Chemists in the late 1800s found themselves fascinated by aromatic compounds, chasing after phenolic structures with halogen substitutions. 2-Bromophenol stands as an early example of curiosity turning into utility. It popped up during foundational experiments in organic synthesis, getting recognized both as a useful building block and an object of basic study. Some of the formative work happened in European labs, paving a path for broader uses in dyes, pharmaceuticals, and analytical chemistry. Each decade, with improved isolation and synthetic techniques, took what started as a laboratory oddity and gradually turned it into a recognizable reagent on chemical shelves, referenced by thousands of research papers and patents.
Anyone who’s worked with chemicals in the lab probably came across amber vials labeled with names like 2-Bromophenol or o-Bromophenol. This molecule carries the CAS number 95-56-7, known for its aromatic ring where a bromine atom attaches to the ortho position next to a hydroxyl (-OH) group. It often arrives as a pale-yellow crystalline solid, noticeable by its sharp smell—a strong, phenolic odor with a hint of halogen. Supply chains source it for smaller scale syntheses and industrial production, and it earns trust through consistent purity levels, typically surpassing 98% by most reputable manufacturers.
On the bench, the physical behavior of 2-Bromophenol stands out. The melting point hovers around 3-6°C, so even slight warmth pushes it into a liquid. It boils at roughly 219°C. The density settles in at around 1.7 g/cm³, heavier than water, reflecting the presence of the dense bromine atom. It only solubilizes slightly in water but mixes well with organic solvents like diethyl ether, ethanol, and chloroform—qualities that influence both its handling safety and its practical applications. The compound’s hydroxyl group makes it reactive in hydrogen bonding, and its aromatic ring supports further substitution for chemical modifications.
Suppliers stamp product labels with information crucial to researchers and production engineers. The bottle reads: 2-Bromophenol, CAS 95-56-7, C6H5BrO, molecular weight at 173.01 g/mol. Details include purity (usually >98%), batch number, manufacturing date, and shelf life. Labels call out hazard classifications: “Corrosive”, “Harmful if swallowed”, and directives like “Store below 30°C, keep tightly sealed, avoid direct sunlight.” Good documentation tracks spectral data, such as NMR and mass spectrometry, helping guarantee the right compound for downstream use.
Producing 2-Bromophenol on a reliable scale calls for precision. The favored route reacts phenol with bromine in an aqueous solution, controlling conditions to nudge the bromine onto the ortho position. Some processes employ a solvent like carbon tetrachloride or use mineral acids to boost specificity and reduce side products. Critical factors—temperature, bromine addition rate, and phenol concentration—impact yield and purity. Some labs go for greener routes by using bromide salts with oxidants, cutting down on hazardous liquid bromine. In my experience, the exothermic nature of the reaction needs constant attention, as runaway reactions pose dangers both to yield and safety.
Chemists reach for 2-Bromophenol as a launchpad for more complex molecules. The bromine, being highly reactive, offers a convenient handle for cross-coupling reactions including Suzuki, Heck, and Sonogashira types—routes leading into biaryl compounds, pharmaceuticals, and functional materials. The hydroxyl group stands ready for esterification, etherification, or oxidation. One-pot syntheses can push 2-Bromophenol into heterocyclic scaffolds like benzoxazoles and benzofurans. From personal work in undergraduate labs, modifying phenol derivatives using organometallic reagents made for both frustration and satisfaction—this compound consistently offered straightforward reactivity, making it a staple in many reaction schemes.
Laboratory and industry catalogs carry several aliases for 2-Bromophenol, which sometimes leads to confusion for unseasoned users. Besides its IUPAC name, common labels include o-Bromophenol, 2-Hydroxybromobenzene, Phenol, 2-bromo-, and 2-BP. Vendors might lean on simplified tags like “Bromophenol (ortho)” to mark it apart from its para- and meta- isomers. Researchers working across different languages and regions often spot local translations or minor spelling shifts, but the CAS number remains the definitive identifier.
Handling 2-Bromophenol demands respect for both personal welfare and environmental responsibility. It irritates skin, eyes, and mucous membranes, triggering burning sensations and possible allergic responses. Inhalation can bring on coughs and headaches. Adequate ventilation, gloves, goggles, and lab coats offer frontline defense. National and international safety agencies push for compliance with strict storage protocols—airtight containers, segregation from strong oxidizers, acids, and sparks. Disposal follows hazardous waste regulations, with incineration typically preferred. Spills call for prompt action, often with absorbent materials and secure disposal. Over the years, improved labeling and training have saved countless technicians from serious accidents linked to toxic volatiles like this compound.
