General Description
A colorless to pale-yellow colored liquid with a pleasant odor. Flash point 65°F. Insoluble in water and denser than water. Vapors are heavier than air and may be narcotic in high concentrations. Used to make other chemicals.
Reactivity Profile
Halogenated aliphatic compounds, such as 2-BROMOBUTANE(78-76-2), 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. Gives toxic fumes of bromine when burned.
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Insoluble in water.
Hazard
Narcotic in high concentration. Flammable,
dangerous fire risk.
Health Hazard
Irritating to eyes, nose, throat, upper respiratory tract, and skin. Symptoms of exposure include burning sensation, coughing, wheezing, laryngitis, shortness of breath, headache, nausea, and vomiting.
Chemical Properties
colourless liquid with a pleasant odour
Uses
2-Bromobutane is used in the various organic synthesis, existing as a grignard reagent.
Purification Methods
Wash 2-bromobutane with conc HCl, water, 10% aqueous NaHSO3, and then water. Dry it with CaCl2, Na2SO4 or anhydrous K2CO3, and fractionally distil it through a 1m glass helices packed column. [Beilstein 1 IV 261.]
