2-Bromoethylamine Hydrobromide: An In-Depth Exploration
Historical Development
Chemistry never moves in a straight line. The discovery of 2-Bromoethylamine Hydrobromide opened doors in synthetic organic labs years ago, following a wave of innovation in alkyl halide chemistry. Researchers in the twentieth century gradually pieced together new halogenation techniques, and chemists looking for reactive, versatile building blocks soon noticed the possibilities with haloalkyl amines. The emergence of this compound coincided with two trends: an interest in electrophilic reagents that could participate in substitution and alkylation reactions, and a growing need for intermediates to bridge the gap between basic building blocks and more complex molecules. Over the decades, the scientific community tuned the preparation, isolation, and use of 2-Bromoethylamine Hydrobromide, turning it from a niche reagent into a staple for research in pharmaceuticals, materials, and bioactive molecules.
Product Overview
2-Bromoethylamine Hydrobromide appears as a crystalline, white solid. At a glance, it looks like many simple amine salts, but its reactivity sets it apart. Chemists use this compound as a source of 2-bromoethylamine, prized for its ability to introduce both an amino and a bromo group into molecules. This ability matters in both targeted small-molecule design and as a linker in polymer chains or bioconjugation. For anyone aiming to diversify chemical libraries or synthesize new medicinal candidates, this hydrobromide salt delivers reliability and reactivity.
Physical & Chemical Properties
Looking at the details, 2-Bromoethylamine Hydrobromide gives off no odor and dissolves readily in water, reflecting its ionic character. It remains thermally stable under laboratory conditions, decomposing only at fairly high temperatures. Its molecular structure features a bromo-ethyl chain attached to a primary amine, stabilized with hydrobromic acid. This configuration creates pronounced nucleophilic activity at the amine and electrophilic potential at the bromo carbon—useful for all kinds of synthetic maneuvers. The melting point hangs around 200°C, and its density and solubility support ease of handling in aqueous or mixed-solvent systems.
Technical Specifications & Labeling
Suppliers typically offer 2-Bromoethylamine Hydrobromide with a high assay, above 98%, and state water content and heavy metals on each lot. Labels include product name, lot number, purity, and date of manufacture. Hazard pictograms and handling recommendations, dictated by the Globally Harmonized System, appear clearly to guide users at a glance. Shelf life under cool, dry storage extends for several years, critical for academic and industrial users who stock multiple reagents for long-term projects. Regulatory compliance, including REACH and TSCA notification, underscores its safety profile and transportability across borders.
Preparation Method
This hydrobromide salt generally comes from a two-step process. Chemists start with ethyleneimine or 2-chloroethylamine and react it with hydrobromic acid, often in aqueous media. Careful temperature control ensures selective halogen exchange at the desired position without over-halogenation or decomposition. Isolation of pure crystalline product depends on slow solvent evaporation and filtration, followed by washing to strip impurities and residual acids. Batch-to-batch reproducibility strengthens confidence for downstream users, from bench chemists to process engineers.
Chemical Reactions & Modifications
The reactivity of 2-Bromoethylamine Hydrobromide stands out in alkylation and substitution chemistry. The bromo group readily participates in nucleophilic substitutions, forming new C-N, C-O, or C-S bonds depending on the reaction partner. For pharmaceutical research, this reagent enables ring closures and side-chain elaborations that are tough to achieve with less reactive substrates. In bioconjugation, its amine group links easily to carboxylic acids or activated esters, while the bromo point creates opportunities for further derivatization. Every reaction I've tried with it, from generating aziridines to making quaternary ammonium salts, hinges on its predictable, controllable behavior.
Synonyms & Product Names
A quick check reveals several other names for this compound: β-Bromoethylamine Hydrobromide, 2-Aminoethyl bromide hydrobromide, and Bromoethylamine hydrobromide. CAS numbers, including 2576-47-8, avoid confusion, especially with similar-looking amines and brominated reagents. Commercial labels also draw attention to its specialty applications in peptide chemistry, where it pops up as a crosslinker or building block.
