1,4-Dibromobenzene: Product Description and Key Properties

What is 1,4-Dibromobenzene?

1,4-Dibromobenzene, also known as para-dibromobenzene, belongs to the family of aromatic halogenated hydrocarbons. With the chemical formula C₆H₄Br₂ and a molar mass of 235.91 g/mol, this compound appears most frequently as colorless to white crystalline solids or flakes. The molecule’s symmetric para substitution pattern sets it apart from ortho or meta isomers in both behavior and applications. Its manufacturing relies on controlled bromination of benzene, forming a raw material valued highly across chemical industries.

Physical and Chemical Properties

This solid at room temperature features a distinctive faint aromatic odor, reflecting its benzene roots. Melting point for 1,4-dibromobenzene clocks in at 87–89°C, and it boils at 220–223°C. The density lands at approximately 1.98 g/cm³, allowing quick identification among powders and pearls in a laboratory or industrial setting. Its solubility in water stays low, but dissolves readily in most organic solvents, like ether and benzene. Colorless crystals show distinct shapes under the microscope, and its stable structural ring resists rapid breakdown unless exposed to extremes. Flakes and powder forms pack tightly, minimizing unwanted gaps and making weighing and handling predictable even in bulk settings.

Molecular Structure and Formula

Digging into structure, the molecule shows a benzene ring with two bromine atoms anchored at opposing carbon atoms (1 and 4 positions). This clear, linear arrangement leads to orderly packing, a fact visible in the chunky crystalline solids seen in packaging or while scooping from barrels for synthesis. The formula, C₆H₄Br₂, encapsulates this effectively. Each ring carbon, aside from the ones bonded to bromines, bonds with a hydrogen, offering clean routes to further chemical modifications and substitutions. Raw material consistency becomes simple to verify based on this clear structure—something those in quality assurance appreciate.

Specifications and Related Data

Typical product delivered for industrial use falls into purity grades of 98% and higher. Specifications cover particle size (flakes, powder, pearls, or granules), color, and melting point range as quality flags. Bulk shipments declare net and gross weight, CAS registry number (106-37-6), and United Nations/IMDG transport data. The Harmonized System (HS) Code for 1,4-dibromobenzene is 290369, a detail that translates directly to logistics, customs paperwork, and import/export tax calculations. Whether measured in grams, kilograms, or tons, factories expect sameness in both physical touch and chemical heft, so outgoing lab reports consistently match incoming lot inspections.

Material Forms and Handling Considerations

Three main forms show up: solid flakes, fine powder, or tightly packed crystalline pearls. As a standard, no liquid or aqueous solution version gets shipped, making storage in dry, cool areas straightforward. In contact with the environment, this material persists as a stable, inert mass, resisting slow decomposition. That same resilience increases shelf life but calls for sealed drums or pails to prevent moisture absorption and clumping. Experience teaches that crystalline solids can cake if left in open humidity, so packaging matters almost as much as the purity itself. On a production line, each form—flakes, powder, pearls—fits specific feed or dosing systems, so operational teams check product specs before every run.

Safe Handling, Hazards, and Health Data

As a halogenated aromatic, 1,4-dibromobenzene carries several safety flags. It poses moderate toxicity by inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact—nothing so extreme as some benzenoids, but gloves, goggles, and decent ventilation always make sense. Workplaces keep materials safety data sheets (SDS) at arm’s reach, as the compound may irritate the respiratory system and dry out skin on contact. Spills get managed with spillage granules and good housekeeping. In closed spaces, vapors can concentrate, but open-air working and spot extraction keep everything within limits. It does not ignite easily, but high heat can drive off fumes—fire teams reach for appropriate extinguishers, not just water. Long-term environmental persistence makes waste management a key concern. Professional teams follow local rules for storage, transfer, and recycling or disposal, limiting marine or land exposure.

Industrial Applications and Solutions

1,4-Dibromobenzene serves as a valued intermediate in making dyes, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals. Many processes depend on bromination reactions, and having this solid at the ready speeds up syntheses for advanced materials. Analytical labs exploit its pure, recognizable melting point for calibration—the sort of thing technicians trust for temperature checks. Downstream applications rely on tight control over impurities, so feedback loops between supplier and user shorten delay and improve final product quality. Efforts to green up handling include drum return programs, smarter air-filtration systems, and choosing less hazardous substitutes where feasible. By engaging with chemical safety councils and sharing experiences, users everywhere keep risk down and push standards up.