1-Bromo-2-Methylpropane: A Closer Look at a Specialty Chemical
Historical Development
Organic halides like 1-Bromo-2-Methylpropane didn’t pop up overnight. Early chemists started out with simple distillations of plant oils, noticing how the introduction of halogen atoms changed chemical behavior. The 20th century gave chemists better tools to control these reactions. 1-Bromo-2-Methylpropane found its niche as researchers pushed for molecules that could serve as building blocks in organic synthesis. Industries sought out this compound for its reliability in forming carbon-bromine bonds, especially as the pharmaceutical industry boomed. The move from small-batch lab work to scalable industrial production answered a direct need for efficiency in chemical processes, rather than following some abstract route of discovery.
Product Overview
1-Bromo-2-Methylpropane stands out as a colorless liquid, recognizable by its sweetish smell. In trade, some know it as Isobutyl bromide. Producers break down quality through purity, water content, and the absence of side products. Users working in synthesis want repeatable results, so most premium suppliers target purity above 98%. Large drums, small bottles – these aren’t just containers; the packaging reflects the hazards and the demand from customers who need tight controls on what goes in and out of their labs. This specialty chemical rarely spends long on warehouse shelves because labs and factories burn through it quickly for core synthetic tasks.
Physical & Chemical Properties
This liquid holds a boiling point right around 90–92°C and a melting point far below standard room temperature. Such a low boiling point makes it volatile in open air, which means careful handling stays essential to keep product loss in check and minimize inhalation risks. The dense bromine atom gives it a much higher density than water, so it sinks, not floats, in spills. As a non-polar solvent, it barely dissolves in water, but it mixes well with most organic liquids. These characteristics shape every step, from storage design to practical use on the bench.
Technical Specifications & Labeling
Every jug, bottle, or bulk container leaves the factory with labels showing more than just “1-Bromo-2-Methylpropane.” Each comes stamped with its CAS number 78-77-3, batch identification, production and expiry dates, impurity content, hazard warnings, and safe handling instructions – in compliance with international transport and workplace safety laws. Chemists who work with it rely on these specifications to compare lots and troubleshoot their reactions or processes. Typical specifications call for less than 0.2% water and minimum purity grades, verified by gas chromatography or NMR. Quality control depends on this information being on point; a careless label spells disaster for downstream users.
Preparation Method
Making 1-Bromo-2-Methylpropane draws on standard reactions. Most producers start with isobutanol or isobutylene. Treatment with hydrogen bromide, often in the presence of a catalyst or sometimes with sulfuric acid, swaps out the hydroxyl or alkene with a bromine. Scaling this up means controlling temperatures, feeding rates, and side reactions to avoid making piles of polychlorinated or polybrominated byproducts. Before packaging the finished product, distillation takes place under controlled conditions to separate the target molecule from leftovers. Each step in this process connects directly with classic procedures taught to chemistry undergraduates, only at much higher stakes.
Chemical Reactions & Modifications
As a reagent, 1-Bromo-2-Methylpropane reacts with nucleophiles in straightforward substitution (SN2) reactions, turning into isobutyl derivatives or other branched compounds. Chemists favor this route to create new carbon-carbon or carbon-nitrogen bonds. Grignard reagents from 1-Bromo-2-Methylpropane become handy for forming new skeletons in multi-step syntheses. The molecule doesn’t just show up as a final product – it serves as a foundation for something else, whether that’s an agrochemical, a drug precursor, or a flavoring intermediate. In labs, minor changes to conditions – like changing solvent or temperature – redirect the reactivity and open new doors in molecule design.
Synonyms & Product Names
1-Bromo-2-Methylpropane doesn’t just go by a single name. In catalogs and chemical lists, it pops up as Isobutyl bromide, 2-Methyl-1-bromopropane, and Isobromobutane. Searching under different names can lead chemists to custom suppliers or special product grades, so it pays to browse thoroughly. Variant names reflect both how the molecule looks on paper as well as the traditions of different scientific backgrounds. This mix of names can lead to confusion, especially in global supply chains, demanding careful cross-checks when placing orders or developing new research.