Industries pull 2-Bromophenol off the shelf for good reason. Its ability to donate a bromine in synthetic transformations makes it a regular feedstock in the pharmaceutical sector, especially where precision in halogenation matters for drug activity or selectivity. Agrochemical research uses it as an intermediate for herbicides and insecticides. Dye production exploits its aromatic structure for colorants, surfactants, and specialty resins. In the analytical lab, 2-Bromophenol acts as a marker or standard for chromatography procedures. Some forensic workflows use it for detection or quantification of brominated phenols, underscoring a versatility few compounds match.
Academic and industrial chemistry labs value 2-Bromophenol as a launch point for method development. Modern areas of research—catalysis, cross-coupling, photochemistry—draw on its reactivity. Investigators looking to build libraries of biologically active molecules often begin with ortho-substituted phenols due to their ease of functionalization. Green chemistry initiatives seek cleaner, safer bromination procedures to produce it with less environmental impact and better atom efficiency. Having tackled project bottlenecks using off-the-shelf intermediates, I’ve seen how crucial reliable access to pure 2-Bromophenol can be for hitting project deadlines and securing intellectual property in crowded chemical landscapes.
As with many halogenated aromatic chemicals, toxicological risk shapes both lab and industrial use. Studies point to moderate acute toxicity in mammals, with oral LD50 values falling in the hundreds of milligrams per kilogram—a warning sign for careless handling. Long-term exposure links to liver and kidney stress, and its capability for skin absorption means accidental spills carry real consequences. Its biodegradation leaves brominated byproducts, some of which pose ongoing environmental risks. Testing its impact on aquatic life puts the onus on companies to prevent runoff and improper dumping. Development of improved personal protective measures and material safety data sheets keeps the compound manageable but not to be underestimated.
Looking ahead, 2-Bromophenol will stay embedded in chemical synthesis, though there’s momentum building for greener, safer alternatives in both its manufacture and downstream use. Trends in pharmaceutical design lean on halogenated scaffolds for difficult targets, and electronic materials offer new opportunities where brominated aromatics deliver improved stability or conductivity. Environmental rules likely tighten, so producers must adapt production routes to reduce hazardous waste and energy demand. Investment in alternative syntheses—maybe through enzymatic or photocatalytic pathways—could reshape how labs big and small access this compound. Both government regulation and technological advances promise to influence the future role of 2-Bromophenol across industries, research, and environmental management.
2-Bromophenol grabs the eye of chemists thanks to its straightforward formula, C6H4BrOH. Each letter and number spells out a story: six carbon atoms build the aromatic ring, four hydrogens round out the scaffold, one bromine tacks on extra properties, and a single hydroxyl group locks in phenolic character. These details matter in labs and factories; they guide everything from storage rules to reactivity in the flask.
Diving into research, I've watched chemistry students stare at bottles labeled with cryptic molecular names. 2-Bromophenol stands out as an aromatic compound. Its formula reveals a phenol ring—aromatic chemistry breathes through that setup. Positioning bromine at the number two spot, scientists know exactly where reactions will start or stop. Safety also follows the formula: bromine tweaks toxicity, making careful handling essential.
I've mixed and measured plenty of phenol derivatives. The unique quirks of bromine on the second carbon make a real difference. It shifts the acidity, the scent, and even how each drop dissolves. C6H4BrOH isn’t just a formula to memorize; it's a roadmap for anyone who mixes, reacts, or analyzes aromatic chemicals.
The world keeps turning on scientific accuracy. One missed atom, and results can slip sideways. Years ago, a research group published syntheses using “bromophenol” without specifying the position. This led to months of confusion in labs trying to mimic the work. Knowing the formula—C6H4BrOH—means clarity. By noting the bromine at the second carbon, chemists dodge mix-ups and wasted hours.
This isn’t some obscure trivia. Drug companies and environmental testers use 2-Bromophenol as a starting point or control compound. Misreading a formula risks the safety of workers. Manufacturers have learned to double-check ingredient lists, especially with brominated phenols. Trust in a label only comes when the formula lines up with the real substance inside the bottle.
Sound decisions spring from reliable information. Published research from trusted journals, like the Journal of Organic Chemistry or PubChem, lists 2-Bromophenol with the same molecular structure. Safety data sheets point out its toxicity, the need for gloves, goggles, and ventilation. Even its smell—sharp, medicinal, distinctive—hints at the presence of bromine and hydroxyl on that ring.
