2-Bromothiophene, often known in chemical circles by its CAS number 1003-09-4, stands out as a key raw material in organic synthesis. This compound mixes the chemistry of thiophenes with the reactivity of a bromine substituent. In plain terms, it has one bromine atom attached to the second position on a five-membered thiophene ring. Many folks working in pharmaceutical research, advanced materials, and even agricultural chemicals have called on 2-Bromothiophene when building up more complex molecules. What’s interesting about this substance is not just where it ends up but how well it fits into reactions that demand both stability and a place for further modification. Its reputation in chemical laboratories grows from repeated use and consistent results.
People don’t keep 2-Bromothiophene on hand just for storage—its strength as a raw material comes from the way it participates in forming elaborate heterocyclic compounds. Drug makers rely on this compound to lay down frameworks for certain active pharmaceutical ingredients, chasing new medicines for both human and animal health. In the world of materials science, it contributes to conductive polymers, especially products that see action in electronics and flexible displays. Having worked on research teams myself, I’ve seen this material passed between experts searching for that next spark in light-sensitive polymers or custom agrochemicals. The industries that grab 2-Bromothiophene do it for results—they want selectivity in reactions, clean by-products, and reliable scaling from lab to plant.
With a molecular formula of C4H3BrS and a molecular weight near 163.03 g/mol, 2-Bromothiophene presents itself most often as a clear, pale straw-colored liquid. You’ll spot it thanks to its distinct, sharp odor reminiscent of other brominated organics—a familiar warning for careful handling. Its structure combines the aromatic stability of thiophene with the reactive punch that only halogen atoms give. The density sits around 1.74 g/cm3, and technicians measure a boiling point near 184°C. While folks might find solids, flakes, or even crystal forms for some chemicals, 2-Bromothiophene’s liquid state at room temperature makes it valuable in solution-phase applications. Laboratory glassware rarely stays clean long when this substance is involved, since its low viscosity aids both mixing and pipetting.
Looking at trade and logistics, suppliers classify 2-Bromothiophene under HS Code 29341000, fit for customs and international shipping. Standard bottle sizes range from a few milliliters up to liters, allowing both small research groups and industrial users to draw what they need. Purity levels matter; most labs specify 98 percent or better for critical reactions. In packaging, dark glass bottles protect against UV light, since this stuff reacts poorly in sunlight. If someone receives it as a solution (often in ethers or hexanes), they check compatibility with their process before proceeding. The market recognizes both bulk and specialty uses, but in my own experience, research settings rarely let a drop go to waste.
This chemical eats safety goggles for breakfast. With its harmful and potentially hazardous reputation, 2-Bromothiophene needs gloves, eye protection, and solid ventilation wherever it goes. Vapor inhalation brings headaches or worse, while spills on skin deliver irritation fast enough to demand a rapid wash. Material Safety Data Sheets (SDS) outline its status: not just toxic if swallowed or breathed, but also risky for aquatic environments. Disposal guidelines steer all waste and containers toward designated hazardous chemical streams. I’ve followed strict disposal and neutralization protocols for even small samples, knowing a slip means everything from lab shutdowns to hefty fines.
2-Bromothiophene isn’t going anywhere soon, given its central place in synthetic chemistry, but the future leans toward safer, greener materials. Researchers keep pressing for non-halogenated intermediates or less persistent by-products. Some commercial labs experiment with recovery and reuse, squeezing every value out of each drop before disposal. Automation cuts the odds of human error, while newer, “benign by design” molecules inch closer to replacing their hazardous cousins without losing the catalytic or electronic punch chemists demand. From what I’ve seen, the teams who invest in risk assessment and greener workflows pay less in accidents, disposal fees, and insurance claims down the line.
This organic bromide stays popular for a reason—every evolving field feeds its appetite for specialty monomers, intermediate scaffolds, or one-of-a-kind starting materials. People often forget that big breakthroughs rely on building blocks like this one. With regulation growing tighter, producers keep pushing not only quality and consistency but also innovations in safety and sustainability. As a working chemist or someone watching the supply chain, you judge 2-Bromothiophene both for what it brings and what it demands in protection and responsibility. To those at the bench, in the warehouse, or signing off on purchase orders, this compound stands as a reminder that progress in science brings the need for smart handling, up-to-date knowledge, and constant respect for the risks tied to raw materials.
