Benzenepropanol, β-amino-4-hydroxy-, (betaS)-, hydrochloride didn’t just appear out of thin air. Its development came out of a long slog through organic chemistry, where folks wanted to build molecules that looked a lot like our natural neurotransmitters. Back in the day, when researchers realized that tweaking the side chain on a benzene ring could lead to interesting biological activity, this compound garnered attention. Labs across Europe and the US spent years piecing together knowledge gathered from the study of related phenylpropanolamines. Interest in these amines surged during the mid-twentieth century as pharma companies chased compounds with both central nervous system activity and fewer side effects. Each new modification spun off further studies, causing ripple effects in how chemists approached drug development for mood, pain, and metabolic conditions. That persistence seeded a whole family of molecules, each with their own quirks, and this one proved especially interesting due to its chiral center and potential for serious pharmacological punch.
Talking about this hydrochloride salt means thinking about a white to off-white crystalline powder, often packed into small amber bottles or sealed bags to keep moisture at bay. The hydrochloride version makes handling much easier since salts dissolve better in water, storing more stably than their free base cousins. Folks working in chemical supply companies know this version stands out for its purity, with a sharp melting point and a bitterness that makes accidental ingestion unlikely. Labs order this product not just for finished medicines, but for building blocks in research chemicals, assay standards, and sometimes as a benchmark for pharmacokinetic studies. Pricing depends on purity, quantity, and country of origin, with special scrutiny from customs officials in several regions given its chemical family can veer into controlled territory.
The crystalline solid forms neat, angular shards under a microscope. Hygroscopic tendencies require brown glass containers and strict silica gel packing. Solubility metrics stand strong in water, less so in organic solvents like ether or chloroform. Strong acidic conditions keep the hydrochloride salt stable, but drift the pH upward and you’ll see decomposition. Molecular weight sits comfortably under 250 g/mol, so formulation chemists have flexibility in dosing. Many in the lab learn quickly that rancid or yellowing powder signals degradation, a physical cue that kicks off safety protocols. The faint chemical odor sticks on gloves, a reminder of the compound’s amine backbone. Experience tells me: this compound’s shelf stability falls off fast if humidity creeps over 40 percent.
Suppliers follow tight standards, listing assay percentages—often above 98%—and catalog the precise stereochemistry as (betaS)-. Labeling carries hazard codes for skin, eyes, and respiratory tract irritation. GHS classification appears front and center, often with pictograms that communicate danger at a glance. Labs demand documentation down to the milligram, so every batch comes with certificates analyzing impurities, melting point range, residual solvents, and relevant heavy metals. Safety data sheets explain risks in plain words so even newcomers can navigate the risks. Proper labels include not just lot numbers and expiration dates, but also recommended storage temperatures—usually between 2°C and 8°C. Many times, I receive shipments accompanied by the supplier’s own test results, an added trust measure that means fewer delays at the receiving dock.
Chemists begin with the right aromatic precursor, usually a protected benzenepropanol or a similar structure. Through a series of steps—often a Friedel-Crafts alkylation, hydroxylation, then amination with the desired stereochemistry—this compound comes together in the flask. Resolution of enantiomers demands precision chromatography or enzymatic separation, a task best handled by those with serious laboratory chops. Acidification with hydrochloric acid converts the free base into its salt, yielding a powder that filters out nicely. Washes with cold ethanol or ether remove traces of byproducts, while vacuum drying secures the final yield. Training under a seasoned chemist made all the difference for me; purification can make or break quality, scrapping whole batches if moisture or temperature get just a little out of line.
This molecule reacts eagerly with alkylating agents, protecting groups, and acylating compounds. Its amino group sits exposed for transformations, so N-acylation and reductive amination both run efficiently. Derivatization at the hydroxy group often relies on mild base and choosing the right leaving group. Under controlled conditions, ring substitutions open up a path to analogs, each with a distinct biological fingerprint. In practice, I’ve watched bench mates tweak the side chains, yielding esters, ethers, or even fluorescent tags for imaging studies. The hydrochloride moiety can swap to other salts—sulfate or phosphate—when solubility or reactivity demands it. The speed of these transformations reflects robust underlying chemistry, but success still depends on vigilance against water and oxygen exposure.
In literature, this compound hides behind several names. Researchers call it β-amino-4-hydroxybenzenepropanol hydrochloride, (S)-4-hydroxy-β-aminopropiophenone HCl, or sometimes, just “betaS-hydroxyaminopropanol” for shorthand. Its systematic moniker looks daunting, but catalog numbers from major chemical suppliers quickly direct orders. Papers discussing new analogs sometimes use slightly modified names, sparking confusion without careful reading. In my experience tracking analytic standards, double-checking synonyms prevents costly errors in both paperwork and downstream experiments.
