2-Bromopropionic Acid: Insightful Commentary
Historical Development
Chemistry has always chased new molecules for practical use, and 2-Bromopropionic acid has been in the toolbox since the late nineteenth century. Early records suggest that researchers in European labs isolated and characterized it, using classic techniques like fractional distillation and crystallization, long before spectroscopy became standard. The compound started as a mere curiosity, joining the family of halogenated propionic acids, but its reactivity soon drew attention. Laboratories explored its potential in organic synthesis, and its story continued as chemists understood how swapping a hydrogen for a bromine atom changed everything from acidity to reactivity.
Product Overview
2-Bromopropionic acid holds value in labs and industry thanks to its unique blend of acid and halogen functionality. Its molecular formula, C3H5BrO2, puts a bromine on the alpha carbon of a simple carboxylic acid chain. This tiny change offers a molecular handle, useful for various transformations. Researchers often buy it as a white or slightly tan crystalline solid, and purity matters in synthesis. Chemical suppliers list multiple grades—technical, reagent, and high-purity—so choices depend on the downstream application. In practice, this product often arrives in tightly sealed bottles. Laboratories trust reputable suppliers and rely on accurate labeling, which usually highlights lot numbers, expiry dates, and recommended storage conditions.
Physical & Chemical Properties
Holding a bottle of 2-Bromopropionic acid, you’ll notice a faint pungent odor and a solid that melts around 63–65°C. It dissolves in water, alcohol, and many organic solvents, which comes in handy for multi-step syntheses. Its density falls near 1.6 g/cm³, and handling shows it’s less volatile than many similar acids, which reduces some safety risks but not all. That bromine makes the molecule more reactive—adding heft and opening doors in further transformations. In organic reactions, its acidity sits between acetic and propionic acid thanks to the electron-withdrawing effect of bromine, making it useful in pH-sensitive processes.
Technical Specifications & Labeling
Chemical suppliers list purity, water content, and sometimes heavy metal contamination. Research and pharma applications push for greater than 98% purity, but many industrial users accept a bit less, balancing cost and performance. Safety data sheets describe health hazards, flash point, and stability information. Accurate, clear labeling is non-negotiable. Labs depend on it for inventory control, traceability, and regulatory compliance, especially under GHS and OSHA requirements. Storage instructions typically call for a cool, well-ventilated space, away from bases and oxidizers. Tamper-evident caps and secondary containment also matter—one careless spill or mislabel can end more than an experiment.
Preparation Method
Classic prep starts with propionic acid or a propionyl compound. Bromination methods vary, but many rely on red phosphorus and bromine or catalytic reactions under controlled temperatures. Sometimes, N-bromosuccinimide replaces liquid bromine for ease of handling and a safer process. The mixture gets extracted, washed, and purified through distillation or crystallization. Byproducts and residue must be managed properly; bromine waste is a health and environmental risk, and responsible labs plan for collection and neutralization. Efficient preparation also considers atom economy, minimizing steps to limit costs and waste.
Chemical Reactions & Modifications
2-Bromopropionic acid’s real appeal springs from its reactivity. As an alkylating agent, it introduces a bromo group onto nucleophiles, ideal in making pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and specialty polymers. It undergoes substitution reactions—replacing the bromide with amines, thiols, or hydroxide—and each variant inherits different properties. In practice, it builds complexity with modest effort, jumping from a simple acid to whole families of derivatives. Chemists usually leverage these transformations under mild conditions, careful to monitor side reactions like elimination or over-alkylation, which can waste valuable starting material.
Synonyms & Product Names
Anyone working with chemicals quickly learns their names go beyond IUPAC conventions. 2-Bromopropionic acid masquerades as alpha-bromopropionic acid, 2-bromopropanoic acid, or even DL-2-bromopropionic acid, and catalog listings often bundle synonyms. This trickiness in naming underscores the need for vigilance: confusing one name for another—especially with racemic or enantiomerically pure forms—can botch entire projects. Careful consultation of SDS, chemical abstracts, and supplier catalogs helps clear up confusion.
