The history of (2R,3R)-(-)-dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid monohydrate traces back to the pioneering days of stereochemistry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Scientists discovered the role tartaric acid played in the development of chiral resolutions, fundamentally shaping the understanding of optically active compounds in organic chemistry. Over time, as the need for safe and efficient chiral separation agents grew, especially with the explosion of the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries, dibenzoyl derivatives of tartaric acid earned their place in laboratories and manufacturing setups. The early groundwork laid by names like Louis Pasteur planted the seeds for this tartaric derivative to become a mainstay in asymmetric synthesis, giving chemists a practical tool for differentiating enantiomers.
(2R,3R)-(-)-Dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid monohydrate has long served as a resolving agent in producing pure enantiomers, especially in pharmaceuticals. With its crystalline structure and solid form, this compound brings reliability and predictability, which anyone working with chiral compounds can value. Whether in small-batch research or large-scale production, this tartaric acid derivative supports chiral resolution by forming diastereomeric salts with basic drugs or intermediates. Setting up a process where purity truly matters calls for a reliable standard, and dibenzoyl tartaric acid delivers.
This compound usually appears as white to off-white crystals or powder, easily distinguished by its consistent appearance under standard lab conditions. The monohydrate version shows a certain sensitivity to moisture. Its melting point runs high enough to withstand typical purification setups, and it doesn’t decompose easily under mild temperature shifts, important for labs that need stability. Chemically speaking, the molecule holds two benzoyl groups and offers two chiral centers; that molecular twist gives it the handedness critical in its many uses. With solubility in polar organic solvents like methanol or ethanol, and limited dissolution in water, isolation and purification step up in convenience. Its stereochemistry always draws interest from both practicing chemists and students learning the ropes of resolution chemistry.
Most commercial-grade material carries purity above 99%, a crucial specification for users who rely on its performance to achieve their desired separations. Labels need to indicate precise enantiomeric forms, hydration status, and CAS number in clear, readable text. Batch numbers, production date, and storage requirements come clearly marked, reducing the risk of confusion or degradation. The best suppliers back up these labels with comprehensive certificates of analysis, ensuring that clients know the product’s exact performance, spectral data, and residual solvents, if any. Accurate, unambiguous labeling saves time and money, plain and simple.
Manufacturing (2R,3R)-(-)-dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid monohydrate typically begins with tartaric acid, a natural acid found commonly in grapes and other fruits. By reacting tartaric acid with benzoyl chloride in the presence of base, manufacturers introduce the two benzoyl groups, transforming the molecule’s functional capabilities. Following benzoylation, careful recrystallization—usually from a solvent like ethanol or methanol—presents the pure monohydrate. This last step, hydration from moist solvents or by controlled drying, defines the typical finished product, and even minor slip-ups affect the purity or the handling of the end result.
This tartaric acid derivative reacts predictably with basic organic molecules, notably alkaloids or other amines, to deliver separation of enantiomers by forming diastereomeric salts. Chemists appreciate the clean, efficient way it distinguishes between ‘left-handed’ and ‘right-handed’ molecules. By tweaking conditions—solvent, temperature, or base—scientists tailor the resolution process to maximize yield and purity. It’s also possible to hydrolyze the dibenzoyl groups away, looping the molecule back to a more basic tartaric acid structure for other uses or to recycle the resolving agent, highlighting both the chemical ingenuity built into its synthesis and the practical side of green chemistry.
Marketplaces and scientific catalogs list this compound under several names, including (-)-dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid monohydrate, L-(+)-dibenzoyl tartaric acid monohydrate, and DTA monohydrate. Different suppliers and research papers might rely on slight variations, but the importance comes down to recognizing that these are all the same helper in chiral chemistry. Experience teaches that confirming these identities during purchases avoids a lot of misunderstandings and costly errors in research.
