(-)-Di-1,4-O-benzoyl-L-tartaric acid lands on a bench like a crystalline powder, almost pearlescent in the right light, with a texture that can range from soft powder to flakes. Chemically, it comes from tartaric acid, where both carboxyl groups get esterified with benzoyl groups, flipping the original structure into a world of aromatic rings and extra layers of molecular complexity. In this transformation, it keeps the backbone of L-tartaric acid, but its properties take on a new focus. It doesn’t just appear as one neat solid—a glance at the bulk reveals everything from fine crystals to hard, irregular lumps, each hinting at slightly different handling needs. Clear, almost translucent, and free-flowing, this solid carries a density that sits close to 1.4 g/cm³, meaning it packs more punch in the same scoop compared to some polyatomic powders. The molecular formula, C18H14O8, translates to a molar mass of about 358.3 g/mol, where the benzoyl groups bring stability and the tartaric core keeps things chiral.
Looking at its detailed hand, (-)-Di-1,4-O-benzoyl-L-tartaric acid does not melt at low temperatures; it pushes into the 146-148°C range before turning liquid, which plays out well in laboratory synthesis settings that call for robust, temperature-sensitive reagents. This resistance to heat keeps it stable during transport and basic processing. Solubility tells another story—submerged in water, it offers only mild cooperation, but slide it into an organic solvent like ethanol or methanol, and it dissolves almost completely. This selective solubility forms the backbone of its role in advanced chemical synthesis, especially within chiral separations and as an intermediate for pharmaceutical raw materials. Each batch arrives with a purity near or above 99%, free of major contaminants by gas chromatography and fit for high-stakes use in industry. Flakes are dry to the touch, and they don’t soften or cake under normal humidity, which keeps things predictable in storage and transfer.
Looking through a structural lens, (-)-Di-1,4-O-benzoyl-L-tartaric acid stretches into a configuration packed with benzene rings. These rings come from the benzoyl derivatives, and hang on the tartaric acid at the 1 and 4 positions, twisting the backbone into a chiral, optically active form recognized easily by polarimetry or NMR. In practice, the molecule resists racemization. Chemists see a steady rotation when they shoot polarized light through a solution, which helps confirm both the identity and the purity for sensitive chiral applications in both laboratory research and commercial manufacturing. The molecule holds together over a range of pH values, and steers clear of breaking down without strong acid or base intervention.
In the supply room, you spot (-)-Di-1,4-O-benzoyl-L-tartaric acid stacked among others destined for use in the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and fine chemical sectors. Companies rely on it to help split racemic mixtures, a tricky process that separates all those left- and right-handed molecules into their pure, active forms. Some pharmaceutical syntheses need that, with an eye toward chiral purity because the effectiveness and safety of drugs often hang on which version goes into the body. As raw material, this acid veers toward the specialist side, never a volume commodity, but an enabler for high-value products. The supply chain typically assigns it to HS Code 2918.19, which groups it with other carboxylic acid derivatives but sets it apart enough for customs and regulatory declarations.
Chemists pour or scoop the acid in solid form—powder, occasionally as flakes, less often as a coarse crystalline chunk. Liquids and solutions don’t usually show up in inventory since the pure compound is most stable as a dry raw solid. Packing standards warn against lumping material under heavy weight, because compression turns it into a brick that’s not easy to reconstitute. Those working with the acid register its faint aromatic odor, a hint of the benzoyl groups, and use that as a check alongside technical documentation. Storage conditions sit in routine chemical territory—dry, out of direct sunlight, kept away from acids, bases, and strong oxidizers that could spark breakdown.
Workers and researchers keep one eye on the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and one on their gloves. Skin contact can cause mild irritation if handled much without protection, and at higher concentrations the powder could irritate mucous membranes or eyes. Inhalation risk sits in the low-to-moderate bracket; accidental spills call for dust masks to steer clear of sneezing and discomfort. For most labs and industrial settings, standard chemical precautions—goggles, gloves, lab coats—suffice. The compound is not flagged as acutely toxic to humans by oral, dermal, or inhalation routes, though fish and aquatic invertebrates cannot shake it off so easily, so careful disposal rules apply. Avoiding unintentional release into drains or the environment marks one key difference from some lower-impact acids. Shipping labels use the “harmful if swallowed” and “causes skin irritation” tags. The hazard pictograms stick with the exclamation mark, not full skull-and-crossbones territory. Workers keep the compound away from food, drink, and incompatible chemicals, keeping the shop floor safe and the product pure.
Plenty of chemical firms and labs feel the squeeze of handling specialty organic acids with purity this high. To sidestep product loss and contamination, better-designed packaging could go a long way; moisture-proof liners help, as do redesigned drums for improved flow and minimal dust. Improved training around cleanup and emergency spill procedures can keep workplace safety breaches rare. For environmental impacts, closed-loop recovery systems stand out; these capture spent materials for recycling rather than sending traces of organic acid down wastewater drains. Manufacturers can invest in greener synthesis routes that sidestep toxic solvents and cut down on overall waste, stacking up economic and environmental gains. Customers, too, can ask for full traceability from source to finished product, which keeps suppliers honest and helps weed out impurities that crop up in global chemical trade.
In my years working around specialty organics, seeing how one intermediate can shape a process or unravel a batch has taught me to respect the specifics of compounds like (-)-Di-1,4-O-benzoyl-L-tartaric acid. Its unique mix of physical strength, sensitive function, and requisite caution means the substance deserves more than a passing glance on a safety chart or product catalog. Effective collaboration between suppliers and end users, paired with real transparency about composition and hazards, lifts outcomes for manufacturing, research, and the people who put their hands on these materials every day. Solutions get built by looking at every step, from synthetic source to pile of waste drums after use, because that's how chemical management turns from risk to reward.
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