Safety & Operational Standards
Personal experience says nothing ruins a day in the lab like a chemical burn, and 2-Bromopropionic acid deserves real respect. Its hazards include skin and eye irritation, and inhalation of dust or vapor can cause respiratory symptoms. Gloves, goggles, and lab coats become mandatory, and fume hoods aren’t optional. Spills need prompt cleanup using neutral absorbent and proper PPE. Regulatory standards require documentation and training, not just to satisfy inspectors but to keep every worker safe. Regulatory compliance isn’t a footnote: chemical facilities invest heavily in documentation and frequent audits under OSHA, REACH, and GHS frameworks. Plus, regular drills and waste procedures help ensure no one faces a chemical emergency alone.
Application Area
Industrial chemists appreciate 2-Bromopropionic acid’s role in fine chemical production. It carves out a niche in pharmaceutical manufacturing, acting as a synthetic precursor for several active ingredients and intermediates. Crop protection scientists count on it when assembling new herbicides or insecticides. Materials scientists lean on it as a building block for specialty polymers where that bromine atom matters for modifying properties. Beyond making things, it turns up in analytical chemistry, helping in derivatization steps to enable sensitive detection. Real-world demand spikes when research programs pivot toward new chiral molecules, since both R- and S- forms of 2-Bromopropionic acid help establish stereocenters crucial in drug design. Each area faces ongoing pressure for purity, scalability, and rigorous testing.
Research & Development
For scientists in R&D, 2-Bromopropionic acid carries fresh promise. Teams focus on refining asymmetric synthesis to access specific enantiomers, aiming for higher yields and better selectivity. Chiral catalysts and enzymatic methods are hot topics, fueled by pharmaceutical industry needs where every subtle difference in molecular shape can mean major therapeutic shifts. Instrumental analysis grows more sophisticated—NMR, GC-MS, HPLC—so even trace impurities or byproducts get tracked. Academic research continues to delve into new derivatives, testing biological activity or physical properties, always searching for breakthroughs that might lead to the next blockbuster drug or high-performance material.
Toxicity Research
Toxicology labs don’t leave questions about safety unanswered. Animal studies, in vitro assays, and environmental fate analysis have chipped away at its risk profile. Results flag moderate acute toxicity, particularly from inhalation or ingestion. Long-term exposure can harm the nervous system or liver, so industrial hygiene standards get updated as new evidence surfaces. Environmental safety assessments also matter—brominated organics last longer and travel farther than their unhalogenated cousins, sometimes accumulating in soil or water. Continuous study helps define safer exposure limits, update labeling, and develop better exposure controls.
Future Prospects
Looking ahead, the prospects for 2-Bromopropionic acid intertwine with sustainable chemistry and regulatory tightening. Manufacturers search for greener production routes—less hazardous reagents, more efficient catalysts, and methods that reduce waste. The search for alternatives to bromine-based materials brings both incentives and challenges, as chemists weigh reactivity, cost, and environmental impact. In industry, the growing call for traceability and tighter purity demands push for digital inventory systems and more robust QA/QC protocols. Research could yet find new uses for tailored derivatives in medicine, agriculture, or materials science. The future holds tests and opportunities, as chemists balance tradition with fresh innovation, always with one eye on safety and sustainability.
Digging Into the Basics
2-Bromopropionic acid is not just another name out of a chemistry textbook—its structure reveals quite a bit about its uses and effects. Picture a short carbon chain, just three atoms long. At one end of it, there's a familiar sight in organic molecules: a carboxylic acid group (-COOH). This group grabs attention because carboxylic acids play a major role in biochemistry and industry, from making soaps to shaping pharmaceuticals.
Now, move to the “2-bromo” part. The second carbon in this small trio holds a bromine atom, a bulky and quite reactive substituent compared to the usual hydrogen. That's the heart of its story. The bromine doesn't just sit there quietly: it completely changes how this molecule behaves. Bromine is one of the heavier halogens, and it likes to participate in reactions that other atoms ignore. Supplementing a basic acid structure with bromine doesn’t just add weight, it helps create new pathways for chemical synthesis and targeted reactions.
