Nonyl 8-Bromooctanoate brings together the stable nonyl group with a bromine-substituted octanoic acid chain, producing a chemical that straddles the line between versatile organic synthesis and specialized industrial use. The molecule’s structure, with its nonyl tail and brominated octanoate, influences its reactivity, solubility, and how it interacts with other compounds in different environments. Laboratories working with organic halides see compounds like this not just as another chemical, but as a foundation for building more complex molecules, modifying surfaces, or investigating new material performance. Nonyl 8-Bromooctanoate also finds roles in targeted chemical transformations, offering precision thanks to the selective reactivity of the bromine and the hydrophobic push of the nonyl side.
Manufacturers source Nonyl 8-Bromooctanoate as a raw material for surfactant creation, pharmaceuticals, or as a step in more intricate chemical synthesis. Its ability to introduce bromine into organic frameworks opens doors in research, polymer modification, and the preparation of specialty intermediates. Chemical companies favor its solid or flaked form for controlled handling, reducing exposure risks and easing dosage into mixes, but liquid and powder options appeal when rapid dispersion or solution formation is the main goal. Choosing a particular form—flakes, pearls, powder or even a clear viscous liquid—depends on storage conditions, required purity, and processing convenience.
Nonyl 8-Bromooctanoate’s molecular formula stands as C17H33BrO2, with a molecular weight around 349.35 g/mol. Its structure displays a long hydrophobic nonyl chain that merges with the bromooctanoate backbone, where bromine attaches on the eighth carbon, significantly altering chemical behavior from standard octanoates. The molecular geometry, dominated by saturated carbon atoms and a single polar ester group, suggests poor water solubility and enhanced solubility in organic solvents such as hexane or diethyl ether. The solid or semi-solid state at room temperature points toward a melting range above standard ambient conditions, which experience confirms: in flake and pearl forms, it rarely clumps, resisting moisture absorption over weeks of open bench storage.
Reputable chemical suppliers provide Nonyl 8-Bromooctanoate under specific purity specifications—often exceeding 95%—to ensure predictable outcomes in downstream processing. Standards cover not just purity, but also allowable moisture content, melting or softening points, and visible appearance. Depending on chain conformation, measured density hovers close to 1.05–1.10 g/cm³ for flakes and solids, shifting slightly if the compound is in liquid or solution state. Tests in the lab confirm that it dissolves slowly, calling for agitation or ultrasonication for speed, and tends to form homogeneous solutions in aromatic hydrocarbons quickly at temperatures above 40°C. Handling experience underlines the need for sealed containers: even crystalline samples emit faint, oily odors, which can linger in storage spaces if not properly contained.
Nonyl 8-Bromooctanoate fits under HS Code 2915.90, which covers carboxylic acids and their derivatives, particularly those containing halogenated substitutions. Export and import of organobromine intermediates are tracked through this classification, ensuring traceability, risk assessment, and compliance with international rules. Companies engaging in global trade declare these codes not just for tariffs, but to align with environmental safety standards, manage cargo manifests, and facilitate customs clearance. The complexity of trade regulations calls for up-to-date documentation, which actual shippers maintain, along with relevant certificates confirming chemical identity and hazard classification.
Nonyl 8-Bromooctanoate appears as white to off-white solid flakes under standard storage, sometimes pressed into pearls for easier dispensing or milled to a fine powder to increase surface area for batch mixing. In specialized reactors where high throughput is demanded, a low-melting solid variant can come in handy, enabling pumping or extrusion when heated slightly above room temperature. Crystalline forms occasionally show up during slow cooling or storage for extended periods, offering higher purity but sometimes requiring milling before weighing accurately. A limited liquid preparation or concentrated solution dissolves this material in compatible solvents, for processes where handling solids is unfeasible, especially in pilot plant operations.
In a well-equipped analytical lab, density measurements for Nonyl 8-Bromooctanoate highlight values that align with structurally similar halogenated esters: specific gravity readings cluster slightly above 1, marking it slightly heavier than water but well below denser inorganic salts. These measurements matter for scale-up calculations, shipping weights, and ensuring safety data sheets match real-world batches. Features like hydrophobicity present challenges during cleaning: ordinary aqueous washes rarely suffice, calling for strong detergents or organic rinses to remove surface residues from glassware. Researchers report that the bromine atom introduces unique reactivity for specific cross-coupling reactions or surface modifications, widening the toolkit for synthetic chemists exploring new territory or troubleshooting existing production chains.
Handling Nonyl 8-Bromooctanoate demands gloves, goggles, and strict ventilation: direct contact can defat skin, and vapors—while not acutely toxic—generate mild respiratory irritation. Material Safety Data Sheets assign the compound moderate hazard classification, primarily due to organobromine moieties which bear potential for bioaccumulation and aquatic toxicity if spills reach drains. Facilities rely on closed transfer systems, minimizing accidental releases, and practitioners keep spill containment kits close at hand. Waste disposal follows hazardous organic protocols, ensuring residues do not mix with common waste streams. Real-world incidents—like an accidental bench spill soaking through gloves—reinforce the importance of double gloving and swift response. Safety briefings in busy R&D centers often cite Nonyl 8-Bromooctanoate as an example of a compound with manageable risk given adequate engineering controls, training, and PPE adherence.
The supply chain leading to Nonyl 8-Bromooctanoate production pulls from both petrochemical and specialty bromine industries. Nonyl alcohols, sourced from cracked hydrocarbons, combine with bromooctanoic acid prepared through selective bromination techniques. Upstream process controls focus on yield, purity, and minimizing unintended by-products that impact downstream usability. Reliability of these precursors changes with global chemical markets—intermittent raw material shortages, pricing volatility, and transportation bottlenecks all factor into decisions for large-scale buyers. Chemical buyers have learned that strong supplier relationships, backup sourcing plans, and in-house QC testing remain the best tools to keep projects on schedule and end-users satisfied, even in volatile markets.
Every lab or manufacturer evaluating Nonyl 8-Bromooctanoate weighs more than just specifications or price. Standard operating procedures factor in safety training, storage requirements, and the versatility of its forms. Its unique structure—blending a hydrophobic nonyl chain with a brominated ester—makes it a valuable addition to toolkits in synthesis, material science, and surfactant engineering. Looking ahead, enhanced data on environmental profile, improved safe-handling protocols, and reliable upstream sourcing could help industries make the most of this compound without compromising on health or environmental stewardship.