2-(2-Methyl-5-Bromobenzyl)-5-(4-Fluorophenyl)Thiophene refers to a specialty chemical with a pretty complex-sounding name but a clear role: serving as an organic intermediate. This molecule carries the punch for industries focused on synthesizing advanced pharmaceutical compounds and specialized materials. Its formula—C18H14BrFS—maps out a structure that brings together a methyl-bromobenzyl group with a fluorophenyl-thiophene backbone, a combination that helps drive certain reactions only this sort of raw material can deliver.
With its backbone stretched through a thiophene ring, one end holds a 2-methyl-5-bromobenzyl group while the opposite binds to a 4-fluorophenyl. These substitutions add some key features: bromine adds heft, and fluorine’s presence tweaks reactivity. On a molecular level, the presence of halogens (bromine and fluorine) pulls the electron density in a way that has made compounds like this valuable in building more complicated molecules—mainly because these positions offer handles for reactions or enzyme resistance. It holds a molecular weight near 361.28 g/mol, which means it’s got enough mass to behave as a solid at room temperature. Its melting point can start to rise above 100°C, and the density floats around 1.4 g/cm3. Crystals form readily out of solution, showing off as fine white to off-white flakes or a very faintly yellowish powder, especially once pure. Larger flakes cluster together under the microscope; on a table, it simply looks like a clean powder.
Depending on storage and transportation or drying conditions, you might spot this material in a range of forms. Sometimes it appears as crystalline flakes—thin and plate-like with some shine under a light source. In other cases, the powder forms pull together due to static, taking a denser consistency not quite as air-light as some raw powders. If processed for industrial scaling, it can be compacted into micro-pearls for easier handling. While it does not dissolve readily in water, organic solvents like DMSO or DMF will take it up, creating a clear solution for use in bench chemistry. Its physical stability in solid form means it ships well, usually arriving in thick-walled containers that keep humidity out. Each kilo feels dense, and when handling large lots, lab techs toss on gloves as a matter of habit.
Bulk trading and international movement of this material carries the HS Code 2934999099, an umbrella for organic compounds not elsewhere classified. Regulatory databases list it as a substance that warrants respectful handling—mainly because the bromine atom raises the risk of irritation and the entire compound, like most fine chemicals, should not be inhaled or contacted with bare skin repeatedly. Safety sheets point out proper use of goggles, gloves, and a well-ventilated workspace for anyone involved in weighing or moving the powder. Spills get swept up with minimal dust and disposed of according to chemical rules. While toxicological data is still slim, standard care for organobromine compounds covers real hazards: avoid long-term exposure, don’t burn waste, steer clear of water streams during cleanup. In solution, especially concentrated, it might eat through certain plastics or degrade rubber seals, so high-quality glass or PTFE is usually deployed. Its reactivity is stable during standard use, but rapid heating or contact with strong acids or bases might force unwanted byproducts—a note managers and chemists keep in mind.
People working with 2-(2-Methyl-5-Bromobenzyl)-5-(4-Fluorophenyl)Thiophene typically care about its place in synthesis chains. The mixture of aromatic rings, halogen groups, and the versatile thiophene center provides a solid anchor for constructing larger, biologically active molecules—especially ones that call for both an electron-rich and electron-poor side. In my own time watching staff at a synthesis plant, it stands clear that the practical side matters most: secure storage that keeps out light and moisture, fully labeled drums with precise batch numbers, and a logbook documenting every transfer from warehouse to reactor. Researchers in pharmaceutical development look to structures like this for scaffolding new drugs or tweaking activity to evade enzymatic breakdown. It’s also landed as a building block in advanced materials, where conductivity, stability, or a particular arrangement of atoms gives rise to new uses in electronics or specialty coatings.
Handling quantities from gram to multi-kilogram means dealing with the density and sometimes the stickiness produced by fine powder. The sharp, sometimes slightly sweet chemical odor calls for good air turnover. Proper weighing relies on an enclosed balance, since the fine particles want to float with a little breeze. Routinely, labs keep the powder sealed in dark bottles or larger drums, tight-capped, and sometimes with silica packs to preserve integrity. Shipping manifests spell out that it’s a hazardous substance, and logistics teams know the safety paperwork by heart. Cleaning up after a batch involves not just sweeping but a wet wipe-down, since stray particles can linger on metal trays or plastic scoops. Disposal skips the trash and heads straight to solvent waste or incinerator services. From a cost standpoint, its price reflects the steps in its synthesis—a number of high-purity reagents and several reaction steps—so users don’t waste even a gram.
A big issue for companies starting to move from small-batch lab work to manufacturing is the fine balance of safety, cost, and reliable supply. Losses mount fast if humidity or light ruins a drum, so those working the supply chain keep a regular check on seals and conditions. The hazardous tag complicates air shipping, often turning up delays at customs or extra fees for paperwork and packaging. At the ground level, proper training for everyone handling storage or transfer cuts the risk of accidental exposure or environmental release. More automation—think closed transfers, less open weighing—helps limit dust and loss. If disposal remains a headache in larger-scale operations, I’ve seen some teams invest in on-site capture equipment or partnerships with chemical waste contractors, ensuring nothing slips cracks that could bring headaches with regulators.
Calling this compound a “raw material” might understate its value: for some lines of development, it’s the keystone that makes the later steps possible, not just a filler. Chemists use it to build everything from research standards to the core of next-generation treatments or even custom electronics. Its predictable solid-state consistency, ability to dissolve purposefully, and controlled reactivity mean it stays in demand even while researchers look for greener or cheaper options. Investment in proper sourcing, safe storage solutions, up-to-date handling practices, and reliable disposal protocols turn what could be a risk into an advantage for companies willing to take time and resources to manage it right. That’s where the future value of a specialty compound like this will get measured: not just in what it can do, but in how well each link in the supply chain handles it, safely and smartly.
