2-(4-Fluorophenyl)Thiophene stands out in research labs for its organosulfur backbone and fluorinated phenyl ring. On the shelf, you’ll spot it as an off-white or pale yellow solid. This compound draws a following among chemists and materials scientists searching for building blocks with tailored electronic features. Its roots stretch across advanced material synthesis, organic electronics, and intermediate steps in drug innovation.
You can break down 2-(4-Fluorophenyl)Thiophene into a thiophene ring connected to a phenyl that carries a fluorine atom at the para position. The structure, C10H7FS, packs a molecular weight of just over 178 grams per mole. Structural features like the fluorine atom shift the electronic landscape, nudging physicochemical properties compared to plain thiophene or standard phenylthiophenes. The configuration keeps crystal and solution-state chemists busy due to the possibilities for pi-stacking and varying crystal packing arrangements.
This material comes in several forms including flakes, powders, or larger crystalline pearls. Handling it, the flakes and powders might cling to glass or gloves, thanks to their fine particulate nature. Lay out a sample and expect it to settle under air at room temperature, with a melting point often cited around the 60-65°C range. The density hovers near 1.2 g/cm3 in solid state, which matches what you'd expect for an aromatic with sulfur in the backbone. Solutions in organic media, including dichloromethane or toluene, show good solubility—the backbone resists clumping or precipitation, except in highly polar environments. Liquid forms rarely appear unless a solvent is involved.
2-(4-Fluorophenyl)Thiophene serves as a raw material for materials chemists chasing conductivity and light-emitting properties. Its fluorinated edge enhances thermal and oxidative stability, which matters in organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and thin film transistors. In the lab, lengthy notebook pages describe using it as a strategic synthon in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals—where tweaks on the aromatic system can adjust biological activity. In these contexts, handling forms may shift from bulk powders to dissolved solutions, each used according to the workflow.
Typical suppliers list this compound with purity from 97% to 99%, rarely lower if used in research or product development. The HS code aligns with other organic compounds—often 2934.99 for customs and shipping purposes. Certified batches guarantee low moisture and minimal inorganic impurities, and paperwork trails document sources and analytical readings. Packing can range from gram-scale amber bottles to multi-kilo drums depending on use, but glass vials often prevent unwanted photodegradation during storage.
Safety sheets record 2-(4-Fluorophenyl)Thiophene as hazardous on direct skin or eye contact, and inhalation of its dust may trigger irritation. Gloves, goggles, and well-ventilated hoods do the heavy lifting here—precautions familiar to anyone who’s handled aromatic organofluorines. The compound ranks low for flammability but still gets the standard chemical label. Disposal poses the regular challenges: not one for pouring down the drain or tossing in household waste streams. Licensed hazardous waste facilities handle lab leftovers, keeping this compound’s environmental footprint in check.
Acute health risks stay manageable through smart laboratory practice, but long-term studies on chronic exposure remain incomplete. Several laboratories keep close tabs on air quality and have spill kits ready, given that powders can easily aerosolize if mishandled. The fluorine atom complicates breakdown by natural processes—so accidental release to waterways or soils is best avoided. Compared to other chemicals in the same class, its toxicity profile is moderate but not insignificant.
Fostering safer chemistry doesn’t come from rerouting around the properties or denying their importance. Labs adopting greener protocols look at minimizing batch sizes, using closed systems, and recycling solvents whenever possible. Developing alternatives to fluorinated aromatics represents a longer-term solution, especially when the desired property enhancements can be matched by safer groups. In day-to-day operation, training and strict adherence to handling and storage guidelines prove just as vital as innovative chemistry.
