Ethyl Bromoacetate: Product Overview and Detailed Description

What is Ethyl Bromoacetate?

Ethyl Bromoacetate stands out as an important chemical raw material in both laboratory and industrial environments. Many chemists reach for this compound due to its unique behavior and reactivity. With daily work in research settings, I’ve seen ethyl bromoacetate’s versatility, especially in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and a wide range of organic molecules. This transparent, colorless liquid gives off a sweet, fruity odor, making it easily recognizable when handling or mixing with other organic solvents. Ethyl bromoacetate comes with the molecular formula C₄H₇BrO₂, carrying a molecular weight of 167.00 g/mol. Whether used to alkylate amines, modify amino acids, or as a building block for heterocycles, professionals always approach its handling with care.

Physical and Chemical Properties

This compound leaves a mark with its set of physical characteristics. It appears as a clear, slightly oily liquid at room temperature instead of forming flakes, powder, pearls, or solid crystals. Its boiling point hovers around 158-162°C, and its melting point lands at -51°C. Ethyl bromoacetate’s density stands at about 1.549 g/cm³ at 20°C, which is noticeably heavier than water and standard laboratory organics. These values are not just numbers on a datasheet; they determine how technicians store, transport, and mix the solution. With a refractive index at 1.447, its optical clarity also signals purity when you work with refined batches. Chemists appreciate the solubility it brings—mixing smoothly with most organic solvents, but showing little affinity for water. This water-insolubility matters in extraction processes or separation steps when purifying final products.

Molecular Structure and Specifications

Look at a 2D drawing of ethyl bromoacetate, and you’ll spot a bromo group (–Br) hanging on an acetate skeleton beside an ethoxy chain. This direct arrangement produces a reactive site perfect for organic transformations. Molecular structure makes a real difference during reactions. The ethoxy and bromo substitutions offer the right balance between reactivity and stability—enough to drive alkylation or esterification, but not so unstable that everyday lab work feels dangerous. The empirical formula, C₄H₇BrO₂, keeps things straightforward for calculations, whether scaling up for industry or working in milligrams. Professionals often check the HS Code (2915399090 in most customs classification frameworks) to ensure smooth cross-border trade, which saves time and avoids regulatory hiccups.

Uses, Applications, and Industry Role

If you’ve worked in organic chemistry, you know that bromoacetates like this one can become important intermediates in synthesizing amino acids, pharmaceuticals, and dyes. In my experience, the ease with which ethyl bromoacetate introduces a bromoacetate group into a molecule means it often appears early in a reaction sequence. Peptide synthesis, particularly in making N-protected amino acids, relies heavily on reagents like this. It also features in the design of insecticides, perfumes, and even plasticizers—though each field requires an understanding of purity and risk. Industrial operators monitor specification sheets to guarantee a consistent concentration, either as neat liquid by liter or as a solution tailored to reaction needs. Materialhandlers keep a close eye on purity grades, frequently ensuring analysis matches claimed specifications for chloride content, acidity, and residual alcohols.

Safety, Hazardous Properties, and Handling

Ethyl bromoacetate must be treated with respect. Many people in labs learn quickly that one splash can cause a dangerous situation. Its vapor is irritating to eyes and respiratory tract, skin contact brings out redness and pain, and ingestion poses a real toxicity risk. Regulatory agencies mark it as both harmful and environmentally hazardous; the compound carries signal words like "Danger" on GHS labels. Reports from workplace incidents remind us to use gloves, goggles, and adequate ventilation. If spilled, swift containment, proper neutralization, and disposal of affected material help avert harm to both people and the environment. Safe storage means securing containers away from open flame, segregating from bases, oxidizing agents, and strong acids to prevent unwanted reactions. In my lab, standard practice calls for tight-sealing amber bottles stored in ventilated cabinets, with ongoing monitoring for leaks or vapor release.

Raw Material Sourcing and Quality Control

Securing top-grade ethyl bromoacetate depends on reliable suppliers that practice rigorous quality control. The starting materials—often ethyl acetate and bromine—need careful selection and reaction monitoring to prevent hazardous by-products. Year after year, chemists push for analytical verification, using GC and NMR to check batch consistency and trace impurities. Any deviation in product can impact downstream yields and product safety, especially in regulated sectors like pharmaceuticals. Customs and regulatory compliance rides on accurate HS Code labeling, purity certification, and detailed batch records, giving traceability during manufacturing and distribution. Buyers rely on transparent documentation and clear specification sheets to avoid operational risk.

Risks, Responsible Practices, and Solutions

Looking over accident databases and experience logs, it’s easy to see the cost of poor handling. Hundreds of incidents each year track back to improper storage, inadequate PPE, or poor ventilation. Acquisition teams and EHS professionals can address these issues by standardizing training, installing safety cabinets, and adopting closed transfer systems for larger scale use. Some labs experiment with engineering controls like local fume scrubbers; others move toward green chemistry approaches that minimize hazardous reagent use. Regulatory adherence, routine internal audits, and well-practiced spill-response drills lay the groundwork for ongoing safety. Investing in process innovation, waste minimization, and substitution with less hazardous alternatives provides long-term cost and health benefits. Ultimately, keeping up with safety data and regulatory shifts helps everyone who works around ethyl bromoacetate avoid harm and meet stringent product demands.