4-Chloro-4'-fluorobutyrophenone, a substance well known in chemical circles, shows up most often as a crucial intermediate for fine chemical synthesis and pharmaceutical research. Laboratories often store it along flaked or powdered chemicals since it can come as a white or off-white solid, sometimes appearing crystalline or as compact pearls depending on production methods. It stands in the category of halogen-substituted aromatic ketones, with a structure that makes it valuable yet demanding in terms of handling and storage. This chemical plays an important role as a building block in the preparation of complex drug molecules, and many commercial labs look for reliable sources because the properties of the raw material directly impact both the purity and the quality of the final pharmaceutical compounds.
Sitting on the shelf, 4-Chloro-4'-fluorobutyrophenone looks harmless—often a fine, pale powder or small crystalline solid, reflecting good purity if processed under controlled conditions. Density usually sits close to 1.28 g/cm³ but can shift slightly, depending on water content and synthesis conditions. This chemical doesn’t flow like a liquid at room temperature, though some users might dissolve it in solvents for reactions, forming a clear or slightly yellowish solution. Heat brings out the hazardous side; at higher temperatures, it melts visibly and can even produce harmful fumes if not properly ventilated. Safe storage does not mean setting it next to foodstuffs or general household materials—it calls for well-ventilated shelves, separation from strong acids or bases, and containers with tight seals to prevent accidental inhalation or contact. Many safety data sheets underline its potential health effects, pointing to harmful results from skin or eye contact, inhalation, or, rarer, accidental ingestion.
The chemical formula for 4-Chloro-4'-fluorobutyrophenone reads as C10H10ClFO, showing a clear relationship between carbon, hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, and oxygen atoms. The molecule hosts a fluorine atom on one phenyl ring and a chlorine atom on the opposite, tethered through the four-carbon butyrophenone chain, leading to specific reactions with nucleophiles and electrophiles. That setup helps define its place in syntheses, especially when substituting for less reactive or less selective chemical groups. Every time I look at its skeletal structure, the blend of halogens with the aryl ketone backbone stands out as a reason for both its reactivity and the particular precautions that chemists enforce in storage and mixing.
Chemists working in import, export, or compliance departments pay close attention to the HS Code, which for 4-Chloro-4'-fluorobutyrophenone, often lands under 291439 (for aromatic ketones with other functional groups, under international classification). Manufacturers and resellers list typical specifications, including assay percentages not less than 98%, single impurity content below 1%, and water content that should not exceed 0.5% by Karl Fischer analysis. Particle size matters—a fine powder mixes much differently from a crystalline chunk in reactors—so suppliers may specify mesh size and bulk density. I’ve often requested the shelf life and storage temperatures, usually advised around 2-8°C, protected from light; in my experience, deviations here can cause slow hydrolysis and lower yields in downstream applications.
Most batches I’ve handled arrived as either coarse flakes or compact white powder—never as a true liquid under ambient conditions. Conversion to a liquid needs solvent dissolution or heating beyond 80°C. In some specialty syntheses, a pearl or granular form enables more controlled handling in automated dispensers, while research labs often use pure crystals to verify molecular structure by X-ray diffraction or melting point tests. Choosing between powder, flake, or crystal relates directly to storage setup, mixing technique, or downstream reactions. For instance, powder suspends easily but can become airborne and dangerous without a proper hood; flakes and pearls reduce dust but may dissolve slower in solution. A material’s physical state directly influences both safety procedures and chemical performance—the small details matter a lot.
Molecular weight lands at about 200.64 g/mol, helping with stoichiometry for every lab experiment or industrial process. Density, as mentioned earlier, circles around 1.28 g/cm³, a detail that comes into play for mixing or transportation—especially in bulk shipments or regulatory filings. Looking at melting point values, trusted chemical catalogs report a range from 55°C to 60°C, which lines up with my observations; below that, the product holds shape, above it, liquefaction begins. Solubility splits by solvent systems; organic solvents such as dichloromethane, acetone, or ethyl acetate work well, while water provides almost no dissolution, important for separation and purification steps.
4-Chloro-4'-fluorobutyrophenone raises red flags for safe handling in both small and large-scale operations. Inhalation of powder, even a trace, causes discomfort or lasting respiratory issues. Direct contact leads to skin or eye irritation, sometimes severe, so gloves and goggles rank as standard equipment. Anyone working in a busy chemical storeroom knows to check for warning labels—flammable, irritant, harmful to aquatic life. Ventilation matters, especially since breakdown products under fire or acid/base exposure include hazardous gases. I’ve seen teams train repeatedly for containment and decontamination, to keep both people and the environment safer. Environmental stewardship always extends to responsible disposal, often by dedicated chemical waste routes instead of common trash or drain systems.
Too often, people focus on high-profile products at the end of a process, but the story starts with raw materials like 4-Chloro-4'-fluorobutyrophenone. This compound gives synthesis scientists a versatile starting point for more complicated molecular scaffolds, especially those needed in pharmaceuticals. I’ve watched projects rise or fall based on access to pure, well-characterized intermediates, so the importance of quality in this raw material can’t be overstated. In a world demanding safer, cleaner, more efficient chemistry, attention to every shipment, drum, and vial passing through the lab or warehouse matters. Chemical manufacturers stay accountable through certifications, testing, and transparent reporting, raising the standards for everyone handling or relying on such materials.
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