Those lucky enough to handle this powder know preparation is one thing, but safety sinks in deeper. Protective gloves—nitrile, not latex—stop skin absorption. Fume hoods beat open benches every time, cutting inhalation risks. I’ve seen colleagues get rashes and headaches from lax handling, so safety goggles and face masks always come out. Spill protocols train you to neutralize with dilute acid or base and scoop into sealed containers—no shortcuts allowed. Waste disposal gets logged for environmental safety, with each gram tracked for compliance. Respiratory hazards stand right behind skin absorption, and folks learn to recognize exposure symptoms quickly. I keep emergency eyewash within arm’s reach, a habit drilled into every chemist fortunate enough to dodge a serious accident.
Benzenepropanol β-amino-4-hydroxy hydrochloride finds work in neuroscience, cardiovascular research, and analytical chemistry. Biologists turn to it for neurotransmitter pathway studies, given its aromatic backbone resembles catecholamines. Pharmacologists test its activity on adrenergic and dopaminergic systems, probing effects on blood pressure, mood, and metabolism. Analytical chemists use it as a reference compound or metabolite marker, and some use it to tune liquid chromatography methods. Having spent time in pharmaceutical research, I watched it gain traction as a starting point for potential antidepressants or vasodilators. Its chemical flexibility tempts formulation teams eager to tweak efficacy and duration by swapping small side groups. Academic labs publish new findings each year, mapping out metabolic pathways and uncovering new targets for therapy.
Research efforts continue to push the envelope, modifying benzenepropanol’s structure to uncover new activities and lower toxicity. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies test countless analogs, searching for improved potency or safety. Companies invest in large-scale synthesis, scaling up from grams to kilograms, learning lessons about yield versus purity. Projects cluster around neurological diseases, where small tweaks might help relieve mood disorders or attention deficits. Academic grants fuel basic research, gradually shifting focus from simple molecule design to how metabolites behave inside living organisms. In one study I joined, we tracked its breakdown in liver cells—finding one step where toxicity spiked—causing a redesign of our research plan. These setbacks drive innovation, nudging both chemists and biologists to rethink their strategy with each experiment.
The line between medicine and poison often runs thin. Benzenepropanol, β-amino-4-hydroxy-, (betaS)- hydrochloride, like most small amines, shows both promise and red flags. Toxicity follows dose, with animal studies tracing rapid effects on blood pressure, pulse, and central nervous function. Chronic exposure reports describe nervousness, tremors, and sometimes more serious neurological signs. Metabolic breakdown produces acids and amine derivatives, some of which stress kidney and liver function. Regulatory agencies rely on animal models, in vitro tests, and human exposure reports, building databases to chart risks and set exposure limits. In my own experience, reading through safety reports hammers home the need for caution, even for compounds that end up in medicine cabinets down the line. New work explores how low-level, long-term exposure impacts lab staff, pushing for stricter ventilation guidelines and real-time monitoring.
The road ahead promises both challenges and new opportunities. Demand for more selective drugs keeps research interest steady, as this compound’s structural core adapts well to modification. Advances in green chemistry encourage more sustainable production routes, using less solvent and safer reagents. Automation, high-throughput screening, and computational chemistry quicken the pace of discovery, shaving years off molecule optimization. Pharmaceutical companies eye its backbone for next-generation antidepressants and blood pressure medicines. As society leans into precision medicine, compounds like this—easy to tune and analyze—should see even greater demand. My hope is that fresh data from long-term studies will close the safety gaps, letting more patients benefit from years of quiet effort in the lab. Skilled chemists, rigorous regulation, and honest, open reporting of both setbacks and progress remain critical to realizing the darn thing’s potential.
People who study or work in laboratories might see complicated names pop up in their research. β-Amino-4-hydroxy-benzenepropanol hydrochloride, often called by its chemical shorthand, has its reputation mostly tied to work in pharmaceutical research and biochemical testing. If someone’s hunting for chemicals used in the synthesis of new drugs or brain-signaling experiments, this one sometimes lands on their bench.
Most notably, researchers use this compound as an intermediate for building more complex molecules. Drug developers searching for the next headache pill or a more effective nerve pain blocker turn to building blocks like this. Because it carries both an amino group and a hydroxyl group, it can stick to or react with a wide range of other chemicals. That flexibility means it gets stitched into experimental compounds, tested out for everything from painkilling to cardiovascular effects.
