2-Bromopropionyl Bromide: Detailed Product Overview

What is 2-Bromopropionyl Bromide?

2-Bromopropionyl Bromide stands out as a versatile acyl bromide widely used across numerous chemical processes. This compound, defined by the molecular formula C3H4Br2O and a molecular weight of 231.87 g/mol, delivers strong reactivity due to the dual bromine substituents and an acyl bromide functionality. Its structure reflects a three-carbon backbone, where a bromine atom attaches to the second carbon, and another bromine anchors to the carbonyl carbon, underpinning the unique properties that researchers and industry professionals exploit in both laboratory and manufacturing environments.

Material State and Physical Properties

In its pure form, 2-Bromopropionyl Bromide turns up as a clear to pale yellow liquid at room temperature, but depending on storage conditions, it may be encountered as a crystalline solid, dense powder, or in rare cases, in pearl-like flakes. The boiling point rests between 120°C and 124°C, based on standard atmospheric pressure. Storage and transportation benefit from its appreciable density, coming in at about 2.074 g/cm³, which means even small containers pack significant mass. The pungent, irritating odor signals its high reactivity, particularly with water, where it decomposes rapidly to release corrosive hydrogen bromide gas along with strong acids, underscoring the practical need for proper containment.

Typical Chemical Applications and Raw Material Uses

The significance of 2-Bromopropionyl Bromide stretches into multiple arms of the chemical industry. As a raw material, this reagent often finds its role in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and specialty monomers. It can deliver the 2-bromopropionyl group into target molecules, facilitating the preparation of various esters, amides, and other derivatives essential for medicinal chemistry. Its acylating ability shines particularly in peptide coupling and modification, and it has been integral to the creation of brominated intermediates for organic electronics and advanced polymers. Sourcing high-purity 2-Bromopropionyl Bromide usually signals a focus on downstream synthesis lines that require strict control over impurity profiles.

Structure and Molecular Characteristics

The chemical structure lays out a straightforward story: a propionyl skeleton where the middle carbon bears a bromine, and the acetyl carbon swaps out its hydroxyl for another bromine. This arrangement introduces substantial electronic withdrawal, increasing both the reactivity and the electrophilic strength of the compound. The presence of two bromine atoms within such a compact molecule not only stretches the spectrum of nucleophilic reactivity but usually alters the approach chemists must take in planning synthetic steps. This structural motif, while seemingly simple, spells a long list of possible transformations that chemists can run, making it a real workhorse material in advanced organic synthesis.

Specifications, HS Code, and Safety

Commercial supply often arrives under tight purity standards, with specifications commonly exceeding 98% by GC, and water content kept under 0.5%. As a classified hazardous chemical, 2-Bromopropionyl Bromide falls under HS Code 2915900090 (for acyl halides other than derivatives of acetic acid). Packaging tightly sealed in glass or specialized metal containers protects against moisture ingress and unintended decomposition. Handling this material requires strict safety measures: chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, and fume hoods shield workers from the noxious gases evolved from accidental contact with air or water vapor. Nearly everyone who has handled acyl halides can recall the sharp, irritating fumes—they cut through even a brief lapse in protocol. Exposure risks include severe skin and eye burns, and inhaling its vapors could pose risks of respiratory tract damage. Safe storage calls for cool, well-ventilated rooms, away from acids, bases, strong oxidizers, and anything remotely hydrophilic. Swift neutralization agents, like basic solutions, remain on standby for spills, though careful planning reduces the odds of accidents during transfers and sampling.

Hazardous and Harmful Properties: Risk Awareness

Working with 2-Bromopropionyl Bromide goes beyond the ordinary chemical-handling protocols. Reactions with water and alcohols go off rapidly, releasing hydrogen bromide and corrosive fumes, so the potential for splash-induced injuries runs higher compared to less aggressive acyl halides. Experience has taught me and many in the lab that even trace contact with skin can cause immediate irritation—its risk factors mimic those of other acid halides but amplify with the presence of multiple bromine atoms. Fire risk isn't off the table either, as decomposed product fumes could fuel toxic clouds in the event of an accident. Emergency response readiness is not just a box to check but a lived requirement, including neutralizing stations, absorbent spill kits, and air monitoring, especially where scale-up runs reach into liter or drum quantities.

Market Focus and Industry Outlook

The utility of 2-Bromopropionyl Bromide draws a straight line from academia to specialty chemical manufacturers. Demand traces to small-batch suppliers servicing pharmaceutical R&D groups, as well as larger-scale custom synthesis plants cranking out raw materials for active ingredient programs. Asian and European markets, in particular, have seen increased sourcing of this compound, matching broader shifts in specialty chemical production. Anyone seeking long-term supply stability and top-tier quality learns quickly to partner only with audited producers who document upstream raw materials and verify shipment details, aligning with the expectations set by REACH and other international standards.

Solution-Oriented Perspectives

Industrial and academic users continue to look for safer alternatives and improved containment approaches when dealing with hazardous acyl halides like 2-Bromopropionyl Bromide. Investment in improved packaging and rapid-dispense modules reduces the chances of leaks and accidental emissions. On a process level, using enclosed reactor trains and investing in automated sampling equipment allows research labs and manufacturing lines to reap the powerful reactivity of this compound without sacrificing safety or increasing environmental risk. Regulatory guidance tightens each year, and the experience of teams who handle this chemical day in and day out serves as the best guide for both regulatory compliance and practical safety. The most successful organizations create a safety culture where respect for hazardous materials like 2-Bromopropionyl Bromide never slips, leveraging training and engineering controls over rote box-checking procedures, treating every transfer and use as a reminder that chemical progress is built on respect for the molecular power at work.