This compound doesn’t bring the hazards of highly reactive or toxic materials, but safe laboratory handling remains necessary. Dust generation during weighing may irritate respiratory tract or eyes; labs rely on masks, goggles, and good ventilation. Any spill should be swept up dry and disposed of following chemical waste protocols, never down the drain. Material safety data sheets highlight the low acute toxicity, but also the need to avoid skin contact or ingestion. Storage away from strong oxidizers and in tightly sealed containers prevents accidental degradation. Proper training for technicians—especially those new to handling chiral auxiliaries—keeps everyone safer and operations running without interruption.
Anyone working in chiral drug synthesis knows the pressure to reach regulatory targets for enantiomeric purity. Using (2R,3R)-(-)-dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid monohydrate gives a solid path for scaling up resolution processes, particularly in the pharmaceutical world, where a single molecule’s handedness can spell safe therapy or hazardous side effects. Companies in agrochemicals, fine chemicals, and flavors leverage that same power to streamline production with high selectivity. Research labs often reach for this reagent when exploring new synthetic pathways, especially those needing clean separation without high-tech chromatography. Its place at the crossroads of laboratory discovery and commercial manufacture makes it a true workhorse.
In the world of R&D, the race to develop more selective, efficient, and greener synthetic routes has only made tartaric acid derivatives more valuable. Research groups compare the resolution power of dibenzoyl tartaric acid against other chiral agents or asymmetric synthetic catalysts, often coming back to its balance of cost, predictability, and accessibility. Collaborative projects between universities and chemical producers continue to yield new application notes and process improvements. Digital and automation revolutions now bring more precise analyses, allowing researchers to squeeze even more performance out of longstanding reagents like this one.
Empirical studies and regulatory reviews give dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid monohydrate a mostly clean bill of health under standard laboratory conditions. Reports indicate low acute toxicity when handled properly, with no evidence of significant systemic toxicity or carcinogenicity in animal models at common exposure levels. Most published work focuses on proper ventilation and avoidance of dust inhalation to protect respiratory health. Environmental impact sees little concern, as breakdown products align closely with natural substances already present in the environment. Safety training and regular review of practices keep incidents rare, a testament to both the molecule’s chemical nature and the professionalism found in advanced chemical handling sectors.
The steady rise in demand for chiral pharmaceuticals almost guarantees a robust future for dibenzoyl tartaric acid monohydrate. Ongoing efforts push toward more sustainable sourcing, including greener methods for benzoylation and water-based crystallization processes. Some research labs investigate recycling spent resolving agent through mild hydrolysis, closing the loop and reducing long-term waste. Digital process control now optimizes each batch, cutting energy and solvent use. In academic circles, courses on green chemistry highlight this molecule as a positive example of how traditional synthetic agents stay relevant by adapting to new technologies and sustainability goals. Seeing how labs worldwide embrace iterative improvements, dibenzoyl tartaric acid seems primed to keep serving both bench chemists and industrial producers, supporting safer medicines and better chemical processes for years to come.
In daily lab work, getting the right form of a molecule often means the difference between success and starting over. (2R,3R)-(-)-Dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid monohydrate doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, but its use is straightforward and offers a practical answer for a stubborn puzzle in organic synthesis: separating mirror-image molecules, also known as enantiomers.
For anyone who’s worked with active pharmaceutical ingredients, enantiomeric purity isn’t just a box to check. Think about the thalidomide tragedy in the 1960s—one enantiomer treated morning sickness, the other caused birth defects. That lesson echoes today. Many drugs attach to biological targets in highly selective ways. Only the correct “hand” of a molecule produces the desired effect; the wrong one can range from useless to dangerous.
This is where (2R,3R)-(-)-dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid monohydrate makes its mark. In my time supervising undergraduate synthetic labs, I saw students reach for this reagent whenever a tough resolution cropped up. As a chiral resolving agent, it partners with racemic mixtures of basic compounds—amines stand out as prime targets. Instead of blending, opposites attract, and the unwanted enantiomer gets weeded out, often as a less-soluble salt. That’s not just textbook knowledge. Labs count on this approach to turn racemic soup into a precise, single-hand product.
