Tert-Butyl 2-Bromo Isobutyrate: Insightful Overview and Characteristics

What Is Tert-Butyl 2-Bromo Isobutyrate?

Tert-Butyl 2-Bromo Isobutyrate stands as a chemical building block reaching into modern organic synthesis, especially for those exploring controlled radical polymerizations and specialty chemical preparations. This compound emerges from the union of isobutyric acid derivatives and a bromination step that brings the halogen element into the mix, creating reactivity that appeals to chemists driving the development of high-performance polymers, pharmaceutical intermediates, and custom specialty chemicals. Its molecular formula, C8H15BrO2, spells out its architecture for anyone willing to dig deeper, showing groups both hydrophobic and functional—a balancing act giving it remarkable utility. This molecule carries a bromine atom attached to an isobutyrate backbone, protected by a tert-butyl group, which lends both steric hindrance and a bulky profile, pivotal for reactions demanding selectivity and targeted reactivity.

Physical Properties and Structure

In a laboratory setting, Tert-Butyl 2-Bromo Isobutyrate typically arrives as a clear to pale yellow liquid, although under colder storage it can take on a more viscous or even semi-solid form. Its density hovers around 1.19 g/cm³ at 25°C, easily measured by anyone familiar with volumetric flasks or tabletop balances. Volatility remains moderate, which means good ventilation keeps things safe; it does not evaporate as readily as common solvents like ether or acetone, but persistent exposure invites caution. The compound holds a molecular weight of 223.11 g/mol, and its melting point generally dips below room temperature, typically between -20°C and 0°C, keeping it pourable but not truly fluid at cold room temperatures. Solubility in common organic solvents such as dichloromethane, ether, and even chloroform allows flexible formulation, while water solubility drops close to zero, a trait often expected of halogenated organic esters. Under an infrared lamp or in open sunlight, decomposition may occur, so chemical storerooms usually keep this material in opaque bottles, away from heat sources or strong light.

Product Specifications and HS Code

Commercial sources frequently establish purity levels at or above 98%, with minor impurities like isomeric esters, trace halide salts, and residual solvents monitored by gas chromatography or NMR analysis. Typical product offerings come in volume formats spanning from 250 mL glass bottles in research settings to multi-liter drums for pilot or manufacturing work. The compound is catalogued under HS Code 2915.90, sitting with acyclic carboxylic acids and their derivatives—an international trade category familiar to logisticians and customs specialists across the globe. Storage recommendations call for cool, dry, and well-ventilated conditions, with compatibility charts nearby, since brominated esters can react with aggressive bases and strong oxidizers. Handling usually takes place in fume hoods, with nitrile gloves regarded as reliable protection.

Material Forms and Handling Insights

Although Tert-Butyl 2-Bromo Isobutyrate is marketed as a liquid, especially at standard laboratory temperatures, refrigeration can harden it, giving rise to crystals or even small flakes appearing within its bottle. Sometimes, in high-purity preparations, one might observe clear, glassy shards after chilling, which return to liquid once allowed to warm. Solution form is less common in the catalogues, but for those aiming at precision dosing in automated reactors, dissolved samples in solvents such as toluene or THF may streamline processing steps. The compound is not usually sold as a powder or pearls, as its viscosity and volatility work against bead or flake formation for shipping or dispensing, and solid chunks signal either unusual formulation or mishandling. Density, always a factor when calibrating dispensing equipment, rests at approximately 1.19 g/cm³ as measured by pycnometry—experienced chemists double-check this against their own standards before scale-up.

Chemical Safety, Hazards, and Regulatory Notes

Tert-Butyl 2-Bromo Isobutyrate draws careful scrutiny for safety. Its bromine content makes it moderately hazardous on contact and harmful if inhaled or ingested. Skin exposure may provoke irritation, and laboratory veterans recommend eye protection to keep accidental splashes from causing corneal burns or long-term vision issues. As with many alkyl bromides, there lies a risk of respiratory distress if vapors build up, so consistent use of chemical fume hoods and room monitors stands as essential practice. The material does not ignite readily, yet on decomposition, it can release toxic gases including hydrogen bromide or even traces of phosgene in extreme thermal stress. Disposal must comply with local environmental controls, typically routed as halogenated organics waste or via incineration using controlled-atmosphere combustion, depending on jurisdiction. Regulatory profiles, such as REACH in the EU or TSCA in the United States, require compliance checks before scaling up importation, with safety data sheets and all hazard labels maintained in each storage location for routine audits or inspections.

Role as a Raw Material and Industry Utility

Across production environments, Tert-Butyl 2-Bromo Isobutyrate finds footing as a fundamental raw material in controlled radical polymerizations—so-called ATRP (Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization)—where it acts as an initiator. These processes build intricate macromolecules for coatings, specialty adhesives, and smart hydrogels, areas where molecular precision spells the difference between success and disappointment. Pharmaceutical labs also employ this compound as a stepping-stone in assembling complex, chiral intermediates necessary for medicinal agents in development pipelines. The ester framework, bolstered by its tert-butyl group, offers a special resilience against hydrolysis—critical for reaction chains that require extended processing or exposure to base—although strong acids or mineral bases eventually crack even this protection. People who work with this chemical in pilot-plant or manufacturing settings often cite its reliability and straightforward handling as factors that keep it in regular rotation.

Personal Experience and Solutions for Safe Use

Years spent in synthesis labs showed me just how often compounds like Tert-Butyl 2-Bromo Isobutyrate shape outcomes in both commercial and academic research. Every batch ordered, every drum unsealed, carried a set of best practices: keep stock in an amber glass bottle, track inventory tightly, and always have safety documentation nearby, including spill response cards taped inside cabinet doors. Engineers in scale-up facilities lean on temperature-controlled storage to keep materials stable—not only for quality but to avoid slow, silent degradation that can gum up future processes. Team meetings sometimes turned to stories of lost yield due to overlooked moisture, prompting continual upgrades to air-free and moisture-free workflows. Solutions to these problems rarely live in expensive gadgets; more often, they come from habit, careful documentation, and respect for how small shifts—five degrees cooler, one desiccant packet more—turn hazardous material into reliable feedstock, safe for teams and productive for supply chains.