4-Bromophenol shows up across the chemical landscape as a solid crystalline material, recognizable for both its sharp, medicinal scent and its white-to-light-tan crystal flakes or powder. This compound, set apart by the bromine atom attached to the benzene ring at the para position, combines the distinctive characteristics of phenolic materials with the reactivity expected from halogenated aromatics. Used as a staple in laboratories and manufacturing, its role expands from analytical chemistry to serving as a raw material in synthesizing pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals.
The molecule of 4-Bromophenol carries the formula C6H5BrO, packing a molecular weight of 173.01 g/mol. The benzene ring serves as the backbone, with a bromine atom fixed at the fourth carbon and a hydroxyl group at the first carbon. This simple structure delivers a powerful punch, making 4-Bromophenol both chemically interesting and functionally flexible. The presence of both the hydrophobic aromatic ring and the hydrophilic -OH group underscores its versatile roles in organic synthesis, serving as a launching point for creating more elaborate compounds.
4-Bromophenol typically comes as a solid, often taking the form of flakes, powder, or sometimes pearls, depending on the batch and method of crystallization. Its density sits around 1.74 g/cm3, reflecting the heavier bromine atom nestled in the molecular ring. The melting point lands near 64–66°C, letting chemists handle and store it without great concern for instability, even in everyday lab conditions. It dissolves in many organic solvents, but shows limited solubility in water, which draws a line between easy handling for some applications and the need for care in waste management.
4-Bromophenol typically falls under HS Code 2908.90 for international shipping and customs declarations, grouping it with other halogenated phenols. This classification brings certain obligations for proper labeling, safe handling, and accurate documentation. Importers, exporters, and downstream users find no shortage of regulatory hoops to jump through, given the compound’s possible uses and potential hazards.
4-Bromophenol carries health and environmental risks that need attention. The chemical can irritate skin, eyes, and mucous membranes, and inhalation of dust or prolonged skin contact may bring about more significant health effects. At room temperature, it stays in solid form, lowering immediate vapor risk, but handling precautions never take a day off. Proper use of gloves, protective eyewear, and dust control measures keeps accidental exposures at bay. Its toxic effects also reach aquatic environments, making careful containment vital during spills or waste disposal. Even trace residues may add up in sensitive settings, especially manufacturing sites where worker safety and environmental stewardship have moved from luxury to necessity.
4-Bromophenol plays a core role in building up more complex molecules, setting the stage in the pharmaceutical sector for active pharmaceutical ingredients, as well as in agrochemical production. Its activated aromatic ring enables substitution and cross-coupling reactions needed to create drugs, dyes, or specialty chemicals. Analytical labs rely on 4-Bromophenol to test reactions, assess synthesis pathways, and serve as a reference compound in methods such as chromatography or mass spectrometry. In my experience, laboratories keep a close eye on the purity and particle size of each batch since these factors directly shape the yield and safety profile of any downstream process.
Manufacturers and researchers looking to lower risks around 4-Bromophenol storage and use can turn to closed handling systems, careful staff training, and up-to-date Material Safety Data Sheets for guidance. Switching to less volatile forms—such as beads or stabilized powder—trims down airborne dust dramatically, a step many labs have found to pay off in both safety and ease of cleanup. Downstream users can substitute lower-hazard phenols for select processes or install stricter effluent controls to limit environmental exposure. Waste streams from 4-Bromophenol handling should pass through proven treatment systems that resolve phenolic content, neutralize corrosivity, and collect all traces of heavy halogens before any release into shared water or landfill. It comes down to forming habits and routines that treat every small spill or dusty lab bench as a lesson in discipline—habits that make long-term use workable, even as standards for chemical management grow tougher.
4-Bromophenol sits at the intersection of practical utility and chemical reactivity. Its C6H5BrO structure, distinctive melting point, and moderate density support a range of uses, from research to industrial-scale manufacturing. Skin and eye irritation risks, combined with harmful effects on aquatic life, keep safe handling strategies front of mind for both routine lab work and larger process operations. Attention to proper containment, updated safety documentation, and waste treatment routines guards workers and the broader world from the hazards tied to this chemical. Embracing continuous improvements and stricter safety protocols gives every handler—from new hires to seasoned process engineers—a better shot at harnessing this material’s advantages while steering clear of health and environmental setbacks.