On the production scale, avoiding waste matters as much as purity. The process with dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid lets manufacturers shape up yields, cut byproducts, and minimize expensive purification steps. Some companies, aiming for sustainability, see this as a greener choice compared to repeated chromatography or waste-heavy distillations. In my own graduate work, using tartaric acid derivatives trimmed days off a process—while bringing enantiomeric excess above 99%, in line with FDA expectations.
One sticking point persists: sourcing and cost. Highly pure dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid monohydrate doesn’t come cheap, and usage on the ton scale poses a challenge, especially in markets with tight budgets. At the same time, its origin in renewable materials (L-tartaric acid from grapes) offers a counterpoint, giving chemists a path to more responsible supply chains. Efforts to recycle spent resolving agents, rather than dump them, keep showing promise. The industry could do more to standardize and share best practices on regeneration and reuse.
Routine work with tartaric acid derivatives needs good protocols. Training new chemists to handle chiral resolutions without cutting corners is crucial. I’ve seen shortcuts lead to waste and lost time. Careful control of solvent, temperature, and concentration pays off. Using simple, color-change tests or chiral chromatography to check work along the way saves expensive mistakes further downstream.
Anyone hoping to bring safer and more effective drugs to market, or synthesize advanced materials with precise properties, stands to benefit from the practical impact of this molecule. Staying up to speed on new chiral separation methods makes sense, but for now, dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid monohydrate remains a tool worth knowing by name—and by firsthand experience in the lab or plant.
Walk into any organic chemistry lab, and you might spot a small bottle labeled (2R,3R)-(-)-dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid monohydrate. Chemists rely on this compound for resolutions and chiral separations, often as a resolve agent for racemic mixtures. Its performance in these jobs hinges on how pure it is.
Ask anyone who’s spent hours tracking down a mysterious signal in their spectra, and they’ll talk about the headaches caused by impure reagents. With dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid monohydrate, 98-99% purity shows up in supply catalogs. The rest—those leftovers—aren’t harmless filler. They often throw off yields, skew optical rotations, and even derail entire sequences.
There’s more at stake than the numbers on a label. One impurity can sneak into a reaction and start side reactions. These side products cost researchers both time and money, a lesson that’s sunk into me after watching a column that should take an afternoon stretch out to days of troubleshooting. In academia and industry, researchers pay a premium for higher-grade materials because every percentage point above 99% reduces the risk of introducing variability.
Reputable suppliers put their products through chromatographic analysis, NMR, and melting point tests. This isn’t just formality. Certificates of analysis come with each batch because labs need confidence that today’s bottle performs the same as yesterday’s. The cost of skipping this verification often appears down the line—batch failures, wasted reagents, even having to restart entire syntheses.
I’ve learned the hard way that trusting a batch without reviewing its COA (certificate of analysis) can lead to costly reruns. My insistence on checking purity comes from those wasted afternoons. Quality control isn’t something to tack onto the end of a process; it sits right beside safety as a must-do step.
Depending on who’s using dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid monohydrate, purity requirements change. Pharmaceutical research often calls for the highest available grades, sometimes demanding additional purification steps. Fine chemical production might accept lower levels for less sensitive tasks, but as soon as the compound steps into drug synthesis or analytical work, every integer in that purity percentage matters.
External audits and internal protocols cross-check these numbers so companies can guarantee reliable performance. An observed purity range of 98%-99.5% reflects what most users expect. If someone buys this material at 95% or below, they knowingly accept greater risk—peak tailing in HPLC, ambiguous NMR signals, even failed chiral separations.
Handling and storage matter as much as initial purity. Air-tight containers, desiccators, and cool storage keep degradation at bay. Never scoop from communal jars without a clean spatula—cross-contamination creeps in easily. Regular re-checks won’t hurt for older stocks. In my own work, running a reference batch by TLC, NMR, or mass spec before a critical step prevents surprises.
