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3-Bromophenol belongs to the class of halogenated aromatic compounds and shows up as a solid material, often appearing as slightly beige flakes, crystalline powder, or small pearls. Its chemical formula, C6H4BrOH, points to a benzene ring bearing both a bromine atom and a hydroxyl group, positioned meta to each other. This placement affects its reactivity and interactions in syntheses and applications. Chemists know it as a building block for complex molecules, especially in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Structurally, the molecule consists of six carbon atoms in a benzene ring, one hydrogen replaced with a bromine atom at the 3-position, and one hydrogen replaced with a hydroxyl group at the 1-position. This particular substitution pattern defines the compound’s identity, separating it from its isomers, like 2-bromophenol or 4-bromophenol, which carry the same functional groups at different positions.
3-Bromophenol has a molar mass of 173.01 g/mol and exists at room temperature as a solid, occasionally described as flaky or powdery depending on the batch and processing method. The density settles around 1.8 g/cm3, making it heavier than other phenols without bromine. Its melting point falls between 64°C and 70°C, offering a relatively low barrier for conversion to liquid under mild heat. Solubility stands out as a practical concern; it dissolves sparingly in cold water, which makes handling spills uncomplicated but limits certain uses. In organic solvents like ethanol, ether, or chloroform, its solubility increases, encouraging chemists to use such media for reactions or purification steps. Colorless to pale yellow crystals signal relative purity; the darker appearance suggests the presence of impurities. In air, it remains stable under normal storage, but it can degrade or react under harsh conditions, releasing hazardous vapors if heated to decomposition.
Industry-grade 3-Bromophenol usually arrives as crystalline material or finely milled powder, regularly kept in airtight containers to block moisture and limit exposure to air. Purity standards run from 97% up to 99%, with trace impurities typically specified in product data sheets. Key tests confirm melting point, appearance, and the absence of contaminants like dibromophenols or residual solvents. The HS Code for 3-Bromophenol usually falls under 2908.99, tagged for halogenated, sulfonated, nitrated, or nitrosated derivatives of phenols. Customs officers and trade professionals use this code for logistics and regulatory paperwork, making global trade and compliance easier for enterprises using or distributing 3-Bromophenol.
Handling 3-Bromophenol demands respect for its chemical hazards. The compound can cause skin and eye irritation, and inhalation of dust or vapors leaves sensitive individuals with headaches, nausea, or respiratory discomfort. Safe working conditions involve gloves, goggles, and local exhaust ventilation, especially when measuring or transferring powder. Spilled material can be gathered with non-sparking tools and stored for proper disposal. The compound shows some toxicity to aquatic organisms because of the brominated aromatic structure, so good practice keeps wastewater and residues out of drains and public water systems. In labs, storage in tightly sealed containers blocks contamination and loss of material, preserving both workplace safety and chemical efficacy. The European Chemicals Agency and regulatory guides like GHS and REACH recognize it as hazardous but assign clear instructions for classification, labeling, packaging, and emergency response. For transportation, safety data sheets travel with shipments, alerting handlers to fire risks, reactivity, or health hazards.
The unique profile of 3-Bromophenol makes it attractive to the synthesis of dyes, fragrances, and pharmaceutical intermediates. Researchers deploy it as a starting point in Suzuki or Heck couplings, reactions that depend on the reactivity of the bromine atom for forming new carbon-carbon bonds. Analytical labs bring it into play as a reference compound in chromatographic analysis or as a marker for reaction tracking. Specialty material manufacturers use it to produce fine chemicals, coils of polymers, or molecules intended for electronic applications. As a research-grade reagent, it often arrives in 100-gram or 500-gram bottles, sealed, labeled, and accompanied by full technical documentation.
Most commonly, 3-Bromophenol crosses the laboratory bench as colorless to faint-yellow flakes, although larger crystals can grow from slow recrystallization. Storage and shipping in powder form, often inside double-bagged, amber bottles, protects the product from humidity and ultraviolet light. Rarely, 3-Bromophenol appears as a prepared solution in organic solvents—this format aids precise dosing and direct application, especially in automated chemical systems or industrial lines. Bulk shipments move in fiber drums or plastic-lined kegs, each marked clearly for hazard identification. Its solid state keeps stability high; only intense heat or strong acids and bases encourage breakdown or side reactions.
With a molecular structure described as a benzene ring substituted at positions 1 and 3 with hydroxyl and bromine, 3-Bromophenol stands as a critical intermediate. The C-Br bond, characterized by moderate strength, opens avenues for diverse organic transformations, including nucleophilic aromatic substitution and organometallic coupling. Many larger molecules, including antifungal agents, herbicides, or advanced polymers, lean on 3-Bromophenol as a building block. Chemical manufacturers appreciate its reliability as a raw material, ensuring consistent quality links from supply partner to lab bench. Its distinct physical, chemical, and regulatory footprint marks it as a substance requiring skill, care, and attention in the hands of trained professionals.
