(2R,3R)-(-)-dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid monohydrate has found its place in labs and industry production lines alike. This compound comes from tartaric acid, one of those basic, reliable chemicals that pop up in everything from winemaking to analytical chemistry. By adding two benzoyl groups, the material gains value as a resolving agent, and the monohydrate form means it holds on to a single water molecule per formula unit. People turn to this chemical during the separation of racemic mixtures, which means getting pure chiral substances out of a mixed-up heap. For chemists looking to separate enantiomers, this is an honest, dependable choice.
Most days, (2R,3R)-(-)-dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid monohydrate shows up as a white to pale yellow solid, usually coming in flake, crystalline, or powder form. A handful of suppliers offer it as small pearls, which stack easier in a container. Built from C18H14O9·H2O, the molecular weight sits right around 392.3 g/mol. The molecule itself has two chiral centers, setting up a specific three-dimensional arrangement recognized by the body and many industrial reactions. Anyone who's handled the material notices it dissolves pretty well in water and most polar organic solvents, while holding firm against non-polar ones. Melting point tends to land near 110–115°C, giving it a window before thermal breakdown starts threatening product quality. Storing it in closed containers protects against unnecessary water loss—it’s the sort of detail folks ignore until the texture goes gritty or doesn’t flow as expected.
In day-to-day lab work and bulk-scale runs, the main draw comes from its function as a chiral resolving agent. If you've tried to pull apart enantiomers of amino alcohols or amines—especially in pharmaceuticals—this acid narrows the margin for error. Running one chromatography column with dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid as the resolving force can mean the difference between hours of work and days wasted. Raw material sourcing comes direct from fermentation processes and chemical synthesis, so supply chains can feel pressure from both agricultural and petroleum prices. As a free acid, it serves as a precursor for various tartaric acid derivatives, which lets it keep value even in recycling streams.
Physical handling pays off when you understand the texture and form delivered. Most batches resemble fine crystals or flaky solids that don’t cake up unless moisture runs rampant. Pouring powder into a bottle sometimes leaves behind a dust—goggles and gloves take care of the irritation risk if you drop a bit or miss a scoop. Larger factories prefer it in slightly bigger granules or pearls, making bulk handling and stirring easier during big tank reactions. Some suppliers dissolve it into a stock solution to save others time in preparing ready-to-use mixtures, but this does limit shipment distance and shelf life. If you keep the container dry and tightly closed, the stuff stays serviceable for months, if not years.
Density hangs around 1.6–1.7 g/cm³ depending on hydration and solid form. In a packed bottle, this means a liter weighs more than a liter of most organic solvents, but less than many inorganics or metals. Solubility matters for anyone measuring out accurate concentrations for reaction set-up. It dissolves in water at about 20-30 g per 100 mL at room temperature, which makes titrations and solution prep a straightforward job. Pouring powder can lead to airborne dust, always a smart moment to flip on the fume hood or at least crack a window and use a mask—some irritation reported on long exposure, but nothing beyond general chemical safety recommendations.
International shipping and customs checks fall under HS Code 2918.19, classifying it among carboxylic acids and derivatives. Cross-border shipments require correct labeling, solid paperwork, and honest declarations on the manifest. The material doesn’t pose a fire hazard itself, but heating to decomposition means bland smoke and possibly low-level hazardous fumes. Gloves, goggles, and dust mask cover any irritation risk. Skin contact can cause drying or redness—rinse with soap and water, no surprises there, and keep acid-neutralizing solutions on the shelf as good lab practice. Storage in a dry, cool room reduces chance of caking and maintains the monohydrate status, preventing surprises with hydration state during critical reactions.
Standard purity sits at 99% or higher for analytical purposes, where even slight contamination can throw off chiral analysis. For production scale, some tolerance exists, with specifications providing acceptable levels for residual water, trace metals, and organic impurities. Commercial samples range from 10 grams bottles for research up to 25-kilogram drums for industrial facilities. Finding consistent suppliers presents a challenge, so most buyers turn to established producers with strong reputations, verified certifications, and transparent data sheets—past experience with subpar batches leads straight to lost hours and failed separations.
The raw materials behind this acid reach back through supply chains that span fermentation vats, petrochemical plants, and specialist benzoylation units. Reliable quality starts with stable upstream networks that deliver on both specification and timely shipment. Across biopharma and specialty chemical labs, the impact of material purity shows up right away in both chromatography performance and spectral analysis. Fluctuations in tartaric acid prices or benzoyl chloride quality ripple down to project costs and efficiency. Vetting raw material suppliers, running regular quality checks, and keeping a tight rein on inventory shrink the risk of project delays or compliance trouble.
(2R,3R)-(-)-dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid monohydrate has a straightforward safety profile when handled with basic lab protocols. It doesn’t put out fumes under normal use, and accidental ingestion or inhalation produces some noticeable but not acute discomfort—mainly in the form of gastrointestinal upset or mild respiratory irritation. Chemical SDS recommends rinse and seek attention after exposure, with no chronic toxic effects documented so far. Anyone managing the compound in production settings benefits from routine training, spill-kits on hand, and consistent record-keeping on any workplace incidents. Large spills clean up with standard PPE, and waste batches go to regular chemical disposal—no need for specialized hazardous waste sections.
Process improvements can stretch value and raise consistency. Automated dispensing systems cut human error in powder measurement; closed-system transfer reduces dust exposure, especially in larger-scale manufacturing. For anyone facing reliability issues, setting up direct QA audits with suppliers makes sense, as does periodic round-robin testing with independent labs for batch verification. In my experience, regular discussions between suppliers and end-users drive innovation, encouraging tweaks to particle size, hydration state, or bulk packaging. Shifting to recyclable packaging and OSH-compliant containers balances worker protection with environmental stewardship, which matters both for regulatory checklists and company reputations. Routine checks on inventory, proper documentation, and clear communication across purchasing, storage, and handling staff keep material losses down, up production efficiency, and cut down on waste.
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