Safety & Operational Standards
Lab safety demands respect for 2-Bromoethylamine Hydrobromide. Direct contact with skin or eyes leads to irritation and should be prevented with gloves and goggles. Good laboratory practice means handling it in a fume hood to avoid inhalation, since amines and brominated compounds carry risk. Emergency procedures recommend immediate washing and medical attention if exposure happens. For transport and storage, sealed containers kept away from moisture and strong oxidizers keep everything safe, and waste disposal follows protocols for both halogenated and nitrogenous compounds. Experience shows that well-written standard operating procedures (SOPs) and training for new staff sharply reduce risk.
Application Area
Applications for this compound run wide. Medicinal chemistry uses it to modify amino acids, synthesize small-molecule drugs, and generate enzyme inhibitors. Materials science finds value in its bifunctional reactivity for crafting new polymer architectures. Chemical biology groups use it as a linker to tether probes or drugs to biomolecules, giving research projects added flexibility. Its presence in diagnostic reagent kits and as a bioconjugation handle pops up frequently in published protocols. I’ve used it to join fluorescent dyes to peptides, where it streamlines purification and delivers robust, consistent yields.
Research & Development
Research pushes boundaries using new derivatives and modifications of the bromoethylamine core. In drug discovery, the push to find targeted covalent inhibitors makes this family of halogenated amines a favorite starting point. Academic labs develop greener syntheses relying on milder conditions and recyclable reagents, aiming to make production safer and less burdensome. Industrial R&D teams keep designing new protective group strategies and solid-phase applications with bromoethylamines. Patents describing new crosslinkers and coupling partners confirm the steady pace of innovation in this space.
Toxicity Research
Animal studies and in-vitro assays have mapped the hazard profile of 2-Bromoethylamine Hydrobromide. Overexposure impairs central nervous system function, affects mucous membranes, and damages liver tissues at higher doses. Chronic exposure hasn't been fully mapped, but evidence points to mutagenicity risks in some bromoalkyl compounds. This risk led to the development of detailed occupational safety standards. In cell cultures, the compound can disrupt DNA structure, which bumps up the importance of proper ventilation and avoidance of unnecessary exposure, particularly for researchers handling gram or larger quantities.
Future Prospects
Looking ahead, 2-Bromoethylamine Hydrobromide seems unlikely to lose its niche in synthetic chemistry. The trend toward precision medicine and tailored diagnostic assays makes its bifunctionality more useful by the year. Analytical groups keep uncovering new uses for amine-alkylating reagents in everything from sensor technology to novel polymer surfaces. With the global push to find sustainable production routes, green chemistry improvements should drive safer, more efficient manufacturing. The rise of automated synthesis, in robotic labs or pharma pilot plants, will probably cement this compound’s position as a go-to handle for rapid molecule assembly and screening. For new environmental and medical applications, rigorous toxicology data will underpin all advances, ensuring that as 2-Bromoethylamine Hydrobromide finds new life in modern science, it does so with safety and responsibility.
Where Science Meets Practical Chemistry
University chemistry labs and pharmaceutical development rely on a surprising number of specialty chemicals. 2-Bromoethylamine hydrobromide stands out as a favorite reagent for researchers working in organic synthesis. This white, crystalline powder packs a punch: it quickly reacts with other compounds, making it ideal for making building blocks for medicines, polymers, and even specialty dyes.
Roots in Organic Synthesis
Most folks outside the lab won’t find 2-Bromoethylamine hydrobromide on a shopping list, but ask a synthetic chemist and the name brings to mind versatility and efficiency. The compound acts as a strong alkylating agent, meaning it helps swap around small groups of atoms to change a molecule's core structure. In real-world terms, scientists use it to introduce the -CH2CH2NH2 group into other molecules. This little change often turns basic chemical scaffolds into new drug candidates or key intermediates for further modifications.
Changing the Game in Drug Research
Drug discovery doesn’t happen without the right building blocks. This hydrobromide salt lets researchers tack on an ethylamine group to other molecules. In the world of medicinal chemistry, that small adjustment can transform a basic chemical into something with the right shape and charge to fit a protein or an enzyme. There’s documentation of its use in creating drugs aimed at neurological and metabolic disorders. When a compound proves promising, being able to reliably reproduce it from simple ingredients matters. 2-Bromoethylamine hydrobromide helps deliver those wins.
Beyond Pharmaceuticals
Specialty polymers, fluorescent dyes, and imaging agents in biology also come from creative chemistry. For example, 2-bromoethylamine hydrobromide helps create linkers for joining two molecules in a lab test, or adding a charge to a dye so it can hitch a ride through living tissue. Makers of diagnostic tools and smart bio-materials turn to this reagent for its reliability and predictability.
