2-(2-Bromoacetyl)Thiophene stands out due to its brominated acetyl group attached to a thiophene ring, leading to a chemical that shows up in a few interesting shapes and serves a practical purpose across different industries. Its molecular formula, C6H5BrOS, spells out the story: six carbons, five hydrogens, a single bromine, one oxygen, and sulfur locked into a five-membered ring. The bromine and acetyl groups aren’t just window dressing. They change how this compound reacts, making it useful when building more complex chemicals down the line, especially in pharmaceutical and chemical research.
You will find 2-(2-Bromoacetyl)Thiophene as either an off-white or pale yellow solid, sometimes in powder or flaky form, and occasionally as coarse crystalline granules. Forget glossy pearls or smooth liquid—its real-life form leans toward brittle flakes or powder, clumping easily if left exposed to humidity in a lab. Specific gravity presses between 1.6 and 1.7 g/cm³, so it carries a noticeable heft when poured into a beaker. Melting typically kicks in around 60-65°C, warning you to keep storage rooms cool when handling bulk raw material. As for the structure, a five-membered thiophene houses the action, with the 2-position holding onto a bromoacetyl side chain. This part gives the molecule reactivity—nothing crazy like liquid fire, but strong enough to enable transformations in chemical synthesis.
Lab catalogs list 2-(2-Bromoacetyl)Thiophene under HS Code 2934999099, which sorts it into “heterocyclic compounds with oxygen and sulfur.” It falls squarely into the class of building-block molecules, especially for folks making custom pharmaceuticals, special agrochemical prototypes, or advanced organic electronics. It’s got a relatively low vapor pressure, so nobody catches a whiff unless heating goes too far. Water solubility remains almost zero; organic solvents like dichloromethane or ether do the heavy lifting when it’s time to dissolve, clean, or react. Density checks remind users you’re not handling a featherweight, and the presence of bromine throws up a red flag for tracking and regulatory paperwork in most chemical trades.
Once you start using 2-(2-Bromoacetyl)Thiophene, its reactivity with nucleophiles becomes obvious—the bromoacetyl group offers a targeted spot for substitution or coupling reactions. Thiophene rings resist some harsh treatments, so the molecule stands up to a mix of lab conditions, but not to strong acids or bases, which can tear it down quickly. Chemists handle it using powder scoops and gloves, never with bare hands, since it’s both hazardous and potentially harmful: skin and eye irritation top the list of risks, and nobody wants to prep a reaction using this stuff without proper ventilation because volatilized dust or accidental spills don’t belong on exposed skin or lungs.
Most requests for 2-(2-Bromoacetyl)Thiophene come from research labs, specialty material makers, or companies chasing new small-molecule drugs. The value isn’t so much in finished goods, but in its raw form—serving as a gateway to other, higher-value molecules. Think of it like the flour in baking: hardly special alone, but try making bread without it. That same value means it comes with standard chemical safety rules: goggles, gloves, dedicated storage, and plenty of alertness during preparation. Chemical suppliers must treat every container as hazardous, declaring it so on shipping labels, and posting clear SDS (Safety Data Sheet) warnings—including its irritant potential and tips on neutralization or spill response.
Storage problems tend to crop up because this material absorbs moisture and can clump into stubborn chunks, which make accurate weighing a hassle. Sealed containers, with desiccants, kept in cool, dry places fix most troubles. Another concern is waste management: small spills or outdated stock can’t go into general trash or local drains, because brominated organics stir up environmental worry. Labs need certified hazardous waste pickup, using polyethylene bottles or UN-rated drums. Regular training for handling and disposal keeps accidents off the record sheet. And because 2-(2-Bromoacetyl)Thiophene falls into regulatory crosshairs in some regions, timely paperwork matters—labs need up-to-date safety documents, shipping manifests, and cross-checks with local chemical control lists to dodge compliance snags.
People in organic chemistry and material science see 2-(2-Bromoacetyl)Thiophene as a key ingredient for synthesis. Better access to this material speeds up discovery in drug development, specialty dyes, electronic materials, and custom agrochemical products. Handling it responsibly means chemistry can push forward safely without risking health or running afoul of laws. Open conversations between labs, manufacturers, safety managers, and regulators end up helping everyone use valuable, reactive building blocks like this without liability headaches or environmental slip-ups. Every gram that makes its way into a stable, innovative product tells a story about how old molecules like thiophene, tuned with the right functional group, can keep chemistry vital and creative.