N-Octyl Bromide: A Close Look at Its Description, Structure, and Properties

What Is N-Octyl Bromide?

N-Octyl Bromide, often referred to as 1-Bromooctane, brings together a straight-chain octyl group and a bromine atom joined at the terminal carbon. This compound carries the molecular formula C8H17Br, giving it a molar mass of 193.13 g/mol. The structure features eight carbon atoms linked in a single chain, with hydrogen atoms saturating each available spot except for the site where the bromine sits at one end. Built as a colorless to pale yellow liquid under room temperature, N-Octyl Bromide offers a faint but distinctive odor common to alkyl halides. Its CAS number is 111-83-1, which provides a key reference for anyone managing chemical inventories or regulatory paperwork. The material walks a middle ground between volatility and stability; its boiling point stands at about 201-203°C, with a melting point around −36°C, marking it more workable in liquid form for synthesis or research settings.

Physical Properties and Chemical Structure

As a pure material, N-Octyl Bromide maintains a density close to 1.098 g/cm³ at 20°C. This density is just enough to stand out among simple hydrocarbons but does not reach the heavier feel of metal salts or aromatic rings. Its refractive index, clocking in at around 1.444, helps chemists confirm purity and spot contaminants by checking optical properties in the lab. N-Octyl Bromide’s solubility profile puts it in the nonpolar camp: water barely touches it, but organic solvents like ether, chloroform, and alcohol dissolve it readily. This property sends a clear message to chemists considering reaction media for nucleophilic substitution or other synthesis purposes. The material usually appears in a liquid form, though cooling it below freezing will yield a crystalline solid. Data sheets sometimes report small differences in clarity and tint, which can signal impurities or oxidation aging the batch. The structure allows for straightforward interpretation: a long hydrocarbon tail grants nonpolarity and low miscibility with water, while the single bromine atom enables alkylation reactions and chemical modifications in organic chemistry.

Product Specifications and Typical Forms

Quality checks for N-Octyl Bromide focus on purity, water content, halide content, and color. High-purity batches often reach 98% or above, with water weighing in under 0.1%. This is important because water and impurities can tank a planned reaction or mess with product yields. Color is usually clear to slightly yellow, depending on storage and batch history. Chemists and buyers will find N-Octyl Bromide packed as a liquid in glass bottles or steel cans, since plastic tends to degrade or let trace bromide escape during transit. Some specialty suppliers may offer drum lots or larger shipments for industrial scale-up. The HS Code 2903.39 puts this alkyl halide in the broader class of halogenated hydrocarbons, streamlining customs and safety documentation across borders. On rare occasions, flakes or crystalline forms surface for niche applications, but liquid N-Octyl Bromide remains the standard for most chemical needs. Any responsible supplier should include batch-specific analysis with each order.

Handling, Safety, and Storage

Experience handling N-Octyl Bromide demands attention to its hazardous nature. This chemical can irritate skin, eyes, and mucous membranes, which calls for gloves, goggles, and splash-resistant clothing in the lab. A small spill has the potential to deliver an intense, bracing odor and can quickly become an inhalation hazard in a tight space with poor ventilation. Unlike some brominated compounds, N-Octyl Bromide does not boast extreme acute toxicity, but overexposure brings headaches, dizziness, and potentially longer-term nervous system effects. I have always leaned on fume hoods and chemical-resistant gloves when working anywhere near alkyl halides such as this. Labels should mention the need to keep the container tightly sealed and away from strong bases, acids, or oxidizers—these can trigger breakdown reactions or fires. Data sheets recommend storing N-Octyl Bromide in cool, dry, and well-ventilated areas. Waste goes into halogenated solvent containers, never with common trash or straight down a drain, since brominated compounds survive standard treatment and can contaminate groundwater. Clear signage and up-to-date MSDS sheets safeguard everyone, from researchers to maintenance staff.

Applications and Raw Material Role

N-Octyl Bromide serves as a versatile building block for more complex compounds. In organic chemistry, its main draw lies in its bromine atom, which acts as a launch point for introducing octyl chains onto other molecules. This comes in handy for drug development, surfactant synthesis, and specialty materials like phase-transfer catalysts or agrochemicals. The compound can slot into reactions such as Grignard formation, nucleophilic substitution (SN2), and Williamson ether synthesis. Raw material sourcing matters in these fields; batch consistency and purity stack up to big differences in downstream yields and safety performance. Over the years, I have seen demand rise and fall depending on trends in specialty manufacturing, like green solvents or custom detergents. The price and availability of bromine, as well as alkylating agents, keep an intense watch on market movements for N-Octyl Bromide. Regulatory agencies often keep an eye on this material, balancing industrial enterprise with environmental safety.

Key Points and Paths Forward

N-Octyl Bromide illustrates the bigger conversation about balancing laboratory innovation and chemical safety. Modern operations need steady access to specialty halides like this, yet face tighter global regulation and a sharper public focus on environmental health. Documentation stands as a core part of the job—every shipment tracked, every batch logged, every safety procedure reviewed. Solutions to safe use include better ventilation systems, improved packaging, and stricter waste disposal rules. Some research groups are looking into greener alternatives to traditional brominated alkylating agents, pursuing more sustainable synthetic routes that cut down on hazardous byproducts. As demand continues, ongoing research drives improvements in storage, handling, and sourcing of brominated chemicals, protecting both workers and the environment.