5-Fluoroindolin-2-one describes an organic compound belonging to the indolinone family, shaped by the presence of a fluorine atom at the 5-position of an indolin-2-one core. This material combines elements of both indole and ketone chemistry, letting it play a role as both a research tool and a potential building block for pharmaceuticals. Across the chemical sector, this molecule appears primarily as a fine, pale to off-white solid, though larger batches sometimes reveal a slightly more crystalline or powdery texture. In some laboratories, a crystalline form gives a tell-tale glimmer, showing purity, while occasionally being provided as a solution for ease of measurement. As a raw material, 5-Fluoroindolin-2-one appeals to synthetic chemists because of its reactivity and ability to serve as an intermediate for further functionalization.
The chemical structure of 5-Fluoroindolin-2-one builds on the bicyclic skeleton of indolinone: a benzene ring fused to a saturated nitrogen-containing five-membered ring. Substitution with fluorine at the 5-position modifies both electron density and reactivity, affecting binding and downstream use. Chemically, its molecular formula reads as C8H6FNO, giving it a molar mass near 151.14 g/mol. Molecular weight and formula hint at its relatively small size, making it handleable in both milligram and gram scales. Given its fluorine substitution, 5-Fluoroindolin-2-one stands apart in its family for slight differences in reactivity and potential metabolic fate.
5-Fluoroindolin-2-one comes mainly as a solid, found as free-flowing powder, granules, or crystalline flakes, depending on manufacture and batch. Powdered forms allow accurate weighing, while larger flakes can crunch between fingers if gloves aren’t worn. The substance tends toward low solubility in water, dissolving more readily in common organic solvents like dichloromethane or ethanol, making it suitable for use in both laboratory and industrial reactors. Density generally sits around 1.3 g/cm³, often measured at 20°C, a value that lets buyers calculate shipping weight and storage volume. Melting point tends to range from 103°C to 107°C, which eases purifying crude batches by recrystallization.
Commercial stocks usually provide detailed specifications: assay commonly reaches 98% or greater, with impurity profiles covering related halogenated indolinones and trace solvents from synthesis. Packaging keeps out moisture, since the powder can clump or lose flow if left in ambient humidity for too long. Some suppliers store in amber bottles, preserving color and preventing decomposition—a sign that handling instructions deserve attention. From firsthand lab use, scraping crystals from glass can release faint, aromatic notes, a reminder to ventilate even benign-looking specimens. In solutions, 5-Fluoroindolin-2-one may appear nearly colorless to slightly pale yellow, a sign of both purity and stability under proper conditions.
As international trade depends on transparent categorization, 5-Fluoroindolin-2-one usually ships labeled under Harmonized System (HS) Code 2933.39, fitting it into the broader indole-derivative category. Global buyers should cross-check national schedules, as regulatory status can shift with new toxicology findings or evolving pharmaceutical frameworks. Experience shows that paperwork and customs checks can slow delivery, especially if documentation lacks a clear molecular description or safety sheet.
Direct, hands-on work with 5-Fluoroindolin-2-one calls for classic lab precautions. Dust can irritate mucous membranes and skin, and from working with similar compounds, even those listed as low-to-moderate toxicity can pose harm without gloves or proper eye protection. While the acute oral LD50 for rodents sits above 300 mg/kg—pointing somewhat lower toxicity than many halogenated aromatics—absence of long-term, detailed toxicity data means caution always leads the way. Always avoid inhalation, and keep powders capped to sidestep environmental contamination or unwanted exposure. Proper chemical storage relies on an airtight, cool, and dark place, using secondary containment to block accidental spills. Waste needs directing into halogenated organic streams, preventing environmental release, as fluorinated organics sometimes resist natural breakdown. Emergency protocols build from the notion that even compounds with little smell or color pack risk, especially in uncontrolled conditions or outside professional hands.
As a starting material, 5-Fluoroindolin-2-one opens routes to active pharmaceutical ingredients, agrochemicals, and advanced molecular probes. Researchers find fluorinated scaffolds increase target affinity in drug design, often improving metabolic stability and binding selectivity. My own experience in university labs showed how manipulation with palladium catalysts or basic conditions swaps out the ketone or opens access to further fluorine substitutions, mapping out a landscape of molecular diversity from just this one core. Downstream users appreciate consistency in melting point, purity, and spectral fingerprint, checking each lot by NMR and mass spectrometry to confirm integrity before pushing forward with expensive syntheses. As manufacturers tie quality to batch records and transparency, buyers can better trace issues and build confidence in every delivered gram.
Working with fluorinated organics comes with long-term consequences, both in human health and environmental persistence. As with many synthetic raw materials, accidental release or improper disposal poses both regulatory and environmental hazards, especially as downstream fate can sometimes include bioaccumulation or resistant breakdown products. More companies focus on green chemistry, looking for alternative routes to limit waste or incorporate safer solvents, but ultimate responsibility still sits with those using and disposing of 5-Fluoroindolin-2-one. Good chemical stewardship puts clear hazard labeling and transparent communication at every exchange, turning a potentially risky compound into a responsible part of research and manufacture.
