3-[Bis[(4-ethenylphenyl)methyl]amino]-1,2-propanediol: Product Overview and Chemical Profile

What is 3-[Bis[(4-ethenylphenyl)methyl]amino]-1,2-propanediol?

3-[Bis[(4-ethenylphenyl)methyl]amino]-1,2-propanediol stands out as a specialty compound within the field of organic chemistry, frequently sourced as a raw material for synthesizing polymers and advanced resins. Its structure includes an amino group connected to a propanediol skeleton, where two benzyl groups carry vinyl functionalities. These features allow for broad applications in preparing reactive intermediates and specialty chemical formulations, often heading for industries such as advanced adhesives, electronics, and performance coatings.

Products and Usable Forms

This chemical appears mostly as a solid at room temperature, frequently supplied as crystalline flakes, fine white to pale powder, clear solid pearls, or sometimes high-purity crystals. In research reports and material safety data sheets, it usually remains dry and stored in airtight containers, often in climate-controlled conditions to prevent moisture uptake or accidental polymerization. Laboratories have also formulated its solutions for better measurement and safer handling during experimentation and scale-up.

Physical and Chemical Properties

3-[Bis[(4-ethenylphenyl)methyl]amino]-1,2-propanediol features the molecular formula C25H27NO2 and carries a molecular weight near 373.49 g/mol. The compound's density tends to settle between 1.1 and 1.2 g/cm3 at 25°C, placing it within the expected range for aromatic propanediols. While its melting point can shift slightly depending on purification and crystalline state, sources commonly point to a range between 105°C and 115°C. In practice, the compound demonstrates limited solubility in water but dissolves well in organic solvents like acetone, ethanol, and DMF, which makes it ideal for specialized blending and reaction settings. The glassy, transparent crystalline solid remains stable below 100°C, but it can yellow when exposed to extreme heat over long periods.

Molecular Structure and Reactivity

By examining the three-dimensional structure, the backbone of 1,2-propanediol holds diol functionality, while the secondary amine links to two bulky bis(4-ethenylphenyl)methyl moieties. The ethylene groups located on the para positions of each phenyl ring serve as convenient handles for further cross-linking or polymerization. In my direct experience working with vinyl-bearing specialty raw materials, these sites offer a straightforward route to generate functional polymers using free-radical initiators. The presence of both alcohol and amine groups allows this diol to participate in a range of nucleophilic substitution and addition reactions.

Specifications and Certification

For buyers focusing on supply quality, technical datasheets commonly set minimum purity at 98% as confirmed by HPLC or GC. Specification sheets often detail the moisture threshold at less than 0.2%, with the requirement for absence of stabilizer residues or color impurities. Commercially distributed grades bear batch numbers, production dates, and packaging details for traceability, and shipments intended for regulated industries, like medical devices or electronics, also carry compliance certificates such as ISO 9001 and relevant REACH documentation.

HS Code and Logistics

International trade records classify 3-[Bis[(4-ethenylphenyl)methyl]amino]-1,2-propanediol under HS Code 2922.50, which designates it as an organic compound containing an amino group. Customs declarations for this product align with this code category during import and export processes, a necessary measure since regulations in the European Union, United States, and Asia oversee the movement of specialty amines due to their downstream use in sensitive sectors. Shipments typically require UN number labeling for chemical packages, and international carriers inspect solid, powdered, or crystalline consignment packaging for leak-preventing seals and proper hazard labeling.

Safe Use, Hazards, and Handling Practices

Although 3-[Bis[(4-ethenylphenyl)methyl]amino]-1,2-propanediol does not fall under potent toxin or carcinogen regulations, direct skin and eye contact can cause irritation because unreacted amines and vinyl groups are known for sensitization risks. Standard practice in industrial laboratories and production floors takes this seriously, with researchers using nitrile gloves, safety goggles, and protective clothing. Material safety data references underline the importance of avoiding heat sources and preventing static discharges in powder or crystal handling areas. Waste from cleaning procedures or chemical spills must not enter the water supply and should be captured in labeled polyethylene waste containers for specialist disposal.

Practical Approaches to Storage and Transport

Storage recommendations ask for cool, dry storerooms sheltered from direct sunlight and major sources of humidity, with poly or stainless-steel shelving for containers to reduce corrosion and avoid cross-contamination risks. Laboratories and suppliers maintain detailed usage logs and inventory records to monitor shelf life, since exposure to moisture or air over extended periods can degrade product consistency and effectiveness. Large-scale bulk drums and laboratory bottles alike remain labeled with UN and hazard codes, and logistics chains check for secure inner and outer packaging, sometimes wrapping jars in shock-absorbing material.

Concerns and Solutions for Environmental and Human Safety

Over the years, growing awareness of raw material impact prompted detailed review of production byproduct management, with manufacturers now collecting and controlling any residues from production cycles. Solutions focus on closed reactor systems and solvent recycling, lessening the potential for hazardous waste escape. Workers on manufacturing lines join routine chemical safety training, a necessary practice in any facility handling reactive or potentially harmful feedstocks. Downstream users collaborate with suppliers to audit chemical supply and check for compliance with local safety regulations and international treaties such as the Stockholm and Rotterdam Conventions.

Material Applications and Industry Perspectives

Across the world of specialty chemistry, 3-[Bis[(4-ethenylphenyl)methyl]amino]-1,2-propanediol functions as a backbone builder for thermoset resins, high-performance adhesives, and select photocurable systems. Specialists tasked with developing new products appreciate the flexibility gained from combining diol and amine groups within the same molecule, making this compound attractive for experimental formulae and industrial-scale processes alike. Demand for such tailored intermediates only grows as electronics, automotive, and aerospace ventures look for stronger, lighter, and more heat-resistant materials, and real innovation comes from those who truly master the safety and technical best practices of handling these valuable chemicals.