What Is Methyl 3-Bromo-4-(trifluoromethoxy)benzoate?

Methyl 3-bromo-4-(trifluoromethoxy)benzoate (SKU M732298) is a halogenated, fluorine-containing aromatic ester. Its structure consists of a benzoate methyl ester core bearing an aryl bromide at the 3-position and a trifluoromethoxy (OCF₃) group at the 4-position. The combination of these substituents renders the aromatic ring electron-deficient, which influences its reactivity in nucleophilic and transition-metal-catalyzed reactions.

This compound belongs to the broader class of fluorinated aromatic building blocks that are widely used in pharmaceutical research, agrochemical development, and the synthesis of advanced functional materials. The OCF₃ group in particular is valued for its strong electron-withdrawing character, high lipophilicity contribution, and metabolic stability when incorporated into drug candidates.

Chemical Properties and Handling

Methyl 3-bromo-4-(trifluoromethoxy)benzoate is typically encountered as a liquid or low-melting solid at room temperature, consistent with many small fluorinated aromatic esters. The aryl bromide is susceptible to oxidative addition with palladium(0) and other transition-metal catalysts, enabling a broad range of cross-coupling chemistries including Suzuki-Miyaura, Negishi, Buchwald-Hartwig, and Sonogashira reactions. The methyl ester can be hydrolyzed, reduced, or further functionalized under standard organic chemistry conditions.

When handling this compound, standard laboratory precautions for halogenated organic reagents should be observed: use in a well-ventilated fume hood, wear appropriate personal protective equipment (gloves, safety glasses, lab coat), and avoid inhalation or skin contact. Consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provided by Aladdin Scientific for full hazard classification, first-aid measures, and disposal guidelines before use.

Storage and Stability

To maintain the integrity and purity of Methyl 3-bromo-4-(trifluoromethoxy)benzoate, it should be stored under cool, dry conditions away from light, moisture, and incompatible materials such as strong bases and oxidizing agents. Storage at 2–8 °C or at room temperature in a tightly sealed container under an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) is generally recommended for halogenated ester reagents of this type, though users should confirm specific storage conditions indicated on the product label or SDS supplied with SKU M732298.

Prolonged exposure to moisture may lead to slow hydrolysis of the methyl ester functionality. The aryl bromide moiety is generally stable under ambient storage conditions. Always check the certificate of analysis (CoA) for lot-specific purity data before use in sensitive applications.

Typical Applications in Research

The dual functionality of Methyl 3-bromo-4-(trifluoromethoxy)benzoate — an aryl bromide handle for metal-catalyzed coupling and a convertible ester group — makes it a highly flexible building block in multi-step synthesis.

• Medicinal Chemistry: Used to introduce the metabolically stable OCF₃ pharmacophore into lead compounds. The ester and bromide allow sequential functionalization toward complex drug-like scaffolds.
• Agrochemical Research: Fluorinated aryl intermediates are key starting materials in the synthesis of modern herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides.
• Materials Science: Fluorinated aromatics contribute to the development of liquid crystals, organic semiconductors, and specialty polymers.
• Fragment-Based Drug Discovery: The compact, functionalized aromatic fragment is suitable for fragment library construction and elaboration.

Researchers should optimize reaction conditions (catalyst loading, ligand, base, solvent, temperature) according to the specific transformation planned.

Ordering and Quality Assurance

Methyl 3-bromo-4-(trifluoromethoxy)benzoate is available from Aladdin Scientific under SKU M732298. To place an order, visit the Aladdin Scientific website, search by SKU or product name, select the required pack size and quantity, and proceed through the standard checkout process. For bulk inquiries, custom pack sizes, or institutional pricing, contact the Aladdin Scientific sales team directly.

Each lot is accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) documenting purity (typically assessed by GC or HPLC), appearance, and other quality parameters. If you require additional analytical data such as NMR spectra or specific purity thresholds for GMP-adjacent workflows, please contact technical support prior to ordering. Aladdin Scientific's returns and refunds policy applies in the event that product does not meet the stated specifications.