Bromobenzene: Description, Properties, and Uses

What is Bromobenzene?

Bromobenzene shows up in labs and factories as a clear, colorless liquid with a sharp, aromatic smell. Its formula, C6H5Br, points to a benzene ring with a bromine atom tucked onto it. This single substitution gives bromobenzene its punch in both reactivity and application. In my years handling chemicals, few other compounds have cropped up as often when I’ve checked solvent racks or reagent lists for organic synthesis. Raw material buyers will recognize its name from supply chain orders sent out to keep synthesis drums filled. People in the field see it as both a feedstock and a functional additive. One liter of bromobenzene weighs more than water due to a density of about 1.495 g/cm³. Its liquid crystal appearance gets clouded only at colder temperatures, where pure bromobenzene can solidify with a melting point of around -30°C and a boiling point near 156°C. Each time I check a bottle for safe handling, I see its UN number—2514—and the HS Code 29036910 pop up on shipping documents and safety databases.

Molecular Structure and Physical Characteristics

Bromobenzene sits on a simple aromatic carbon skeleton with bromine hanging off one end, giving it a unique set of chemical and physical behaviors. You won’t find it as a solid, powder, or flakes at room temperature; it's nearly always in its liquid form, sometimes showing pearly reflections under proper lighting. Its molecular weight stands at 157.01 g/mol, which makes it heavier than its cousin benzene. Pour it from one container to another, and you’ll notice it flows just a bit thicker than water—viscosity marked at 1.24 mPa·s at 20°C. The product does not dissolve easily in water, but it blends freely with most common organic solvents like ether, chloroform, and alcohols. The structure’s stability draws from the aromatic ring, resisting breakdown even at elevated temperatures, making it valuable for high-temperature reactions. Yet, bromobenzene must not be inhaled, splashed on skin, or allowed near open flames, as vapors can catch fire and concentrated fumes irritate the nose and eyes, a lesson I learned one day forgetting a vent hood fan.

Specifications and Material Uses

Industrial customers look for purity greater than 99%, sometimes even trace impurities can throw off a step in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, or dyes. Bromobenzene's role as an intermediate stretches far: during my time working in a contract lab, it regularly found its way into making phenylmagnesium bromide, an essential Grignard reagent. These reactions often form the core steps in complex molecule building. Material analysts run gas chromatography to confirm specifications, chasing purity checkpoints that control quality throughout downstream production. Shippers package it in steel drums or glass bottles—no plastic, since bromobenzene can attack some container linings over time. Each package sports labeling for hazardous substances, following the rules for packing chemicals with both shipping and storage in mind.

Safe Handling, Hazards, and Health Concerns

Bromobenzene comes flagged as harmful—its acute toxicity isn’t sky-high, but exposure leaves an impression. Spill it, and a sharp, spicy odor signals trouble. Direct skin contact invites redness and irritation; thicker gloves and chemical splash goggles stay on hand to cut such risks. Anyone near production or loading zones hears the warning: vapors should not be inhaled, as headaches or dizzy spells hit quickly in tight, closed spaces. Emergency guides stress fire risks too—vapors will ignite if mixed with air near open flames, so every workplace keeps safety data sheets and spill containment kits nearby. For safe transit, the HS code 29036910 documents both chemical identity and the fact that it mixes hazard with usefulness, speaking from experience in factory audits where compliance officers sweep through chemical warehouses.

Environmental Impact and Waste Management

Chemical raw materials never leave their mark just on the workbench. Bromobenzene’s environmental behavior carries weight for plant managers and compliance teams dealing with hazardous waste. It degrades in soil and air but lingers long enough to trouble water sources if handled carelessly. Processes that use bromobenzene must invest in air scrubbers and waste water neutralizers, since regulations in most countries penalize direct discharge. Colleagues I’ve known from wastewater treatment backgrounds see bromobenzene show up as a risk for aquatic life at higher concentrations—making it necessary to incinerate or chemically degrade unused residues. Large-scale users track emission and run leak checks on storage tanks, aiming to shrink both environmental and regulatory exposure.

Role in Industry and Raw Materials Supply

Factories buying bromobenzene rely on steady, traceable supply lines. As a raw material, it feeds countless chemical reactions that result in everything from prescription drugs to high-performance polymers. Research teams reach for it to add bromine atoms to benzene rings or to launch nucleophilic substitution reactions. Raw materials purchasers negotiate ton-scale delivery and demand documentation on both purity and source, especially as regulations tighten around brominated organics. Chemical safety officers enforce proper labeling and monitor stock rotation so old, unstable bottles do not create hidden hazards. Production planners chalk up delays or shortages in bromobenzene procurement as causes for downstream trouble, learning the value of secure supply chains the hard way.

Possible Solutions to Handling and Hazard Concerns

Reducing risk in bromobenzene production and use starts at the planning desk. Reliable fume extraction, strict ventilation checks, and regular staff training build habits that prevent most workplace exposures. Substitution, if it fits the process, can shrink risks further; alternate solvents or reagents, while seldom perfect replacements, see trials by safety-conscious teams aiming to reduce storage of hazardous chemicals. Treatment of spills, leaks, or contaminated water relies on fast, prepared response—everything from quick-closing spill booms to on-site incineration of waste. Even small changes—tighter lids, clearer staff protocols, warning signs—close off pathways to exposure, proving that hands-on knowledge and vigilance match written regulations for keeping staff, communities, and the environment safer.