3-(4-Phenyl-1-piperazinyl)-1,2-propanediol belongs to the category of specialized chemical intermediates showing up in research labs and pharmaceutical development circles fairly often. This compound holds a key place due to its versatile structure which supports plenty of downstream syntheses: a propanediol backbone paired to the piperazine group bearing a phenyl ring. It’s more than just a string of chemicals—its structure determines how it behaves and what chemists can do with it.
Most users receive 3-(4-Phenyl-1-piperazinyl)-1,2-propanediol as a white or near-white solid, sometimes showing up as crystals or fine flakes. Under some handling conditions, it can be processed into a powder for smoother mixing or measurement, or formed into small pearls to cut down on airborne dust. The typical density lands around 1.1-1.2 g/cm³, a value coming from the diol and aromatic portions of the molecule. It rarely appears as a liquid under standard storage conditions; that change only after heating. In the lab, this means it dissolves in polar solvents fairly well—think water or ethanol—though its solubility does hinge on temperature and form. Sometimes you’ll see labs using it as a solution for dosing accuracy, but most carts, shelves, and storage jars keep it solid for stability.
Look at the structure and you’ll see a 1,2-propanediol chain, two hydroxyl groups branching from the core. At the other end, a piperazine ring attached at one nitrogen to a phenyl group. This hybrid, mixing aromatic and aliphatic chemistry, brings both stability and flexibility. Its molecular formula, C13H20N2O2, points straight to 13 carbon atoms, 20 hydrogens, 2 nitrogens, and 2 oxygens—a lineup that explains much of its reactivity. With a molecular weight around 236.31 g/mol, calculation and preparation for syntheses becomes manageable for chemists. The electron spacing from the rings to the diol moiety makes it a good building block in the creation of derivatives.
Product quality depends on both purity and physical traits. Buyers and users check for irregularities—yellowing in powder, unexpected odors, or amorphous clumping pointing to moisture exposure. Most suppliers list specs that include purity (93% and up requirements are common), residual solvent maxima, melting range, and particle size distribution. These details matter when the compound heads to pharmaceutical applications or scientific studies, where reproducibility depends on uniform material properties. Weight measurement, solution preparation, and storage need an airtight plan since diols can attract water, leading to gradual degradation or clumping, especially in open-air settings.
Movement across borders puts every chemical under scrutiny, and customs declarations ask for specifics. For 3-(4-Phenyl-1-piperazinyl)-1,2-propanediol, it usually falls under HS Code 2933399090—covering nitrogen heterocyclic compounds but outside direct commodity listings. That number matters during export, tariffs calculation, and when evaluating import restrictions. Anyone working with raw material sourcing quickly learns the importance of correct classification: mistakes increase cost, delay shipments, or flag orders for extra compliance checking.
People in the lab need to treat this compound with the usual care granted to intermediate organics. Toxicological databases highlight that 3-(4-Phenyl-1-piperazinyl)-1,2-propanediol may cause irritation to skin or eyes upon direct contact, and inhalation of dust may irritate the respiratory tract. Chemical property sheets remind users to wear gloves, use goggles, and keep spill kits at the ready. Though not acutely toxic at low doses for most mammals, the presence of a piperazine ring suggests possible pharmacological activity. Proper air handling helps prevent contamination in shared spaces, and waste streams should route through chemical-safe disposal paths, not ordinary drains. Fire risks remain low due to high melting points and lack of volatility, but as with any organic compound, heating it above decomposition point can yield hazardous fumes. Being careful about storage conditions—cool, dry, sealed—reduces both hazard and waste.
In the supply chain, 3-(4-Phenyl-1-piperazinyl)-1,2-propanediol stands as a raw material for specialty pharmaceuticals, often as a side-chain handler or a precursor for more complex drugs. Medicinal chemistry labs see it as a flexible building block, thanks to dual hydroxyls and heterocyclic nitrogen, ready for further functionalization or inclusion in trial compounds. The piperazinyl group is no stranger to bioactive molecules, which likely explains the presence of this intermediate downstream from major pharmaceutical projects. Efficient and consistent sourcing of such chemicals can mean the difference between a stalled and a thriving drug discovery pipeline.
Countless hours in labs taught people the impact of small quality swings—trace metal contamination, water pickup, or degradation by products all skew experiment outcomes. Most seasoned chemists insist on batch certificates, independent verification by NMR or mass spectrometry, and even in-house purity checks before projects progress. Relying on trusted suppliers alleviates but doesn’t eliminate risk. For those mixing on-site solutions or prepping for scale-up, cross-checks on density, melting points, and particle size density keep workflows predictable and costs in check.
Markets for piperazine derivatives keep growing, and so does demand for intermediates like this one. Companies looking to refine processing often explore greener synthesis to cut hazardous waste and energy use—such as using water-based solvents or milder reagents in diol attachment. Some industries push for higher purity grades, especially where impurities might interfere in advanced medical formulations. Automation also plays a role in sample measuring and handling, cutting back user exposure and technique variability.
Those processing and shipping 3-(4-Phenyl-1-piperazinyl)-1,2-propanediol juggle reliability, safety, and regulatory responsibilities along the way. Experience shows that knowing the full physical and chemical profile before bringing this compound into the lab or production line prevents most headaches. Tight documentation, smart training, and active monitoring for environmental and human health impact shape how this substance supports both innovation and safety. Small steps, from better containers to onsite testing, often add up to greater success with less risk in the bigger picture.
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