Bromobenzene; an Industrial Solvent Used In the Synthesis of Many Organic Chemicals

Poonam Cmi
2 min readMay 23, 2022

--

Bromobenzene
Bromobenzene

Bromobenzene is a clear, colorless liquid with a pleasant odor. It is used as a solvent and motor oil additive, and in making other chemicals. It is soluble in methanol and diethyl ether, as well as very slightly soluble in cold water. Bromobenzene is also used as an additive to motor oils, as a crystallizing solvent, and in the production of the synthetic intermediate phenyl magnesium bromide. Bromobenzene is used to make phenylmagnesium bromide, a Grignard reagent that can be used to make benzophenones, secondary amines, benzoic acid, and other chemicals.

Moreover, Bromobenzene is widely used in the fine chemical and pharmaceutical industries to synthesize intermediates. It is also used in the production of phencyclidine, a dissociative drug. It is also used as solvent and reactant in organic synthesis and agrochemical intermediate. The compound is also used in the synthesis of other organic chemicals, such as bifenthrin alcohol and para-bromo nitrobenzene. Thus, with the rise in demand for organic chemicals, the demand for bromobenzene is also increasing with a rapid pace.

However, exposure to bromobenzene may cause dizziness, headache, light-headedness, skin and eye irritation, nose and throat irritation, and passing out. Bromobenzene may also damage the human liver and the kidney. No occupational exposure limits have been established for the usage of bromobenzene. It may pose a health risk. According to the European Union approved harmonized classification and labeling, bromobenzene is toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects. It is a flammable liquid and may pose a health risk.

Moreover, bromobenzene is listed under TSCA (the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976), a federal regulation that allows the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to comprehensively manage chemicals in the United States. Compliance with the TSCA can require companies to restrict and remove substances from products to maintain U.S. market access.

--

--