1-Bromohexadecane: Product Overview and Characteristics

What Is 1-Bromohexadecane?

1-Bromohexadecane has found a foothold in chemical industries and research labs due to its unique structure and material properties. Chemically, this compound consists of a sixteen-carbon straight hydrocarbon chain capped off by a bromine atom at one end, giving the molecular formula C₁₆H₃₃Br and a molar mass of about 305.35 g/mol. Anyone handling chemicals over the years will recognize the significance of unbranched alkyl chains, especially in applications that rely on predictable reactivity and well-established interfacial behaviors. The bromine atom here marks it as a type of alkyl halide—materials often valued for their roles as intermediates in organic synthesis, surface treatments, and as building blocks for specialized surfactants.

Specifications and Physical Properties

Drawing on experience with long-chain organobromides, 1-Bromohexadecane appears as either a pale yellow or nearly colorless liquid at room temperature, with a melting point around 17 to 18 °C and boiling range spanning 350 to 355 °C under atmospheric pressure. Some batches crystallize as waxy solids or even tiny crystalline flakes during cooler months—a reality familiar to anyone storing bottles in unheated stockrooms. Its density knocks around 1.048 g/cm³ at 20 °C, which places it just slightly greater than water and easy to distinguish from lighter organic compounds by handling. This material does not dissolve well in water, but it spreads out easily in most non-polar solvents like hexane or toluene. The structure itself—one bromine off a long carbon backbone—means 1-Bromohexadecane brings both hydrophobic character and a reactive site together in a single molecule, making it valuable where tailored surface properties or further chemical modification is needed.

Structure and Molecular Formula

The simple linear structure, CH₃(CH₂)₁₅Br, allows for straightforward chemical reactions—a feature any synthetic chemist can appreciate when looking to introduce longer alkyl chains through substitution or coupling. Bromine at the terminal carbon positions it for direct nucleophilic substitution, which opens pathways to create amines, thiols, or alcohol derivatives. Even in research settings outside of organic chemistry, having a precisely defined straight-chain bromide can offer new possibilities in surface science, nanoscale assembly, or even phase transfer catalysis due to the balance of the molecular length and halogen activation.

Forms and Appearance: Flakes, Solid, Liquid, Powder, Crystals, Pearls

1-Bromohexadecane is typically handled as a clear to pale yellow liquid, but anyone in logistics or storage knows how a cold warehouse or shipping crate can freeze it into wax-like flakes or crystalline solids. Sometimes, extended cooling turns a batch into small pellets or even powdery masses, especially during winter or when exposed to drafts in storage. Crystals grow as slender needles or plates, often with a slight pearlescent sheen. Each form offers different advantages during scale-up or laboratory dispensing: liquids pour freely for precise measurement, while flakes or crystals can be weighed directly in open vessels, reducing splashing or vapors. The physical form often signals nothing about chemical purity, but practical handling tips—like gently warming the storage bottle or using a water bath—remain useful for anyone dealing with this compound regularly.

HS Code and Regulatory Information

For global shipments or customs clearance, 1-Bromohexadecane carries the Harmonized System (HS) code 2903.39, which covers halogenated derivatives of hydrocarbons. Accurate HS code classification avoids unnecessary shipment delays and supports proper regulation by international authorities. Having dealt with customs forms and regulatory authorities, it’s clear that proper classification streamlines imports, exports, and safety reporting—an often overlooked part of the supply chain, but one that matters when time is money and delayed shipments disrupt production timelines. Proper labeling '1-Bromohexadecane, HS Code: 2903.39' on invoices or safety documents minimizes the risk of confusion during inspections or audits.

Safe Handling, Hazards, and Health Considerations

Working with organobromides always calls for a strong safety mindset. 1-Bromohexadecane brings the typical set of cautions seen with halogenated organics—mild toxicity, irritation potential for skin, eyes, and respiratory tract, and flammability. Prolonged contact can cause redness or dryness, and inhalation of vapors or mists may lead to coughing or discomfort. In comparison to aromatic bromides or polybrominated agents, the systemic toxicity remains moderate, but there’s no shortcut to safe lab procedures. Technicians and researchers should always rely on nitrile gloves, goggles, and lab coats, coupled with proper ventilation in fume hoods or well-ventilated rooms. SDS (Safety Data Sheets) call for storage in cool, dry, well-ventilated environments, and disposal should follow local hazardous waste procedures to avoid environmental contamination. In my years of handling similar chemicals, awareness and routine personal protective equipment checks cut the odds of spills or exposure and simplify compliance with workplace health standards.

Material and Raw Chemical Applications

1-Bromohexadecane sees use as an intermediate in more complex chemical syntheses—an area where experienced researchers and industrial chemists appreciate its reliability and straightforward behavior. Its long alkyl chain, capped with a reactive bromine, proves especially useful for making surfactants, emulsifiers, lubricants, and specialized organic compounds where precisely tuned chain length shifts performance properties like melting point, softness, or surface adherence. It also steps into roles within materials science, such as controlling the self-assembly of nanoparticles or adjusting hydrophobicity in coatings. As a raw material, its performance links back to the clear molecular structure, dependable reactivity of the bromine group, and the physical stability in multiple forms under common storage conditions. Years spent watching market price trends and supplier lists reveal that demand for this chemical tracks tightly with trends in specialty surfactants and engineered coatings—industries where fine structural differences lead to big gains on the finished product side.

Density, Specific Gravity, and Solubility

The density of 1-Bromohexadecane, perched at roughly 1.048 g/cm³, stands out whenever handling bulk volumes or setting up precise reactions. The near-neutral buoyancy in water means separation and extraction require clear protocols, and waste management needs to take into account the low miscibility in polar solutions. Handling experience teaches that while this density makes spills easy to spot and clean, it also requires strict containment strategies, especially when working around drains or open surfaces. The specific gravity supports effective layering in biphasic reactions. Its limited water solubility highlights a hydrophobic backbone—important for technicians designing emulsification or dispersive systems and looking to exploit the chain length for maximum performance in non-aqueous blends, whether in cosmetics, personal care, or industrial cleaning applications.

Opportunities and Challenges—Learning from Experience

Over time, it becomes clear that stocking and using 1-Bromohexadecane calls for more than just chemical knowledge—it demands coordination with purchasing, logistics, health and safety specialists, and environmental managers. Sourcing high-purity batches can get tricky when shortages or supply chain hiccups hit the bromine market, making close supplier relationships and good forecasting invaluable. Storage brings its own lessons: tight temperature control prevents accidental solidification or product degradation, and solid forms need careful thawing to avoid contamination. Long-chain bromoalkanes like this one sometimes prompt worries about toxicity or environmental persistence, so regular safety refreshers and up-to-date safety documentation become daily necessities. Improvements in packaging, from tamper-evident seals to recyclable drums for less waste, offer solid paths to reducing risk and supporting greener practices across research, manufacturing, and supply chains.