(2S,3S)-(+)-Dibenzoyl-D-tartaric acid monohydrate brings together the backbone of D-tartaric acid with two benzoyl groups and a single water molecule in its structure. Each batch stands for a chiral acid used for chemical resolution and analytical applications, pressed out from a production line that keeps purity as a top priority. Chemists, researchers, and quality assurance teams focus on this material during work with enantiomeric separations. Having worked with this compound during my years in a pharma lab, it becomes clear that what matters for daily operations is dependability in purity and consistency.
With a molecular formula of C18H14O9·H2O and a molecular weight near 392.33 g/mol, this acid lands itself among heavyweight chiral resolving agents. Its two phenyl rings connected to the central tartaric acid scaffold give a level of rigidity and stereoselectivity that makes it suited to separate racemic mixtures. The exact arrangement places hydrogen, carboxyl, and benzoyl groups such that only the (2S,3S) configuration appears in the commercial sample. Visualizing its structure in the lab, one notices clear, colorless to white crystalline forms—classic for compounds with sharp, repetitive hydrogen bonds, especially when water hydrates stabilize the lattice.
This material arrives in the hands as flaky crystals or a fine powder. Lab workers sometimes see it in slightly larger pearl-shaped grains, though flakes dominate. Its density tips the scale at around 1.6 g/cm³, firmly on the solid side. Melting occurs in the range of 150–155°C, indicated by a visible change and slick surface typical for organic acids with aromatic substituents. The hydrated nature imparts just enough flexibility to handle minor humidity shifts without caking, which makes storage less temperamental than many raw materials. Holding the bottle, the tactile grit of the crystals grounds the substance in the realm of real, not theoretical, chemistry. Whether weighed on the scale or poured into glassware, the physical ease of handling speaks to its practicality.
As a strong chiral compound, (2S,3S)-(+)-dibenzoyl-D-tartaric acid monohydrate displays solubility in water, ethanol, methanol, and acetonitrile, though complete dissolution may take gentle warming or stirring at room temperature. Aqueous solutions tend toward acidity, thanks to its twin carboxylate groups. The chiral purity runs above 99%, checked batch after batch using polarimetry and HPLC. In my own experience running enzymatic kinetic resolutions, any subtle impurity in this salt stands out immediately through poor separation—precision is non-negotiable.
Suppliers often set minimum purity at 99%, water content below 8%, and limit heavy metals to trace levels. pH measurements, optical rotation tests, and residue-on-ignition checks round out standard quality controls. Each kilogram carries an HS Code (Harmonized System Code) of 2918.19, putting it under carboxylic acid derivatives in international trade. Bulk shipments bear hazard labels, but the compound itself offers manageable risk for experienced handlers—avoiding direct skin or eye exposure takes top billing in any training session. No lingering odors, no reactive warnings like some acid chlorides or anhydrides, but still: safety eyewear, gloves, and fume hoods never leave the equation.
Long-term lab safety means learning this acid’s specific risks. Spills sweep up with dry powder and small brushes to avoid airborne dust. Inhalation of fine particles causes mild irritation, and direct contact can sting or redden skin after a few minutes. Labels spell out the details: non-flammable, not acutely toxic, but capable of harming if basic hygiene lapses. Fume hood use cuts down any exposure from inadvertent dust clouds. Solutions at higher concentrations should not drain into sinks; regulations often tag such effluents as chemical waste, sent to approved facilities. In a busy research environment, keeping oversight tight proves easier than any hypothetical clean-up after improper disposal.
Research into asymmetric synthesis and optical purity has relied on this very tartaric acid derivative for decades. Pharmas and fine chemical manufacturers pour hundreds of kilograms into resolution columns or crystallization tanks. Each granule serves a purpose in separating out target isomers, critical for drugs where chirality means the difference between benefit and hazard. In personal experience overseeing a kilo-scale resolution, the process came with strict documentation, as regulators scrutinize every gram moving through the supply chain. Early adoption of automated weighing and dispensing improved both safety and consistency—workflow may be tedious, but mistakes bring more risk than reward.
Quality counts for more than marketing brochures suggest. Mislabeling, subpar hydration, or trace solvents throw off entire production runs. Modern labs tackle this with reliable third-party testing and clear supplier audits. To manage residual dust and spills, a dedicated protocol that includes both PPE and surface decontaminant checks becomes part of onboarding. Automated storage dispensers reduce direct handling time, addressing ergonomic fatigue and minimizing inhalation risk. In process plants, tracking batches through barcoded labels down to every liter or kilo in stock guarantees traceability, both for customer confidence and regulatory compliance.
As stereochemistry grows in importance for novel medicines, compounds like (2S,3S)-(+)-dibenzoyl-D-tartaric acid monohydrate will see higher demand. Researchers invest in scalable solutions, such as switchable crystallizers and batch reactors dedicated to resolution steps, keeping both cost and risk controlled. These days, purchasing departments want more detail in certificates of analysis than ever before, requesting real-time moisture and optical rotation data alongside traditional purity numbers. As an old hand in the lab, the lessons learned point to straightforward priorities: batch characterization, strict personal safety, clear environmental paths, and direct supplier accountability. Raw material reliability depends just as much on the people as the molecules.
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