(1R,2R)-(-)-1,2-Diaminocyclohexane L-tartrate stands out as a chemical compound used in research, organic synthesis, and specialty chemical applications. The compound houses a chiral diamine backbone paired with tartrate, creating a salt that finds a place in the toolbox of chemists who need both selectivity and reactivity. From my own time spent in a research lab years ago, working with chiral auxiliaries like this made a huge difference in developing pharmaceuticals aimed at targeting specific enantiomers, adjusting outcomes not just on paper but in practical synthesis as well. A material like this helps ensure repeatable chemical transformations, making it more than just another reagent sitting on a shelf.
Molecular structure shapes how any chemical behaves, and here, (1R,2R)-(-)-1,2-Diaminocyclohexane L-tartrate holds a formula of C6H14N2•C4H6O6, with a molecular weight of approximately 264.3 g/mol. Looking at a visual representation, you spot the cyclohexane ring bearing two amine groups placed in the 1 and 2 positions, both holding the R configuration. The tartrate counterion—derived from L-tartaric acid—provides ionic stability, helping the compound form stable crystals. Typical appearances include white to off-white crystalline solid, sometimes forming as fine powder, or as small flakes and pearls depending on processing and storage. This solid state simplifies storage, weighing, and handling, which beats dealing with fussy oily intermediates.
Chemists working with materials like (1R,2R)-(-)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane L-tartrate expect clarity on its purity, particle size, and handling characteristics. Purity rates above 98% often come standard, since lower purity breeds inconsistency in lab reactions. Density lands around 1.3-1.4 g/cm³ at room temperature, which lines up with expectations for small, salt-like crystals. High solubility in water aids conversion to solution form, letting researchers and process chemists prepare stock mixtures at concentrations relevant for catalysis and asymmetric reactions. Many researchers I’ve known appreciate the option to work with both solid and solution forms. It simplifies dosing for small-scale reactions and bulk conversion in production.
This material usually makes a quiet entrance into labs as a solid: fine powder or crystalline flakes packed airtight to keep moisture away. Grab a batch from a supplier, and you cradle a tightly sealed jar or foil pouch. Sometimes, it arrives in free-flowing granular form, shaped like tiny pearls. Some facilities prefer ready-made aqueous solutions calibrated to specific concentrations, avoiding time lost in weighing and dissolving. It’s the solid nature that wins trust for longer shelf life and stable storage. Handling powders brings its own risks. Inhalation, spills, and contamination stay top of mind, especially when a tiny lapse can mean ruined experiments or exposure hazards.
International trade runs on standard identifiers, and for this compound, the HS Code usually tracks under 2921 (amines and derivatives), a useful detail when sourcing or shipping globally. Vendors highlight starting materials: high-purity cyclohexane, specialized amination reagents, and natural or synthetic sources of L-tartaric acid. Factories committed to both quality and sustainability typically source from ISO-certified suppliers to keep impurities low, and align with REACH or local chemical control frameworks. Regulatory bodies look for documentation on identity and purity, matching COAs to analytic test results—a move that stems from decades of mishaps involving mislabeled chemical shipments or contaminated stock.
Working hands-on with (1R,2R)-(-)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane L-tartrate, you pick up on its reputation: not highly hazardous, but not risk-free. Contact with skin or eyes can bring on irritation—standard for many amines—pushing anyone on the bench to reach for gloves and goggles by default. The dust carries inhalation risks, especially in poorly ventilated labs or during vigorous powder transfers. Labels warn against accidental ingestion, so snacks and coffee stay far from the work desk. Spills need prompt cleanup using proper absorbents, while larger stockrooms look to locked cabinets and spill kits designed for water-soluble amine salts. In large-scale settings, local exhaust or fume hoods help trap airborne dust. SDS sheets include fire safety notes: avoid strong oxidizers, keep away from open flames.
The story behind this compound stretches into the process chemistry scene, especially in the arena of asymmetric synthesis. Chiral diamines like this one shape the outcome of many catalytic reactions, including key steps in pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. I remember the impact our group saw using enantiopure diamines: improved yields, cleaner separations, consistent downstream purification. Raw materials feed into this process—high-purity cyclohexane primes the synthesis, while L-tartrate steers the salt’s stereochemistry. Downstream, you find it popping up as an intermediate or resolution agent, enabling targeted product streams and patentable new molecules.
Like many specialized chemicals, keeping the supply chain healthy can prove challenging. Price swings hit hardest in pharmaceutical development, where scale-up demands tighter purity and dependable delivery times. Companies that transparently share lot analysis and traceability records help maintain trust. Reducing environmental runoff requires diligence at every step. Waste treatment from amine production needs refined systems so process waters don’t carry unwanted nitrogen loads into local waterways. Moving forward, green chemistry principles call for milder reaction conditions, safer solvents, and reusability—pushing both suppliers and end-users to innovate toward safer, more sustainable material cycles.
One overlooked factor involves the clarity and completeness of technical data. For anyone in the lab or on the factory floor, clear product labels, thorough safety dossiers, and certificates of analysis matter as much as the compound itself. Missing or wrong data—anything from a wrong density to an outdated safety code—can spark costly delays, failed runs, or, in worst cases, health incidents. Digital databases and direct vendor communication lines change the way chemists and businesses access critical specifications. Relying on trusted data sources and supplier relationships, the risks of missteps drop, while productivity climbs.
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