2-Fluorophenol

Chemical properties

Clear colourless to yellow liquid

The Uses of 2-Fluorophenol

2-Fluorophenol is a competitive inhibitor in the oxidation of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), a catecholamine precursor that is used as a therapeutic agent for patients with ParkinsonтАЩs disease. 2-Fluorophenol is also used as a sole carbon energy source for bacteria.

Synthesis Reference(s)

Tetrahedron, 52, p. 23, 1996 DOI: 10.1016/0040-4020(95)00867-8
Journal of the American Chemical Society, 103, p. 1964, 1981 DOI: 10.1021/ja00398a015

General Description

Liquid or crystalline solid melting at 14-16°C. Corrosive. Density 1.246 g / cm3.

Air & Water Reactions

Highly flammable.

Reactivity Profile

2-Fluorophenol reacts as a weak organic acid. May be incompatible with strong reducing substances such as hydrides, nitrides, alkali metals, and sulfides. Flammable gas (H2) is often generated, and the heat of the reaction may ignite the gas. Heat is also generated by the acid-base reaction with bases. Such heating may initiate polymerization of the organic compound. Sulfonated very readily (for example, by concentrated sulfuric acid at room temperature). The reactions generate heat. Nitrated very rapidly, even by dilute nitric acid.

Health Hazard

ACUTE/CHRONIC HAZARDS: Toxic and irritant.

Purification Methods

Pass o-fluorophenol at least twice through a gas chromatographic column for small quantities; otherwise fractionally distil it under reduced pressure. [Beilstein 6 I 97, 6 IV 770.]