General Description
A colorless liquid. Slightly denser than water and insoluble in water. Flash point between 64-73°F. Harmful if inhaled.
Reactivity Profile
Halogenated aliphatic compounds, such as BROMOMETHYLPROPANE, are moderately or very reactive. Reactivity generally decreases with increased degree of substitution of halogen for hydrogen atoms. Low molecular weight haloalkanes are highly flammable and can react with some metals to form dangerous products. Materials in this group are incompatible with strong oxidizing and reducing agents. Also, they are incompatible with many amines, nitrides, azo/diazo compounds, alkali metals, and epoxides. Burning generates toxic fumes of bromine.
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Insoluble in water.
Health Hazard
May cause toxic effects if inhaled or absorbed through skin. Inhalation or contact with material may irritate or burn skin and eyes. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Vapors may cause dizziness or suffocation. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution.
Fire Hazard
HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air. Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks). Vapor explosion hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers. Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard. Containers may explode when heated. Many liquids are lighter than water.
Chemical Properties
CLEAR COLOURLESS TO YELLOW-BROWN LIQUID
Uses
tert-Butyl bromide is used as a raw material in synthetic organic chemistry. It is used to study the massive deadenylation of adenine based-nucleosides.
Purification Methods
Neutralise the bromomethylpropane with K2CO3, distil, and dry it using molecular sieves (5A), then distil it in a vacuum and degas it by the freeze-pump-thaw technique. Seal it under vacuum. [Beilstein 1 IV 295.]
