2-Bromoheptafluoropropane: A Key Intermediate of Broflanilide, a Meta-Diamide Insecticide with Huge Commercial Potential

Broflanilide is a meta-diamide insecticide, jointly developed by Japan's Mitsui Chemicals Agro and BASF. It is mainly used to control common crop pests including Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, termites, mosquitoes and flies, etc. Current studies show that Broflanilide has reported excellent insecticidal activity against larvae and adults.

Broflanilide can be used on green leafy vegetables, perennial crops and grains. In addition, it can be used as a seed treatment agent to prevent and control nematodes and for non-crop purposes, to prevent and control termites, ants, cockroaches, flies and other pests. In addition, the insecticide has high larvicidal activity against Spodoptera litura. Therefore, it can be concluded that Broflanilide is used more in controlling pests in the area of public health than other meta-diamide insecticides, including Flubendiamide and Chlorantraniliprole.

2-Bromoheptafluoropropane is a key raw material intermediate for the synthesis of Broflanilide. Similarly, this intermediate is used in other active ingredients such as Flubendiamide and Cyproflanilide. Since the product is a fluorine-containing gas, it is produced and stored under harsh conditions and unsuitable for packaging and transportation. Therefore, there are only a handful of global manufacturers.

Changyi Hengtai Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Hengtai Technology") is affiliated to Changyi Ruihai Biological Technology Co., Ltd. (Ruihai Bio), and located in Xiaying Industrial Park, Changyi City, Weifang, Shandong Province. Hengtai Technology is mainly engaged in the R&D and production of chemical products and intermediates. It has proven production technology of Bromoheptafluoropropane and currently is a dominant domestic or even global manufacturer for that, which is qualified to launch production in China and currently the only producing manufacturer. 

The group company (Ruihai Bio) is adjacent to the hinterland of Shengli Oilfield and Laizhou Bay, and has convenient transportation and a superior geographical location. It is also located in the overlapping area of “The Yellow River Delta & Blue Peninsula of Shandong” strategy. It belongs to the Qingdao-Weifang 1-h economic circle. It is mainly engaged in R&D and production of pesticides and pharmaceutical intermediates, flavors and flavoring essences and fine chemicals. The company has more than 100 employees and an annual output value of about RMB 300 million.

Bromine, a unique natural resource

Bromine is one of the critical industrial chemicals and the main branch of the marine chemical industry. The various bromine derivatives, including inorganic bromides, bromates and bromine-containing organic compounds, have special value in the development of the national economy and science and technology. The global bromine is mainly distributed in Israel, the United States, China and other places. In China, Weifang (Shandong province) is the main production area of bromine, accounting for about 65% of domestic output. Bromine is required for bromoheptafluoropropane synthesis, so its supply directly impacts the yield of bromoheptafluoropropane. Because Bromine is in short supply in Israel, its price has been rising in recent years. Hengtai Technology, located in Changyi, Weifang, currently has a sufficient supply of bromine. During the production of bromoheptafluoropropane, the company uses tubular continuous bromination and fluorination reactions to great advantage with regard to cost, timeliness and stability.

Comprehensive synthesis platform

In addition to the tubular continuous bromination reaction and fluorination reaction, Hengtai and its brother companies also have relatively comprehensive synthesis platforms. In addition to pesticide intermediates and pharmaceutical intermediates, its products also include some fundamental flavors and organic solvents. For example, the company has platforms for Grignard reaction and chlorination reaction (Maltol), amination reaction (MCP and Acetonitrile), bromination and methoxidation reaction (Calone), and hydrogenation reaction (Tetrahydrofuran), etc.

We’re looking forward to collaborate with potential business partners. For more information, you can visit www.ruihaibiological.com, or contact us at sales@ruihaibiological.com.

This article was initially published in AgroPages' '2021 Market Insight' magazine.