1-Carboxyethyl-3-Ethylimidazolium Bromide belongs to the family of ionic liquids, molecules that remain liquid at room temperature due to their unique combination of organic cations and inorganic anions. This chemical contains a carboxyethyl side chain and an ethyl group connected to an imidazolium core, paired with a bromide anion. The design of this molecule offers some rare, valuable physical and chemical traits. Used mainly in chemical synthesis and materials sciences, it supports transformations and processes that require a combination of ionic conductivity, moderate viscosity, and distinctive solubility features. Researchers handling this compound will notice its solid form under standard conditions, often appearing as white to off-white flakes, powder, or even granular crystals depending on how it’s dried and stored. Not every laboratory keeps this on the shelf, but demand rises steadily as industries search for safer alternatives to traditional solvents.
The formula C8H13BrN2O2 details its composition: eight carbons, thirteen hydrogens, two nitrogens, two oxygens, and a single bromine atom. This structure places a carboxylic acid at one end, which increases hydrophilicity and functional versatility during synthesis or extraction. Sometimes manufacturers supply it as a finely milled powder for fast dissolution, but large operations may prefer pearl or flake forms to reduce dust or ease measurement. The density generally sits at around 1.4-1.6 g/cm3, a figure confirmed by both small-batch syntheses and larger-scale industrial trials. The presence of both ionic character and carboxyl function allows it to dissolve in water and several polar solvents, shaping its role for use in catalysis, nucleic acid extraction, and more. The imidazolium core gives heat tolerance, so melting points tend to stay above typical room temperature but below 120°C, making storage less complicated than for many highly hygroscopic salts.
Global trade tracks 1-Carboxyethyl-3-Ethylimidazolium Bromide under HS Code 2933.99, which covers heterocyclic compounds with nitrogen heteroatom(s) only. Anyone managing import or export needs to flag this number for customs and documentation to avoid delays. Raw material quality determines whether the product meets electronics-grade or research-grade purity. Specifications list assay values usually exceeding 98%; impurities such as water and bromide ion levels often appear in test reports, ensuring suitability for high-end processes.
Depending on storage and transportation, users may encounter this material as solid flakes, crystalline powder, small pearls, or dense blocks. That variety changes the speed of dissolution and the accuracy of weighing. Flaked or pearled material reduces risk from airborne dust, which matters when handling kilograms at a time. The substance’s solid form lets you measure reliably on the bench, and its mild hygroscopic nature means containers must seal tight after each use. Ambient air can affect moisture content, which goes unnoticed until you try to dissolve it for a reaction and see the effect on molarity or reaction rate. For labs with high-throughput syntheses, keeping stocks dry means less error and safer working.
Most chemicals with imidazolium and bromide components need respect for safety and regulatory compliance. Material safety data classifies 1-Carboxyethyl-3-Ethylimidazolium Bromide as an irritant; contact with skin or eyes brings risk of redness and discomfort. Inhalation of fine dust produces similar irritation. Data hasn’t flagged outright acute toxicity at standard laboratory exposure levels, but the chemical’s ionic nature demands simple but strict safety measures: gloves, goggles, lab coats, and controlled ventilation. Keep solutions contained, spillages wiped with absorbent material, and containers labeled legibly to avoid accidental consumption or cross-contamination. Waste management has shifted over decades; the ionic liquid reputation for “green” chemistry can ring hollow if disposal means dumping into drains. Instead, used solutions head for organic waste streams and treatment facilities tasked with neutralizing ionic byproducts. Stockrooms under audit must provide proof of chain-of-custody and demonstrate adherence to REACH or local environmental codes.
Many industries look to 1-Carboxyethyl-3-Ethylimidazolium Bromide to change how chemical reactions run. For synthetic chemists, it provides a reaction medium that reduces reliance on volatile organic compounds. In extraction of biomolecules—like DNA or proteins—the compound’s ionic properties make it easier to pull target molecules from biological mixtures, giving better yields and fewer purification headaches. Electronics fabricators see the value in its conductivity, using it as an electrolyte or carrier for specialized coatings. Catalysis experts find the dual role of the carboxylic acid and imidazolium backbone speeds reactions cleanly, cutting down on waste. Production-scale outfits appreciate the consistent melting and solvency across batches, as repeatable results lead to fewer production stoppages.
No chemical solves every problem, and as demand rises, so does scrutiny. Handling large containers involves training, vented storage, and contingency planning for accidental release. Facilities investing in automation must calibrate for solid forms: powder feeders, flake hoppers, and humidity controls. I’ve seen firsthand how careless disposal leads to environmental headaches—ionic residues can stress aquatic systems if not treated before release. To tackle this, more businesses are sinking effort into closed-loop recovery. They recover, purify, and reuse spent ionic liquid with in-house distillation or filtration, saving money and aligning with regulatory pressures. Researchers keep mapping out new derivatives with altered cation or anion groups, tailoring density, melting point, or toxicity profiles toward safer, higher-value variants. Broader adoption means more eyes on long-term exposure data—workplace monitoring and robust PPE matter as much now as ever.
Chemical Name: 1-Carboxyethyl-3-Ethylimidazolium Bromide
Molecular Formula: C8H13BrN2O2
Molecular Weight: 249.11 g/mol
Physical Form: Flakes, powder, pearls, or crystals
Density: 1.4 – 1.6 g/cm3
HS Code: 2933.99
Solution Behavior: Soluble in water and other polar solvents
Color: White to off-white
Hazard Class: Irritant
Handling: Gloves, goggles, lab coat, dry storage
Applications: Biomolecule extraction, catalysis, synthesis, electrolytes
Raw Materials: Derived from imidazole, haloalkanes, and bromide sources