Straightforward teaching works best. Encourage students and lab workers to dig deep into chemical formulas, not just the names. Train new hires to trace supply chains, always checking documentation for correct formulas and structural diagrams. Digital inventories should include the molecular structure image next to the formula C6H4BrOH, helping avoid frustrating and costly mistakes.
Asking for clarification saves time. In both research and industry, a culture of double-checking chemical identity pays off. Industry leaders invest in software to verify and cross-reference compounds automatically. This small step fosters a safer workplace and more reliable science, starting with a simple formula and growing into better practices industry-wide.
2-Bromophenol falls into a crowded field of benzene derivatives, but this one stands out because of the bromine atom living right next to the hydroxyl group. You find this compound in research labs, pharmaceuticals, and industrial chemistry benches. Its place in these areas comes from a mix of decent reactivity and just the right kind of chemical stubbornness.
The world of medicine leans heavily on building blocks, and 2-Bromophenol plays its part here. Medicinal chemists often use it as a starting material or an intermediate in the creation of more complex molecules. Drug development loves substituents that can be switched out or built upon, and the bromine on this molecule comes off cleanly in a handy cross-coupling reaction. So, making antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and even cancer drugs at some stage often passes through a step involving this compound. The phenol group handles solubility, letting chemists introduce more pieces to the puzzle in water or alcohol solutions.
Folks making agrochemicals need new synthesis routes for herbicides and fungicides. 2-Bromophenol plays a role here too. Its structure lets scientists tack on extra groups and steer the final product toward targeting specific weeds or fungi. In many cases, brominated aromatics turn into key pieces in these agrochemical formulas. The agricultural market demands new active ingredients each year, and compounds like this one keep research moving forward.
Large-scale organic synthesis often demands predictable reactions and manageable costs. 2-Bromophenol ticks both boxes, serving as an intermediate for dyes, pigments, and polymers. The bromine atom invites reactions like Suzuki or Buchwald-Hartwig couplings. These steps let chemists build up rings, introduce new functional groups, or fuse different molecular frameworks altogether. In pigment manufacture, especially, small changes in a molecule create huge differences in color fastness or light absorption.
Academic and private laboratories treat 2-Bromophenol as a versatile building block. In my own lab experience, adding a single halogen to an aromatic often opens a whole toolkit. Bromophenols help chemists study reaction kinetics, create new ligands, or prototype catalysts for CO2 reduction and hydrogenation. In analytical work, its distinguishable signature in chromatography or spectroscopy also makes it handy as a reference standard.
Sustainability in chemical manufacturing stands as a major concern. Brominated aromatics sometimes raise red flags around toxicity and environmental persistence. When handling 2-Bromophenol, strict protocols for disposal and containment matter. Companies are putting in more research into greener synthesis—using catalytic methods that waste fewer resources or generate less hazardous byproduct. Developing methods for bromine recycling and safer phenol substitutions shows promise, and more labs take these cleaner options seriously now.
2-Bromophenol connects traditional organic synthesis with new drug and material pipelines. Its chemistry continues to fuel advances in medicine, agriculture, and industry, all while pushing for better environmental responsibility. My own experience says that turning to compounds like this one means choosing effective, flexible tools—though the greater community always needs to stay sharp about safe handling and disposal. The drive for more sustainable chemistry makes every choice count, and options for greener, safer approaches are expanding.
Many folks working in research or chemical labs run into 2-Bromophenol at some point. This compound helps synthesize other chemicals, dyes, and pharmaceuticals. It acts as a useful chemical building block, but it can become a problem for you and those around you if you don’t take safety seriously.
2-Bromophenol comes with its share of hazards. It can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. The material can be toxic when inhaled, swallowed, or if it gets absorbed through the skin. That’s not something to shrug off. Having seen lab accidents up close, I know it only takes one absent-minded moment to end up with a lasting injury.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights that exposure to brominated phenols brings health risks like headaches, nausea, and even nervous system effects. Just touching the compound with bare hands or breathing in its vapors can trigger symptoms. This isn’t fearmongering. People sometimes trust their luck thinking, “It'll just be a quick transfer,” and real problems start that way.
Before you pick up a bottle in the storeroom, always check the label and Safety Data Sheet (SDS). This single step makes all the difference. The SDS will explain dangers and how to act fast if things go wrong. Most labs keep the information near the chemicals or have digital files on hand. Take advantage of this resource.
Every person using 2-Bromophenol should suit up in the right gloves—think nitrile, not latex. Lab coats, chemical splash goggles, and closed-toe shoes belong in your routine every time. Don’t work alone, even if the building feels empty. If a spill or exposure happens, someone nearby can call for help or guide you to an eyewash station.
