Bromoethane, also known as ethyl bromide, is a compound of the halogenated alkanes group. It is abbreviated by chemists as EtBr (also used as an abbreviation for ethidium bromide). This volatile compound has an ether-like odor.
Ethyl bromide is inexpensive and rarely prepared in the laboratory. The laboratory synthesis involves reacting ethanol with a mixture of hydrobromic and sulfuric acids. Another route is to reflux ethanol with phosphorus and bromine; phosphorus tribromide is generated in situ.
Bromoethane is a bromoalkane, which is ethane with a bromine substituent. It is an alkylating agent used as a chemical intermediate in various organic synthesis. It acts as a carcinogen, solvent, refrigerant, local anesthetic and alkylating agent. It is brominated alkanes, brominated hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds.
Bromoethane is an alkylating agent, mainly used as a chemical intermediate in various organic synthesis. It is an organic bromide (L1986).