Benzyl bromide

Benzyl bromide[1]
Skeletal structure of the benzyl bromide molecule
Skeletal structure of the benzyl bromide molecule
3D structure of the benzyl bromide molecule
3D structure of the benzyl bromide molecule
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
(Bromomethyl)benzene
Other names
α-Bromotoluene
Benzyl bromide
Identifiers
CAS Number
  • 100-39-0 checkY
3D model (JSmol)
  • Interactive image
  • Interactive image
ChEBI
  • CHEBI:59858 checkY
ChEMBL
  • ChEMBL1085946 checkY
ChemSpider
  • 13851576 checkY
ECHA InfoCard 100.002.589 Edit this at Wikidata
IUPHAR/BPS
  • 6294
PubChem CID
  • 7498
UNII
  • XR75BS721D ☒N
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
  • DTXSID8024658 Edit this at Wikidata
InChI
  • InChI=1S/C7H7Br/c8-6-7-4-2-1-3-5-7/h1-5H,6H2 checkY
    Key: AGEZXYOZHKGVCM-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/C7H7Br/c8-6-7-4-2-1-3-5-7/h1-5H,6H2
    Key: AGEZXYOZHKGVCM-UHFFFAOYAM
  • BrCc1ccccc1
  • c1ccc(cc1)CBr
Properties
Chemical formula
 C7H7Br
Molar mass 171.037 g·mol−1
Appearance Colorless liquid
Odor Sharp and pungent
Density 1.438 g/cm3
Melting point −3.9 °C (25.0 °F; 269.2 K)
Boiling point 201 °C (394 °F; 474 K)
Solubility organic solvents
log P 2.92[2]
1.5752
Hazards
GHS labelling:
GHS07: Exclamation mark
Flash point 70 °C (158 °F; 343 K)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Infobox references
Chemical compound

Benzyl bromide is an organic compound with the formula C6H5CH2Br. The molecule consists of a benzene ring substituted with a bromomethyl group. It is a colorless liquid with lachrymatory properties. The compound is a reagent for introducing benzyl groups.[3][4]

Synthesis and structure

Benzyl bromide can be synthesized by the bromination of toluene under conditions suitable for a free radical halogenation:

The structure has been examined by electron diffraction.[5]

Applications

Benzyl bromide is used in organic synthesis for the introduction of the benzyl groups when the less expensive benzyl chloride is insufficiently reactive.[6] [7] Benzylations are often achieved in the presence of catalytic amounts of sodium iodide, which generates the more reactive benzyl iodide in situ.[3] In some cases, benzyl serves as protecting group for alcohols and carboxylic acids.[8]

Safety

Benzyl bromide is a strong lachrymator and is also intensely irritating to skin and mucous membranes. Because of these properties, it has been used in chemical warfare, both in combat and in training due to its irritating yet non-lethal nature.

See also

References

  1. ^ Merck Index (11th ed.). p. 1142.
  2. ^ "Benzyl bromide_msds".
  3. ^ a b William E. Bauta (2001). "Benzyl Bromide". Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis. doi:10.1002/047084289X.rb047. ISBN 0-471-93623-5.
  4. ^ "Benzyl bromide". Sigma Aldrich. sigmaaldrich.com. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  5. ^ Vilkov, L. V.; Sadova, N. I. (March 1976). "Electron diffraction study on the molecular structure of benzyl chloride and benzyl bromide in the vapour phase". Journal of Molecular Structure. 31 (1): 131–142. Bibcode:1976JMoSt..31..131S. doi:10.1016/0022-2860(76)80124-X.
  6. ^ Andrew G. Myers; Bryant H. Yang (2000). "Synthesis and Diastereoselective Alkylation of Pseudoephenedrine Amides". Org. Synth. 77: 22. doi:10.15227/orgsyn.077.0022.
  7. ^ Harry Heaney; Steven V. Ley (1974). "1-Benzylindole". Org. Synth. 54: 58. doi:10.15227/orgsyn.054.0058.
  8. ^ "Benzyl bromide". chemicalbook.com. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
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