(1R,2R)-(-)-2-Amino-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-1,3-propanediol stands out in the chemical industry as a specialized, chiral intermediate, carrying real value for pharmaceutical and laboratory research. The molecule offers a complex structure, showing two stereocenters, both adopting the R configuration. The nitro group resting on the para position of the phenyl ring does not only make the molecule distinctive but also alters its polarity and reactivity patterns. Actual applications hinge on its configuration, which helps research teams approach chirality with confidence, especially when producing active pharmaceutical intermediates that demand a specific spatial orientation. Beyond academic interest, this molecule often shows up in advanced syntheses, serving as a building block for drugs with precise activity profiles.
Exact properties shape handling and storage in every lab or facility. (1R,2R)-(-)-2-Amino-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-1,3-propanediol usually comes as a yellow-white to beige solid, though subtle shifts in hue might point to purity or trace hydrocarbons caught in synthesis or shipping. Texture and state vary: sometimes found as loose crystalline powder, sometimes as flakes or even tiny pearls, especially when crystallization finishes slow, or solvents evaporate unevenly. Under ordinary conditions, this compound remains solid, often showing a tendency to cake if exposed to excess moisture. Crystals form with sharp edges and a gritty feel under the fingertips, echoing the way it responds to solvents and temperature changes. Bulk density generally sits between 1.35 and 1.45 g/cm³—important where every milliliter counts both in measurement and scaling up, especially as certain equipment has limits on slurry flow rate or packing density.
No shortcut exists around knowing the molecule inside out. Choices in the lab boil down to formula, stereochemistry, and the footprint left by each substituent. The formula C9H12N2O4 maps out nine carbon atoms, twelve hydrogen atoms, two nitrogen atoms, and four oxygens. Not just academic: that nitro group hanging off the para position of the benzene ring both withdraws electrons and sets up the molecule for controlled reduction or amination. Chemists rely on this backbone to anchor further transformations, especially in creating enantiomerically pure medicines. The amino group perched on the central carbon enables couplings, while the diol offers bite for hydrogen bonding or further protection.
Manufacturers test each lot with rigorous methods. Melting point typically ranges from 140°C to 143°C, flagging possible impurities or alternate crystal forms whenever out of spec. Lab notebooks fill with NMR and mass spectrometry confirmations: peaks must line up, splitting patterns nail down those two R centers, and mass must check out at every decimal point. Moisture content draws a tight line in protocols—too much, and you face clumping, too little, and static can make material tough to weigh or transfer accurately. As for particle size, some batches suit automated dosing machinery, while others require manual weighing. Purity by HPLC commonly runs above 98%. Information like this delivers trust when time and safety weigh heavy in industrial or research settings.
Customs documentation and cross-border trade rely on the Harmonized System Code (HS Code) for any chemical shipment. (1R,2R)-(-)-2-Amino-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-1,3-propanediol falls under 2922—derivatives containing an amino group linked directly to an aromatic system. This administrative detail turns essential for legal compliance and smooth import/export clearance. The HS Code signals not just composition, but potential use, and sometimes flags shipments for additional regulatory scrutiny due to controlled intermediate status or hazardous classification.
Nobody wants a lab accident—real-world experience makes the SDS (Safety Data Sheet) more than a checkbox. The nitro group, while not explosive at small scale in this structure, raises red flags for inhalation and dust generation. Gloves, goggles, and fume hood usage aren’t recommendations—they’re nonnegotiable. Skin or eye exposure should always be rinsed immediately, as both the nitro and amino functions trigger irritation in most cases. Dust control needs focus, especially if processing kilograms at a time in a pharmaceutical plant. While not acutely toxic in trace exposure, chronic inhalation or poor housekeeping can turn a manageable risk into a lasting health issue. Storage in tightly sealed containers, away from acids and strong oxidizers, prevents dangerous reactions. Knowing your emergency plan, keeping spill kits at the ready, and never cutting corners on PPE: habits that keep the workplace on track and foster a culture of safety.
Demand for this molecule ramps up, not just in pharmaceutical labs chasing the next blockbuster drug, but also in research institutions probing biological pathways involving chirality and electron transfer. Custom synthesis might start with 4-nitrobenzaldehyde, which gets condensed and reduced through a sequence designed to fix both chiral centers with tight control. Suppliers must trace raw materials by batch, certify their handling standards, and back up every claim with third-party audits when possible. Raw material quality drives success or failure downstream: a single impurity or misassigned batch number wrecks carefully balanced syntheses or clinical timelines. Financially and logistically, sourcing raw ingredients from reliable, audited vendors makes the difference between a scalable, compliant process and one forever at the mercy of delays or regulatory headaches.
Chiral amino diols, especially those with nitro aromatics, fall under particular scrutiny in waste management. Effluent from manufacturing runs must pass local environmental discharge limits. Best practices reserve closed systems and on-site treatment for post-reaction waste. Nitrogen content and persistence of aromatic compounds in the environment draw government attention, especially under REACH and similar frameworks. Facilities face regular inspections, and compliance gets built into quality systems from procurement through final shipment. The push for greener alternatives continues, but the reality remains that synthesis and isolation at this level demand robust, cautious risk management, both for worker health and the wider community.
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