Safety Reminders and Responsible Use
Working with chemicals like 2-bromoethylamine hydrobromide demands care. The compound irritates skin and eyes, can leave a nasty burn, and needs solid ventilation to avoid hazardous fumes. Over the years, safety standards rose in both academic and industrial labs. Anyone handling this material wears protective gear and follows protocols, checking material safety sheets and using fume hoods. Even though the compound opens doors in synthesis, safety always stays front and center.
Creating Access and Encouraging Responsible Innovation
Reliable supplies and clear regulations play a big part in the responsible use of such chemicals. Increased transparency about sourcing, handling, and transport helps everyone from lab techs to end-users. Educational outreach on chemical safety, coupled with open channels between producers and researchers, shapes a future where innovations grow safely and efficiently. Chemistry always offers new puzzles; reagents like 2-Bromoethylamine hydrobromide help solve them, but it’s the human expertise and responsibility that turn raw materials into progress.
Real Stakes in a Lab Setting
Working with chemicals like 2-Bromoethylamine Hydrobromide forces you to confront the consequences of your storage habits. A bottle on a hot shelf, a cap left loose — each act carries more weight than most realize. This chemical, a common alkylating agent, plays a critical role in organic synthesis and biochemical research, and it brings real risks if mishandled. In my early years in the lab, I made the mistake of leaving a shipment out at room temperature for days. By the time we uncapped it, the sharp, fishy odor told us all we needed to know: moisture from the air had started working its way in. We ended up losing product and wasting budget.
Moisture Is the Real Enemy
2-Bromoethylamine Hydrobromide will readily absorb water from the air. You leave the bottle open too long, and pretty soon it clumps and becomes far less reliable for measurements or reactions. Moisture doesn’t only change weight; it can set off unwanted reactions, turning a batch useless before it ever hits the flask. Research from the University of Helsinki points out that even a few days of humidity exposure can affect the purity of chemicals like this. You want dry conditions every single time.
Temperature Swings Spell Trouble
Colleagues often shrugged off the importance of temperature control, until one summer our storage cabinet’s thermometer read over 30°C. We found degradation creeping into several sensitive compounds. For 2-Bromoethylamine Hydrobromide, guidance from Sigma-Aldrich and other chemical suppliers calls for storage in a cool, well-ventilated place, typically below 25°C, protected from temperature spikes. Heat provides the energy for breakdown, so even a few degrees too high will slowly eat away at chemical stability.
Protecting More Than Just Product
Anyone who has worked hands-on with this compound knows about the harsh smell and the fumes after opening a warm or damp bottle. Prolonged inhalation can lead to headaches or worse. There’s a bigger picture: proper storage doesn’t just secure the integrity of your reagents; it protects your own health and the safety of lab mates. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) gives solid guidance about keeping such chemicals tightly sealed, away from incompatible materials, and in areas with clear labeling. No one wants to clean up after a chemical spill caused by careless storage.
Solutions from Everyday Lab Life
Over time, simple habits have paid off more than any fancy equipment. Dedicating a fridge or specialized chemical cabinet for moisture-sensitive reagents transformed our workflow. Silica gel packs help soak up stray humidity inside larger containers. Color-changing desiccators work as visual cues — you see blue crystals turn pink, it's time to recharge. Labeling dates and opening times creates accountability. Glass containers, tightly sealed, outperform plastic at locking out air. These small steps might sound routine, but together they protect thousands of dollars in chemicals, and hours of work.
Why Attention Still Matters
Some folks believe good enough is, well, good enough. But shrinking research budgets and stricter safety regulations take away those margins for error. Trust in a reagent starts with how it's stored. 2-Bromoethylamine Hydrobromide will keep its promises only if we give it protection from air, moisture, and swings in heat. Experience has shown me that investing in the right conditions saves money, time and health long before it delivers cleaner results.
Understanding the Hazards
2-Bromoethylamine hydrobromide carries real risks that do not disappear simply because it is a common research chemical. This compound can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. There is also a risk if it gets into the body by swallowing or breathing dust. Anyone who has handled similar amine or haloalkane compounds knows their pungent odor and how quickly vapors can cause discomfort. Left unchecked, repeated or long exposures might even pose bigger health risks, so smart workplace habits are worth the effort every time.