Why This Matters in Real Life
I remember my first encounter with 2-bromopropionic acid in a university lab. We used it to modify amino acids for protein studies. The “bromo” part matters: it acts as a point where other molecules can latch on or where chemists can insert new features. Chemists call this reactivity “functional group transformation.” Without getting too technical, the presence of bromine means you can swap it out or use it as a handle for building bigger, more complex compounds. That’s why this compound has earned a place in medicinal chemistry and material science research.
The Chemical Drawn Out
The backbone starts with three carbons. Imagine a simple propionic acid: CH3-CH2-COOH. Now, place a bromine atom where a hydrogen would go on the middle carbon. The structure becomes CH3-CHBr-COOH. Each bond and atom position counts—swap a hydrogen for a bromine, and the way the molecule behaves in chemical reactions can shift dramatically. It’s not just a textbook alteration, but an upgrade to the molecule’s personality.
This type of compound catches the interest of drug designers and academic researchers. Changing even one atom in a molecule can sometimes mean the difference between a life-saving drug and a substance that's completely inert. The combination of a carboxylic acid group and a halogen like bromine means chemists can push synthesis in new directions, creating compounds that help study disease mechanisms, develop new medications, or craft materials with unique properties.
Health and Safety Notes
Handling brominated organic compounds requires more respect than your average household acid. Bromine’s reactivity brings risks along with its benefits. Direct contact often irritates the skin and mucous membranes. Inhaling fumes doesn't end well, either. Regulations around these chemicals exist for a reason. Labs use gloves, eye protection, and fume hoods to avoid exposure. Chemical safety data sheets stress these practices, and rightfully so—mistakes with brominated substances have led to more than a few emergency flushes at the eyewash station.
Opportunities and Challenges
Brominated acids, including 2-bromopropionic acid, have opened up new doors in organic synthesis. Their value shows up in the lab and in industry, but so do concerns about environmental persistence and health risks. Researchers are always on the lookout for safer alternatives or greener methods when working with halogenated molecules. Some are exploring catalysts and milder reaction conditions, hoping they can harness the chemical’s utility while cutting down on potential hazards.
2-Bromopropionic acid’s structure may look simple at first glance, but swap a single hydrogen for a bromine and you unlock a powerful toolset for chemistry and beyond. The lessons learned by researchers who work with it serve as a reminder: small changes can leave a big mark—sometimes for good, sometimes for trouble.
The Role of 2-Bromopropionic Acid in Chemistry and Industry
2-Bromopropionic acid, a compact organobromine compound, earns its spot in the lab for offering a reactive bromo group on a small, chiral backbone. Chemists like working with this molecule for its predictable behavior and the doors it opens for synthesizing more complex structures. I’ve used it as a building block—its manageable size fits well for experimentation and scaling, especially when you want to introduce a bromine atom in a spot that’s tough to reach through other routes.
Medicine and Drug Synthesis
One of the biggest draws of 2-bromopropionic acid comes from drug manufacturing. Medicinal chemists reach for it when constructing a wide range of drug candidates. For example, it shows up during the creation of anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and neurological drugs. The bromo group allows targeted modifications—kind of like a handle that lets chemists tack on the specific components that make a molecule do its job in the body. Brominated intermediates like this acid speed up the trial-and-error process, giving researchers the flexibility to shift direction without starting from scratch. It saves time and money, both of which are in short supply in pharmaceutical R&D.
Chiral Synthesis—Making One Handed Over the Other
Chemists often talk about chirality, or handedness, because the same molecule can act very differently in the body depending on its orientation. 2-Bromopropionic acid, with its chiral center, helps create one "handed" version of a compound over the other. I’ve seen this pay off in the lab—products come out purer, and unwanted side effects are cut because the less useful version of the compound never makes it into the mix. The regulatory agencies keep a sharp eye on chirality issues, so having a reliable chiral source can turn a complicated approval process into a smoother ride.
Pesticide and Agrochemical Fields
Agricultural science turns to 2-bromopropionic acid when making new types of weed and pest control solutions. Brominated intermediates let agrochemical developers whip up novel structures that fight bugs and weeds that have grown resistant to older products. We depend on this cycle: once critters figure out how to dodge our sprays, researchers need a toolkit that keeps up. This compound gives them a way forward—enabling new chemical designs with each round of crop threats, without as much hassle or resource drain.
