1-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)propan-1-amine HCl: Properties & Uses

1-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)propan-1-amine hydrochloride is a fluorinated aromatic amine salt widely employed as a versatile building block in medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical intermediate synthesis.

Product SKU

D986085

Chemical Name

1-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)propan-1-amine hydrochloride

Core Structural Features

3,4-difluoro-substituted phenyl ring bearing a primary amine at the benzylic position with an ethyl substituent, supplied as the HCl salt

Molecular Formula (free base)

C9H11F2N (hydrochloride adds HCl; exact MW should be verified against certificate of analysis)

Physical Form

Typically a crystalline solid; verify appearance on CoA

Primary Application

Pharmaceutical intermediate and synthetic building block for drug discovery programs

Chemical Identity and Structure

1-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)propan-1-amine hydrochloride (Aladdin SKU: D986085) is a benzylic primary amine featuring geminal fluorine substituents at the 3- and 4-positions of the phenyl ring. The compound is presented as its hydrochloride salt, which confers improved crystallinity, bench stability, and ease of handling compared with the free base form. The presence of a chiral center at C-1 of the propan-1-amine chain means the compound may be obtained as a racemate or in enantiopure form depending on the synthetic route; researchers should verify stereochemical specification on the certificate of analysis before use.

The vicinal difluoro pattern on the aromatic ring is a well-established bioisostere motif in medicinal chemistry. The two electronegative fluorine atoms modulate the electron density of the ring and influence pKa, lipophilicity (logP), and hydrogen-bonding capacity of the molecule—properties that drug designers leverage to fine-tune pharmacokinetics and target binding.

Physicochemical Properties and Stability

As a hydrochloride salt of a primary arylalkylamine, 1-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)propan-1-amine hydrochloride is expected to exhibit good water solubility relative to its free base counterpart, making it convenient for preparing aqueous stock solutions in biochemical assays. The salt form also suppresses volatility of the free amine, reducing inhalation risk during weighing operations.

Fluorinated aromatic compounds generally display enhanced metabolic stability compared with their non-fluorinated analogs because C–F bonds resist cytochrome P450-mediated oxidation at the substituted positions. This property is particularly valued when the compound serves as a core fragment in lead optimization campaigns. Storage under cool, dry conditions away from light and strong oxidants is recommended; consult the Aladdin product page and safety data sheet for specific storage temperature and shelf-life data.

Note: Specific melting point, exact logP, and pKa values are not confirmed in the available source material and should be verified against the certificate of analysis or primary literature before citing in publications.

Applications in Synthetic and Medicinal Chemistry

Primary benzylic amines such as 1-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)propan-1-amine hydrochloride serve as versatile synthetic intermediates. Common transformations include:

• Amide bond formation: Coupling with activated carboxylic acids or acyl chlorides to furnish amide pharmacophores present in many drug candidates.
• Reductive amination: Reaction with aldehydes or ketones to generate secondary and tertiary amines for structure–activity relationship (SAR) exploration.
• Sulfonamide synthesis: Treatment with sulfonyl chlorides to produce sulfonamide derivatives of biological interest.
• Heterocycle construction: Cyclization reactions to build piperidines, morpholines, imidazolines, and other nitrogen-containing rings relevant to CNS and cardiovascular drug programs.

The 3,4-difluorophenyl motif appears in several marketed pharmaceuticals, making fluorinated aniline and arylamine derivatives high-priority building blocks for combinatorial library construction and fragment-based drug discovery. Researchers in asymmetric synthesis may also use enantiopure forms as chiral auxiliaries or as substrates for dynamic kinetic resolution studies.

Handling, Safety, and Regulatory Considerations

As with all primary aromatic amines, appropriate laboratory safety precautions should be observed. Use nitrile gloves, safety glasses, and a laboratory coat; work in a well-ventilated fume hood when manipulating powders to avoid inhalation of fine particles. The hydrochloride salt form reduces volatility relative to the free base but does not eliminate the need for standard amine-handling protocols.

Dispose of waste in accordance with local regulations governing halogenated organic compounds. The fluorine content classifies waste streams as halogenated; consult your institution's environmental health and safety office for correct disposal procedures. Refer to the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) available on the Aladdin Scientific product page (SKU D986085) for GHS hazard classifications, first-aid measures, and transport information before ordering or handling this compound.

Ordering and Availability from Aladdin Scientific

1-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)propan-1-amine hydrochloride is catalogued under SKU D986085 at Aladdin Scientific. Researchers and procurement teams can request purity certificates, batch-specific analytical data (HPLC, NMR, MS), and safety data sheets directly through the Aladdin product portal. Custom quantities or higher-purity grades for GMP-adjacent research may be available upon inquiry.

For questions regarding specifications, bulk pricing, or technical suitability for a specific application, contact Aladdin Scientific's technical support team. Volume discounts and institutional pricing may apply; registered account holders can access promotional pricing through the rewards and promotions program on the Aladdin platform.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between 1-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)propan-1-amine and its hydrochloride salt?

The free base is a primary amine that can be volatile and hygroscopic, making it harder to handle and store. The hydrochloride salt form (SKU D986085) is a more stable, crystalline solid with improved shelf life and easier accurate weighing, while being readily converted back to the free base by treatment with aqueous base prior to use in reactions that require the neutral amine.

Does this compound have a chiral center, and is it available in enantiopure form?

Yes, the carbon bearing the amine group (C-1 of the propan-1-amine chain) is a stereocenter. The catalog material may be supplied as a racemate; researchers requiring a single enantiomer should confirm the stereochemical specification with Aladdin Scientific's technical team and request chiral HPLC data or optical rotation values from the certificate of analysis.

What common reactions can 1-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)propan-1-amine hydrochloride undergo in drug synthesis?

This compound participates in amide coupling, reductive amination, sulfonamide formation, and heterocycle-forming cyclizations, making it broadly applicable in medicinal chemistry and fragment-based drug discovery. It is first typically free-based with a mild inorganic base (e.g., K2CO3 or NaHCO3) before use in anhydrous coupling reactions.

How should I store this compound to maximize stability?

Store in a tightly sealed container under cool, dry conditions away from light, moisture, and strong oxidizing agents. Specific temperature requirements should be confirmed on the product's Safety Data Sheet and certificate of analysis available from Aladdin Scientific (SKU D986085).

Why is the 3,4-difluorophenyl group commonly used in drug discovery?

The vicinal difluoro substitution pattern serves as a bioisostere that enhances metabolic stability by blocking oxidative metabolism at those ring positions, and it fine-tunes electronic properties, lipophilicity, and binding geometry. This motif appears in numerous clinical candidates and approved drugs targeting CNS, oncology, and cardiovascular indications.

References

1. Müller K, Faeh C, Diederich F. Fluorine in pharmaceuticals: looking beyond intuition. Science. 2007;317(5846):1881-1886. doi:10.1126/science.1131943
2. Hagmann WK. The many roles for fluorine in medicinal chemistry. J Med Chem. 2008;51(15):4359-4369. doi:10.1021/jm800219f
3. Aladdin Scientific. Product page: 1-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)propan-1-amine hydrochloride, SKU D986085.

Products are supplied for research and development use only. Not for use in humans, animals, diagnosis, or therapy.