Chemists first looked at tartrate esters back in the 19th century while trying to separate and understand optical isomers. Louis Pasteur’s early work in molecular chirality arose from his studies with tartrate salts, paving the way for stereochemistry. Researchers synthesized (+)-dibenzyl-L-tartrate from L-tartaric acid, a natural acid found in grapes and various fruits, making use of classic esterification reactions. The birth of this molecule followed the explosion of interest in resolving racemic mixtures and separating enantiomers—tasks crucial to pharmaceutical and chemical synthesis throughout the 20th century. Interest picked up as organic chemists realized the compound’s role in resolving chiral amines and alcohols, serving as both a chiral pool reagent and a benchmark for analytical methods like chiral chromatography and NMR studies.
(+)-Dibenzyl-L-tartrate appears as a white to off-white crystalline solid, often supplied in bulk for both academic and industrial labs. Its molecular formula, C18H18O6, brings a moderate molar mass around 330.33 g/mol. The compound carries two benzyl groups esterified onto both carboxyls of L-tartaric acid, introducing rigidity and increased hydrophobic character compared to more polar tartrate salts. Chemists recognize its utility as a resolving agent or as an intermediate in the protection of tartrate’s diol function. Various vendors market the compound under names such as L-(+)-dibenzyl tartrate or L-tartaric acid dibenzyl ester, each pointing to the same chiral backbone.
The melting point of (+)-dibenzyl-L-tartrate usually falls between 109°C and 112°C. It dissolves well in organic solvents such as methanol, ethanol, chloroform, and dichloromethane, while displaying limited solubility in water. The compound holds up at room temperature but can hydrolyze slowly in the presence of moisture or strong bases. Benzyl esters, including this tartrate, display notable UV absorbance due to aromatic rings, a property useful in both detection and purification. Its chiral nature grants a specific optical rotation, generally hovering near +17° to +21° (c=1, MeOH), and knowing this value helps confirm enantiomeric purity.
Packaged as a solid, most suppliers provide certificates of analysis attesting to purity (usually above 98%), moisture content, melting range, and specific rotation. Labels often list the CAS number 3260-40-6 and molecular structure, critical for inventory and regulatory management. Specifications include solvent and heavy metal residues, with strict limits thanks to pharmaceutical and fine chemical standards. In a working lab, details like batch number, warning statements, and recommended storage temperatures matter just as much, since degradation or contamination can affect experimental outcomes.
Most labs prepare (+)-dibenzyl-L-tartrate by reacting L-tartaric acid with benzyl alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst, typically sulfuric acid or p-toluenesulfonic acid, using a Dean-Stark apparatus to remove water and drive the esterification forward. Alternately, chemists resort to using benzyl chloride under Schotten-Baumann conditions with a base such as sodium hydroxide. Post-reaction, purification relies on recrystallization from ethanol or petroleum ether or on silica gel column chromatography if purity must reach chromatographic grade. Each method gives yields near 70% to 90%, but thorough washing ensures removal of unreacted acid or alcohol.
Benzyl esters’ greatest draw lies in ease of deprotection: mild hydrogenolysis with palladium on carbon cleaves benzyl groups, releasing free L-tartaric acid under gentle conditions. This property becomes invaluable in protecting tartrate’s diol or carboxy functions during multi-step organic syntheses. The molecule’s chirality also directs diastereomeric salt formation, letting chemists resolve enantiomeric bases, amines, or alcohols. In asymmetric synthesis, dibenzyl tartrate serves as a chiral auxiliary or as a precursor to mono-protected tartrate derivatives for ligand design in transition metal catalysis.
Listed in catalogs under names like L-(+)-dibenzyl tartrate, L-tartaric acid dibenzyl ester, (2R,3R)-dibenzyl 2,3-dihydroxybutanedioate, and the plain dibenzyl L-tartrate, the product always traces to its dual benzyl ester structure. Some vendors assign unique inventory codes or supplement product descriptions with jargon like “chirally pure” or “optically active.” For regulatory or procurement purposes, using sorted CAS numbers and SMILES codes helps researchers avoid confusion with other tartrate esters or L-tartaric acid itself.
