1,2-Dibromoethane: Chemical Properties, Structure, and Applications

What is 1,2-Dibromoethane?

1,2-Dibromoethane, known in the chemical world as ethylene dibromide, carries the molecular formula C₂H₄Br₂. It falls into the category of organobromine compounds. The clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid gives off a sweet, chloroform-like aroma and does not occur naturally. It comes from the reaction of ethylene with bromine, a relatively straightforward chemical process. Chemists identify it by its CAS number 106-93-4 and track it worldwide via the HS Code 29033990 for international trade.

Physical and Chemical Properties

1,2-Dibromoethane presents itself as a dense liquid, heavier than water, with a specific gravity in the 2.17-2.21 g/cm³ range at 20°C, depending on purity. The chemical’s boiling point lands around 131°C, with a melting point near 9°C, explaining why it sometimes shows up as a solid crystal in colder climates or storage conditions. Unlike many flammable organics, this liquid does not ignite easily, giving users a measure of safety from fire but lulling them into a false sense of security regarding health hazards.

It dissolves slightly in water but mixes well with many organic solvents like chloroform, ether, and benzene. The structure is simple: two ethyl carbons bridged with single bonds, each carbon holding a bromine atom. This bromo-alkane backbone creates the reactivity responsible for its industrial importance and health risks. In the lab, you can spot 1,2-dibromoethane by its refractive index of around 1.540 at 20°C, a useful identifier for those measuring purity. Its appearance depends on temperature: below room temperature, expect white flakes or crystals; above, a mobile oily liquid.

Specifications and Material Forms

Manufacturers supply 1,2-dibromoethane as a bulk liquid—usually in sturdy drums or tanks designed to keep leaks and vapor emissions to a minimum. In storage rooms without proper controls, it may shift into a crystalline solid, but this change is a matter of practicality more than chemistry. Solid samples, such as flakes or powder, only appear at temperatures below its melting point. Some suppliers process it into pearls for laboratory work, favoring material size and handling convenience, especially in weighing and transport for specific reactions. Solutions containing 1,2-dibromoethane often assist as reagents in organic syntheses, with the liquid itself acting as either a solvent or a reactive intermediate.

Applications and Raw Material Value

Decades ago, 1,2-dibromoethane was the backbone of the leaded gasoline additive industry, serving as a scavenger for lead residues in combustion engines. It remains vital for fumigating soil and grains, controlling nematodes, and as a raw material for certain dyes and waxes. Despite bans on several of its uses, industries still import and handle this substance for chemical processing, especially in producing vinyl bromide and other brominated compounds. The versatility in design—liquid, solid, pearl, or solution—stems from end users ranging from small labs to large production plants. Their consistent need for 1,2-dibromoethane underscores its utility, even as alternatives slowly replace it due to environmental pressures.

Safety, Hazardous Profile, and Regulations

1,2-Dibromoethane stands out not only for its usefulness but also for its serious safety hazards. Classified as hazardous, harmful, and potentially carcinogenic, its threat level prompted global regulatory agencies to monitor exposure closely. Direct skin contact, inhalation of vapors, or accidental ingestion can lead to acute symptoms—irritation of eyes, skin, respiratory system, nausea, and, with significant exposure, damage to internal organs like liver and kidneys. Chronic exposure raises cancer risk, as decades of worker health studies made painfully clear. The substance can leach through protective materials given time, so users must handle it with chemical-resistant gloves, proper respirators, and eye protection.

Storage facilities need ventilation, reliable spill containment, and staff trained in chemical emergency procedures. Labeling requirements stick tightly to the hazardous nature—every drum, canister, or vessel must plainly show its chemical content, hazards, and safety precautions. Safe disposal does not mean down the drain; only approved hazardous waste handlers can process residues and empty packaging. Global trade now ties strict documentation to the HS Code, requiring all shippers to certify contents, purity, and intended use. Countries increasingly limit its import, and for those of us tracking regulatory change, it’s a sign of shifting priorities in public health and environmental policy.

Potential Solutions and Safer Handling Strategies

Industries relying on 1,2-dibromoethane need alternatives— greener chemistry that reduces risk to workers and the environment. Investments in safer synthetic routes, improved containment, and substitution with less hazardous materials have gained ground, but transition costs and technical constraints slow the process. In facilities where using this chemical still matters, automation and closed processing systems become the gold standard. Monitoring air, water, and work surfaces for leaks or vapor build-up, coupled with regular health checks for workers, helps catch problems early. It takes more than rules; workers need training, motivation, and resources to make safety a daily habit, rather than a checkbox on a regulatory sheet. Only then can industry balance performance with responsibility, a lesson some nations learned the hard way.