Tert-Butyl 2-Bromo Isobutyrate: Product Insights, Characteristics, and Safety

What is Tert-Butyl 2-Bromo Isobutyrate?

Tert-Butyl 2-Bromo Isobutyrate stands out in the landscape of specialty chemicals, especially within organic synthesis. Built from the molecular formula C8H15BrO2 and a molar mass of 223.11 g/mol, it brings together tert-butyl isobutyrate’s core with a bromine atom attached to the secondary carbon—transforming the parent structure into a more reactive building block. Its chemical structure draws from four carbon atoms centered around the isobutyrate backbone, capped with a bulky tert-butyl group, and a single bromine replacing a hydrogen atom on the alpha carbon. In commercial and research settings, it serves as a pivotal raw material thanks in large part to that molecular tweak: the secret lies in the impact of bromine.

Physical Properties and Appearance

The compound emerges most frequently in solid, powder, or crystalline forms, sometimes as diamonds or white flakes scattered across a cold petri dish. These characteristics hint at its purity and degree of crystallization. It melts at about 26-29°C, so room temperature often decides whether it stays solid or softens to a clear liquid. Its density sits at roughly 1.21 g/cm³, which makes it heavier than water but still easy to handle in the lab setting. There’s a faint, slightly sweet odor and a tactile feel on the skin reminiscent of many organic esters. Tert-Butyl 2-Bromo Isobutyrate shows poor solubility in water but dissolves smoothly in most organic solvents like dichloromethane, chloroform, or ether. These features mean it can be weighed and processed without dealing with sticky residues or oily surfaces, an underrated advantage when prepping reactions at scale or in tight quarters. Its crystalline or powder state supports precise measurement and mixing—a big benefit in workflow efficiency and waste reduction.

Functional Role and Applications

Chemical producers and research labs use Tert-Butyl 2-Bromo Isobutyrate as a core building block in advanced organic synthesis, with big roles in controlled radical polymerization. Thanks to the bromo group’s reactivity, it enters atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) reactions where chain growth must stay tightly controlled—giving rise to custom-tailored polymers. Outside that arena, many research chemists rely on the molecule’s predictable reactivity for introducing functional groups into larger structures. That bromine atom assures high selectivity in substitution reactions. In my time working with similar esters, the convenience of using a tert-butyl protected group can’t be overstated: it gives chemists a temporary shield that comes off gently with acid, so the core structure stays unscathed.

Specifications and Identification

Identifying the compound in shipment or storage often relies on specs like melting point, density, purity (usually above 98%), and visual appearance (white flakes, powder, or crystalline). Product datasheets will display the HS Code—locally and internationally, many suppliers tag it as 2915.90, linking it to categories for acyclic carboxylic acids and derivatives. Bottle, drum, or bulk packaging reflects not only the chemical’s form (powder, solid, or crystalline) but also trade norms and safety guidelines.

Safety, Hazards, and Handling

Work around Tert-Butyl 2-Bromo Isobutyrate always requires vigilance. It carries moderate hazard potential—skin or eye contact causes irritation for most users, and accidental inhalation of dust or vapor shouldn’t be taken lightly. Turning to real-world laboratory experience, glove use, eye protection, and chemical fume hoods form the backbone of risk reduction. MSDS documentation warns about the risk of combustion in fire, and that hydrogen bromide and carbon oxides may form under heat. Because it packs a reactive bromine, waste streams headed for incineration demand careful attention to local chemical disposal rules. Never pour into regular sinks or drains.

Storage and Transport

Proper storage means an airtight vessel, kept in a cool, dry space, far from sunlight and incompatible reagents. Ordinary glass or high-density polyethylene bottles keep the material stable over most standard shelf lives. In transit, shippers weigh packaging type, quantity, and UN regulations; proper hazard labeling ensures first-responder awareness if something spills or breaks in transit. From a practical angle, clear documentation ties inventory records with chemical tracking—to avoid inadvertent mixes or exposure, especially in schools and research labs used by students.

Raw Material Sourcing and Regulatory Context

Suppliers source basic feedstock chemicals (like isobutyric acid, tert-butanol, and brominating reagents) from reliable petrochemical or mineral sources. Each step demands control not only for purity but for regulatory oversight; some jurisdictions treat certain bromo compounds as restricted or controlled-use substances. Import and customs documentation requires proper HS coding and detailed safety reporting, all cross-checked to global EINECS and REACH protocols.

Addressing Hazards: Industry Needs and Solutions

Handling harmful intermediates always invites deeper scrutiny. This chemical, while not immediately toxic in small encounter, underlines how safety culture protects both worker health and environmental compartments. Substituting open weighing for pre-measured ampoules, increasing training for secondary exposure, and improving exhaust systems in synthetic labs all lower day-to-day risks. MSDS documentation forms a living record, updated as research into acute and chronic toxicity evolves. With stricter local and international enforcement, industry often chooses enclosed, semi-automated handling over manual workflows—reducing both direct exposure and mishap risk. Waste management requires neutralization protocols for leftover bromine and carbon-based byproducts, typically enforced through local hazardous waste regulations.

Importance in Industry and Research

Tert-Butyl 2-Bromo Isobutyrate offers more than one way to boost creativity in chemical design—its properties and well-documented reactivity help drive forward polymer science, active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) production, and basic discovery in the bench-top lab. Relying on consistent product quality ensures less downtime, fewer failed experiments, and greater confidence in scaling processes—especially when the final product ends up in a regulated market. Having a detailed knowledge base for handling, reactivity, and hazards paves the way for both safety and innovation, laying groundwork for solutions that respect people and the environment at every phase of use.