Although not classified as especially hazardous, (+)-dibenzyl-L-tartrate calls for safe handling—prolonged contact with skin or eyes can cause mild irritation, and fine dusts may pose inhalation risks. Labs rely on gloves, goggles, dust masks, and efficient local ventilation. Storage in airtight amber containers away from strong bases, acids, and oxidizers preserves the material. Disposal means following standard protocols for organic waste. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) supplied by vendors summarize handling precautions, toxicology, and first-aid advice; for large-scale operations or teaching labs, enforcing proper staff training and emergency protocols proves essential.
In research and drug development, (+)-dibenzyl-L-tartrate steps up as a chiral building block and resolving agent for producing enantiomerically pure compounds. Chemists exploit its selective reactions for asymmetric synthesis, especially in catalysis or ligand formation. Beyond laboratory-scale reactions, the molecule finds use in purity analysis, as a reference for chiral chromatography calibration, and as a protecting group in the manufacture of certain pharmaceuticals or specialty chemicals. Industrial chemists sometimes deploy dibenzyl tartrate intermediately, using its protective ester groups to shuttle chirality or block reactive sites until deprotection becomes necessary.
Academic teams continue to tinker with preparation methods, aiming for higher yields, less waste, or greener protocols—phase-transfer catalysis, microwave heating, and enzymatic esterification have all received attention. Synthetic chemists constantly develop new applications, often spinning dibenzyl tartrate into more complex molecules for catalysis or advanced material production. Pharmaceutical researchers depend on its chiral purity, integrating it into enantioselective analyses, mechanism studies, or as a tool for confirming stereochemistry by NMR or HPLC. Vendors support these efforts by tracking impurity profiles and tightening control over batch-to-batch variability.
Evidence to date shows (+)-dibenzyl-L-tartrate carries low acute toxicity, though extensive long-term exposure data remain limited. Rodent studies point to a high LD50, but like many organic esters, the risk rises if metabolic byproducts accumulate. Some studies suggest benzyl esters may break down to benzoic acid derivatives, which the body generally clears efficiently except in cases of massive overdose. Occupational health authorities don’t regulate the compound as a major hazard but recommend limiting unnecessary exposure, especially during weighing, mixing, or deprotection under hydrogenation conditions. Ongoing toxicology research aims to clarify chronic risks or trace allergenicity for those handling the powder daily.
Interest in (+)-dibenzyl-L-tartrate looks set to grow as chiral chemistry becomes even more central to pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials science. Demand for higher-purity, sustainably produced esters continues to push suppliers to adopt green chemistry practices—solvent recycling, biocatalytic routes, and minimized byproduct formation. Application-wise, new chiral ligands, catalysts, and protecting groups derived from tartrate esters feed into drug design and next-generation synthesis. Collaborative research may soon yield novel uses in asymmetric catalysis, or open new doors for environmental or analytical chemistry. Efficiency, reproducibility, and safety standards improve year by year as both industry and academia share process improvements and safety insights, with an eye on more sustainable, cost-effective, and flexible tartrate-based reagents for tomorrow’s challenges.
Walk through any chemistry lab, and it doesn’t take long to spot a bottle of (+)-dibenzyl-L-tartrate on a dusty shelf. The name alone sounds complicated, but its purpose lines up solidly with practical science. This compound pops up most in the chiral chemistry and pharmaceutical sectors, where precision makes all the difference. Chemists reach for it during synthesis and separation work.
Only one mirror image of a pharmaceutical molecule usually fits the biological target. Using the wrong form might leave a drug less potent, or even generate unwanted side effects. (+)-Dibenzyl-L-tartrate serves as a chiral building block or resolving agent, letting companies pull apart mixtures containing similar molecules. This keeps things safer and more effective, especially in drug development. Companies have relied on it for producing pure enantiomers, which means scientists can skip the headache of extra purification steps.
