 compound group, covering various halogenated, nitrated, or nitrosated derivatives of hydrocarbons. Import and export require clear documentation and adherence to local chemical transport and storage legislation. For those sourcing internationally, a close relationship with customs and regulatory partners helps avoid shipment holdups and licensing snags, especially as rules grow tighter around aromatic fluorinated substances worldwide.
In practical environments, I’ve seen 4-Butyl-3-fluorobiphenyl used both as an intermediate in specialty organic syntheses and as a controlled feedstock for new material design. Its physical consistency means that measuring, weighing, and blending operations run smoothly compared to stickier or highly hygroscopic substances. The clean, powder-to-crystal transitions under controlled cooling give a reliable process endpoint, lowering batch variability. In industry, handling always puts spotlight on downstream waste capture and vapor recovery, especially since fluorinated aromatic compounds receive extra scrutiny for environmental impact. The rise in demand for specialty fluorinated aromatics pushes countless chemical operators to invest more in ventilation upgrades and bulk containment. The safety profile of this material largely mirrors other low-volatility organics, but safe disposal and user awareness form the backbone of day-to-day handling practices— nobody wants to risk persistent organics escaping containment streams.
4-Butyl-3-fluorobiphenyl stands out for its mix of specialized utility, sturdy chemistry, and manageable handling, but these strengths only shine when suppliers, users, and regulators each keep close watch on specifications, safe use, and compliance. Chemistry guides decision-making as much in the lab as it does in logistics and waste management. Products built with smart choices in raw materials such as this one reach testing, markets, and end use without the headaches of bad batches or unsafe exposures. Transparency about molecular, physical, and safety properties makes that possible, and it keeps research and manufacturing operating smoothly across borders.
