Chemists have always set their sights on molecules that open new doors in synthesis and technology. In the broader history of thienyl derivatives, 1-Benzo[B]Thien-2-Ylethan-1-One earned attention during the mid-twentieth century as sulfur-containing compounds started making waves in organic chemistry. Interest in this molecule rose out of efforts to design new heterocyclic frameworks for both pharmaceuticals and materials. Early researchers, drawing on sulfur’s unique reactivity, explored benzo[b]thiophene structures in earnest, branching into the 1-one derivatives as potential candidates for new chemical transformations. Journals from the 1960s point to patent filings and technical articles focusing on the preparation of the core skeleton, proof of the growing curiosity. Over time, advancements in purification, analytical instrumentation, and the systematic mapping of structure-activity relationships brought more clarity — giving chemists the tools to characterize and utilize these compounds with more precision than those pioneers ever imagined.
Ask any organic chemist about benzo[b]thiophene derivatives, and they’ll likely mention their versatility. 1-Benzo[B]Thien-2-Ylethan-1-One carries a fused ring system — connecting a benzene and a thiophene ring, joined with an ethanone bridge. A compound like this walks the line between aromatic stability and functional reactivity, lending itself to synthetic modifications. Many labs order it as a pale yellow, crystalline solid, ready for use in fine chemicals or assay reference material. Others may recognize it as a starting point for more targeted molecular libraries, bridging the gap between academic discovery and industrial practicality. The core structure allows chemists to build from a well-defined scaffold, tailoring further modifications based on targeted biological or electronic properties.
This molecule tips the scale at a moderate molecular weight, hovering in the low-to-mid 200s. Its crystalline form signals that it packs well, forming ordered structures in the solid state. 1-Benzo[B]Thien-2-Ylethan-1-One melts in the vicinity of 60 to 80°C, offering a window for both solution and melt-phase reactions. Odor is minimal, as with many fused aromatics, offering an immediate clue about volatility — this isn’t something that’s likely to lift off the bench on a summer day. Solubility tests with common solvents like acetone, dichloromethane, and methanol show promising uptake, which means it can fit into a variety of synthetic workflows. Chemically, the carbonyl group at position one sits ready for nucleophilic attack, and the aromatic system relays stability — a measured blend of reactivity and resilience, which matters in both test-tube and large-scale settings. Its UV-vis absorption edge sits in the range expected for extended conjugation, guiding those who design electronic or photonic materials.
Vendors usually supply this product with purity above 98%, confirmed by HPLC or GC, often verified alongside NMR and IR spectra included in the product documentation. Standard packaging ranges from gram to multi-kilogram quantities, with labeling that stresses safe handling, batch number, and storage conditions — typically a cool, dry environment away from sunlight. Each bottle rests in an amber glass vial, accompanied by a certification of analysis. Storage life leans toward several years under recommended conditions, with little sign of degradation in sealed containers. Shipping information emphasizes measures against photodegradation and accidental contact. Any labworker who values traceability or compliance with local and global chemical handling codes can trust these specifications, which keep confusion and risk to a minimum at the bench.
Preparation often begins with commercially available benzo[b]thiophene and involves acylation. In the classic approach, Friedel-Crafts acylation targets the thiophene ring, offering regiocontrol with an acyl chloride and Lewis acid like aluminum chloride. Workup usually includes hydrolysis and extraction, followed by stepwise purification through column chromatography. In recent years, some labs have leaned into greener options, swapping out chlorinated solvents for less hazardous alternatives and exploring solid-supported catalysts to cut down on waste. Process notes keep track of critical reaction temperatures, which ensure selectivity and reproducibility — two hallmarks of any reliable preparation. Chemists who deal with batch-to-batch irregularities often trace the issue to the purity of starting materials or the handling of Lewis acids, not the underlying synthetic logic.