Safety & Operational Standards
Working with chemicals like 1-Bromo-2-Methylpropane never goes by guesswork. This liquid can irritate skin, eyes, and the respiratory tract, demanding gloves, goggles, and well-ventilated spaces. Handling spills calls for immediate action: splash it on your hand, rinse for at least 15 minutes. Breathing high concentrations can cause headache or nausea. Its volatility means fume hoods keep operators safer. Rules put out by regulatory bodies set strict personal exposure limits, and workplace monitoring rides shotgun on every bottle moved or batch synthesized. Training new staff becomes critical – you don’t just read the material safety data sheet and move on, but drill with mock incidents until reactions become second nature.
Application Area
1-Bromo-2-Methylpropane drifts beyond basic bench chemistry. In drug manufacturing, it helps set up side chains on molecules that become complex therapies. Agrochemical research draws on it to build pesticide scaffolds. Polymer industries look to it for specialty plasticizers, surfactants, or additives where regular straight-chain bromides fall short. Universities keep it stocked for undergraduate and graduate research, especially for making branched alkyl halides – a building block for more advanced lab work. Its reach extends to flavors and fragrances, though strict guidelines control residues thanks to concerns about potential toxicity.
Research & Development
As labs push for more efficient reactions, 1-Bromo-2-Methylpropane finds itself under new scrutiny. Researchers tweak conditions to boost yields or cut down on hazardous byproducts during its manufacture and subsequent use. Academic groups, especially those working in synthetic chemistry, turn to it for total syntheses of natural products or the probing of reaction mechanisms. Industrial teams, by contrast, chase after renewable feedstocks or “greener” brominating agents, keeping an eye on both environmental mandate and cost cutting. Patents for processes involving 1-Bromo-2-Methylpropane continue to rise, showing that this compound hasn’t hit its peak in the R&D pipeline.
Toxicity Research
Scientists started testing the safety profile of brominated alkanes back when workers first reported headaches and nausea from fumes. Detailed animal studies on 1-Bromo-2-Methylpropane point to moderate acute toxicity, with central nervous system effects after inhalation or skin absorption. Chronic exposure can damage the liver and kidneys over time. Regulations now limit workplace exposure and call for regular medical monitoring where bulk quantities get used. In aquatic environments, accidental spills present risks to wildlife, so waste management and accidental release plans rank high. Toxicity remains a driver for the search for safer alternatives, especially as safety regulators crank up the pressure on bromine-containing chemicals.
Future Prospects
The future for 1-Bromo-2-Methylpropane will depend on how the chemical industry adapts to new pressures. Demand should stay strong in syntheses that need branched alkyl bromides, especially in drug and agrochemical pipelines. Green chemistry will shape how it gets made and used, pushing companies toward routes with less waste and lower emissions. As regulatory scrutiny tightens, both on toxicity and on overall environmental impact, researchers keep hunting for new brominating systems or safer substitutes. Emerging fields – whether it’s more targeted pharmaceuticals, new polymers for electronics, or novel surfactants – might find new roles for this old standby. Efficiency, safety, and regulatory adaptability will shape its survival as a valuable chemical building block.
Understanding Its Structure
Ask any organic chemist about 1-Bromo-2-methylpropane, and the answer comes quick: its chemical formula is C4H9Br. The structure holds four carbons, arranged so that a methyl group branches off the second carbon, while a bromine atom attaches to the first. This isn’t just trivia. Knowing the way atoms connect in this molecule helps us predict its behavior, reactivity, and its place in research and industry.
Why Chemical Formulas Still Matter
Plenty of people outside of labs shrug off these formulas as academic. Anyone mixing chemicals in a high school classroom, working in a pharma lab, or making new plastic building blocks recognizes the importance. The difference between adding a methyl group or swapping out a hydrogen for bromine changes a compound’s boiling point, toxicity, and usefulness.
I remember running a reaction in college where a single misplaced halogen turned the whole result from a useful solvent into a dangerous byproduct. Reading the formula C4H9Br out loud, the image of that bromo group standing out on the first carbon comes right back.