Statistically, more than half of small-molecule drugs on the market work as single enantiomers. That stat alone shows why this molecule keeps earning its shelf space. Regulatory agencies keep pushing for higher purity standards. Researchers don’t have much wiggle room if they want to clear those hurdles. (+)-Dibenzyl-L-tartrate checks one of the many boxes needed to ensure that only the right component shows up in the finished product. For me, knowing a common substance like this plays such a direct role in health and safety gives the story real weight.
In a research job out of college, I saw this stuff in action. We leaned on it as a resolving agent, pairing it with racemic bases or alcohols. After mixing and letting things react, a plain crystallization step gave us the pure product we wanted. Costs dropped, waste went down, and timelines didn’t drag. Handling hazardous materials always brought a hum of anxiety, but the process with this tartrate made outcomes predictable. Those kinds of routines mean a lot for labs working under pressure.
Any chemical can open a can of worms if it’s mishandled. (+)-Dibenzyl-L-tartrate doesn’t escape this. Luckily, it carries a good reputation for safety reasons. It doesn’t pose the acute toxicity risks that others in the chemical toolbox do. Most safety data shows low reactivity and easy handling, which cuts down on accidents and environmental headaches. While more kinds of “green” solvents and agents keep rolling out, this tartrate remains a standard-bearer because the benefits keep outweighing the risks. Safer options matter, especially as labs try to tighten their sustainability goals.
Science keeps moving. Newer versions of chiral agents, cleaner processes, automated resolution machines — all these could mean less reliance on classic compounds like (+)-dibenzyl-L-tartrate in some cases. Researchers keep hunting for shorter, more eco-friendly routes to pure enantiomers. Still, for now, few substitutes can match its track record and reliability in both academic and industrial labs. If innovation brings alternatives that match this balance of performance, safety, and cost, I’ll call it progress.
Every scientist knows that the tiniest details shape big discoveries. In chemistry, something as clear-cut as a molecular formula—C18H18O6 for (+)-dibenzyl-L-tartrate—carries weight on many fronts. I've worked with molecules just like this one in a university lab, where the right combination of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen decided the difference between a working drug intermediate and an expensive flask of disappointment. That small set of numbers isn't just trivia from a textbook—it anchors an entire branch of research and industrial processes.
Let's look at those numbers. Eighteen carbons, eighteen hydrogens, six oxygens. They come together to make a substance that's not just a point of pride for the chemist with the cleanest glassware—but a building block in pharmaceuticals, a player in chiral resolution work, and a dependable intermediate when making something bigger or more complex. I have seen my share of failed chromatographies thanks to swapping a benzyl group for another, so this precise formula matters well beyond a page in a notebook.
Sure, the average person may never handle (+)-dibenzyl-L-tartrate, but everyone benefits from more accurate drugs and safer chemical processes. The formula acts like an ID card for this compound. If you get it wrong, downstream mistakes can creep into bigger batches, slowing research and driving up costs. Having the right formula posted on bottles, ordered from suppliers, and referenced in journal articles keeps research honest and reproducible.
Working with fine chemicals, I’ve watched how a tiny mix-up in molecular weights can shut down a day's work. Downstream customers—pharma labs, universities, even chemical education programs—count on suppliers who stick to validated information. The molecular formula forms that foundation. Inconsistent data leads to wasted money and, in a worst-case scenario, risks public health.
Plus, regulatory agencies—think FDA or ECHA—use these formulas to build entire frameworks for compliance and safety checks. No one wants an environmental or occupational health issue because someone misread a label or skipped a verification step. The clarity that comes from sticking to clean, correct chemical information stops those issues before they start.
I've noticed many organizations now use digital tracking and automated verification systems to avoid sloppy errors in formulas. Machine-readable labels, secure digital records, and thorough training sessions for everyone in the supply chain help tackle the problem. As someone who has spent hours checking spreadsheets of molecular data, the shift to smarter tech feels overdue and necessary. But no matter how the tools change, the basics—like pinning down C18H18O6 for (+)-dibenzyl-L-tartrate—anchor complex chemistry in something solid.
