Bromazolam (XLI-268) is a high-potency triazolobenzodiazepine (TBZD) research chemical that belongs to the benzodiazepine family. First synthesized in 1976, Bromazolam was originally investigated for pharmaceutical research but was never approved for medical use. Today, it is primarily utilized as an analytical reference standard for forensic toxicology, pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, and analytical laboratory research.
Due to its structural similarity to alprazolam, Bromazolam is widely studied for receptor-binding characteristics, metabolic profiling, and analytical method development.
What is Bromazolam?
Bromazolam is a laboratory-produced triazolobenzodiazepine developed for scientific investigation of benzodiazepine receptor pharmacology. It shares close structural similarities with alprazolam while containing a bromine substitution that makes it valuable for analytical differentiation and forensic identification.
Researchers utilize Bromazolam as a certified reference material when studying emerging benzodiazepine analogues, metabolic pathways, and analytical detection techniques.
Chemical Structure and Properties
Bromazolam possesses several defining structural characteristics:
- Triazolobenzodiazepine core
- Brominated aromatic ring
- High chemical purity
- Stable crystalline structure
- Suitable analytical reference material
These characteristics make Bromazolam an important compound for benzodiazepine research and laboratory analysis.
Pharmacological Research
Laboratory studies indicate Bromazolam functions as a positive allosteric modulator of the GABAA receptor, interacting with the benzodiazepine binding site.
Scientific investigations have demonstrated high affinity toward multiple GABAA receptor subtypes, making Bromazolam useful for:
- Receptor binding studies
- Pharmacodynamic research
- Neuropharmacology investigations
- Structure–activity relationship (SAR) analysis
- Comparative benzodiazepine research
Its receptor profile provides valuable information for medicinal chemistry and neuroscience research.
Metabolism Research
Bromazolam has been extensively investigated in human liver microsome and hepatocyte studies.
Major metabolic pathways include:
- Hydroxylation
- Dihydroxylation
- Glucuronidation
- Phase I metabolism
- Phase II metabolism
Reported metabolites include:
- Phenyl-hydroxy Bromazolam
- 4-Hydroxy Bromazolam
- Alpha-hydroxy Bromazolam
- Alpha-4-dihydroxy Bromazolam
- Bromazolam N-glucuronide
- Hydroxy Bromazolam glucuronides
These metabolites assist forensic laboratories in biological sample identification and toxicological investigations.
Scientific Research Applications
Bromazolam is commonly used in:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Pharmaceutical Research
- Neuropharmacology
- Analytical Chemistry
- GABAA receptor research
- Reference standard production
- Drug metabolism studies
- Structure–Activity Relationship (SAR) research
Analytical Applications
Professional laboratories utilize Bromazolam for:
- LC-MS/MS Analysis
- GC-MS Identification
- HPLC Analysis
- High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS)
- Toxicology Screening
- Reference Standard Calibration
- Method Validation
- Quality Control Testing
These analytical methods enable accurate detection and identification of Bromazolam in research environments.
Why Researchers Study Bromazolam
Bromazolam supports numerous laboratory investigations involving:
- Benzodiazepine analogue identification
- Medicinal chemistry optimization
- Pharmaceutical compound development
- Forensic casework
- Analytical method validation
- Metabolic pathway characterization
- Receptor pharmacology
- Laboratory quality assurance
Its well-characterized structure makes it valuable for comparative studies involving triazolobenzodiazepines.
Related Research Compounds
Researchers frequently compare Bromazolam with:
- Alprazolam
- Clonazolam
- Flubromazolam
- Flualprazolam
- Etizolam
- Diazepam
- Midazolam
- Triazolam
- Other benzodiazepine analogues
Comparative investigations help improve analytical differentiation and pharmacological characterization.
Storage and Handling
For optimal laboratory stability:
- Store in airtight laboratory containers.
- Keep away from moisture and humidity.
- Avoid prolonged light exposure.
- Maintain recommended laboratory storage temperatures.
- Handle using appropriate laboratory PPE.
- Intended only for qualified laboratory personnel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bromazolam?
Bromazolam is a triazolobenzodiazepine research chemical used as an analytical reference standard in forensic toxicology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and analytical laboratories.
Which research fields use Bromazolam?
Bromazolam is widely used in forensic toxicology, pharmaceutical research, neuropharmacology, medicinal chemistry, analytical chemistry, and academic laboratory research.
Which analytical techniques are used with Bromazolam?
Researchers commonly analyze Bromazolam using LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, HPLC, and HRMS for compound identification, calibration, quality assurance, and method validation.
Why is Bromazolam valuable for research?
Its well-characterized receptor affinity, metabolic profile, and structural similarity to alprazolam make it valuable for analytical chemistry, forensic investigations, and medicinal chemistry research.
Is Bromazolam intended only for laboratory research?
Yes. Bromazolam is supplied exclusively for laboratory, scientific, analytical, forensic, and educational research purposes.
Disclaimer
Bromazolam (XLI-268) is intended exclusively for laboratory, analytical, scientific, and educational research. This product is not intended for human consumption, medical treatment, veterinary use, therapeutic applications, or diagnostic purposes. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws, regulations, and institutional laboratory safety requirements.