Real-World Use
Chemical plants keep tight control over compounds like 1-Bromo-2-methylpropane. It finds its way into the toolbox of organic synthesis, helping make medicines, flavors, or new materials. The halogen (bromine) placement shapes how it reacts, especially in making larger molecules, since it guides where new groups get attached. This isn’t about trivia in a textbook, but making a difference in the final price of a pharmaceutical ingredient, or the ease of making a new type of compound.
Points of Caution and Safety
Any time we deal with organic bromides, safety moves from theory to reality. Exposure can cause skin, eye, or lung irritation, and its volatility requires ventilation systems that don’t cut corners. I’ve always kept a mental checklist—fume hood on, gloves checked, spill kit close. The decades of experience in chemical safety standards say the same: treat these compounds with respect.
Transparency and Trust
Mislabeling or misidentifying chemicals causes more than lost experiments. Labs recall stories of mistaken ingredients leading to dangerous reactions. Problems range from wasted money to real safety threats. That’s why every bottle, every SDS sheet, every chemical shipment stays under scrutiny. Anyone using C4H9Br expects and needs accuracy for health and results alike.
Pushing for Stronger Chemical Literacy
Getting more comfortable with formulas like 1-Bromo-2-methylpropane builds confidence across fields. For teachers and young students, translating a formula into a mental picture gives them a foothold in chemistry. For professionals, it saves money and keeps people safe. Sharing that knowledge, even at the kitchen table or in a local classroom, helps demystify what goes on in beakers and factories worldwide.
Practical Steps for Better Practices
Keeping up with clear labeling, providing real training on chemical handling, and investing in ventilation and spill protocols all pay back in fewer injuries and better science. Trust grows when people use the right names and formulas, with real knowledge instead of shortcuts. Looking up a chemical formula isn’t about showing off—it's about doing the job right from start to finish.
A Look Into The Chemistry Lab
1-Bromo-2-methylpropane tends to show up in the toolkits of chemists working in both industry and academia, and not without good reason. With its four-carbon structure and reactive bromine atom, this compound fits perfectly into the category of alkylating agents. People who study organic synthesis know just how useful it can be for forming carbon–carbon bonds. The bromine atom stands out as a great leaving group, which means this chemical reacts with nucleophiles in straightforward substitution reactions. In student labs, I’ve watched beginners grasp these substitution mechanisms using simple examples like this one before moving onto more complex molecules.
Its value extends past the textbooks. 1-Bromo-2-methylpropane gets used regularly during the creation of specialty intermediates. Chemists seeking to build molecules with a neopentyl group—a specific branching chain—often start with this compound. As someone who’s spent time optimizing yields for reactions, I can say that finding a building block that both reacts predictably and creates manageable byproducts can drastically cut down on time spent troubleshooting.
Pharmaceutical Building Block
A big chunk of its commercial demand comes from the pharmaceutical industry. Medicinal chemists hunt for new drugs by tweaking the structure of candidate molecules, attaching different groups to see how they interact with biological targets. Adding a 2-methylpropyl (isobutyl) group changes how a molecule behaves in the body—boosting stability, or adjusting its ability to cross cell membranes. 1-Bromo-2-methylpropane serves as the “handle,” letting scientists insert this branching piece onto larger molecules. Real-world examples include antihistamines, muscle relaxants, and various intermediates in drug development pipelines. Researchers benefit from the consistency and reactivity of this chemical, especially during the early stages of process development.
Making Agrochemical Ingredients
Pesticides and herbicides demand the same kind of synthetic creativity as pharmaceuticals. Companies interested in improving crop yields or tackling weeds rely on a similar approach: try slightly altered molecules and observe the results. I’ve seen several patents describing the use of 1-Bromo-2-methylpropane to create isobutyl derivatives that act as active ingredients or additives, and these can influence everything from persistence on crops to selectivity for certain pests. Since the agricultural industry faces pressure to develop safer, more selective chemicals, the straightforward modification offered by this compound helps teams create and test improved structures at an accelerated pace.
Specialty Solvents and Fine Chemicals
Moving outside pharmacy and farming, chemical manufacturers also lean on 1-Bromo-2-methylpropane for the production of certain specialty solvents, flavors, and fragrances. Although it’s rarely found in finished consumer products, it acts as an intermediate step toward creating esters or other ingredients needed in food technology or perfumery. In these cases, regulatory standards matter a lot. My experience has taught me that reliable purity and predictable reactivity can keep production lines running smoothly, especially for companies subject to strict audits and import inspections.
