1,4-Dibromobutane: Description, Properties, and Uses

What is 1,4-Dibromobutane?

1,4-Dibromobutane sits among those industrial chemicals that appear in a surprising number of processes. The compound shows up as a clear or slightly yellow liquid at room temperature, though it might form crystals in colder spaces. Classified as a halogenated alkane, its molecular formula reads C₄H₈Br₂. On paper, it looks straightforward: four carbon atoms, eight hydrogens, two bromines making a symmetrical layout. You get a density close to 1.9 g/cm³ at 20°C, meaning it feels considerably heavier than water to the hand and eye. Walking into a work space where this compound is stored, there’s usually a faint, sweet odor that doesn’t linger like some stronger solvents, but even a little exposure calls for respect for its hazardous nature.

Physical and Chemical Properties

This liquid doesn’t dissolve well in water, but it mixes readily with organic solvents like alcohol, ether, or chloroform. I’ve watched lab techs pour it between containers; its viscosity feels slick but not syrupy. Melting occurs around -35°C and it boils off at 195°C—so regular room temperatures won’t turn it to gas, but any open handling needs solid PPE. In solid form at low temperatures, it can appear as colorless crystals, though most people see it delivered in liquid drums or glass containers. Its refractive index (n₂₀D) sits around 1.498, and it sloshes with a flash point well above the more volatile ethers and acetone, yet it still demands good ventilation. As a pure chemical, 1,4-dibromobutane resists many mild oxidizers yet reacts with bases, forming valuable intermediates for the next step of alkylation or polymerization chemistry.

Structure and Specifications

The structure stands out in its simplicity: Br-(CH₂)₄-Br, linear without branching. No fancy rings or bulky side groups. Each bromine sits on the end of a butane chain, opening doors for further substitution or addition reactions that sit at the heart of industrial synthesis. Suppliers usually provide specifications guaranteeing a minimum purity above 98%, low moisture content, and a known refractive index. Inspectors and chemists look for absence of color and impurities to avoid surprises during scale-up production. The HS Code often falls under 2903.69, marking it for international trade as an organobromide.

Material Forms: Crystal, Liquid, Solution, Powder, Pearls

Most commonly, users encounter 1,4-dibromobutane as a liquid. Flake or powder forms appear very rarely unless handled at unusually low temperatures or for specialized applications, since room temperature stabilizes the clear liquid. Pearls or beads aren't typical industrial presentations, but anyone working with chemical raw materials knows that physical form depends as much on storage needs as on chemical stability. Highly pure material in a glass container might form crystals in cold storage, much like watching honey grain up in the fridge. Several industries choose to dissolve it in compatible solvents and work with that dilute solution for safety and ease of use. Bulk storage prefers tightly sealed drums to keep out moisture and air.

Safety, Hazards, and Handling

1,4-Dibromobutane contains a double-whammy from both halogens and hydrocarbons. The chemical’s warnings come for good reason. Contact with skin or eyes can irritate, and inhaling its vapors over time brings risk to both lungs and nervous system. Safety Data Sheets recommend gloves—nitrile rather than latex—and goggles, not cheap splash glasses. Direct contact should never become routine. Like many brominated alkanes, 1,4-dibromobutane qualifies as hazardous for both storage and transit, carrying UN codes and placards that warn first responders. Even the logistical steps—checking for leaks, using chemical-grade pumps, locking cabinets—underscore risks that shadow every liter stored in a warehouse.

Industrial Uses and Raw Materials

Flexibility in use gives 1,4-dibromobutane a steady market. Polymer chemists deploy it when building up nylon and other specialty polymers, and it acts as a building block for branded pharmaceuticals. I’ve seen it used in organic synthesis classes where students attach other molecules to its bromo ends—each a gateway for different chemical modifications. In agriculture, it acts as a precursor, not as an active pesticide. This means strict raw material controls and rigorous documentation trace where each kilogram ends up. Unlike everyday consumer chemicals, it rarely travels outside controlled supply chains unless bound tightly into a final product.

Molecular and Property Data

Boiling point clocks in around 195°C, with melting point sitting low at about -35°C. The density rests at 1.911 g/cm³ (20°C), making drums noticeably weighty. Molecular weight totals to 215.92 g/mol, with a molecular structure that allows good predictability in both reactivity and storage stability. Material Safety Data Sheets pin down a vapor pressure that stays manageable at room temperature, but heat that warehouse and it starts to build. Solubility in water remains extremely low, limiting any accidental runoff risk to waterways, though once released it doesn’t degrade easily. No one can take a relaxed approach—each process step requires monitoring.

Finding Solutions for Safer Use

For companies sourcing, handling, or disposing of 1,4-dibromobutane, strict local and international laws come into play. Chemical manufacturers often improve on safety measures, switching to closed-ventilation systems, investing in secondary containment, and emphasizing rigorous worker training to reduce exposure. Materials recovery and chemical recycling have grown in importance, as waste streams cannot just vanish into standard drains. Emergency drills, spill kits, up-to-date documentation—these play out in real time, not just on paper. As research continues, greener alternatives or process changes offer hope to cut back reliance, but for now, 1,4-dibromobutane remains a necessary, often irreplaceable tool in manufacturing and synthesis.