1-Bromopropane

1-bromopropane was used primarily as a solvent for fats, waxes or resins and as an intermediate in the synthesis of other compounds including pharmaceuticals, insecticides, quaternary ammonium compounds, flavors and fragrances in generally well-controlled, closed processes. 1-Bromopropane is now used as a solvent cleaner in vapor and immersion cleaning and degreasing operations for optics, electronics and metals and as a solvent in industries that use spray-applied adhesives. Its use as a solvent substitute for ozone-depleting chlorofluorohydrocarbons (freons) or suspect carcinogens (e.g., trichloroethylene, methylene chloride) has prompted the dry cleaning industry to view it as a replacement for perchloroethylene (“perc”), especially in states that are proposing to ban the use of the latter chemical in dry cleaning.1-Bromopropane is one of several chemicals included in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) that has been approved as a substitute for ozone-depleting solvents currently in use in certain applications. Specifically, 1-bromopropane has been approved as an acceptable substitute for CFC-113 (1,1,2-Trichloro1,2,2-trifluoroethane, Freon 113) and methyl chloroform (1,1,1-trichloroethane) in non-aerosol electronics, metal and precision cleaning.