Drug discovery constantly relies on compounds like this. Missing a building block or two can set research back by weeks or more. It comes down to the backbone—the shape—of the chemical. Benzenepropanol structures, especially when you tweak positions of the added groups, make a good starting point for drugs that tinker with neurotransmitters. Sometimes, scientists use this exact structure to create molecules designed to imitate, block, or tweak the way nerves send signals. That puts it at the front line of research on conditions like depression, anxiety, and even some types of seizures.
Besides drug discovery, labs also take advantage of this compound’s ability to mimic natural chemicals in the body. For example, neurotransmitter studies sometimes lean on these molecules when testing things like receptor sensitivity or enzyme actions. Imagine studying how brain cells respond to certain signals; a researcher might use this structure to see whether a reaction even takes place, or to compare it with natural substances.
One thing stands out in labs: reproducibility matters. Consistent chemical quality and stable supply chains keep experiments on track. Unlike ingredients pulled out of thin air, a compound like this typically sticks to strict purity standards. That’s not something people always see from the outside, but it’s crucial for medical progress. One contaminated batch can ruin months of effort.
Anyone handling specialty chemicals knows cost and access become hurdles pretty quickly. Researchers and small companies often face shipping headaches or suppliers running dry. Prices can fluctuate; budget constraints mean some promising projects get shelved waiting for the next grant cycle or price dip. Safety is another big focus—this molecule, like many in organic synthesis, requires gloves, ventilation, and training to handle responsibly. Neglecting safety can put labs at risk, so transparency about handling and disposal sticks around as a real concern.
Efforts to boost open supply chains and better sharing of synthesis routes can make these compounds more available. Collaboration—across companies, labs, and public-private partnerships—helps cut through bottlenecks, especially for hard-to-find building blocks. People who work on the frontlines of chemical supply chains push for more data transparency, not just about raw purity but about manufacturing practices and documentation. In the long run, simplifying access while supporting safety nets for handling and disposal helps push research forward and lowers the overall risk tied to using specialty molecules like this one.
Chemicals usually get clean, short names or long strings of IUPAC complexity—this one leans heavy on the science side. At its core, benzenepropanol, β-amino-4-hydroxy-, (betaS)-, hydrochloride brings together a benzene ring, a three-carbon propanol chain, an amino group on the beta carbon, and a hydroxy group on the fourth carbon. The betaS bit signals the molecule’s stereochemistry: a specific arrangement of atoms that matters when this compound meets enzymes or receptors in the body. Adding hydrochloride tells you the molecule carries an extra chloride ion, usually to help it dissolve in water and stay stable in solid form.
Put a benzene ring in a molecule, and you add a dash of stability—those tightly shared electrons in aromatic rings make the structure less likely to break apart. A propanol tail sticks out from the ring, attracting water and giving the molecule a handle for changes in solubility. The β-amino group introduces basicity and offers a sticky site for hydrogen bonding. Add the 4-hydroxy group, especially in the S configuration, and suddenly you have a group that invites reactions, bonds, and sometimes even fits into the business end of an enzyme.
Chemically, these tweaks mean the compound could act as a neurotransmitter mimic, an enzyme modulator, or a precursor to more complex pharmaceuticals. Tyrosine, for example, looks a bit like this compound and serves as an amino acid building block for key hormones. Researchers often use similar compounds to tweak biological pathways or turn on and off specific proteins.
Thinking back to my own lab days, having hydrochloride in the name is a relief—it means the compound likely comes as a shelf-stable salt. No more sticky bottles or crusty messes ruining an experiment. Water solubility makes dosing reliable when running animal studies or in test tubes. Stability in salt form cuts down on user error and makes storing and sharing samples easier.
Still, this type of structure can trip up even experienced chemists. Stereochemistry turns into a puzzle during synthesis—getting the S isomer instead of the R isomer takes careful control. Stereoisomers can act wildly different in biological systems. For example, thalidomide’s tragic story reminds us how one isomer heals, but the other can harm. Purity, testing, and analytical confirmation through NMR or chiral chromatography become essential.
Handling stereochemistry stays at the top of the list for safe, effective lab work. Rigorous chiral synthesis and analytical checks keep things on track. Labs benefit from established protocols drawn from past pharmaceutical missteps. Open access to chemical analytic databases empowers newcomers and veterans to avoid mix-ups.
