1-Phenylpyrrole goes by the formula C11H9N. Anyone who has spent time around the world of chemical manufacturing has probably stumbled across this compound in one form or another. It shows up as a white or almost white, flaky solid, though in some settings you might see it as a powder, pearls, or even small crystals. Some chemists turn it into a liquid or dissolve it into a solution, but by itself, you typically see it as a solid. The scent isn’t memorable, and it won’t burn your nose the way ammonia does, but that doesn’t mean you want to breathe it in or handle it carelessly.
Take a closer look at 1-Phenylpyrrole’s structure, and you spot a pyrrole ring—all five sides closed up tight—fused to a phenyl group. That combination gives it properties that let it jump into organic reactions, especially the ones that need a little complexity, or require an aromatic touch. The surface feels slightly greasy, kind of like handling paraffin, but it won’t melt in your hands. Specific density falls near 1.09 grams per cubic centimeter. Not the lightest, not the heaviest—just a middleweight that packs enough mass for precision measurement. The melting point sits between 59 and 62°C. Expose it to air and normal temperatures, and it keeps its stability, but once temperatures climb, degraded fragments and irritating vapors may show up. Some folks use larger crystals for spectroscopic work, since the structure makes for clear, sharp peaks.
1-Phenylpyrrole does not play games with reactivity. The combination of nitrogen in the pyrrole and the stability of the benzene ring make the molecule appealing for materials scientists and synthetic chemists. It can act both as a reactant and as a valuable intermediate—sometimes precursor, sometimes a final ingredient in specialty polymers, dyes, or pharmaceuticals. In materials research, it steps in when a backbone is needed that can conduct electrons or resist decomposition. Some labs have used it as a probe for studying environmental aerosols or to model how organic molecules twist and turn under UV light.
Quality matters when you’re dealing with specialty chemicals like 1-Phenylpyrrole. Purity often lands at 98% or above, measured by methods like HPLC or GC, and visual purity comes into play, too. Contaminants like water, other isomers, or leftover reactants from synthesis can throw off entire batches downstream, so suppliers usually test for these before clearing it for distribution. The CAS number to remember is 1003-02-3, and HS Code for customs typically falls under 2933990090, marked as a heterocyclic organic compound.
Anyone handling 1-Phenylpyrrole pays attention to safety, even if it looks benign at first glance. It’s not classed among the most harmful raw materials, but it can still irritate the skin, eyes, or airways. Industrial safety sheets caution against ingestion or inhalation, urge the use of gloves and eyewear, and call for controlled ventilation in labs or factories. There’s potential for mild toxicity if mishandled, and disposal requires attention to local chemical-waste rules. The compound isn’t explosive, doesn’t ignite easily, and won’t corrode metal overnight, but storing it away from strong acids or oxidizers keeps accidents from turning into emergencies.
Raw materials like 1-Phenylpyrrole may never get the spotlight outside the lab, but they power a surprising range of modern conveniences. Every time pharmaceutical companies invent a cleaner process, or research labs chase new electronic materials, there’s a good chance foundational chemicals like this one played a part. Because it blends stability with enough reactivity to participate in complex syntheses, it holds a long-standing seat in many chemical catalogs. Problems can show up when supplies tighten, prices spike, or impurities creep into the process, stalling development cycles and raising questions about source reliability. Audits and third-party certifications help, but the need for trusted suppliers never really goes away.
Challenges pop up around transport and storage, especially when small-lot suppliers in different countries deal with customs and regulatory restrictions. Manufacturers and researchers who rely on shipments from overseas sometimes face delays or unexpected fees due to HS Code changes or safety declarations. One good fix involves stricter labeling and advance data-sharing among suppliers, importers, and end users. Real-time tracking, barcoding, and digital certificates all help keep things moving. The wider industry still needs stronger communication, from safety data to technical specs, so people on the receiving end aren’t forced to trust only what a label says or guess at potential hazards behind vague warnings. Pushing for shared standards could lift a lot of the weight off purchasing teams and lab managers who just want clean, reliable material to get their work done.