Benzyl alcohol, p-hydroxy-alpha-((methylamino)methyl)-, tartrate (2:1) (salt), often discussed for its chemistry and industry applications, brings together a complex molecular structure blending the pharmacological interest of p-hydroxy derivatives and the handling characteristics of tartrate salts. This compound forms by the interaction of benzyl alcohol derivatives with tartaric acid, creating a salt that improves stability and solubility for downstream applications. Everyday experience in a chemical lab involves working with substances like this, where different salt forms alter solubility, melting points, and the way a substance handles during synthesis. The molecular formula for this compound extends to C10H13NO2 as the central structure and incorporates two units of tartaric acid per molecule, enhancing both its chemical behavior and practical shelf life.
Chemical products based on this salt emerge as highly valued intermediates or excipients in pharmaceutical and lab-grade material sourcing. Knowing the detailed molecular formula and configuration guides safe handling and accurate measurements. The compound's structure consists of the benzyl alcohol backbone substituted with a hydroxyl group in the para position, methylamino functionality added through a methylene bridge at the alpha carbon, and then complexed as a salt with tartaric acid. These features aren't just textbook chemistry—when preparing a reaction or analyzing the purity on an HPLC, subtle changes like salt formation or hydroxyl placement influence solubility in water and polar solvents. Material in this category shows moderate solubility in cold water and enhanced dissolution at elevated temperatures, forming clear to slightly yellowish solutions, with solution clarity often used to judge quality.
Every batch reveals clues about its quality by the way it crystallizes or forms powder. Benzyl alcohol, p-hydroxy-alpha-((methylamino)methyl)-, tartrate (2:1) (salt) typically appears as a white to off-white crystalline solid at room temperature, though some manufacturers offer it as fine flakes or a pearly powder, which aids weighing and transfer. Density hovers around 1.3 g/cm³, sampled in various literature, depending on hydration or particle form. Unlike pure benzyl alcohol, which is liquid at room temperature, salt formation with tartaric acid lends this compound a sharp melting range—usually between 174°C and 182°C. Solid in texture and easily milled into powder, it avoids the handling issues sometimes found with sticky or hygroscopic chemicals, letting it sit ready for weighing without clumping or caking. In my practice, the practical experience of transferring a smooth-flowing powder stands in contrast to sticky, staticky material, whose manipulation drags out every step. Crystal habit and purity directly influence how efficiently one can dissolve and dispense the product, affecting consistency for downstream use.
Industry turns to this compound for making pharmaceutical intermediates, specialty reagents, and advanced polymers. I’ve seen specialists reach for this salt as a chiral resolving agent, using the tartaric acid content to split racemic mixtures by selective crystallization. Laboratories also favor salts like these for controlled-release drug formulations, where the solid’s density and behavior in solution matter for both dosing and absorption rates. Research notes reveal how the p-hydroxy methylamino moiety brings additional receptor binding potential—prompting drug discovery groups to test derivatives for new activity in central nervous system indications. It’s easy to overlook how small changes in composition echo through formulation or performance, especially where reproducibility depends on knowing every physical property—density, particle size, phase, crystal clarity, or even the tactile sense during transfer—every detail plays a role when scaling from milligram to kilogram.
This salt stands apart thanks to its well-characterized molecular formula, which for the core ligand is C10H13NO2, with tartrate component bringing additional C4H6O6 units, giving a full salt unit as (C10H13NO2)2·C4H6O6 for the 2:1 ratio. Weighing, dissolving, and analyzing this compound in the lab needs careful reading of bottle labels so hyphenation or hydrate state matches what’s expected in the application. Infrared spectroscopy and proton NMR signatures uniquely identify the structure, and this is crucial because even a stray hydrate or amorphous contaminant can break a process. Technical specs often state particle size distribution, melting point range, loss on drying, and purity (usually not less than 98.5%). These simple numbers hold authority for anyone in charge of a validated method, a batch release, or a pilot scale-up, where the smallest deviation can lead to extra work or discarding material.
Global shipping practices require clear labeling with the Harmonized System (HS) Code, which places this salt under ‘organic chemicals,’ with a code likely starting 2906 or 2922 for benzyl or methylamino derivatives, though local classification might push the final digits to reflect the specific functionalization or salt form. Seasoned shippers or purchasers know paperwork headaches vanish when HS Code is precise, avoiding border holdups or misapplied tariffs. HS Codes also matter for anyone tracking the global movement of masked amine reagents—chemicals with potential dual use, which may pull in extra licensing or reporting.
Though lab tradition treats many organic salts as benign, this compound deserves basic respect in terms of safety. It often lacks major volatility, so fumes rarely build up, but dust inhalation from powders brings risk to lungs—as with any fine organic dust. Safety data sheets list eye and skin irritation on contact and recommend gloves, goggles, and working inside a fume hood for larger scale operations. A best practice, which I learned the hard way by rolling my sleeve into a tiny spill, is to avoid assuming organic salts are as mild as table salt. Some forms, depending on purity or decomposition byproducts, can irritate mucous membranes or trigger allergies. Disposal of waste or rinse-water runs through organic waste channels, not straight to drain, since residual activity of the methylamino group means some biodegradation lags. Fire risk from organic powders always exists, especially if dust builds near an ignition source, so clean working benches and grounded, anti-static containers keep incidents away.
Raw materials for this compound tie back to benzyl alcohol, formaldehyde, methylamine, and tartaric acid. Each starting product needs documentation and purity tracking, since any impurity in the raw alcohol or tartaric acid changes the final salt's performance. In my experience, poor or variable raw input doesn’t just affect yield—it can jam up filters, complicate crystallization, or leave color in a product that should be bright white and odor-free. Suppliers with transparent batch data and a strong logistics team earn trust here; they’re essential for companies seeking traceable, pure input for regulated drug development or specialty material pipelines.
Streamlining labeling, improving training on handling, and investing in better packaging mean less exposure and less guesswork for everyone involved. Manufacturers focused on particle size control help ensure the solid flows well and dissolves consistently, reducing variation in downstream processes. A lab with good housekeeping, well-ventilated prep areas, and thoughtful workflow needs fewer accident reports or quality red flags. Regulatory attention, both in assigning accurate HS Codes and in checking for dual-use status, keeps markets open and transparent. For organizations, steady collaboration up and down the supply chain—from the raw material provider to the bench scientist—means that every gram of benzyl alcohol, p-hydroxy-alpha-((methylamino)methyl)-, tartrate (2:1) (salt) ends up not just in the right bottle but in a formula that works, every time.
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