Looking for Safer Alternatives
The safety profile of alkyl halides invites criticism and regulatory oversight. Exposure can cause health concerns for workers, and mishandling has environmental consequences. The responsible path calls for improved engineering controls, safer work practices, and investments in less hazardous alternatives where possible. Some labs have begun experimenting with catalytic methods to cut down on the use of reactive alkyl halides altogether. Still, for projects requiring specific branching or leaving group chemistry, 1-Bromo-2-methylpropane keeps its place on the shelf.
Why Safety Matters with 1-Bromo-2-Methylpropane
Handling chemicals in the lab or workplace can feel routine. Over time, shortcuts seem tempting. One slip can mean eye injuries, burns, or worse. 1-Bromo-2-methylpropane, a compound used in organic synthesis and industrial settings, looks pretty unassuming. Yet inhaling or touching it carries clear risks. Inhalation irritates the lungs, sometimes leading to coughing or dizziness. Splashes can burn the skin. No workplace can afford to ignore those kinds of hazards.
Protection Starts with Mindset and Gear
Every time that bottle comes out, focus shifts. A person working with 1-Bromo-2-methylpropane relies on more than a checklist; real safety begins with respect for what the chemical can do. The first step always involves donning proper personal protective equipment. This means chemical splash goggles, a lab coat, and gloves made from nitrile or neoprene. A standard cotton lab coat won’t cut it if things get messy. Fume hoods keep vapors away from your face and lungs. Just last year, an industry safety review by the European Chemicals Agency showed most lab injuries resulted from failing to use the right gear – proof that the basics work if followed properly.
Ventilation Keeps Trouble at Bay
1-Bromo-2-methylpropane isn’t just another bottle on a shelf. Its vapors can overwhelm a room. That’s where local exhaust systems and fume hoods come into play. Opening a window won’t guarantee safety. When concentrated fumes hang around, they turn irritation into a real risk. Ventilation pulls those vapors away before they build up, which really does make all the difference. Industry examples show labs equipped with modern hoods see far fewer respiratory complaints and lower exposure rates.
Spill Control: Fast and Decisive
Spills never wait for a convenient moment. If a drop lands on a workbench, the right reaction matters most. Wiping it up with tissue won’t solve the problem. Commercial spill kits, a mainstay in my own lab, are ideal. They combine absorbents and neutralizers to keep hands clear of contamination. Once, in a teaching lab, we saw a spill spread fast across the bench; the kit stopped it before it reached anyone’s skin. Quick action saves hours in cleanup and cuts down the risk of exposure.
Smart Storage and Labeling Make a Difference
Every bottle deserves a clear label and a dedicated space. Mixing up similar bottles can lead to dangerous mistakes. The chemical should sit in a cool, dry spot away from sunlight and incompatible materials like oxidizers. Real-world incidents trace back to neglected labels or a rush to tidy up by stuffing chemicals together. Fire safety plans in most countries insist on tight storage controls for a reason.
Training Sets the Tone
No safety plan stands a chance if the team skips training. People remember stories more than rules. Sharing personal experiences – near-misses or even scares – drives the message home. Those lessons stick much longer than posters or manuals. I saw risk awareness jump after a few honest stories from an experienced chemist. Learning the procedure for first aid or the location of eyewash stations becomes automatic in workplaces that practice emergency drills.
Solutions: Build a Safety Culture That Lasts
Safety goes beyond lists and gear. Labs and workplaces do best when everyone looks out for each other, reports worn-out gloves, and shares what works. Keeping open conversations about exposures, keeping records of near-misses, and making space for feedback makes the environment safer. The rewards go beyond compliance: people come home healthy, and good habits stick for life.
Everyday Chemistry at Work
Some people shy away from chemical names that sound a bit daunting, but in the world of lab work and industry, 1-Bromo-2-methylpropane isn’t out of place. Plenty of folks — including me — have come across this compound in coursework, research, or while reading up on organic synthesis. The magic sits in its atoms, but also in the way it behaves: its boiling point, melting point, and density tell us about its safety, storage, and how folks put it to use.