Relying on Protective Equipment
You can’t always tell how airborne a chemical’s particles have gotten, which is why gloves and protective eyewear become essential—not optional. Nitrile gloves hold up well against the chemical. Lab coats or aprons make cleanup easier if spills happen. Fume hoods pull away airborne particles, sparing you the headache and health effects of breathing things you can’t see. Many of us learned early that skipping this step ends in regret. Respirators do not always serve as a first choice for this compound, but in a spill or high-concentration scenario, a fit-tested one with the right filter saves a lot of worry.
Good Handling Habits
Routine makes for fewer problems. Scooping powder slowly, never pouring from a height, and always measuring inside ventilated spaces help keep the work area clean. It’s easy to forget how much residue can collect on a lab bench or glove fingertips until it’s too late. Handwashing remains key, even after gloves come off, since particles find their way to doorknobs, phones, or even food without notice.
Storing 2-Bromoethylamine Hydrobromide Properly
Sealed containers, labeled in plain language, protect everyone in a shared facility. Moisture will clump this compound. Many labs keep silica gel packs or dry boxes on hand. Storing the chemical at room temperature, away from direct sunlight or heat, preserves its stability. Flammable, strong acids, or oxidizers should not crowd the same shelf.
Acting Fast During Spills or Exposure
Mistakes can and will happen from time to time. Those who work in labs know that spill kits should always be stocked and ready. Sweeping up any solid with a damp disposable cloth reduces the dust that flies into the air. Never use your bare hands; treating a minor skin splash right away with soap and water goes far. Eye exposure calls for rinsing at an eyewash station for at least fifteen minutes—no shortcuts. Reporting incidents goes beyond paperwork. It shapes better training and prevents repeat problems for everyone.
Training Fosters Confidence
Many safety lapses trace back to inexperience. New team members and even seasoned workers benefit from on-the-job demos and walk-throughs. I’ve watched attitudes change after seeing a live correction or an explanation in plain speech about what could go wrong. Building that culture means nobody waits until a mistake forces a rethink.
Planning for Medical Help
Immediate help matters most if someone breathes in fumes or swallows this chemical by accident. Emergency contact info and instructions stay posted where all can see them. A trip to the doctor shouldn’t be delayed after a serious exposure. Being prepared, even if you hope never to use it, shows care not just for yourself but for your whole team.
Chemical Profile
2-Bromoethylamine hydrobromide has a reputation as a useful intermediate in labs. Its formula reads as C2H7Br2N and it packs a molecular weight of about 207.90 g/mol. This compound draws attention for more than just the numbers. Chemists and researchers in pharmaceuticals and materials science often rely on it, giving plenty of reason to break down its chemical story and its role in research and manufacturing.
Formula Breakdown and Weight Calculation
Getting to grips with a molecular formula isn’t just a formality—it lays out exactly what atoms make up a chemical. Here, there is a two-carbon backbone (ethane), an amino group (-NH2), and two bromide ions to balance out the structure. The hydrobromide portion means one bromide comes attached in salt form, while the bromoethyl chain supplies the other. Weighing all those atoms gives its specific molecular weight, which researchers use to plan out syntheses or dosing calculations. Molar mass matters—getting this wrong can ruin experiments or waste valuable materials, not to mention causing headaches when scaling up production.
Why Chemical Identity Holds Weight
I spent years running reactions in university, and I still remember the focus on accurate formula assignment and calculation. Commercial suppliers know their customers count on this accuracy for reliable results, and batch records rarely forgive mistakes. Over time, teams realize that exact weights translate directly to yield and purity. For a researcher or process chemist, the story begins with a formula scribbled on a notepad and ends with grams weighed in the lab. Gaps in chemical identity ripple into every part of the work—making even small details like the right hydrobromide salt headline-list material. Poor documentation here means a series of retries, wasted budgets, and damaged trust with teammates and clients.
Usage, Applications, and Safety
This compound doesn’t just sit on a shelf. 2-Bromoethylamine hydrobromide steps up as an alkylating agent and building block. Scientists working on drugs, active pharmaceutical ingredients, or new polymers dig into that reactivity. Due to the bromine component, safe handling isn’t negotiable. The literature points to respiratory tract, skin, and eye irritation. In my own time in the lab, gloves and a fume hood were non-negotiables—it’s easy to get complacent, but the best researchers know to check the MSDS—safety data sheets—before weighing or reacting anything. Good ventilation, personal protective equipment, and proper waste disposal all cut down on risks.