Getting a small formula right carries over into life sciences, manufacturing, and ways we keep people safe. From my own experience, precision today saves headaches tomorrow.
Walking into a chemical storeroom feels a lot like visiting a specialty grocery store. Everything sits on the shelf with a purpose, and the price tag often comes down to purity. (+)-Dibenzyl-L-tartrate falls into that category of specialty reagents. In any research or manufacturing environment, people ask about purity first—it's not just a technical itch. It’s about the reliability of experiments, the consistency of industrial production, and the safety for workers and products alike.
Scientists and engineers aren’t just picky—they’re practical. When I ran my first synthesis with a lower grade of tartaric derivative in grad school, the product came out dull, and the cleanup took longer than making Thanksgiving dinner. Even a 1-2% impurity in compounds like (+)-dibenzyl-L-tartrate can upset the entire process, introducing unknowns that throw off results or ruin months of work. In pharmaceuticals, impurities can create side reactions or even trace toxins. For chiral resolution—one of the biggest uses of this molecule—purity decides the fate of enantiomeric separation. A small glitch here will snowball into major losses downstream.
No one-size-fits-all in chemical purity. Research-grade samples promise high purity, usually clocking in above 98%, sometimes even touching 99.5% depending on the producer. This is the grade you want if chasing publishable results or making active pharmaceutical ingredients. Technical-grade versions float at lower thresholds, often in the low 90s, and find their way into non-critical applications. Industrial-grade batches take this a notch lower, which suits them for large-scale processes where ultra-high purity doesn’t pay off or isn’t necessary.
Producers use chromatography, NMR, and other math-heavy tools. A reputable label will provide a certificate of analysis—my old mentor used to say, “No COA, no go.” These analyses track not just overall purity, but also single out common contaminants. The reality today is most suppliers, especially those who ship internationally, will outline purity specifications for each lot. On top of that, smart labs always run their own verification with TLC or HPLC before blending the batch into a multi-step synthesis.
The playing field isn’t flat, though. In North America or Europe, you get stricter oversight. Suppliers have to follow protocols like ISO, cGMP, and reach certification if their product supports regulated industries. In some regions, oversight on documentation slips, which is where buyers have to lean on experience, established vendor relationships, and sometimes even third-party testing.
Tightening quality control remains a daily grind in the chemical supply chain. Governments could support better auditing, but real momentum comes from buyer pressure. Researchers and manufacturers shape the market by insisting on transparent documentation, routine batch analysis, and open channels to lab support. Those actions drive suppliers to invest in better refinement and more honest reporting. New tools, like blockchain batch tracking or digital COAs, promise better accountability and faster verification. It won’t erase the need for vigilance or backup checks, but it does move everyone closer to trusted, high-grade materials.
Most folks working in the lab appreciate how a misstep in storage can ruin expensive chemicals and waste time. In the case of (+)-dibenzyl-L-tartrate, careful handling pays off, not just for safety but for the integrity of your work. You want results you can trust, and that starts right at the shelf.
I’ve seen chemicals degrade because the storage space shifted a couple degrees warmer during summer or humidity crept in during a rainy season. This compound, like many organic esters, doesn’t appreciate moisture or heat. Damp conditions lead to hydrolysis, breaking the molecule down and making your supply unreliable. Ideally, you want a spot that keeps things cool—think refrigerator temperatures, not the back corner of a steamy storeroom.
It might feel old-school, but glass containers with airtight lids beat plastic for chemicals that don’t love oxygen or water vapor. Plastic just isn’t as resistant to permeability. I’ve lost batches because the cap didn’t seal well enough or the jar picked up a strange odor from another bottle jammed nearby. A thick-walled glass bottle, properly labeled, saves hassle and keeps the compound stable.
If you walk into a cluttered stockroom, jars with fading ink and mystery contents tell you how easy it is to forget what’s what. Good labeling means more than writing a name. Date it, include the batch, and note “Moisture-Sensitive” so nobody tries to dip a damp spatula inside. This habit doesn’t take much extra effort but prevents those small mistakes that pile up over time.
