Cyclohexanediaminetartrate represents a chemical compound where cyclohexanediamine and tartaric acid come together to form a salt. Chemists know it under names like 1,2-cyclohexanediamine tartrate or cyclohexane-1,2-diamine tartrate. Recognized mostly as a solid material, the compound usually appears as a white crystalline powder, sometimes forming fine flakes, pearls, or granular solids, depending on how it has been processed and handled in the supply chain. The chemical formula often gets written as C6H16N2O6; this brings its molar mass to just around 244 to 246 g/mol, reflecting the union of organic diamine and dicarboxylic acid. With this information, manufacturers reference its HS Code, making trading and logistics more straightforward across international markets where regulations keep an eye on specialty chemicals and raw materials.
Looking at the structure, cyclohexanediaminetartrate combines two amine groups on the cyclohexane ring with carboxylate groups contributed by tartaric acid. Bonding like this gives the compound both basic and acidic behavior, making it useful as an intermediate in forming more complex molecules. Picture a cyclohexane ring: two amines anchored to carbon atoms, supporting the tartaric acid’s asymmetric carbons with their carboxylate and hydroxyl groups. The crystalline form comes about because of strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding, especially among amine and carboxylate groups. Melting point usually lands somewhere in the range of 180°C to 230°C, but it depends heavily on the hydration state or purity. Density settles around 1.3 to 1.4 g/cm3 in most laboratory batches. As a solid, it’s stable at room temperature, sitting well in dry conditions inside closed containers.
Chemists use cyclohexanediaminetartrate across multiple segments. It serves as a building block in organic synthesis and pharmaceutical industries, working as a chiral ligand or resolving agent in the preparation of optically pure compounds. This use makes sense, considering it carries chirality from tartrate and can help separate enantiomers by crystallization processes. Some start with it to produce specialty polymers; others pick it up for research or in contract production, where custom intermediates matter. In physical form, it's widely seen as a powder, crystalline flakes, or fine pearls. It resists dissolving in non-polar solvents but mixes well with polar solvents like water, yielding a clear solution with controlled pH. Engineers handling reactors typically go for the powder since it disperses rapidly in solution and allows precise dosing by weight. Specific density measurements often get highlighted in technical data sheets to aid process calculations.
Working with cyclohexanediaminetartrate means keeping standard laboratory and industrial safety practices close at hand. While not considered acutely toxic, it can cause irritation to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract if dust gets kicked up during dosing or mixing stages. Unprotected contact or accidental inhalation sometimes triggers mild allergic responses. Material safety data sheets put strong emphasis on wearing gloves, protective eyewear, and dust masks, particularly in applications that involve handling several kilograms at a time. Chemical spills should be contained and cleaned with inert absorbents, then disposed of according to hazardous waste protocols prescribed in local regulations, since trace contamination of water or soil poses risk through bioaccumulation. Fire risks stay low because the material does not self-ignite, but combustion releases nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide; so, chemical-resistant clothing and well-maintained ventilation should never be skipped.
Pure cyclohexanediaminetartrate stands up to most analytical testing: melting point, elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectra, and mass spectrometry. Purity levels generally fall between 98% and 99%, assessed before any shipment leaves the manufacturer. Technical specifications sometimes list moisture content, particle size, bulk density, and solution clarity since these factors matter in formulation quality and batch reproducibility. Global commerce identifies it by the HS Code 2922 (covering “Oxygen-function amino-compounds”), which speeds up declaration and inspection at customs points. Packing approaches differ: multilayer bags for bulk powder, tamper-evident bottles for lab use, moisture-resistant drums lined with plastic for higher volume orders. Labels detail hazard classifications under GHS, which highlight the importance of safe storage away from acids, oxidizers, or strong bases.
Since this compound’s spectrum of reactivity springs from both its amine and tartrate parts, chemists turn to it for a range of synthetic challenges. Catalysts, chiral auxiliaries, and specialty raw materials derive significant benefit from the stereochemical uniformity of tartrate and the basic reactivity of diamine. Starting from pharmaceutical labs scaling up enantioselective syntheses to larger plant operations customizing batches for polymer or specialty resin manufacture, the consistency in property and performance becomes critical. The structure lends itself to selective derivatization, allowing those with experience in bench chemistry to coax new functionality from a familiar core. Chemical suppliers stay aware of lot-to-lot consistency, knowing a slight deviation in melting point or water content disrupts downstream yields. Solution form, usually prepared on site right before use, keeps material loss low and purity high since aqueous solutions degrade faster if exposed to air or stray contaminants.
Regulators often watch closely when new applications emerge, as even basic chemicals like cyclohexanediaminetartrate introduce hazards with careless use. It all comes down to practical risk management. Training, oversight, and equipment maintenance win out over shortcuts in safety culture. Environmental impact audits look for ways to reduce discharge, optimize waste monitoring, and ensure no leakage enters natural water streams. Some manufacturers opt for closed-system reactors or innovative packaging that minimizes manual transfer and reduces dust. As the chemical sector pushes toward greener synthesis and minimized hazardous residues, alternatives based on more benign feedstocks gradually enter development pipelines. Yet, cyclohexanediaminetartrate finds a steady foothold where bulk value, purity, and controlled structure matter most, partly because manufacturing experience and regulatory clarity keep getting better over time. Industry leaders highlight transparency in supply chain data, independent safety testing, and responsibly sourced raw materials, ensuring trust with partners while reducing the ecological footprint of specialty chemical production.