1-Bromooctadecane: Comprehensive Guide to Its Physical and Chemical Profile

What is 1-Bromooctadecane?

1-Bromooctadecane belongs among long-chain alkyl bromides, built from a straight 18-carbon backbone anchored by a bromine atom at one terminal. This chemical shows up as a solid under ordinary indoor conditions. Its white crystalline or sometimes pearly flaked appearance stands out in a glass bottle, and when handled, its waxy texture and faint, characteristic odor immediately set it apart from standard hydrocarbons. The molecular formula lands at C₁₈H₃₇Br, with a molecular weight just over 333 g/mol. It doesn’t dissolve easily in water, but organic solvents such as chloroform or ether take it up without much trouble—a trait useful across laboratory and industrial settings. Its HS Code often tracks as 2903.89.90, used for international customs tracking and documentation.

Physical Properties and Structure

1-Bromooctadecane stretches out with its long carbon chain, lending it a substantial melting range, roughly from 24°C to 28°C. At room temperature, it typically presents in solid form—white crystals, pearly flakes, or sometimes a solid powder depending on processing and packaging. Drop the temperature further, and you’ll still find a dense, waxy mass; heat pushes it into a clear, heavy liquid well above 300°C. The compound’s density floats around 0.86 g/cm³ at 20°C, denser than water, with that bromine atom helping tip the scale. The substance shows limited volatility, so inhalation risks run lower than lighter volatile organic compounds, but it remains wise to handle with care considering its chemical activity and the heavy atom involved.

Appearance in Different Forms

Packaged for the lab or a production floor, 1-Bromooctadecane ranges from crystalline powder to compact pearls. As large, transparent flakes, it melts smoothly without scorching; as powder, it blends well in homogenous mixtures. Solid forms store and ship with relative ease—no leaks, no vapor pressure concerns typical for lower-mass brominated solvents. Heated, it liquefies to a colorless or faintly yellow oil, which handles comfortably in glass or steel vessels. During formulation or during physical manipulation, it stays stable and doesn’t decompose unless significantly overheated or mixed with reactive metals. Solutions prepared with this compound—at specified concentrations—offer valuable alkyl bromide functionality for organic synthesis, surfactant production, and specialty chemical blends based on its predictable, manageable physical behaviors.

Chemical Properties and Safety Profile

As an alkyl bromide, 1-Bromooctadecane earns its spot as a valuable building block in organobromine chemistry. Its reactivity circles around the bromine-carbon bond, which breaks in the presence of nucleophiles—an inviting target for substitution reactions. This lets researchers and production chemists introduce the octadecyl group into a range of molecules, making hydrophobic surfactants, quaternary ammonium salts, and biochemically active materials. It does not experience rapid autooxidation or hazardous decomposition at neutral pH, making laboratory use straightforward, though gloves and goggles should always stay close by. Inhalation or skin contact can cause irritation, mostly from the bromine atom’s inherent reactivity, so air circulation and personal protective equipment matter in regular use. Storage rules echo those for organobromines overall: keep cool, protect from strong light, minimize moisture contact, and segregate from bases or strong reducing agents.

Applications and Handling Practices

My own experience mixing alkyl bromides in a research lab taught me that density, form, and purity determine how efficiently you can perform major steps. Getting 1-Bromooctadecane to dissolve into organic solvents without clumps or undissolved granules changes yields and downstream process reliability. Handling it in powder form, it’s easy to measure and transfer without making a mess, and pearl or flake styles reduce dust—something that helps you avoid unnecessary exposure. Spills wipe up without much trouble, given its low volatility, but persistent slickness reminds you why a chemical-absorbent pad under flasks makes sense. Waste must also be collected and processed as a halogenated organic solid—environmental safety rules don’t let you just toss it in a standard bin, and responsible disposal protects both workers and water supply.

Specifications, Formulations, and Industrial Relevance

Suppliers specify typical assays above 98%, moisture content below 0.1%, and contaminants kept to minimum thresholds; these numbers matter for anyone expecting consistent behavior in research, manufacturing, or further synthesis. Beyond lab use, a significant chunk of industrial demand comes from surface-modification chemistry: coatings, lubricants, and complex synthetic intermediates start with building blocks like 1-Bromooctadecane. Its long carbon chain delivers water repellency and compatibility with hydrophobic environments, making it a smart raw material in specialty surfactants or tailored lubricants. The ease of reaction at the bromine atom opens a broad menu of coupling and functionalization strategies, empowering chemists to customize for detergent, pharmaceutical, or anthropogenic material needs. Using dedicated glassware and reliable transfer equipment reduces cross-contamination and keeps quality up to scratch—errors cost time, money, and sometimes safety.

Safe Use and Environmental Considerations

I learned fast in a shared chemical storeroom: clear labeling beats confusion when 1-Bromooctadecane and other alkyl halides could mingle on the same shelf. Eyes watering from accidental vapor exposure makes a lasting impression, despite its relatively low volatility, and gloves aren’t optional—absorptive risk is real, especially when working long hours during batch synthesis or analytical prep. Ventilation has to be more than an afterthought; even stable compounds need case-by-case handling guidelines to address cumulative health hazards over repeated exposure. As a halogenated material, waste streams from any process using 1-Bromooctadecane travel through designated channels to incineration or specialized recycling. Advocacy for thorough, consistent safety information and clear storage policy makes a real difference for anyone learning the ropes or working under pressure in a chemical plant or university setting.

Toward Responsible Use and Safer Practices

Current trends in chemical regulation and sustainable sourcing underline how important it has become to trace the full lifecycle of materials like 1-Bromooctadecane. Large-scale producers now look upstream for greener bromination methods, seeking raw feedstocks and catalysts that yield less waste and reduce hazardous byproducts. Chemists running bulk processes benefit from routine exposure monitoring, engineering controls, and standardized signage—a practice that pays back in safer environments and regulatory compliance. It falls to each user and every organization to document usage and disposal methods, closely tracking inventory and maintaining records for audits or emissions reporting. While sharing best practices and learning from industry mishaps can’t fully eliminate risk, open communication and strong oversight shrink the odds of unintentional harm to people and the environment.