Although (+)-dibenzyl-L-tartrate isn’t as risky as some reactive powders, fumes can still build up in tight spaces if something goes wrong, say if a jar cracks or if improper disposal leads to evaporation. Ventilated cabinets—or at least storing the bottles away from direct sunlight or sources of heat—add another layer of security. I’d also recommend segregating esters like this from strong acids and bases, as cross-contamination in the wrong environment can spark unpredictable changes.
Science moves fast. Stocks left unused for months might not meet the standard you expect by the time you return to grab them. Every so often, check your inventory, toss anything that’s outlived its shelf life, and rotate your newer acquisitions toward the back. Testing a bit before use, if you suspect age or contamination, protects your research from surprise failures.
Digital lab management became more common for a reason. Setting up recurring reminders to inspect and record storage conditions—like fridge temperature or bottle conditions—keeps you honest. Accountability like this keeps small slip-ups from growing into serious problems. I’ve found that sticking to a regular check-in schedule helps everyone remember what’s really on the shelves.
A simple desiccant packet tucked inside the cabinet, a sturdy thermometer taped to the fridge door, or even a list pinned up by the storage area helps enforce habits that protect the chemical’s quality. Tell your team what’s expected and build a routine that doesn’t rely on memory alone. It’s often the basics that prevent wasted experiments.
Safer, cleaner, and more thoughtful storage of (+)-dibenzyl-L-tartrate supports not just lab safety but also scientific accuracy. The investment pays off the next time a project depends on a reliable compound pulled from the shelf, just as fresh as the day it arrived.
Every researcher who has spent time in a laboratory understands the scramble that can happen during chemical ordering or literature review. Finding one clear and universal way to pinpoint a substance, especially one like (+)-dibenzyl-L-tartrate, keeps work moving forward. The CAS number for (+)-dibenzyl-L-tartrate is 32634-66-5. This number isn’t just another entry in a database. It’s a tool that links chemists, suppliers, and regulatory bodies with a shared language that avoids mistakes.
Looking for tartrates on a supplier’s database without a CAS number usually returns a list of different salts, isomers, and derivatives. The risk of ordering a similar but wrong compound means lost time, wasted funding, and in some cases, failed projects. In my own graduate work, even a mislabeled molecule put weeks of effort in jeopardy because one digit off meant the laboratory received a similar tartrate but not the exact one required for synthesis.
Manufacturers and quality control teams depend on these numbers, especially as regulations tighten across borders. The pharmaceutical and biotech industries have examples of serious consequences when even a small substitution creeps in because of vague compound identification. That little sequence, like 32634-66-5, cuts through the confusion.
Behind every CAS number stands a rigorous review, connecting chemical structure, alternate names, and known properties in one record. Researchers use these numbers not just for purchasing, but to check toxicity reports, environmental data, and cross-reference pending patents. Often, a quick CAS number search prevents days of poring over journal articles trying to decipher if one researcher’s “dibenzyl D-tartrate” matches another’s “(+)-dibenzyl-L-tartrate.”
Small biotech startups lean on this accuracy. Limited budgets don’t allow for repeated experiments due to simple ordering errors. Large multi-institution collaborations need unambiguous labels to combine findings and product samples. The CAS registry became one of the most reliable filters against costly human errors and administrative headaches.
Not every lab worker arrives knowing how much risk comes from vague or incorrect labeling. Training early-stage researchers to use CAS numbers, and to verify chemicals before they reach the bench, means fewer project delays. Even students notice that finding reliable safety sheets and supply listings takes half the time when they search by 32634-66-5, not just a general product name.
Public resources and databases, from PubChem to REAXYS, structure their vast libraries around CAS numbers. There is always room for improvement. More educational programs can integrate real-world searches, showing students the impact of proper identification on their daily workload. Senior researchers can push for this standardization, not just for ease, but because it sets a higher bar for lab accuracy, reproducibility, and safety.
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