Alongside technical challenges, environmental concerns about benzene derivatives matter today more than ever. Careful disposal, low-volume production runs, and greener chemical routes can help limit toxic waste. Training students and young chemists in both safe handling and ethical choices ensures fewer accidents and less waste.
Complex chemical names can intimidate or inspire. Structures like benzenepropanol, β-amino-4-hydroxy-, (betaS)-, hydrochloride reveal science’s puzzle-piece artistry: mix a stable ring, water-loving groups, and a picky chiral center, and suddenly you have a powerful molecule with big possibilities—and a few big responsibilities, too.
Many labs keep a shelf lined with odd chemicals, each with a long name that looks more like a typo than a real word. Benzenepropanol, β-amino-4-hydroxy-, (betaS)-, hydrochloride isn’t exactly a household staple, but people in labs recognize it as something best handled with real care. Missteps with any chemical can have lasting effects. Years in laboratory environments taught me that slips come from taking routine details for granted—or skipping them entirely, thinking nothing bad ever happens “here.”
It’s honestly easy to forget goggles or gloves in the rush to get results. I’ve seen students barely out of orientation stick a bare hand into something acidic and regret it instantly. Benzenepropanol compounds don’t play nice with skin, eyes, or lungs. Nitrile gloves block accidental skin contact. Chemical splash goggles shut down one of the fastest routes into the body. People underestimate jackets and long pants, but a cotton lab coat and proper shoes form the last line of defense when things splash or spill. One moment standing in front of an emergency shower sticks with you forever—much better to avoid getting to that point.
You can’t trust your nose to notice a danger until it’s too late. The reality with benzene derivatives: even low-level exposure can cause dizziness, headaches, or more serious long-term effects. Working inside a certified fume hood keeps vapors from hanging around your workspace. A good rule: if it feels stuffy, back up and make sure that airflow is pulling fumes away from your face. Fume hoods aren’t just a box with glass—they’re one of the most reliable safety investments a lab makes.
Old habits run deep, but mistakes in labeling have real-world fallout. Not every bottle stays full—if a label peels off or becomes unreadable, nobody remembers what’s in the bottle a year later. I recommend double-labeling everything, including any working solutions or diluted samples. Storing benzenepropanol compounds away from acids, bases, and oxidizers prevents accidental reactions. It’s worth taking the extra minute to check the chemical compatibility chart.
Spills don’t stick to 9-to-5. I’ve had late-night experiments go sideways, and nothing beats having the right absorbents within arm’s reach. Small benzenepropanol spills wipe up with special chemical pads—not a paper towel. The contaminated waste needs a closed container, then moves to hazardous waste pickup. Pouring anything down the drain risks wider environmental damage and potential fines for the lab.
Surprises pop up in science all the time. Everyone should know the shortest path to the eyewash and shower. Posting the safety data sheet where people actually work—next to the hood or workbench—means help isn’t buried in a filing cabinet. Quick, confident action keeps simple slips from becoming tragic accidents.
Safety is more about shared habits than solo heroes. In every lab I’ve joined, people watched out for each other. If someone forgets gloves, a gentle nudge saves them from harm. Safety becomes second nature because people care enough to speak up. The neat thing: it sticks with you after you leave the lab.
Lots of folks with a chemical background have found themselves staring at a drum or vial of some oddly named powder, wondering how to keep it from going bad. That’s especially true with compounds like benzenepropanol, β-amino-4-hydroxy-, (betaS)-, hydrochloride. If you’ve worked with specialty chemicals, you know that even small mistakes during storage can lead to ruined batches or scarier problems. This isn’t a cleaning compound or something you toss under a sink; it’s specialized, and it deserves a careful approach.
Long days in the lab have taught me that heat is rarely a chemical's friend. This compound, like many in the hydrochloride salt family, keeps better at room temperature—and out of direct sunlight. Sunlight can do weird things to reactive molecules, sometimes kicking off dangerous reactions that nobody wants. Cool, dry, dark: that’s the sweet spot.
Think of moisture as a slow but steady saboteur. Hydrochloride forms pull in water from humid air, changing their structure or making them less stable. By the time you spot clumps or sticky powders, the damage is done. I once lost an entire stock solution to a careless cap left loose overnight. Even in places with moderate humidity, airtight containers save you from a world of grief. Desiccants make a difference—those little packets aren't just for shoes.