Taking the Temperature: Melting and Boiling Points
1-Bromo-2-methylpropane’s melting point hovers close to -119°C. In other words, this isn’t a chemical you’d find as a solid on a regular pantry shelf. For most of us, this kind of chilly temperature calls for liquid nitrogen — not your average freezer. In practical terms, this means labs and factories treat the chemical as a liquid for spills, bottles, and transfers. The compound’s boiling point sits around 91°C. People who cook pasta know water boils at 100°C. With this chemical, things start to vaporize once it heats past the mid-90s Celsius. As a younger scientist, I learned quickly: label the flask, keep the cap on, and don’t get careless with heat. This boiling point helps shape how labs handle the chemical — especially for ventilation, fire safety, and lab ventilation.
Density: Heavier Than Water
This one often gets overlooked. The density for 1-Bromo-2-methylpropane clocks in near 1.22 grams per cubic centimeter at 20°C, which shows the liquid out-weighs water. Pour a bit into a beaker of water, and it’ll sink straight to the bottom. This matters during spills, disposal, and mixing. It’s not just a quirky fact. The higher density means folks handle cleanup and separation with a bit more planning than with lighter solvents. Certain lab protocols call for careful extraction steps, and density helps technicians know exactly what layer they’re pulling from a test tube or funnel.
Health, Handling, and Storage Insights
Looking at the melting and boiling points, you understand why this chemical demands proper storage. I remember a day working in a college organic lab, grabbing what looked like water but was actually 1-Bromo-2-methylpropane — labeled in a way-too-tiny font. The stuff evaporates rapidly above room temperature and the fumes irritate eyes, nose, and throat. A solid safety cabinet with decent airflow stops fumes from taking over a workspace. With its heavier-than-air vapors, you shouldn’t store it near sources of spark or flame.
Plenty of industrial uses for this compound—especially in making other chemicals—depend on it being stable, available in liquid form, and relatively easy to measure out compared to gases or sticky solids. The catch: it tends to drift into the air if you leave it open, and it sinks low to the ground. I’ve always said a little extra vigilance with “simple” liquids keeps folks safer in the long run.
Playing it Smart: Solutions for Safe Use
From what I’ve seen, the best labs and factories invest time teaching staff the basics of these properties. Good labeling, storage below its boiling point, and exhaust hoods protect both workers and the environment. Using personal protective gear becomes second nature when you account for irritation hazards and the ease with which this liquid escapes into air.
Solid government regulations help, too. Stores enforce proper chemical protocols—not just to follow rules, but because accidents, even with small volumes, get costly. As we use these halogenated hydrocarbons, the boiling and melting points, plus density, link to bigger questions about training, storage design, and accident response.
Why This Chemical Deserves Careful Handling
Working in science labs taught me that safety around chemicals isn’t just a checklist—it protects people and the environment. 1-Bromo-2-methylpropane shows up in organic synthesis, and its use isn’t limited to seasoned chemists. Anyone who stores it needs to respect its risks. The compound gives off fumes, can irritate skin, and catches fire easily. An accident doesn’t just stay in a beaker. Spilled solvent almost made me sick years ago, and it left a memory I’d rather not repeat.
Proper Storage Starts with the Right Place
You don’t want fumes building up in a hot corner. Flammable materials like this one belong in a dedicated, spark-free cabinet, away from sunlight, open flames, or heaters. I’ve worked in labs that kept temperature logs to catch spikes near storage spots since some chemicals get jumpy with warmth. No one enjoys finding a warped container or, worse, leakage from plastic breakdown. That’s why metal cans with airtight seals—and chemical-compatible labels—stand as best practice. You don’t mix bottles either. This chemical can react with strong bases, oxidizers, or even traces of moisture.
I once saw a bottle leak because someone stacked it next to an acid. The vapor ate through the cap, leaving a sharp stink lingering in the storeroom. Segregating chemicals doesn’t just protect them—it prevents accidents that put everyone in danger. Each time someone grabs a chemical bottle, they need to know where it’s been and what’s nearby. Mislabeling or ignoring compatibility charts turns storage into a guessing game, and mistakes turn costly fast.
