2,3-Di-O-para-toluoyl-D-tartaric acid comes from the family of tartaric acid derivatives, modified with two para-toluoyl groups attached to the 2 and 3 positions. This organic compound presents itself most reliably as a crystalline solid, often seen in flakes or powder, and sometimes as small pearls or loose crystal clusters, all ranging from off-white to pale beige depending on purity levels. The molecular formula stands as C20H18O8, and the compound weighs in with a molecular mass of 386.35 g/mol. Its structure, featuring benzene rings and multiple ester and acid functionalities, brings a certain rigidity and reactivity, making it attractive for chiral resolution tasks and synthesis work across both research and industrial settings.
Everyday experience in the lab makes it clear that the physical form of 2,3-Di-O-para-toluoyl-D-tartaric acid affects usability. As a solid, it rarely gives off strong odors, but dust from powder can be irritating if inhaled. Its density ranges around 1.36-1.42 g/cm³, inheriting some of that density from the aromatic benzene rings in its skeleton. This crystalline material dissolves best in solvents like methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate, acetone, and sometimes water under the right conditions, but stubborn clumps can resist dissolution until mechanical stirring or mild heating is applied. It lacks significant volatility under normal conditions, and it sits stubbornly in solution, offering stability that chemists rely on for storage and mixing without unexpected phase separation.
The backbone of this compound shows two tartaric acid carbons at the center, each esterified with a para-toluoyl group. The presence of these bulky aromatic groups alters solubility and melting point—expect melting around 140°C to 154°C, depending on trace water or impurities included in the sample. Structural rigidity benefits those separating racemic mixtures or preparing chiral catalysts. The molecule’s chirality comes straight from the D-tartaric acid skeleton, making it popular in enantioselective applications. The acid and ester sites compete for reaction with other agents, making it a tool for modifying reactivity in custom synthesis pathways.
Specifications for this compound generally focus on purity (at least 98% for most synthetic or pharma-grade batches), moisture content (should stay below 1%), and particle size, since clumping can ruin suspension stability. Packing tends to use foil-lined barriers or amber bottles to block light and humidity, which otherwise degrade the di-ester linkages. My experience with this compound in academic and pilot-scale scenarios highlights its niche as a resolving agent—its selective affinities allow for extraction or crystallization of one enantiomer out of a racemic soup. For folks involved with peptide or pharmaceutical synthesis, its features offer a controlled route to introducing protected tartaric acid motifs or handling diastereomeric separation.
International trade identifies 2,3-Di-O-para-toluoyl-D-tartaric acid with an HS Code typically rooted in the 2918 category, covering carboxylic acids and their derivatives. On the safety front, handling this material calls for familiar chemical lab habits: gloves, safety goggles, dust mask if handling large amounts of powder. Though not acutely toxic in small quantities, repeated exposure can lead to skin or respiratory irritation. The compound reacts with strong bases or acids, so waste should enter appropriate organic chemical streams. Spills create a slippery surface—sweep up with care and ventilate the area to avoid inhalation. No special requirements for fire handling, but like many organic powders, dust can pose a combustion risk if handled in bulk near ignition sources.
Raw material sourcing leans on specialty organic manufacturers rather than bulk chemical suppliers. Most facilities synthesize it as a custom order, beginning with D-tartaric acid and para-toluic acid under controlled esterification processes, usually with careful pH and temperature management to avoid overreaction or unwanted byproducts. Quality control checks crystallinity, absence of contaminants, and adherence to stoichiometric ratios. Those relying on this compound—drug makers, specialty material companies, and research institutions—depend on its uniform reaction profile and consistent quality, which directly relate to the reputation of the raw material supplier.
Disposing of unused or expired 2,3-Di-O-para-toluoyl-D-tartaric acid takes effort, since its breakdown in typical municipal landfill settings remains slow, and its solubility could allow small amounts to reach groundwater if not managed in accordance with chemical waste rules. From a human health perspective, regular risk comes from workplace exposure through inhalation or accidental skin contact. Protective measures and regular safety drills reduce such risks, as does clear labeling of stockrooms and storage spaces. Larger chemical companies include it in safety data sheet libraries, listing possible hazardous or harmful effects, even though, in most hands-on settings, the harm comes from improper handling rather than inherent acute toxicity.
Encounters with bulk tartaric acid derivatives like this have shown that most issues arise not from the compound’s chemistry, but from inconsistent training, poor recordkeeping, or taking shortcuts with PPE. Solutions come from steady education—regular basic training on chemical handling and waste collection solves many real-world challenges. Suppliers can boost this safety record by sharing detailed, chemistry-focused brochures with every shipment, flagging possible side effects on skin and eyes in plain language. Investing a bit in airflow and spill kit upgrades in storage rooms cuts incident frequency further. The deeper I’ve worked with compounds like this, the clearer it becomes that sophisticated molecules call for reliable systems and down-to-earth respect for their handling, more than high-tech interventions or inflexible bureaucracy.
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