The best storage plan keeps this compound in its purest form for as long as possible. For pharmaceuticals, that means a shelf life that outlasts most of the paperwork. For researchers, it means knowing your experiment won’t go sideways due to unseen degradation. Studies on hydrochloride-based amines show that shelf lives stretch much longer in the cool range between 2-8°C, though most do fine out of the fridge as long as the container stays closed tight and away from windows or radiators. Freezing can work if you’ve got it in mind for long-term holding, just make sure to avoid frost build-up inside the container, which can introduce water when you thaw it again.
It’s easy to talk about best practices. The hard part comes from knowing that lab benches are rarely as clean and organized as the rules want them to be. People get busy, someone swaps a lid for convenience, someone else puts a jar in the wrong drawer. The most boring advice—label everything, check containers for cracks, wipe away spills immediately—is the advice I’ve seen save the most material over time. Chemical hygiene isn’t glamorous, but it beats the alternative: lost hours, busted budgets, angry colleagues.
Effective chemical storage starts with the right habitat: a secure, labeled container, closed tight after each use, tucked away from heat and sunlight. Keep humidity low. Add silica gel packs if you can. Store out of sight and, if you work with inexperienced staff, post clear instructions right near the stash. Benzenepropanol derivatives last a lot longer than people expect, but only when given respect and proper care. I've watched veteran chemists rescue old bottles with a careful sniff and a quick look, but trust breaks down the minute a bottle's been left out or battered by the elements. A little attention up front pays off every time.
Reliable suppliers and modern chemical logistics have made things easier, but no amount of supply chain auditing replaces daily vigilance. Keep inventories short and rotate stock often. Don’t get tempted by bulk deals unless you're sure you'll use it in time. Training matters too—newcomers need to respect that what looks fine on Monday can turn to soup by Friday with just a bit of moisture or warmth. The best storage practices keep teams safer, save costs, and protect research. Pay attention to the basics, and the chemistry will work for you, not against you.
Not everyone walks around knowing the molecular weight of pharmaceuticals, but that number carries a lot of weight in labs, pharmacies, and research centers. Take benzenepropanol, β-amino-4-hydroxy-, (betaS)-, hydrochloride (1:1). For those of us who’ve spent long hours peering at bottles in a chemical storeroom, that mouthful packs meaning. Here, the focus falls on a single value: the molecular weight, which tallies up all the atoms in the molecule and their respective masses. Calculating this helps chemists figure out how much of the compound to weigh for any experiment or formulation.
The hydrochloride version of this molecule adds a step to the math. Hydrochloride means you tack on a hydrogen chloride molecule, which bumps up the count. With the benzene ring as a backbone, three extra groups tack onto the skeleton: an amino group, a hydroxy group, and a propanol chain. Toss hydrochloride into the mix, and every atom matters in the final bill. Looking at the standard atomic weights and using the confirmed structure, the molecular weight comes to about 229.68 g/mol. This specific number keeps pop-up errors away during syntheses and gives pharmacists what they need for accurate dosing.
For those outside the chemistry crowd, it’s easy to see tables of numbers and skip the deeper meaning. That mistake can derail a whole batch or foul up an experiment. The pharmaceutical world operates on precision. Measure a pinch too much or too little, and the medication’s effectiveness takes a hit—or worse, becomes unsafe. The molecular weight of a substance like benzenepropanol, β-amino-4-hydroxy-, (betaS)-, hydrochloride hits the sweet spot for pinpointing dose and mixing formulas in the compounding pharmacy or research lab. One miscalculation sends costs soaring or results down the drain.
Remember the messy side of mislabeling? Labs keep detailed ledgers. I’ve watched seasoned scientists double-check the math after a costly order, only to rib the younger ones for skimping on accuracy. The trust in every beaker or pill depends on hitting that number dead on. A twenty-milligram difference doesn't sound like much—until a human being swallows the dose and suddenly faces the consequences.
Clear, accurate molecular weights aren’t busywork; they’re the bedrock behind safe and effective drug development. Simple math can stop a chain reaction of problems before it starts. Regulatory agencies, from the FDA to the EMA, rely on this kind of detail for approvals and recalls. Fuzzy math threatens both company finances and public health. Solutions start in the basics: proper training, accessible reference charts, and double-checking calculations before products ship out.
I’ve seen the scramble to correct a spreadsheet that left out a chloride ion. Panic doesn’t help; it’s the well-worn processes and reference guides that steady the hand. Investing in this knowledge builds teams that avoid shortcuts and take pride in each measured dose. For all the talk of innovation, sticking close to these fundamentals remains a practical anchor. Molecular weight might sound esoteric, but behind that data stands a real impact—lab doors stay open, and the world’s medicine cabinets remain stocked and safe.