Once on the shelf, this ketone opens doors to a host of reactions. The carbonyl oxygen welcomes nucleophiles, setting the stage for reductive amination or Grignard addition, both of which expand structural complexity in a single step. Electrophilic aromatic substitutions can target the benzo ring, while cross-coupling at the thiophene brings in modern palladium-catalyzed methods. Researchers chasing analogs can swap side chains or introduce halides on the aromatic system, each bringing subtle changes in polarity or biological activity. At a practical level, the ability to customize this molecular framework without starting from scratch saves time and cuts down on waste, which both academic and industry groups appreciate.
This compound shows up in literature under a handful of names. 2-(1-Oxoethyl)benzo[b]thiophene or even Benzothiophen-2-ylethanone appear in catalogs, though the name 1-Benzothien-2-ylethan-1-one surfaces most often on chemical supplier sites. Registration databases like CAS and PubChem standardize identifiers, making cross-referencing easier regardless of geography or manufacturer. Such naming variation sometimes confuses students or early-career researchers, especially during cross-journal searches, but accuracy in internal records keeps procurement and compliance headaches at bay.
Safety data sheets for this molecule underline the importance of gloves, safety glasses, and fume hood handling. Inhalation risks rank low, though accidental skin contact can cause mild irritation, so personal protective equipment remains a best practice. Disposal guidelines match other stable organosulfur chemicals — collected for incineration or managed by solvent recovery contractors. Anyone working with larger quantities must keep spill kits and eyewash stations accessible. Training on sulfur compound hazards and safe workup practices fits into standard lab onboarding. Supply chain transparency, especially for regions adhering to REACH or OSHA standards, provides confidence in product safety and keeps inspections straightforward.
Much of the recent interest in 1-Benzo[B]Thien-2-Ylethan-1-One flows from its place in pharmaceuticals and advanced materials. The tuple of stability, modifiability, and the presence of a sulfur atom brings out new chemistry for drug discovery — especially kinase inhibitors or ligand screening. Beyond therapeutics, its electronic properties grab the attention of materials chemists, who search for next-generation organic semiconductors and photoresponsive components. Research groups have used it as a reference in spectral studies or as a precursor to custom dye molecules for sensor applications. Legacy uses in analytical chemistry still pop up in reference lab protocols, anchoring this molecule solidly in both old and new pursuits.
Active research leans heavily on the versatility of this skeleton. Teams in medicinal chemistry modify it to chase novel receptor binding, tweaking the aromatic system or the side-chain substituents to optimize for target affinity and metabolic stability. Analytical chemists dive into its spectral fingerprints, adding to structure-activity databases. Outside the bench, computer-aided drug design groups use this compound as a scaffold in molecular modeling and virtual screening. Companies interested in patent landscapes seek freedom-to-operate studies, sometimes leveraging unusual substitution patterns on the core structure to skirt crowded intellectual property territories. Academic consortia focus on benzo[b]thiophene rings when developing bioorthogonal probes or new ligands for organometallic catalysts.
Current toxicity data paints a conservative, though not benign, picture. Animal assays indicate low acute toxicity, yet consistent with many sulfur-containing aromatics, extended exposure draws attention for possible hepatic or respiratory irritation. Regulators in Europe and North America recommend conservative exposure limits pending more comprehensive metabolite studies. Chronic effects have not appeared in the usual patch or inhalation tests, which means standard chemical hygiene protocols remain the primary safeguard. Analytical development in toxicology continues, with LC-MS and GC-MS platforms giving clearer eluents and quantitation down to the low ppm range. Continuous publishing of new metabolic and degradation pathways brings better predictive modeling for human and environmental health risks.
This molecule’s structure primes it for expanding application in pharmaceuticals and electronics. Advances in high-throughput screening and combinatorial chemistry let research labs churn out dozens of analogs in weeks, accelerating the search for potent bioactives or next-generation optoelectronic components. Materials chemists manipulate the aromatic system for OLEDs or organic field-effect transistors, exploring electronic properties that might edge out more traditional, less sustainable organometallics. Increased data from academic-industry partnerships encourages regulatory clarity and boosts investment into greener, safer synthetic workflows. Granular spectroscopic and computational models inch closer to prediction, simplifying everything from procurement to scale-up.
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