Ethyl 4-Chloroacetoacetate: A Closer Look at Its Characteristics and Application

What is Ethyl 4-Chloroacetoacetate?

Ethyl 4-Chloroacetoacetate brings together a versatile structure and a sharp edge in chemical synthesis. With the molecular formula C6H9ClO3 and a molecular weight of 164.59 g/mol, this compound deserves a closer look, especially for anyone serious about chemical manufacturing or research. Trade and industrial usage often rely on the HS code 2918300090, a detail that matters for regulatory and customs processing. In practice, its nature as a raw material pushes it to the front lines of pharmaceutical and agrochemical production, providing a building block for everything from dyes to pesticides, and even specialty medical compounds. There’s much to be said about how one molecule can become a springboard into an entire field of synthesis.

Physical and Chemical Properties

In handling, Ethyl 4-Chloroacetoacetate looks like a clear to pale yellow liquid at room temperature. Unlike many solid starting materials, its liquid state adds value, particularly for reactions that require fast and consistent mixing. Its density clocks in close to 1.243 g/cm³ at 25°C. Boiling point stands at about 220°C—high enough to keep it stable under most working conditions, but still practical for distillation or downstream processing. With a refractive index of about 1.444 at 20°C, you can quickly check product identity or concentration in the lab without much hassle. Sometimes, small amounts crystallize out under lower temperatures, but usual storage at ambient conditions keeps it in liquid form.

Structure and Molecular Detail

Looking at the structure, a chloro group sits at the gamma position relative to the carbonyls, and the ethoxy side chain broadens the scope for reactivity. This layout nudges the molecule into a sweet spot: reactive enough to support alkylation, condensation, and substitution, but not so unstable that it creates safety problems. Chemists can take advantage of the alpha-chloro substituent for nucleophilic displacement or other reactions, passing the baton to even more complex downstream chemicals. Structure-wise, this molecule includes an acetoacetate ester backbone, which keeps it flexible in a host of applications, both as an intermediate and as a protective group in organic syntheses.

Specifications and Handling

As a raw material, quality matters. Typical industry-grade Ethyl 4-Chloroacetoacetate carries a purity over 98%, with specific attention paid to impurities like water and residual acids, which can throw off a synthesis. Its color, measured by the APHA scale, normally falls under 30 units—important for anyone working on products where appearance signals quality. The product ships in sealed drums or containers, and for good reason; contact with air or moisture slowly breaks it down, releasing acidic byproducts that cause trouble during scale-up or storage.

State and Appearance in the Field

Factory workers and lab staff hardly find this compound as flakes, pearls, or powder—it comes as a mobile liquid. Unlike white crystalline intermediates or dusty powders, this product doesn’t linger in the air or pose much inhalation risk, provided containers stay shut. Still, standard practice involves goggles, gloves, and fume hoods, since skin or eye contact quickly leads to irritation. Over the years, companies have shifted away from using glass for long-term storage, turning to HDPE or lined steel containers to avoid corrosion or unwanted reactions.

Safe Use and Hazards

Handling always requires respect for its hazards. Ethyl 4-Chloroacetoacetate acts as a skin and eye irritant. Inhalation of vapors or accidental ingestion triggers headaches, nausea, and worse responses depending on dose. Local rules demand the use of fume extraction, labeled containers, and eye-wash stations nearby, a fact that comes from real-world incidents and not just regulatory paperwork. It’s crucial to keep spills off the floor and out of drains, as residues may contaminate work surfaces or lead to unwanted waste products. People sometimes downplay the corrosive edge of chloroacetates, but experienced hands know that even gloves need regular changes to avoid breakthrough.

Role as a Raw Material

Ethyl 4-Chloroacetoacetate gives chemists the power to build. Its function as an acetoacetate ester connects it with high-value targets in pharmaceutical synthesis, herbicide production, and dye manufacturing. Whether setting up small pilot batches or scaling up for bulk lots, manufacturers look at this molecule for its access to chlorinated and non-chlorinated derivatives alike. Large buyers keep an eye on both purity and stability, since batch-to-batch consistency has a real impact on downstream yield and process economics.

Current Issues and Practical Solutions

People working with Ethyl 4-Chloroacetoacetate often struggle with purity drift and shelf-life worries, especially when sourcing from new suppliers or when shipments get delayed. Solution comes from strict supplier audits, robust quality controls at warehouse points, and investment in modern storage. For workers, hands-on safety refreshers keep incident rates down, and keeping up with the best PPE practices prevents skin or eye mishaps. Logistics teams have responded to spills or leaky containers by moving towards thicker drums and double seals. In the bigger picture, stricter adherence to labeling and storage codes—not just international labels, but real in-plant signage—goes further than any one-off training video. Small details like spill kits at every loading dock make a difference, especially during peak shipping periods.