Managing Exposure Risks
Ventilation plays a huge role. My university’s storeroom had vented enclosures, which filtered out fumes before they touched the breathing air. Goggles, gloves, and lab coats aren’t fashion statements—they shield you from splash or vapor. I learned it takes just one rushed spill to appreciate goggles forever. Anyone who casually stores chemicals at home under the sink skips those lessons and gambles with health.
Disposal Isn't Just Pour-and-Go
So what about getting rid of it? Pouring solvents down a sink pollutes water, harms aquatic life, and sets off alarms with waste authorities. Regulations require hazardous chemical disposal through licensed waste handlers. Colleges and companies tend to have regular collection, but hobbyists or small shops fare better teaming up with local hazardous waste programs.
I talked with a disposal contractor who told me stories about fires at landfills from improperly tossed solvents. Burning or heating up 1-Bromo-2-methylpropane releases toxic smoke. That hazard outweighs the cost or effort of calling a local collection point. It’s not dramatic—just responsible behavior. Some regions push for pre-treatment steps, such as neutralization or absorbent pads. I helped with one cleanup where a spill on concrete caused weeks of headaches because it seeped into the pores, hanging around long after the mess was wiped up. Proper handling means acting early, before contamination spreads.
Solutions for Better Safety
Every lab could benefit from regular training and reminders on storage maps and clean-out schedules. Clear, accessible chemical inventories cut confusion and help everyone spot orphaned bottles before they leak or expire. Emergency spill kits should stand ready, not buried in a back closet. Small investments up front keep people safe and the environment a whole lot cleaner. With procedures in place, mishaps become rare, manageable, and some days, entirely avoidable.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | 2-Bromobutane |
| Other names |
Isobutyl bromide
2-Methyl-1-bromopropane 1-Bromo-2-methylpropane Isobutanebromide |
| Pronunciation | /waɪ ˈbrəʊməʊ tuː ˈmiːθəl ˈprəʊpeɪn/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 78-77-3 |
| Beilstein Reference | 1718732 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:35986 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL16840 |
| ChemSpider | 7958 |
| DrugBank | DB14109 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 03cfe2a1-af6f-41ac-83fa-cb81209561cf |
| EC Number | 202-990-3 |
| Gmelin Reference | 9566 |
| KEGG | C06581 |
| MeSH | D001929 |
| PubChem CID | 6557 |
| RTECS number | EF8775000 |
| UNII | I71Q90E23N |
| UN number | UN2344 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C4H9Br |
| Molar mass | 137.02 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless liquid |
| Odor | penetrating odor |
| Density | 0.805 g/mL at 25 °C |
| Solubility in water | Insoluble |
| log P | 2.9 |
| Vapor pressure | 8.9 kPa (at 20 °C) |
| Acidity (pKa) | Acidity (pKa) of 1-Bromo-2-Methylpropane: **~50** |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -71.5e-6 cm³/mol |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.437 |
| Viscosity | 1.157 mPa·s at 25 °C |
| Dipole moment | 2.05 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 309.7 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | –122.7 kJ/mol |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -2577.7 kJ/mol |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling | GHS02, GHS07 |
| Pictograms | GHS02,GHS07 |
| Signal word | Danger |
| Hazard statements | H225, H315, H319, H335 |
| Precautionary statements | P210, P243, P280, P303+P361+P353, P305+P351+P338, P332+P313, P337+P313, P370+P378, P403+P235 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 1-2-0 |
| Flash point | -28°C |
| Autoignition temperature | 490°C |
| Explosive limits | Lower: 1.2% Upper: 8.0% |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 oral rat 3,900 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (median dose): Oral rat LD50 > 5000 mg/kg |
| NIOSH | RN8220 |
| PEL (Permissible) | Not established |
| REL (Recommended) | 3 ppm |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | IDLH: 800 ppm |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
1-Bromopropane
2-Bromopropane 2-Bromobutane 1-Bromo-3-methylbutane 2-Chloro-2-methylpropane |
