1-Bromo-3-Methylbutane: Product Description, Properties, and Applications

What is 1-Bromo-3-Methylbutane?

1-Bromo-3-methylbutane belongs to the class of organic chemicals known as alkyl bromides. The compound takes shape as a colorless to pale yellow liquid under normal temperature and pressure. Its chemical formula, C5H11Br, combines a straight-chain structure with a bromine atom attached at the first carbon, and a methyl group located on the third carbon, which directly influences both its reactivity and its place in synthesis. For industrial workers and manufacturers, 1-Bromo-3-methylbutane serves as a valuable building block, thanks to how it slots into various reaction schemes, especially when producing pharmaceutical ingredients and specialty chemicals.

Chemical Structure and Molecular Details

The molecular structure of 1-Bromo-3-methylbutane gives it a branched configuration: CH2Br-CH2-CH(CH3)-CH3. The compound weighs in at a molecular mass of 151.05 g/mol. A closer look at its structure reveals a primary alkyl bromide, which tends to react swiftly in nucleophilic substitution reactions. Experience with similar halogenated hydrocarbons shows that branching impacts boiling point and solubility, confirming why this liquid finds a sweet spot between volatility and stability.

Physical Properties

Experience on the production floor quickly teaches the key physical features of 1-Bromo-3-methylbutane. This chemical appears as a clear, mobile liquid, giving off a noticeable odor akin to other alkyl bromides. Its melting point sits well below room temperature, at about -91°C. Boiling occurs in the range of 110-112°C. Density clocks in at roughly 1.20 g/cm³ at 20°C, higher than many typical hydrocarbons due to the bromine atom's mass. Poorly soluble in water, this compound blends well with most common organic solvents such as ether, chloroform, and ethanol, expanding its reach into various lab, pilot, and production-scale settings.

Material Forms and Packaging

You won’t find 1-Bromo-3-methylbutane as a powder, solid, flakes, pearls, or crystal under normal conditions. It arrives as a liquid, either in drums, bottles, or custom containers built to manage halogenated hydrocarbons. Experience with handling suggests the liquid format must always be protected from moisture and light, as both can degrade purity or build up pressure in storage. Product comes measured by liter, with common batch sizes ranging from just a few milliliters for laboratory needs to tons for industrial synthesis.

Specifications and HS Code

Buyers and customs officials both focus on specifications. Purity usually exceeds 98%, with low levels of moisture and acid content. Analytical standards often require documentation for residual solvents and other organobromine impurities, sometimes tracing all the way back to raw materials. Most international trade assigns the HS Code 290369 to 1-Bromo-3-methylbutane, categorizing it as a halogenated hydrocarbon within global supply chains.

Reactivity and Applications

If you’ve ever run a substitution or Grignard reaction, chances are this alkyl bromide made an appearance as an efficient alkylating agent. Its reactivity lets chemists bolt on a five-carbon branch fitted with a methyl group. Everyday use cases include pharmaceutical intermediates, agrochemical synthesis, and surface chemistry. On the bench, the material pairs up with magnesium easily to create organometallic reagents. As demand for custom molecules and new bioactives increases, the importance of such intermediate chemicals rises too. Because structure dictates function, this compound’s chemical arrangement helps explain its popularity: those in research or industrial manufacturing keep it on hand for its predictably clean reactivity.

Safety, Hazards, and Handling

First encounters with 1-Bromo-3-methylbutane reveal an unmistakably sharp, sweet odor — a warning sign that personal protective equipment isn’t optional. Vapors irritate the eyes and respiratory tract. Liquid splashes or prolonged skin contact can bring on redness or blisters, while high concentrations in closed spaces carry even greater risks. Inhalation may lead to dizziness, headaches, or worse if you lack proper ventilation. Material Safety Data Sheets highlight flammability concerns, along with the possibility of hydrolytic release of corrosive hydrobromic acid. Environmentally, like many brominated organics, this chemical requires strict disposal controls. Safe workspaces demand chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, and fume extraction. Facility managers benefit from clear spill-response plans, dedicated storage in cool, ventilated areas, and tightly sealed packaging kept away from acids and oxidizers.

Supply Chain and Raw Material Considerations

Upstream, the raw materials for producing 1-Bromo-3-methylbutane center around isopentane and bromine, with energy and catalyst needs adding cost and complexity. Global supply tightens or loosens according to the availability of elemental bromine and safety protocols around bromination processes. Regulatory compliance shapes which plants and distributors maintain market access. Down the chain, finished material travels under special codes and hazardous material rules, forcing supply chain managers to keep paperwork and certifications in constant order.

Industry Relevance

The real-world value of 1-Bromo-3-methylbutane shows up wherever chemists design new carbon skeletons: pharma, agrochemicals, specialty surfactants, and polymer ingredients. Rigorous specifications and reliable safety records open the door to high-value applications. Without robust management of hazardous materials, the risks can outweigh the rewards. Drawing from years in process chemistry, sound stewardship and technical skill work together for safe, profitable use of 1-Bromo-3-methylbutane.