It’s tempting to cut costs, but pure reagents pay off in smoother workflow, reproducibility, and fewer late nights wrestling with unexplained byproducts. Buyers have every right to ask suppliers tough questions and request batch-level documentation. The science runs better with these precautions in place. Trust the process, not a guess, when it comes to structural purity in essential building blocks like dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid monohydrate.
People working in the lab or in production know the headache when a chemical loses its purity. (2R,3R)-(-)-dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid monohydrate isn’t just any compound—its value in chiral resolution and analytical methods puts the spotlight on how it’s handled. Even experienced chemists have faced setbacks after a reagent turned ineffective because it got stored on the wrong shelf, next to a heat source, or in a place with moisture sneaking in. The frustration is real and the time lost stings. Proper storage isn’t about playing it safe for safety’s sake; it directly affects the results you get, the money you put into supplies, and the trust others put into your work.
Every time a substance gets ruined, someone learns a lesson—sometimes the hard way. Storing sensitive organic acids like this one takes a little bit of effort, but the payback comes in extended shelf life and reliable purity. Anybody who’s cracked open a bottle of crystals and seen clumping because of high humidity or seen color change after sun exposure knows how quickly good material turns suspect.
Through trial and error, and trust in industry wisdom, a few key steps stand out. Keep it cool: room temperature may sound safe, but low and stable temperatures out of direct sunlight keep this compound in the best shape. Heat speeds up degradation, and nobody wants to trash an expensive stockpile—and nobody wants to explain a failed synthesis due to mystery byproducts.
Moisture finds its way in through loose caps, poorly chosen containers, or storage near water sources. (2R,3R)-(-)-dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid monohydrate holds water by definition, but extra absorption or even slow release can change its effective concentration. Air-tight glass bottles work best. Plastic containers tend to breathe, and in labs that never sleep, careless hands often forget to tighten the lids on reagent bottles. So the priority: glass, screwed tight, silica gel nearby, and an eye on any signs of caking or damp crystals.
Labs and warehouses both wrestle with inventory spoilage. Even a small bottle of this acid can set a project back days if it turns. Good labeling helps—date received, date opened, and responsible user. It seems simple, but one unreadable label at the wrong moment can lead to mistakes that ripple through expensive projects. Assigning responsibility for storage and regular checks catches problems before they flame out into emergencies.
Sharing stories in the lab helps as much as reading technical sheets. Ask around, someone will have a tale about a ruined batch due to careless storage. Checking instructions from reliable suppliers like Sigma-Aldrich or TCI always beats guessing. They suggest storage at 2–8°C, protected from light and air, which works for nearly every situation. Investing in a dedicated chemical fridge pays off before it feels like a luxury.
Safe storage habits don’t happen by chance, but by building them into daily routine. Get the details right—your results, safety records, and budget all look a lot better. There’s something satisfying about opening a bottle, years after purchase, and finding the crystals as pure and dry as the day they arrived.
Chiral resolution doesn’t always get as much attention as it deserves, yet every chemist working with optically active compounds knows how critical it can be. In organic synthesis and drug development, separating enantiomers isn’t just a box to check—it can make the difference between a routine project and a truly successful one. (2R,3R)-(-)-dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid monohydrate stands out for its record in getting the job done. The reason is pretty clear: it offers a strong combination of practical handling, reliability, and reproducible outcomes.
Most chiral acids on the market carry long names and high prices. This particular tartaric acid derivative has held onto its role because it produces clean separations with a wide range of racemic bases—especially alkaloids, amines, and some key pharmaceutical intermediates. Handled in ethanol or methanol, the crystals formed are usually easy to isolate without needing heavy-duty purification afterward.
Back in research groups I worked with, this acid saved hours. We didn’t have access to column chromatography on every run or budgets for fancy chiral HPLC. By turning to this resolving agent, we consistently moved projects forward and even squeezed more enantiopure product out of failed early attempts, since the salt crystal technique is kid-glove gentle compared to harsher methods.
