Tert-Butyl 4-Bromobutyrate takes shape as a versatile compound in the lab, recognized for its role as a building block in organic synthesis and pharmaceutical research. You see it coded as C8H15BrO2, built from a chain of four carbons where a bromine atom attaches at the fourth carbon, and a tert-butyl group anchors the carboxylate end. Researchers working with fine chemicals often depend on it as an intermediate, using it to piece together more complex molecules in both bench-top labs and industrial settings. With a molecular weight around 223.11 g/mol, chemists expect predictable handling and measurement when adding it to reactions. As a raw material, it carries the kind of reliability that comes in handy with multi-step organic conversions.
The compound’s backbone features a carboxylic acid protected by a tert-butyl group, which increases stability and allows for selective reactivity. The bromine adds reactivity at the terminal chain, opening the door to substitution and coupling reactions. The structure stands out with the formula C8H15BrO2, where you find the tert-butyl group (C4H9) connected to the oxygen of the butyrate, with bromine tagging the chain’s fourth carbon. X-ray crystallography and NMR have confirmed its configuration, making purity assessment straightforward for labs demanding tight quality control.
Tert-Butyl 4-Bromobutyrate appears as a clear to pale yellow liquid or sometimes as low-melting colorless crystals. It contains a density of about 1.18 g/cm³, which means it feels heavier in the hand than water, a common feature among brominated organics. The purity, which is crucial in chemical syntheses, often exceeds 98% in commercial supplies. You notice that its melting point sits below room temperature, which explains why bottles in storage or on a cool shelf can shift between a thick liquid, viscous oil, or solid compact form. Compared to powders or granules, the liquid state makes measuring by volume practical. Most labs see it supplied in liter bottles or ampules but can scale to drum quantities when synthesis scales up.
Tracing the product through distribution channels uses the HS Code, generally falling under 2915.90 for esters and derivatives. Specifications outline assay ranges (over 98%), moisture content (minimal), and limits on related impurities, offering benchmarks for purchase and quality control. Any shopfloor worker understands that handling organobromides brings a need for gloves and ventilation. The compound may irritate skin and eyes, and inhalation causes discomfort, which means fume hood use isn’t just a suggestion—it’s a rule most of us follow in the lab after witnessing someone cut corners. Safety Data Sheets spell out that this material does not burn easily but forms hazardous fumes if it does, so fire precautions match those for halogenated organics. Disposal runs through approved chemical waste routes, keeping environmental releases out of the picture and ensuring compliance with local chemical safety regulations.
Colleagues reach for Tert-Butyl 4-Bromobutyrate during steps where functional group manipulation adds value, particularly in producing aldehydes, carboxylic acids, or in installing protected carboxyl groups for further coupling. The tert-butyl ester can withstand rigorous conditions, so reactions happen in the presence of strong bases or nucleophiles without risking unwanted hydrolysis. When time comes to remove the tert-butyl protection, mild acid can do the trick, leaving the desired product with high yield. This flexibility finds use across medicinal chemistry, agrochemical research, and custom synthesis services where modular construction streamlines timelines. In my experience, simplifying protection and deprotection steps—especially when deadlines pile up—keeps projects moving forward and avoids frustrating synthetic setbacks.
Visits to chemical storerooms show bottles of Tert-Butyl 4-Bromobutyrate stashed away from acids, strong bases, and flammable reagents as a standard practice. The compound stays stable at cool temperatures, away from sunlight and moisture, which prevents slow degradation or discoloration over time. A technician checking inventory learns quickly that tight seals and secondary containment matter because the odor, typical of many esters, can linger on gloves or lab coats if spilled. Many chemists recall trying alternative protective groups in syntheses, finding that tert-butyl’s balance of stability and easy removal is hard to replace. Choosing this chemical brings confidence in reaction planning and a lower risk of having to resynthesize intermediates, which, if you ask any lab manager, means saving time and cost across entire project pipelines.
Workplace safety centers around minimizing inhalation and skin contact, given its mild irritant profile. Most chemical operations carry out reactions behind glass, with exhaust systems running to trap any escaping fumes. Workers know from training that accidental ingestion or splash poses risk and that any contact should lead to immediate washing. Spills get cleared up with absorbent material and chemical-neutralizing agents to prevent harm and limit chemical impact on work areas. Environmental considerations lead to strict controls on waste, with effluent streams treated to remove halogenated organics before discharge. Many organizations push for green chemistry whenever possible, but for the unique reactivity of Tert-Butyl 4-Bromobutyrate, alternatives aren’t always available, so compliance with safety and waste protocols carries extra weight.
The details shared here help anyone in the market for Tert-Butyl 4-Bromobutyrate—whether sourcing, storing, handling, or reacting with it—to base decisions not only on data sheets but also on the kind of hands-on experience that lab benches provide every day. Specs, structure, and safe handling become real not just as text but through daily routines and best practices passed down from years of safe chemical work. Keeping safety and precision at the center, the compound’s value in complex syntheses keeps labs and manufacturing lines rolling, supporting innovation in pharmaceuticals and beyond.
