1-Bromo-4-Chlorobutane: Product Profile and Key Properties

What is 1-Bromo-4-Chlorobutane?

1-Bromo-4-Chlorobutane is a halogenated organic compound produced for a range of synthesis applications in chemical manufacturing. The structure features a four-carbon straight alkane chain, with a bromine atom at the first carbon and a chlorine atom at the fourth. This unique arrangement delivers an interesting mix of physical and chemical properties that finds use in making pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and specialty functional materials. From personal research projects in school to reading safety data sheets in a professional lab, I remember seeing how critical precise information is when handling halogenated butanes—accuracy in structure matters as it maps directly to safe use and reactivity.

Physical Properties and Molecular Structure

This molecule carries the molecular formula C₄H₈BrCl. Its molar mass weighs in at about 171.46 g/mol, shaped by the presence of two dense halogen atoms. The structure remains a straight-chain hydrocarbon backbone, which affects not just the boiling point and density, but also solubility and volatility. At typical room temperatures, 1-Bromo-4-Chlorobutane appears as a clear, colorless to slightly yellowish liquid, sometimes described as having a faint, sweet odor. The specific density hovers around 1.38–1.43 g/mL at 20°C, so it sinks beneath water. This isn’t just a trivia point—knowing a chemical’s density lets anyone working in a lab plan safe storage and accident responses.

Material Forms and Handling Features

1-Bromo-4-Chlorobutane comes mostly as a liquid; you won’t find it as flakes, pearls, or powder in bulk chemical markets. Liquid form delivers practical factors for lab and plant-scale users—it flows, mixes, and pours easily, but brings challenges of vapor management and containment. Over years in lab settings, I’ve noticed how careful handling of such liquids reduces inhalation risks and keeps workspaces cleaner. The right containers matter: storage in glass or non-reactive plastics closes the door for accidental reactions, and tightly sealed caps preserve purity by blocking out air and humidity. Product is typically sold in liter quantities or bulk barrels, with concentration and purity specified in certificates of analysis. Buyers checking these technical details help smooth out productivity in the next synthesis step, avoiding rework or waste.

Chemical Characteristics and Use Cases

The dual-halogen structure means this molecule acts as a versatile building block. The bromine and chlorine atoms can serve as leaving groups in various substitution and elimination reactions, which single-halide substitutes can’t always provide. I’ve seen chemists use this compound to build up rings, tailor surfactant headgroups, or craft intermediate molecules for drug discovery projects. The reactive sites unlock routes not just for standard organics, but for organometallic or cross-coupling chemistry. Industries relying on these reactions pay close attention to electrophilicity and leaving group ability, since it impacts yield and by-product profile.

Specification and Compliance

Buyers typically expect technical-grade purity at levels above 98%, with specifics on water content, acidity, and appearance documented for quality control. Any oxygenated by-products or unreacted starting materials show up readily on certificates of analysis that accompany commercial shipments. The assigned Harmonized System (HS) code for 1-Bromo-4-Chlorobutane is 29036990, a reference every import/export specialist needs to navigate regulatory and customs steps. Ensuring consistent conformance to local and international standards shields downstream users from unexpected compatibility or performance issues—a lesson learned more than once after surprise deviations in specialty synthesis labs.

Health, Safety, and Environmental Considerations

1-Bromo-4-Chlorobutane requires careful treatment as both a skin and respiratory irritant. Contact can trigger redness or mild burns, and inhalation of vapors risks headaches or dizziness. Inside the chemical’s material safety dossier, recommendations focus on usage in well-ventilated areas, and those planning to scale up processes should prepare for containment of spills and volatile organic compounds. This compound classifies as a hazardous chemical both for transportation and waste disposal, reflecting not just a regulatory detail, but the real necessity for proper gloves, goggles, and fume control. On more than one occasion, I’ve seen process upsets traced to overlooked vapor leaks or cross-contamination—these incidents prove why robust protocols pay off for operators and the environment.

Raw Material Sourcing and Supply Chain Issues

The production of 1-Bromo-4-Chlorobutane pulls raw materials from the petrochemical stream. Shifts in halogen prices or alkane feedstock costs ripple straight through to finished product pricing. During the past few years, supply chain disruptions stemming from transport delays or upstream plant maintenance have generated headaches for both buyers and sellers. Industry participants who establish strong relationships with diversified suppliers and maintain backup inventories fare better in periods of tight supply. Factories that switch to greener sources or close-loop recycling for halogen by-products also improve their position with cost and regulatory oversight.

Solutions for Safer Use and Future Sustainability

Promoting training in handling halogenated chemicals bolsters safety culture in labs and plants. Regular refresher sessions for chemical storage, accidental spillage, and reaction quenching cut down on risk and limit costly downtime. Looking ahead, investing in greener pathways for synthesizing 1-Bromo-4-Chlorobutane—using milder reagents or cleaner energy—can reduce the chemical’s environmental impact. Teams developing next-generation raw materials often look for lower-toxicity analogs or recyclable synthesis processes to satisfy both customer demand and regulatory frameworks. Ethical sourcing, improved trackability throughout the supply chain, and transparent safety documentation all feed into full compliance with updated rules and higher professional trust.