Tartaric acids have a long safety track record. Hospitals and labs have used them in one form or another for over a century. The dibenzoyl derivative comes with similar peace of mind. It resists oxidation better than basic tartaric acid, so you’re less likely to open a degraded bottle. Storage doesn’t turn into a mess after a few months, and in my experience, the material holds up to the minor abuses of crowded benchtop space.
Where ordinary tartaric salts sometimes take forever to crystallize, (2R,3R)-(-)-dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid locks in product quickly, something every student running late to a group meeting learns to appreciate. It’s also less hydrophilic than standard tartaric acid, letting the chemist work with solvents that turn out purer, easier-to-filter crystals.
No resolving agent covers every base. Where (2R,3R)-(-)-dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid shines with alkaloids or simple amines, it won’t catch every target. Some racemates just don’t form separable salts. Chemists sometimes run into this dead end and pivot to other acids like camphorsulfonic acid or move the battle to chromatography. So it pays to know your starting material’s structure and test small-scale before pouring in your whole batch.
High-quality resolving agents cost money, but failed reactions cost even more—lost time, lost product, and a frustrated team. Chiral purity can transform a pharmaceutical candidate from useless to valuable. For those weighing expense against outcome, (2R,3R)-(-)-dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid monohydrate sits in a sweet spot, balancing price with reliability and access.
I’ve relied on this compound in both academic and industrial projects. It won’t fix every chiral resolution problem but gives consistent, workable answers for a wide range of challenging tasks. Attention to reagent quality, careful solubility checks, and patience in the crystallization step go a long way. There’s no perfect shortcut in chemistry, but this one gets pretty close in a real-world lab.
Asking for the molecular weight of (2R,3R)-(-)-dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid monohydrate might sound like pure chemistry trivia. On paper, it’s C18H14O9·H2O. In practice, the number matters to real people working every day in labs, trying to get the right measurement before weighing a single speck of powder. I spent my bench days double-checking numbers like this before dropping a spatula into a weighing boat. Here, every atom counts. Add it up, you land at 422.36 g/mol for the monohydrate—barring any dust or lost moisture.
Precision means more than bragging rights on a lab exam. Misreading a molecular weight shifts an entire synthesis out of whack. I’ve watched colleagues risk wasting days on a failed separation because some manufacturer’s label understated the water content. Water always finds its way into the product. Some labs try to compensate with extra drying, but with hydrates like this one, every mole of water has a role. Skip that consideration, and yields plummet or spectra look off.
A mistake here rarely stays cheap. In pharmaceutical research, a decimal off means blown budgets or wasted reagents. Some analysts say chemical suppliers owe customers well-documented certificates of analysis for just this reason. In my experience, plenty of catalog entries still underplay key details—like the significance of the monohydrate. That single water weighs 18 grams per mole, and chemistry doesn't give out free passes.
There’s an old story floating around graduate labs about wasting an entire batch of chiral resolutions because the wrong molecular weight was used out of habit. The same sample cost more than twice as much as a fresh purchase, if you count hours lost and staff morale. In my teaching days, students always asked, “Does it really matter?” The answer became clear with a single missed calculation: the TLC looks wrong, NMR signals drift, and weeks of effort hit the waste barrel.
Many researchers now trust only established catalogs or databases. Sigma-Aldrich, ChemSpider, and PubChem list 422.36 g/mol for the monohydrate. That trust, I find, comes hard-earned. Reliable sources have to show the hydration state every single time.Technology’s moving fast. Databases like Reaxys or SciFinder bring up not just weights, but spectral data, safety notes, and the regulatory background with one search. Some labs started QR codes on reagent bottles. Scanning directly links to accurate, current data—including the molecular weight and any common impurities. That minimizes user error. It doesn't hurt to go old school too: cross-check against two main sources, and never ignore the powder’s storage conditions.
This detail doesn’t just live in textbooks. Next time a junior chemist wavers over whether to add seven or eight milligrams for a chiral separation, remind them that water weighs more than it looks. Reliable data comes down to careful publishing, scientific scrutiny, and making sure every link in the supply chain stays honest.
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