Working with this chemical in the open is a risky move. Always use a chemical fume hood. The fumes don’t disappear; they just leave the bottle and float in the air. Breathing them can cause problems fast. A working fume hood whisks vapors away, so you're not breathing in anything you shouldn’t.
Accidents don’t follow anyone’s schedule. You might drop a beaker, splash some liquid, or spill while measuring. Have a spill kit close, with absorbent pads, wipes, and neutralizing agents ready. Don’t clean up with your hands or standard paper towels—use the materials meant for chemicals.
Waste goes into the right place. Do not pour it down the sink or mix with regular trash. Put all waste—solids, liquids, and used gloves or wipes—into clearly marked hazardous waste containers. Most labs work with a professional service for chemical waste disposal.
I’ve learned that routine matters more than heroics. Small steps like double-checking containers, washing hands after finishing, and never eating or drinking in the lab keep problems at bay. Speak up and tell the supervisor if you’re missing safety equipment—don’t just make do or wait for someone else.
Labs safe enough for new students and experienced researchers rely on a clear, shared sense of responsibility. Good training cuts down mistakes. Constant reminders and review meetings catch old habits or shortcuts before they cause harm. The best labs make safety a discussion, not an afterthought.
Reliable information builds trust among coworkers. Take the time to brief anyone new on safe practices. Share stories of near-misses and listen to the lessons from others. Each person’s care adds up. Whether you work with 2-Bromophenol every day or only handle it a few times, a culture of safety will always protect you more than luck.
In labs and on shop shelves, chemicals rarely go by just one name. Take 2-Bromophenol, a substance often used in organic synthesis, pharmaceutical work, and sometimes as an intermediate in the dye industry. Someone calling in with a bottle marked “2-Bromophenol” needs to know exactly which molecule sits inside. Slip-ups here lead to botched experiments, wasted resources, or even dangerous mixes. That’s where the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) number comes in. 2-Bromophenol carries the CAS number 95-56-7.
I remember flipping through thick chemical catalogs or database printouts in my college lab, scanning for the right bottle. Two substances might have similar-sounding names or even the same trade names. Relying on a unique number such as 95-56-7 prevented mix-ups that could throw off data, damage equipment, or put health at risk. In the real world, a wrong guess about chemical identity can cost money and safety. The CAS number acts as the anchor—a set identifier that means one thing across borders and in any language.
Working in pharma formulation, a colleague once pointed out the confusion between mono- and di-bromo compounds. Same base structure, different properties. Product recalls and shipment errors balloon when these differences get missed. Having the CAS registry number right on the purchase order, packing slip, and the bottle itself slashes the odds of error. Customs, regulators, research teams, and suppliers use this system as a shared language to avoid ugly surprises. In recent years, automated purchasing platforms even scan for the CAS number at checkout, flagging mismatches before a container ever leaves the warehouse.
Regulations set by agencies like OSHA, EPA, and REACH often require CAS numbers for record-keeping and hazard communication. Manufacturers updating safety data sheets make sure 2-Bromophenol’s CAS number appears prominently. Trade routes, compatibility checks, emergency response guidelines, and recycling protocols all refer back to that single number. Not every worker in the chain knows the chemical’s structure, but they know to look for 95-56-7. In audits I’ve been part of, missing or mismatched CAS labels raised immediate red flags. Products without correct identification risk seizure or destruction at checkpoints, costing businesses dearly.
Clear CAS tagging can save a research group from repeating months of failed runs, wondering what contaminated their results. Suppliers who invest in digital traceability offer customers confidence. Updating procurement checklists to include CAS verification makes onboarding faster for new team members and reduces training time. In education, teaching students to rely on CAS registry numbers—not just street names or formulas—prepares them for the realities of the field.
Every bottle of 2-Bromophenol, and any chemical for that matter, comes with a chain of trust. Using CAS number 95-56-7 as the common thread helps everyone from research scientists to shipping clerks cut through the confusion. It’s a tiny number with a massive role in keeping workplaces safer, transactions smoother, and research efforts on track.
Pulling out a bottle labeled 2-Bromophenol in a chemistry lab stirs up both curiosity and caution. My days in lab classes taught me early to read those labels closely and know what to expect when breaking the seal on any chemical. With 2-Bromophenol, you meet a substance that stands apart by sight and by smell—a chemical that marks its presence before the cap fully turns.
