TCI B6877 is (±)-1-(3-Bromophenyl)ethanol, a secondary benzylic alcohol supplied as a racemic mixture and carrying a bromine atom at the meta position of the benzene ring. This straightforward molecule holds two complementary functional groups: a hydroxyl group on the benzylic carbon, which constitutes a stereogenic centre, and an aromatic carbon–bromine bond that serves as an entry point for cross-coupling reactions. That combination makes the compound a widely used model substrate in catalysis research and, at the same time, a versatile starting material for constructing more elaborate molecules in routine organic synthesis.
The properties that make this material a preferred choice are the presence of a stereogenic centre that is easy to monitor and two functional groups whose reactivities differ substantially, allowing them to be addressed sequentially rather than competitively. As a racemate, the compound is a standard substrate for kinetic resolution studies, whether using enzymatic catalysts such as lipases or chemical catalysts, because reaction progress and enantiomeric excess can both be followed by chiral-phase chromatography. The benzylic hydroxyl group can be oxidised to the corresponding ketone, converted to an ester or an ether, or substituted, while the aryl bromide bond remains intact throughout.
In Indonesian laboratories, this type of building block is typically handled in university and institutional organic synthesis groups, in catalysis and biocatalysis research programmes, and in analytical method development work where a well-defined racemic alcohol is needed as a reference substrate. It is generally taken up in small-scale bench reactions, in chiral separation method trials, and in teaching-linked research where both the stereogenic centre and the aryl halide handle are used to demonstrate selective, stepwise transformations.
- Kinetic resolution studies: as a racemate with a benzylic stereogenic centre, the compound is a standard substrate for evaluating enzymatic and chemical catalysts under comparable conditions.
- Lipase-catalysed transesterification research: the secondary benzylic alcohol is readily acylated by lipases, making it suitable for screening biocatalyst activity and enantioselectivity in parallel experiments.
- Cross-coupling chemistry: the aromatic carbon–bromine bond at the meta position provides a reliable entry point for building larger aryl-substituted frameworks from a simple starting material.
- Chiral chromatography method development: reaction progress and enantiomeric excess can be followed by chiral-phase chromatography, so the racemate serves well as a reference mixture during method setup.
- Sequential functional group transformations: the hydroxyl group can be oxidised, esterified, etherified, or substituted while the aryl bromide remains intact, supporting stepwise synthetic route studies.
| Brand | TCI |
|---|---|
| CAS number | 52780-14-0 |
| Molecular formula | — |
| Purity | — |
| Category | Chemistry > Building Blocks > Non-Heterocyclic Building Blocks |
| Pack sizes | available in the standard TCI catalogue pack sizes; please confirm the required size when ordering |
| Physical form | — |
| Storage | store according to the conditions stated on the manufacturer's label and safety data sheet |
- Chemical name: (±)-1-(3-Bromophenyl)ethanol
Store the container tightly closed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and incompatible materials, following the conditions given on the manufacturer's label and safety data sheet. Keep the material in its original supplier container or in a compatible, clearly labelled chemical-resistant bottle, and reseal it promptly after each withdrawal to limit exposure to air and moisture. Handle the compound in a fume hood using appropriate gloves, safety glasses, and a laboratory coat, and avoid contact with skin and eyes as well as inhalation of vapours. Consult the safety data sheet before first use and dispose of residues and contaminated materials through the laboratory's chemical waste procedures.
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