Solutions for Users and Stakeholders
Consistency and knowledge sharing win the day for everyone working with this intermediate. Suppliers can support the science by providing certificates of analysis, batch traceability, and clear handling guidance. Researchers can make use of chemical inventory management tools to track batches, flag expiration dates, and log usage. Institutions and companies should budget for ongoing safety training and access to updated chemical safety literature—keeping teams sharp goes a long way, especially for newcomers. Regularly reviewing procedures keeps accidents rare even as the pace of R&D climbs. When a single vial drives an entire project, knowing exactly what’s inside matters from bench to boardroom.
Chemistry That Matters in Every Experiment
Ask any lab worker or student who has wrestled with chemical recipes about the everyday annoyances, and solubility always comes high up the list. 2-Bromoethylamine hydrobromide often turns up in synthesis steps, derivatizations, and even as an intermediate for drug development. But before any clever chemistry can begin, someone needs to answer: “Does it dissolve in water?” It might sound simple, but this question can make or break your protocol. Scientifically, yes—this compound dissolves well in water.
Why Solubility Shapes Outcomes
Chemical reactions lean hard on the simple act of mixing. If one reactant just clumps at the bottom, everything else grinds to a halt. 2-Bromoethylamine hydrobromide comes as a white crystalline powder. Add it to water, and you’ll see it vanish quickly, clear and clean. No gritty residue. No endless stirring. I’ve seen frustrated researchers frown at recalcitrant powders, then grin when this one just dissolves after a gentle swirl. The secret comes down to strong ionic interactions—the hydrobromide salt unlocks doors that pure bases or oily compounds keep closed. In real terms, that means you don’t have to improvise with exotic solvents or risk losing precious product chasing partially dissolved reactants.
Textbooks sometimes skip over the grunt work in the lab: scraping stubborn undissolved gunk, fiddling with pH, or fishing mystery clumps from the stir bar. Reliable solubility lets experiments run faster and results turn out more predictable.
Direct Impact on Research and Industry
Many labs stick with hydrobromide salts for a reason—convenience and reliability. Water-soluble compounds don’t just make life easier, they protect results from variability. In drug research, for example, consistent dissolution helps batches stay reproducible. A small change in solvent or concentration can swing outcomes, muddle toxicity measurements, or cause a promising lead to stall. Solubility keeps the process fair—one variable gone, a few more to control.
In industries where scale-up matters, solubility saves time and money. Solutions go through pumps, get filtered, and move along pipes. Any leftover grit will clog filters, jam pumps, and trigger maintenance calls. Water-soluble raw materials increase throughput and reduce unexpected shutdowns. From my experience consulting at contract manufacturing organizations, the extra cost for a water-loving salt often pays back over and over in less downtime and fewer headaches.
Supporting Facts: Literature and Data
Reference books like the Merck Index confirm that 2-Bromoethylamine hydrobromide dissolves freely in water. Safety data sheets from Alfa Aesar and Sigma-Aldrich echo this detail, with common solution concentrations ranging up to hundreds of milligrams per milliliter for biochemical uses. The structure includes charged ammonium and bromide ions, and this chemistry ensures that the crystals part easily when they hit a beaker of water.
Researchers at academic and industrial labs have cataloged applications ranging from building blocks for heterocycles to labeling agents in protein chemistry. In every case, solutions need to stay clear for spectral analysis, chromatography, or cell work. If you’ve ever needed to switch quickly from mg-to-mL scale, with protocols moving between exploratory and scaled processes, you know 2-Bromoethylamine hydrobromide will be ready in water and let you focus on what matters most—getting the chemistry right, not fighting with a stir bar.
Toward Consistent, Predictable Chemical Work
The core issue comes down to risk. Gambling on solubility distracts from the purpose of research and manufacturing. Choosing a reagent like 2-Bromoethylamine hydrobromide, which behaves itself and stays in solution, shifts attention toward solving bigger problems: optimizing synthesis or analyzing results. Taken together, everyday details like solubility end up driving big outcomes in science and industry.