2-Bromophenol cuts a noticeable figure on the lab bench. It settles as a solid at room temperature, unlike many organic liquids that seem to vanish if you leave the lid loose just a bit too long. You’ll find it appears as colorless to pale yellow crystals. It almost looks fragile, like sugar crystals with a faint golden tint that seems to deepen if the sample picks up a bit of dust or spends time exposed to air.
Hold a jar up to the light, and you won’t see much sparkle or gloss. Its crystals stack in irregular shapes. Sometimes the texture feels a bit greasy, not as coarse as salt but not smooth like a wax either. Those who’ve handled it before might remember the sharp, medicinal smell—something faintly like antiseptic, hinting at both phenol and halogen origins.
Any chemist will tell you: knowing what your compound should look like avoids countless headaches. Imagine expecting a liquid and finding a pile of powder, or anticipating colorless crystals and seeing something dark as coffee—instantly, you’re on edge. With 2-Bromophenol, that creamy off-white or pale yellow hue signals you have the right compound, one that hasn’t broken down or oxidized.
Chemicals sometimes change color if they start to degrade. If you ever spot brown or rusty tones in your sample, contamination may have occurred. Air and light can prompt some unwanted reactions, especially for compounds carrying both phenol and bromine groups. Keeping 2-Bromophenol dry and cool preserves both its appearance and quality.
Some labs use 2-Bromophenol as a reagent for synthesis work—for building blocks in pharmaceuticals, dyes, and organic electronics. The moment you’ve worked with it, that unique odor sticks around in memory. Co-workers would sometimes joke that you could tell who worked with halogenated phenols that day since their gloves and bench liners would carry that unmistakable trace.
Clarity in describing physical features isn’t just some academic exercise. It helps prevent dangerous mistakes—mixing up compounds or failing to spot contamination can lead to faulty results or even lab accidents. Safety alerts in the workplace usually include visual cues, which help young scientists learn what “normal” looks like.
Clear guidelines and quality packaging matter for every bottle of chemical sold. If every supplier consistently described and showed what clean 2-Bromophenol looks like, fewer labs would suffer from mix-ups or failed experiments. Sharing real photographs and visual references alongside safety data sheets would go a long way.
It’s also worth ensuring the storage and handling systems in every lab match the needs of sensitive compounds. That’s not just about compliance—it reflects a commitment to safe, reliable science. Everyone in the chain—from vendor to user—benefits when chemicals are easy to identify at a glance.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | 2-Bromophenol |
| Other names |
o-Bromophenol 2-Hydroxybromobenzene Orthobromophenol |
| Pronunciation | /tuː-broʊˈmoʊ-fiːnɒl/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 95-56-7 |
| Beilstein Reference | 1209221 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:2118 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL22701 |
| ChemSpider | 9585 |
| DrugBank | DB03732 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.013.311 |
| EC Number | 202-326-6 |
| Gmelin Reference | Gmelin Reference: 120085 |
| KEGG | C01362 |
| MeSH | D001948 |
| PubChem CID | 6048 |
| RTECS number | CB9625000 |
| UNII | 4PO41SIO1N |
| UN number | UN2821 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C6H5BrO |
| Molar mass | 173.01 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid |
| Odor | Phenolic; penetrating |
| Density | 1.495 g/mL |
| Solubility in water | Slightly soluble |
| log P | 1.96 |
| Vapor pressure | 0.029 mmHg (25°C) |
| Acidity (pKa) | 9.2 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 9.4 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -76×10⁻⁶ cm³/mol |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.573 |
| Viscosity | 4.34 mPa·s (20 °C) |
| Dipole moment | 2.61 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 318.1 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | −8.6 kJ mol⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -3340.7 kJ/mol |
| Hazards | |
| Main hazards | Harmful if swallowed, causes skin and eye irritation, may cause respiratory irritation. |
| GHS labelling | GHS02, GHS05, GHS07 |
| Pictograms | GHS06, GHS05 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H302, H315, H319, H332 |
| Precautionary statements | P280, P305+P351+P338, P337+P313, P261, P271, P304+P340, P312 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 2-1-0 Health=2, Flammability=1, Instability=0 |
| Flash point | 76 °C (169 °F; 349 K) |
| Autoignition temperature | 572°F (300°C) |
| Explosive limits | Explosive limits: 1.4–9.7% |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 oral rat 680 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | Mouse oral LD50: 200 mg/kg |
| NIOSH | B0127 |
| PEL (Permissible) | PEL: 5 ppm |
| REL (Recommended) | 300 mg/L |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | No IDLH established |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Phenol 4-Bromophenol 2-Chlorophenol 2-Iodophenol |