Material Science and Specialty Polymers
The story goes beyond pills and plants. Material scientists appreciate the versatility of this acid in designing specialty polymers or functionalized surfaces. Sticking a bromo group onto a small acid like this opens up future reactions. I’ve seen coating experts and polymer chemists use it to add sticky or reactive ends to long polymer chains, which can change how materials stick together or how they defend against weather. In electronics, such modifications matter for insulation and flexibility. The hands-on benefits in the shop floor are real—stronger products, less waste, and fewer batch rejects due to bad starting chemistry.
Hazards and Responsible Handling
It’s important to recognize that working with organobromines takes careful handling. Exposure can irritate skin and respiratory systems. Regulations require strict personal protective equipment and proper fume extraction. Workers and students in labs can’t cut corners; keeping up with training and safety checks isn’t just box-ticking—it keeps communities and colleagues healthy. Companies need to adopt transparent safety data and responsible waste management to avoid environmental knock-on effects, making sure progress in chemistry doesn’t backfire for neighborhoods or ecosystems down the line.
Looking Forward
With growing interest in greener chemistry, a push for bio-based feedstocks and safer alternatives for handling reactive intermediates is gathering steam. Better recycling processes for halogenated compounds and innovations in catalyst development could shrink the environmental footprint of 2-bromopropionic acid use. Science won’t lose its appetite for clever building blocks; we just have to handle them with a sharper focus on safety and long-term impacts.
Working With Chemical Reality
2-Bromopropionic acid doesn't look like much in a bottle, but just because it's a clear liquid doesn't mean it won't bite. A few years back, I helped set up a small teaching lab and saw people skipping the basics with similar chemicals because the labels didn’t scream danger in bold red letters. Overconfidence still gets more injuries than just bad luck, so respect matters more than fancy warning stickers.
What Happens If You Slack Off?
It stings, literally. Skin burns, eye damage, persistent coughing — all on the table if you mishandle it. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), inhalation or skin exposure causes serious irritation, underscoring the need for airtight routines. A friend told me about a grad student who got lazy during cleanup and forgot gloves for about two minutes. The end result? A week of bandages and apologizing to safety staff.
Safe Storage Practices
Small decisions make a big difference. Keep 2-bromopropionic acid in a tightly sealed glass container, far from heat and direct sunlight. This chemical starts breaking down faster at higher temps. Fumes build up in a snap, so storing it in a cool, well-ventilated cabinet keeps nasty surprises at bay. Many labs place corrosives like this in secondary containment — even a cheap plastic tub stops leaks from turning into major headaches.
Mixing storage with bases, strong oxidizers, or metals invites trouble. Even an accidental spill can kick off dangerous reactions, sometimes with enough heat or toxic gas to send someone to the ER. Prudent labeling, organization, and never jamming incompatible bottles together go further than expensive safety posters ever will.
Handling Without Headaches
Protective gloves, safety goggles, and a full lab coat aren’t optional costume choices. I remember my early mistakes after failing to check if the gloves were resistant to acids, only to feel a burn in seconds. Only nitrile, neoprene, or butyl gloves cut it with aggressive compounds like this. Working under a vented hood isn’t belt-and-suspenders, it’s common sense. Acidic vapors migrate fast, and a cheap mask can’t stop chemical burns to your lungs.
Accidents love distractions. Preparing before opening a bottle — spill kits, eyewash stations, and knowing where the neutralizer sits — means you won’t waste precious seconds figuring out the next step after things go sideways.
Waste and Clean-Up: No Shortcuts
Pouring leftover 2-bromopropionic acid down the drain is reckless. Local hazardous waste rules exist for a reason, since one bad disposal can wreck equipment and water supplies. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) flags halogenated organics as persistent pollutants, risking fines for careless disposal. I’ve helped organize waste pickup days; watching a trained crew handle this stuff made me appreciate clear labeling and sturdy containers.
Spills need immediate attention with neutralizing agents — usually a mixture containing sodium bicarbonate. Never soak it up with regular paper towels. Absorbent pads with built-in neutralizers save skin and money in the long haul.
