70-23-5

Severe poison, lachrymator, irritant.

Clear yellow to pink-red liquid

Employed in a synthesis of thioxothiazolidines from primary amines and carbon disulfide.1

The most likely impurity is free acid (bromopyruvic or bromoacetic acids). Dissolve the ester in dry Et2O or dry CHCl3, stir with CaCO3 until effervescence ceases, filter, (may wash with a little H2O rapidly), dry (MgSO4) and distil it at least twice. The 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone has m 144-145o. [Burros & Holland J Chem Soc 672 1947, Letsinger & Laco J Org Chem 21 764 1956, Kruse et al. J Am Chem Soc 76 5796 1954, Beilstein 3 IV 1519.] LACHRYMATORY.