2-Benzoylpyrrole, with its molecular formula C11H9NO, belongs to the family of substituted pyrroles. In structure, this material combines the five-membered aromatic pyrrole ring with a benzoyl functional group at the second position. Picture this arrangement: the benzene ring of the benzoyl group connects right at the carbon atom beside the nitrogen on the pyrrole. The product generally appears as an off-white solid, resembling crystalline flakes or powder under normal laboratory conditions. In terms of properties, it does not flow like a liquid at room temperature, and those handling it can easily distinguish it from finer crystalline spheres or pearls, which melts—not dissolves—when subjected to direct heat. Its melting point typically ranges from 69 to 73°C, and its density hovers around 1.20 g/cm³, making it denser than many standard organics but falling short of minerals like salt.
If you ever get your hands on 2-Benzoylpyrrole, you’ll handle a substance with a faintly distinctive odor, far less pungent than simple pyrrole itself. In solvents such as ethanol, acetone, or chloroform, it dissolves without leaving residues or cloudiness, which hints at decent purity if synthesized properly. Left exposed, it doesn’t absorb much moisture from the air, so you won’t find it caking together quickly like sugar or other hygroscopic chemicals. This relative stability makes it easier to weigh out on sensitive laboratory balances. Structurally, 2-Benzoylpyrrole’s carbonyl group can participate in hydrogen bonding or nucleophilic addition, opening up plenty of options for chemical synthesis. That’s part of its draw as a building block for drug discovery and for creating advanced materials.
Researchers often select 2-Benzoylpyrrole as a key intermediate for pharmaceutical and agrochemical production. If you look into the literature, the molecule pops up in studies exploring new anti-inflammatory, antifungal, or anticancer scaffolds. The benzoyl group and the nitrogen in the pyrrole ring don’t just dictate reactivity; together, they can provide crucial activity in medicinal chemistry projects. Besides pharmaceutical work, this compound sometimes gets selected for organic electronic materials, since its extended conjugation enables electron transport or light absorption in specialty polymers. One lab’s experiment becomes another manufacturer’s application, and demand for this material runs steady as research in these fields grows.
Commercial batches of 2-Benzoylpyrrole come with specifications such as minimum purity (often above 98%), specific melting point, and color or appearance descriptors. Impurity profiles are checked by techniques such as NMR, GC-MS, and HPLC. To store it safely, sealed containers kept at room temperature work well, because the material doesn’t emit fumes or degrade quickly under normal conditions. If shipped internationally, customs officials recognize it under HS Code 2933.39.00, which groups it with nitrogen heterocyclic compounds. A user looking to source or import it can rely on this code, minimizing paperwork headaches and streamlining logistics.
Not every chemical in the lab is dangerous on sight. 2-Benzoylpyrrole falls in that broad grey area where acute toxicity is low, but experts still take precautions. Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause mild irritation, but not the caustic burns seen with strong acids. Inhalation of dust should always be avoided, so a dust mask or respirator, plus gloves, provide a practical safety net. Material Safety Data Sheets suggest standard chemical hygiene—nothing unusual or extreme. Fire risk remains low, though in the unlikely event of combustion, the product can give off hazardous nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide, just like many aromatic organics. Disposal through a chemical waste contractor keeps waste streams compliant with regulations, protecting local waterways and the public.
Sourcing the raw materials for 2-Benzoylpyrrole comes down to the reliable supply of pyrrole and benzoyl chloride, both of which have their own set of handling requirements and hazards. Benzoyl chloride’s sharp vapor requires fume hoods and good ventilation, and the pyrrole ring’s reactivity demands care to avoid unwanted side reactions. Suppliers in countries with strong chemical manufacturing bases—such as China, India, or the United States—keep steady stocks of these precursors. Any interruption, whether from regulatory changes or transport delays, quickly affects downstream production. So manufacturers often keep extra stock on hand or arrange backup suppliers, accepting higher costs in favor of reliable output.
Over time, experience teaches that proper storage wins out over haphazard procedures. Tried and tested by hundreds of labs, sealed containers shielded from light and heat keep 2-Benzoylpyrrole in peak condition. In the lab, the product can take the appearance of off-white crystalline flakes or a fine, loose powder, which makes scooping and weighing straightforward. Anyone working with this material quickly learns the value of precise measurement, because dose errors—especially in pharmaceutical development—can derail weeks of careful work. Some suppliers offer small “pearls” for ease of handling, but powder and flakes remain the norm. Aside from appearance, its moderate density means a small volume can contain significant mass—important for budgeting experiments and scaling up production.
Every new medicine or advanced material starts as a series of small experiments, and building blocks like 2-Benzoylpyrrole play outsize roles. In my own lab experience, jumping from concept sketches to the first round of synthesis involved scanning heaps of catalogs for just the right molecule. Properties like solid-state stability, decent solubility, and predictable reactivity put this compound ahead of more specialized, delicate options. Even outside the lab, colleagues working in regulatory and supply chain management talk about how one hiccup with shipping or customs paperwork—even a misread HS Code—can cause lost weeks and missed deadlines. That human element, the reliance on solid, well-documented chemicals, makes a big difference far beyond the technical specs.
