Brimonidine Tartrate: An In-Depth Look at Its Physical Characteristics and Chemical Profile

What Is Brimonidine Tartrate?

Brimonidine Tartrate stands out as a selective alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist, most often found as a white to off-white crystalline powder. This compound carries the molecular formula C11H10BrN5·C4H6O6, highlighting a union of brimonidine with tartrate as a stabilizing salt form. In the world of raw materials for pharmaceuticals, the form and purity of a substance like this mean everything. Beyond its immediate application in ophthalmic solutions for lowering intraocular pressure, details such as state, density, and chemical structure give this material its value in any laboratory or manufacturing setting.

Physical Properties and Structure

Experience in sourcing chemicals for research and manufacturing shows that Brimonidine Tartrate often arrives in package as solid flakes or fine powder. Its crystalline structure ensures precise dosing and consistent solubility, which helps when creating solutions for medical use. With a molecular weight of 442.24 grams per mole, it delivers a balance between solubility and stability that matters in formulation. The density sits around 1.6 g/cm³ — a crucial value when converting between mass and volume, especially for scaled batches. Its appearance, typically lacking in odor, makes it easy to identify and blend, reducing confusion and ensuring process control in the lab.

Chemical Specifications

HS Code classification for Brimonidine Tartrate falls under 2942.00 – the tariff line covering organic compounds that are active pharmaceutical ingredients. Clarity on the HS Code aids both importers and customs officials, streamlining the delivery and compliance process worldwide. Its CAS number is 70359-46-5, a unique identifier for ordering and regulatory reporting. The purity levels demanded by the pharmaceutical industry exceed 99%, reinforcing high standards for patient safety and batch-to-batch consistency. Impurity profiles remain tightly monitored, as any deviation could impact product safety or effectiveness.

Material State and Handling

Brimonidine Tartrate comes mostly as a dry, solid material, Free flowing powder, flakes, or given as small crystals rounded by processing steps to limit dust. Sometimes, it enters the workflow dissolved in sterile water for injection, as a ready-made solution for direct use in compounding or filling. Handling the raw material takes some patience, as it tends to generate airborne particulates that must be controlled, both for worker safety and environmental protection. Local exhaust ventilation and sealed containers go a long way towards limiting exposure and keeping the substance stable for long-term storage. Accurate weighing and proper dissolving always matter; small errors in preparation can grow into larger problems by the final dosage form.

Safety, Hazards, and Risk Management

Brimonidine Tartrate doesn’t present the hazards of a strong acid or base, but its chemical nature requires respect in any research or production environment. The primary risks stem from inhalation, skin contact, or accidental ingestion. Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) guidance calls for wearing gloves, goggles, and lab coats — not negotiable when health is at risk. Chronic exposure carries mild to moderate toxicity, so keeping it contained and following strict hygiene routines proves crucial. Spill control focuses on minimizing dust and cleaning up solid or liquid residues immediately. Disposal follows hazardous chemical rules, never flushed to drains or thrown into regular trash. Its status as an active pharmaceutical ingredient brings added regulatory oversight, from labeling to documented chain of custody.

Product Quality and Compliance

Maintaining product quality for Brimonidine Tartrate means more than just passing a purity test; it involves validating every step, from incoming raw materials through molecular characterization. Test protocols cover melting point determination, which for brimonidine tartrate lands between 296 – 304°C — a valuable number for anyone confirming product identity. Analytical techniques such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) support thorough fingerprinting. Each batch receives a certificate of analysis, and audits verify that storage and transport meet temperature and humidity controls. Compliance demands traceable documentation at each stage. Pharmacies, contract manufacturers, and researchers rely on this transparency for regulatory filings and for building trust when new therapies reach patients.

Applications and Industry Relevance

Brimonidine Tartrate might feel like a niche product at first, mostly appearing in prescription eye drops for glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Its function feels simple on the surface, reducing pressure inside the eye, but behind the scenes, its chemical fingerprint gets studied for next-generation drug formulations and new applications. Quality in the raw material leads directly to fewer side effects, more predictable absorption, and safer outcomes for patients who depend on it daily. Robust supply chains feed into the innovation pipeline, helping start-up biotech firms and established pharmaceutical giants push forward with clinical trials, combination therapies, and advanced delivery systems — all rooted in the precise measurements and reliable properties of each molecule ordered.

Opportunities for Safer and Smarter Use

Handling a chemical like Brimonidine Tartrate every day builds respect not just for the glassware and gloves, but for the larger systems that control risk and track quality. Automation in weighing and mixing, closed-system filling lines, and regular staff training all lead toward safer workplaces. Digitization, with barcodes tied to lot-level traceability, shrinks the risk of cross-contamination or mix-ups. Waste management firms now offer tailored solutions for pharmaceutical chemicals, reducing accidental release and ensuring safe destruction. Each of these measures ties back to a core value: patient safety starts long before anyone picks up a prescription — it begins at the bench, with simple choices made during synthesis, storage, and transport of raw materials like Brimonidine Tartrate.

Final Thoughts on the Importance of Getting It Right

Years spent sourcing, testing, and reviewing pharmaceutical ingredients build a personal sense for what separates a passable raw material from a great one. Brimonidine Tartrate, with its clear structure and demanding purity requirements, stands out as an example where the “small stuff” never stops mattering. Each attribute, from density to melting point, ties into a larger chain that cannot afford weak links. Future progress in eye care and medicine often comes down to how carefully scientists, suppliers, and quality teams handle these details, day in and day out. For anyone on the front lines of health, every lot matters — not because regulators demand it, but because patients deserve our vigilance at every step.