Improving the System
Staying safe comes down to more than checklists or locked cabinets. Regular training sessions and open conversations help everyone stay alert. Experienced chemists know that overconfidence injuries don’t make the news, but they leave marks. Good habits, clear accountability, and making the responsible choice each time ensures that nobody calls it just another accident in the lab.
Why Purity Matters in Chemicals Like 2-Bromopropionic Acid
Every bottle of 2-Bromopropionic acid spells precision for chemists and formulators. Small lapses in quality can drive research efforts off course. Over the years, I’ve worked alongside teams who rely on tight purity ranges for this compound since inconsistent materials slow lab workflows and raise costs.
A typical buyer looks for a clear product specification. Asking about purity isn’t just box-ticking—it's how you know the chemical won’t inject side products into reactions. In most reputable catalogs, 2-Bromopropionic acid arrives with an assay of 98% or higher, with trusted suppliers often marking lots at 99%. That gap between 98% and 99% feels small on paper but has real consequences in stored reaction mixtures or pilot-scale production.
Digging Into Typical Specifications
Quality labels go beyond a headline percentage. I’ve seen many certificates list moisture content, specified at less than 0.5%. Excess water sometimes encourages hydrolysis or shelf instability, so dry material means longer shelf life. Color offers another window into quality. Pure 2-Bromopropionic acid should look nearly colorless to pale yellow. A darker color often flags impurity build-up, which may not always show up on a basic assay number.
Salt content, especially bromide and sulfate, sometimes gets overlooked. In technical documentation, these contaminants show up as trace limits—usually well below 0.1%. Laboratories that need ultra-clean reactions double-check these specs, because even trace salts can slow or poison downstream steps.
Verifying Real-World Quality
A spec sheet isn't just paperwork—it serves as both a promise and a record. When I helped onboard a new supplier for a batch run, we dug into their chromatography data, not just their marketing numbers. Testing for heavy metals, which should fall under 10 ppm for research-grade lots, frequently makes a difference. Unchecked, these metals foul up catalysts or give inconsistent results in bioassay work.
GC and HPLC chromatography stand as the methods of choice for purity determination. If your supplier won't provide chromatograms, think twice about reliability. I learned this lesson the hard way during a scale-up, where off-spec product wasted nearly a month of work.
Seeking Out Better Standards
The better suppliers throw in documentation with COA and traceability back to the production lot. Look for transparent reporting about both the assay and impurities. Transparency marks suppliers who back up their numbers with routine retesting and lot control, which keeps your science on track.
Labs ready to scale or submit data for regulatory filings need more than a number—they need the comfort of stability and reproducibility. Talking to peers, I’ve seen that questions about shelf life and packaging are just as important. 2-Bromopropionic acid holds up best when packed in amber glass and stored under an inert gas, which limits light and moisture exposure.
Steps Toward Reliable Sourcing
Auditing suppliers, requesting samples, and reviewing certificates before ordering in bulk helps safeguard your process. Sharing test results with other chemists and scanning for supplier performance in forums or peer groups sorts credible sources from risky ones. For a technical chemical like 2-Bromopropionic acid, these habits build lasting trust in both product and process.
Balancing Safety and Practicality
2-Bromopropionic acid, widely used in organic synthesis and various research fields, brings with it layers of responsibility. It’s not just another liquid. Anyone handling chemicals learns quickly that regulators care about how these chemicals travel. Chemical burns, leaks and contamination stick in the minds of anyone who has packed these bottles late at night, double-checking everything before signing off. The core concern is protection—not just for the recipient, but for transport workers and the environment.
Key Factors Shaping Packaging Choices
Most suppliers stick with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bottles or fluorinated containers for smaller orders. HDPE stands up well against halogenated acids. I’ve watched technicians run their fingers along bottle seams, checking for faults because the smallest leak can cause headaches or worse. Glass, especially amber glass, often gets reserved for research or analytical samples. Glass resists the acid but demands extra care; one slip during shipping and the aisle smells sharp for days.
