1,2-difluorobenzene

Description

## 1,2-Difluorobenzene: A Versatile Building Block

1,2-Difluorobenzene, also known as *o*-difluorobenzene, is an aromatic organic compound with the molecular formula C₆H₄F₂. It's a colorless liquid with a characteristic aromatic odor.

**Why is it important for research?**

1,2-Difluorobenzene serves as a valuable building block in various research fields due to its unique properties:

**1. Fluorine's Impact:**

* **Electron-withdrawing effect:** The fluorine atoms exert a strong electron-withdrawing effect, making the ring more susceptible to electrophilic attack. This property is utilized in organic synthesis for creating new molecules.
* **Enhanced stability:** Fluorine atoms contribute to increased stability and reactivity of the molecule, allowing for use in challenging reaction conditions.
* **Increased lipophilicity:** The presence of fluorine atoms increases the molecule's lipid solubility, which is relevant in drug discovery for membrane permeability and bioavailability.

**2. Applications in Research:**

* **Drug discovery:** 1,2-Difluorobenzene is used as a starting material for synthesizing various pharmaceuticals, including anti-inflammatory agents, anti-cancer drugs, and antibacterial compounds. The fluorine atoms often enhance drug properties like potency, selectivity, and metabolic stability.
* **Materials science:** 1,2-Difluorobenzene serves as a monomer in the preparation of polymers and other materials with tailored properties. These materials find applications in electronics, optics, and coatings.
* **Organic synthesis:** It is used as a versatile synthon for creating various complex organic molecules. Its reactivity and fluorine atoms allow for selective modifications and functionalizations.
* **Analytical chemistry:** 1,2-Difluorobenzene is employed as a reference standard in various analytical techniques like NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry.

**3. Examples of Research:**

* Studies have used 1,2-difluorobenzene to develop novel synthetic methods for complex molecules with potential medicinal applications.
* Research is ongoing in exploring the use of 1,2-difluorobenzene as a building block for creating new materials with specific optical and electrical properties.
* Scientists are investigating the impact of fluorine substitution on the biological activity of various compounds, including drug candidates and pesticides.

In summary, 1,2-difluorobenzene plays a significant role in research due to its unique fluorine-related properties. It serves as a crucial building block in organic synthesis, drug discovery, materials science, and analytical chemistry, driving progress in various scientific fields.

1,2-difluorobenzene : A difluorobenzene carrying fluoro groups at positions 1 and 2. [Chemical Entities of Biological Interest (ChEBI), Hastings J, Owen G, Dekker A, Ennis M, Kale N, Muthukrishnan V, Turner S, Swainston N, Mendes P, Steinbeck C. (2016). ChEBI in 2016: Improved services and an expanding collection of metabolites. Nucleic Acids Res]

difluorobenzene : Any member of the class of fluorobenzenes containing a mono- or poly-substituted benzene ring carrying two fluorine atoms. [Chemical Entities of Biological Interest (ChEBI), Hastings J, Owen G, Dekker A, Ennis M, Kale N, Muthukrishnan V, Turner S, Swainston N, Mendes P, Steinbeck C. (2016). ChEBI in 2016: Improved services and an expanding collection of metabolites. Nucleic Acids Res]