1,10-Dibromodecane: Material Insight and Practical Uses

What Is 1,10-Dibromodecane?

1,10-Dibromodecane is an organobromine compound built around a carbon chain with ten atoms and bromine atoms placed on both ends. It comes from the broader family of dihaloalkanes, chemicals often tapped by those in plastics, pharmaceuticals, or chemical engineering fields. The industry labels it by its formula C₁₀H₂₀Br₂, signalling a molecular weight of about 323.08 g/mol. Its appearance swings between a colorless or pale yellow liquid and low-melting white crystalline solid, depending on storage temperature. In a lab or factory, you’ll spot it bottled as a dense, high-boiling, slightly viscous liquid, with a tendency to form flakes or larger granules once cooled.

Physical and Chemical Properties

This molecule stands out because of its bulk and the presence of two bromine atoms. At room temperature, the density approaches 1.46 g/cm³—much heavier than water, so the material sinks in most common solvents. Water barely touches it, making 1,10-Dibromodecane immiscible, but it dissolves well in most organic solvents such as ether, chloroform, benzene, or acetone. Its melting point circles 27°C to 30°C, and it boils somewhere near 320°C. Large bottles stored on cold days often reveal crystallization or the formation of solid flakes, making it tricky to handle without warming. This chemical resists light and air fairly well, although direct sunlight sometimes yellowed residue in my own experience, proving that storage in amber glass and a cool, dry spot makes sense. Its vapor does not easily catch fire, but like many bromine organics, the fumes and liquid can sting skin, eyes, or lungs, so gloves and goggles aren’t optional.

Chemical Structure and Material Applications

1,10-Dibromodecane’s backbone—a decane chain—gives it flexibility and chemical stability, but the terminal bromine atoms make it reactive in the right conditions. In organic labs or industrial precursors, it enables stepwise construction of larger molecules through reactions like alkylation or nucleophilic substitution. I’ve seen chemists use it in research to build up polymers, liquid crystalline materials, and certain pharmaceutical intermediates. Some industrial players prize these dibromoalkanes when engineering special compounds, resins, or surfactants. Its use as a raw material tackles the challenges of introducing functional groups at both ends of a hydrocarbon backbone, which is tough to achieve with other methods. Each bromine atom acts as a launchpoint for further synthetic work, shaping customized molecules or advanced material composites that modern research constantly demands.

Specifications and Supply Details

Commercial supplies rate purity in percentage, usually above 98%. Standard packaging comes in tightly sealed drums or glass containers, volumes ranging from 500 milliliters up to 200 liters. The physical state during shipment—viscous liquid, sometimes with tiny white crystals or pearls formed during cold transit—requires temperature monitoring. Some suppliers offer analysis certifications, giving data on refractive index, density, and melting range. Keeping track of the HS Code is key for customs: 2903.69. This code signals its classification as a halogenated derivative of an acyclic hydrocarbon. Keeping these documents in order avoids clearance delays, as hazardous classification under transport rules steers the shipping process.

Density and Handling

Many industrial users examine physical samples for even mild impurities, as clouding or thickening means even small air, moisture, or particle contamination. In my time handling organics, I noticed that density checks with a hydrometer or pycnometer give a fast snapshot of sample quality. Viscosity also jumps out on cold days, making careful pouring necessary to avoid spills or glass breakage. Because it’s heavier than many standard laboratory solvents and doesn’t mix with water, proper disposal and secondary containment matter greatly. If you spill it, sand or neutral absorbents work best. Never pour waste down a drain, as it persists and contaminates.

Safety, Hazards, and Environmental Impact

1,10-Dibromodecane is not benign. Labels clearly mark its hazards: harmful on skin, causes eye and respiratory irritation, and may be toxic to aquatic environments. It does not burn easily, but decomposition through intense heating or open flames creates hydrobromic acid and carbon monoxide among other byproducts. At home or at work, staying mindful of local environmental regulations on halogenated waste matters. Always use personal protective gear—lab coat, gloves, safety goggles, ample ventilation. The odor may seem mild at first, but indoors without proper fume extraction, headaches and throat irritation develop quickly. Emergency data sheets steer cautious handling, outlining procedures for splashes, inhalation, or fire.

Role as a Chemical Raw Material

Downstream manufacturing treats 1,10-Dibromodecane as a valuable building block. Its role ranges from small-scale, carefully controlled chemical synthesis to larger-scale batch production of specialty polymers or additives. I worked on projects where it acted as a core backbone for engineering block copolymers, the very foundation for advanced plastics or controlled-release pharmaceuticals. Without such intermediate chemicals, supply chains for everything from surfactants to lubricants to certain electronics would run up against far greater costs and inefficiency. At the same time, its handling and disposal raise persistent questions about sustainability. The best producers invest in recovery and recycling loops, aiming to limit emissions into water or soil and to minimize employee exposure with automated handling lines.

Potentials and Solutions for Safer Use

Working with halogenated compounds presents a crossroads: breakthrough chemistry comes with occupational and environmental concerns. Tighter engineering controls—not just better personal protection—make a real difference. Closed transfer systems, drum pumps and vapor extraction units cut down emissions and accidental spills. Training remains vital. Every team member should understand emergency protocols, the meaning of hazard pictograms, and the consequences of mishandling. Research also pushes forward safer alternatives, looking for ways to achieve decane backbone customization with lower toxicity or improved biodegradability, but the unique reactivity profile of 1,10-Dibromodecane ensures it still holds a prized spot in many research and industrial operations. With fresh attention to sustainability, waste treatment and careful stewardship, its benefits can be realized without unnecessary harm, creating a balance that matters far beyond the lab bench or chemical plant floor.