Strong cardboard boxes and custom foam inserts keep these primary bottles secure. Internal seals, tamper-evident caps, and absorbent liners get added for another layer of protection. Sometimes, shippers use clear plastic bags inside secondary containers as a barrier in case the bottle fails. You start to respect all the methods put in place to keep these bottles from rolling or banging against each other, especially for air shipments.
Labeling and Legal Impacts
Strict rules oversee chemical movement, especially acids. The Globally Harmonized System (GHS) symbols warn anyone handling the box about the corrosive risk. Labels state the UN number (UN 3265 for corrosive liquids), hazard class, and manufacturer contact. You learn that customs agents check these details—if one thing is missing, delays stretch out at border crossings. Some suppliers work with certified couriers who specialize in dangerous shipments, and experience shows that saves a lot of hassle.
Temperature Controls and Quantity Limits
Exposure to heat leads to pressure build-up, especially if shipping in summer or to tropical areas. Cold packs and insulated containers pop up on orders headed to warm climates. For larger quantities, the acid gets packed in tight-sealed drums, capped with pressure relief valves. I’ve heard stories about cardboard drums that weren’t closed right and how labs refuse boxes that show any kind of staining. No one wants to risk taking in something with an unknown spill.
Possible Improvements and Solutions
A lot of labs want less plastic and waste but still need safety. Paper-based packaging with special liners could cut down the waste stream. Courier tracking offers real-time visibility, so people know right away if something goes wrong. I’ve seen universities and companies share advice about reusing shipping boxes and proper disposal for empties. More suppliers now provide online resources, from video guides to chatbots, to help new buyers get it right the first time.
Final Thoughts on Responsibility
Anyone buying 2-bromopropionic acid should expect a checklist: proper vented and sealed packaging, thick outer cartons, straightforward paperwork, clear labels and credible hazard markings. Small oversights can turn into big problems. Attention to detail, experience, and new packaging ideas keep everyone safer and smooth out the whole process—from factory to lab bench.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | 2-bromopropanoic acid |
| Other names |
2-Bromopropanoic acid
alpha-Bromopropionic acid Propanoic acid, 2-bromo- 2-Brom-Propionsäure |
| Pronunciation | /tuː-broʊmoʊ-proʊˈpiːɒnɪk ˈæsɪd/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 598-72-1 |
| Beilstein Reference | 1209225 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:63699 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL1230242 |
| ChemSpider | 10101 |
| DrugBank | DB01941 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 14e2b845-3ad8-420e-a6b9-0bc4b4aac1e9 |
| EC Number | 211-234-5 |
| Gmelin Reference | 69554 |
| KEGG | C01157 |
| MeSH | D015201 |
| PubChem CID | 78432 |
| RTECS number | UF3325000 |
| UNII | KQ7B5MM6GB |
| UN number | UN2346 |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | DTXSID2020735 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C3H5BrO2 |
| Molar mass | 150.01 g/mol |
| Appearance | White to yellowish crystal or crystalline powder |
| Odor | Unpleasant |
| Density | 1.53 g/cm³ |
| Solubility in water | soluble |
| log P | -0.7 |
| Vapor pressure | 0.17 mmHg (25 °C) |
| Acidity (pKa) | 2.93 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 1.84 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -60.2×10⁻⁶ cm³/mol |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.451 |
| Viscosity | 1.902 mPa·s (25 °C) |
| Dipole moment | 2.49 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 180.6 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -480.1 kJ/mol |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -1160.9 kJ/mol |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling | GHS05, GHS07 |
| Pictograms | GHS07 |
| Signal word | Danger |
| Hazard statements | H302, H315, H319, H335 |
| Precautionary statements | P264, P270, P280, P301+P312, P330, P501 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 2-2-2-W |
| Flash point | 112 °C |
| Autoignition temperature | 510 °C |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 Oral Rat 1730 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (median dose): Oral rat 1560 mg/kg |
| NIOSH | NT8225000 |
| PEL (Permissible) | Not established |
| REL (Recommended) | 100-500 |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | IDHL: 100 ppm |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
2-Chloropropionic acid
2-Iodopropionic acid Lactic acid Propionic acid Bromacetic acid |
