4,4-Difluoropiperidine stands as a valuable chemical intermediate that often appears in pharmaceutical research and fine chemical development. The compound carries the formula C5H9F2N, delivering a unique molecular structure where two fluorine atoms attach at the fourth carbon of the piperidine ring. Fluorinated rings like this frequently change the basicity, reactivity, and lipophilicity of molecules, which gives specialists more ways to adjust molecular behavior in drug synthesis. My first encounter with 4,4-Difluoropiperidine came from browsing a pharmaceutical ingredient catalog, where its use in the construction of heterocyclic amines caught my curiosity. Seeing this compound in a physical bottle brought home its reality far more than any chemical structure online.
The physical form of 4,4-Difluoropiperidine shifts based on storage and purity. Most bottles show either a solid powder, crystalline flakes, or even fine pearls that are nearly white. Density varies slightly from batch to batch but usually ranges from 1.1 to 1.2 g/mL at 25°C. In the lab, a quick tap on the bottle tells if the product clumps or remains free-flowing, which depends on moisture exposure and purity. Melting points tend to cluster around 30°C to 35°C — once, I watched the solid soften in my gloved palm during a warm summer day when the air conditioning failed. Rarely, under specific conditions, this compound may show up as a cloudy liquid, especially on hot days or when the sample holds some residual solvent. Most users in chemical industries prefer the crystalline option for easier handling and cleaner weighing during synthesis. Solubility trends favor common organics like methanol, dichloromethane, or acetonitrile, and nearly everyone struggles to dissolve a chunk in water.
Every molecule of 4,4-Difluoropiperidine shows off a six-membered saturated ring — the piperidine — with fluorine atoms stuck at carbon number four. Looking at its structural formula, both fluorines sit geminally, changing reactivity and electronic effects across the ring system. For the enthusiasts of analytical chemistry, its CAS number commonly reads 367-19-5, and HS Code for customs classification is typically 2933399090. The molar mass sits at 121.13 g/mol. Adulterants and by-products often cause headaches during analysis, so most manufacturers publish NMR, GC-MS, and HPLC trace reports. In my lab, pure material shone bright in ^19F NMR, which became a quick, reliable check for purity and identification.
When handling 4,4-Difluoropiperidine, safety stands front and center. This compound fits the profile of harmful, irritant materials and requires strict precautions. Even though it lacks the notoriety of some acute toxins, it tends to irritate eyes, skin, and mucosa. Wearing gloves, lab coats, and well-fitted goggles always felt reassuring, especially during spills or weighing in a drafty fume hood. Exposure in poorly ventilated corners brings harsh odors that sting the nose and throat, so using closed containers or a powder funnel turns out more than helpful. Its flammability score remains low, but if heated above decomposition, expect toxic and corrosive fumes, especially of hydrogen fluoride and amines. Standard disposal means sending residues into hazardous chemical waste streams. MSDS documentation recommends washing with plenty of water on skin contact, and local emergency numbers go onto every bench where 4,4-Difluoropiperidine appears. Laboratory-scale users favor clear labeling and regular audits to match safety documentation with every bottle stored in flammable-rated cabinets or chemical refrigerators.
Beyond plain curiosity, 4,4-Difluoropiperidine takes on real jobs as a raw material in synthetic chemistry. This reagent supports the production of bioactive molecules, particularly those in clinical trial pipelines. By adding fluorine into a piperidine ring, chemists fine-tune drug metabolism — a fact discussed in nearly every medicinal chemistry conference I've attended. Sometimes, a single bottle finds its way into research labs for reaction controls or method development, normally living among other nitrogens and fine chemicals. More established industrial players use large volumes to build libraries of candidate molecules for agrochemical screens, always chasing better, more efficient products. Glass ampoules of its solution, often at 1.0 M in acetonitrile or dichloromethane, appear in catalogs for those wanting to skip weighing the solid. It proves durable in storage for many months when capped tightly, and remains stable under nitrogen or argon, a tactic adopted after losing potency to slow air hydrolysis from careless bench work.
Supply chain snags with 4,4-Difluoropiperidine tend to bother chemists during busy screening seasons. Reputable suppliers publish specifications, certificate of analysis, and batch traceability, which support smoother import and export using a registered HS Code. Firms facing purity struggles solve issues by buying from vetted sources or investing in their QA teams. New regulations encourage companies to report stock movement, which means labeling and secure storage cut down on human errors and loss. As global chemistry demand shifts, more research labs now focus on greener, safer methods for synthesizing this compound, including steps that dodge hazardous reagents or offer water as the main by-product. Environmental managers promote use of closed system transfers and microdosing technologies, to shrink potential exposure and waste. These efforts keep both bench chemists and support staff safer, and offer cleaner data for every project using this raw material.
