2-Bromo-2-Methylpropionic Acid: Product Description and Properties

What is 2-Bromo-2-Methylpropionic Acid?

2-Bromo-2-methylpropionic acid stands out in the world of specialty chemicals. The molecular formula, C4H7BrO2, helps paint a clear picture: every molecule carries a bromine atom attached to a methyl-branched propionic acid backbone. The structure, CH3–C(Br)(COOH)–CH3, introduces unique reactivity, especially where selective halogenation or tailored carboxylic acid functionality matter most in manufacturing. Most people see this compound as flakes, crystalline powder, or sometimes as solid pearls. Each form offers a different handling experience: fine powder flows but tends to cling to equipment; flakes pack densely; pearls pour smoothly and resist airborne dust. This material appears white or near-white, and a sharp, acrid odor lingers around concentrated quantities, hinting at its active chemical group.

Physical and Chemical Properties

The density of 2-bromo-2-methylpropionic acid hovers around 1.5 grams per cubic centimeter. This figure makes it heavier than many organic acids, due to bromine's mass. The melting point often hits between 45°C and 49°C, so the material becomes a liquid at moderately elevated temperatures—something to keep in mind when storing in warm environments or filling bulk containers close to heat sources. This compound dries easily into a crystalline solid, and under controlled humidity, it keeps stable for long periods. When dissolved, especially in organic solvents or water, it makes clear solutions suited for various synthesis reactions. As a carboxylic acid, it interacts with metal ions, amines, and certain bases with predictable, strong reactions, but the bromine leaving group gives it a particular flair for becoming a raw material in atom transfer radical polymerization and other modern polymer science approaches.

Uses and Applications

The distinctive chemical structure of 2-bromo-2-methylpropionic acid opens opportunities in both academic and industrial settings. Often, researchers use it as a controlled initiator or functional group source in polymer synthesis, where precise chain length and site-specific substitution matter. In my own work in academic labs, introducing this acid as a starting material allowed for fine-tuning properties in new acrylic or polyacrylate backbones—yielding polymers with increased performance, particularly in coatings and responsive gels. Several fine chemical manufacturers rely on this intermediate when producing pharmaceutical building blocks, where the carboxylic acid end offers solubility and the bromine delivers reactivity at a reliable spot in the molecule. In addition to laboratory and plant-scale synthesis, some industries have looked to this chemical for fabric treatments or modified surfactants, always with strict attention on purity and consistent quality. Every batch gets measured for its melting point, color, and bromine percentage to keep end uses predictable and high-performing.

Health, Safety, and Environmental Impact

2-Bromo-2-methylpropionic acid needs careful, informed handling. Contact with skin can cause irritation, so gloves and eye protection offer peace of mind—even on short tasks. Inhaling dust irritates the nose and throat, so dust control, closed containers, and local extraction matter for worker safety. The bromine atom, in its organic form, brings some concerns about environmental harm if spilled in quantity or released as waste. Proper waste neutralization and collection, paired with municipal regulations, keep exposures and unintended releases in check. Emergency data sheets flag this chemical as a harmful irritant and a potential acute hazard, and long-term storage guidance stresses keeping it cool and sealed—away from acids, bases, and strong oxidizers. Transportation routes use the HS Code 2915900090 for customs and regulatory declarations, which signals its position among organic acids and derivatives, a reminder that global standards now drive transparency from source to end user.

Specifications, Quality, and Raw Material Considerations

Quality starts with the source. The best producers control bromination and purification steps closely, so every lot matches published specifications: purity greater than 98%, melting point in the standard window, minimal residual solvent, and low moisture. Every kilogram of product carries a batch record, with analysis supporting compliance for research, industrial, or even select pharmaceutical uses. As a raw material, this compound brings versatility: it preps easily for esterification, amide formation, or conversion to specialty brominated derivatives. By balancing reactivity with storage stability, 2-bromo-2-methylpropionic acid supports plant operations that need both safety and flexibility. In transit and storage, labeling regulations line up with both hazardous and environmental protection frameworks, meaning the right paperwork and container types support safe movement between suppliers, chemical plants, and research facilities. Working with this chemical encouraged both a practical respect for hazardous materials and an appreciation for the science supporting safe, innovative use.