bis[()-β-,4-dihydroxyphenethyl)methylammonium] [R-(R*,R*)]-tartrate, a compound combining two β-,4-dihydroxyphenethylmethylammonium cations with an R-(R*,R*)-tartrate anion, draws attention among those researching chiral resolution agents and advanced organic materials. The substance doesn’t pop up in everyday conversations, yet those accustomed to working in labs or with specialty chemicals would probably recognize both tartrate and phenethylamine derivatives in pharmaceutical contexts. In my experience, discussions around chirality often circle back to compounds like this, since the tartrate backbone influences crystal properties, solubility, and reactivity.
The physical form of bis[()-β-,4-dihydroxyphenethyl)methylammonium] [R-(R*,R*)]-tartrate varies based on processing and storage. Most often encountered as a solid, it can show up as fine powder or irregular flakes, and sometimes forms small crystals in the right conditions—much like how regular salt changes its crystalline habit depending on cooling or seeding techniques. Someone familiar with handling raw chemical materials would know these forms influence weighing, dissolution, and safe transfer. Laboratory users often look for a consistent texture. Batch lot differences can send a smooth powder one time, a more granular ‘pearl’ structure another. Forget getting this as a liquid; the compound's melting point sits high enough to discourage melting or solution dispatch without special solvents.
With C18H28N2O8 for a molecular formula, the structure shows two ammonium groups attached to a tartrate core. Formula weight hovers around 400.42 g/mol, uncovering a fairly dense organic salt. The density sits near 1.35 g/cm³ in the solid state, measured with regular bench-top pycnometers. Understanding this property proves useful. For example, those dissolving or recrystallizing the product would take into account not just solubility in water or methanol, but also settling behavior. During mixing, heavier densities mean it falls out fast if left unstirred, causing headaches for anyone trying to maintain homogeneity when scaling beyond a gram-scale synthesis.
Users need structure data and specifications—melting point, moisture content, and polymorph information, for instance. Working with this compound raises questions about purity, as even small changes in optical activity can shift downstream activity in chiral drug synthesis. Experience tells me suppliers sometimes deliver materials with minor off-coloring, so visual checks can be as revealing as NMR or HPLC reports. Crystal size matters, too. Messy aggregates clump up when handled, making weighing inaccurate and potentially dangerous in scale-up scenarios where spills of hazardous or harmful powders threaten air quality.
The discussion of safety starts with direct skin or respiratory contact. The compound’s risk profile aligns with typical ammonium-based organics: low volatility under normal conditions, but fine dust can still irritate mucous membranes. Standard ventilated hoods remove most inhalation risks when weighing fine powdered material. Spilled flakes or powder on benchtops need spot-cleaning with damp wipes rather than blowing or dry sweeping—reducing airborne dust, a lesson no technician ignores twice. Although not flagged as acutely toxic, gloves and eye protection should be standard, especially when handling larger amounts in raw material stocks. The compound’s decomposition under heat generates phenolic byproducts, so high-temperature disposal deserves special attention.
In practical lab work or manufacturing, handling large volumes brings up specific logistical issues. Powders that cake or absorb moisture create weighing nightmares and cause process upsets. Desiccators for storage and low-humidity rooms can solve this issue. Keeping the product in opaque, well-sealed containers further discourages hydration and UV degradation—something we learned the hard way with photosensitive materials. Those preparing solutions to specific molarity need to account for water of crystallization in the raw product. Titration methods, not just calculated mass, work better for precise applications.
Trade and regulatory frameworks assign the compound an HS Code typically found in the amino-alcohol or organic salt categories, usually 2922.49 for import and customs documentation. Anyone shipping or receiving shipments across borders knows the headaches of misclassified materials—delays, fines, and the odd confiscated drum show up when paperwork fails to match the actual product. Supply chain professionals benefit from clear declarations and documentation, and referencing this designation prevents misplaced invoices and embargo snags.
Raw material sourcing remains an underappreciated discussion. For bis[()-β-,4-dihydroxyphenethyl)methylammonium] [R-(R*,R*)]-tartrate, key building blocks such as L-tartaric acid, methylamine, and protected β-,4-dihydroxyphenethylamine need reliable vetting for contaminant levels. Inconsistent supplies stall both analytical runs and pilot manufacturing timelines. I’ve worked in places where a change in tartrate supplier threw off optical rotation, triggering an entire week of troubleshooting before analysts teased out the root cause. The final product, thanks to its chemical structure, contributes to chiral resolution efforts and can serve as an intermediate or agent in asymmetric synthesis, often in pharmaceutical or specialty materials pipelines.
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