Diisopropyl d-tartrate stands as a colorless liquid commonly found in chemical laboratories and manufacturing settings. Recognized by its chemical formula C10H18O6, this compound carries significant weight in modern organic synthesis. Typically, you will find diisopropyl d-tartrate in liquid form, although its structure and properties leave room for it to crystallize under cold conditions. Chemists, process engineers, and manufacturers who work with asymmetric synthesis often turn to this material to help drive chiral resolution—one of the most complex and vital processes in pharmaceutical development. The substance presents itself either through direct distillation or derived from d-tartaric acid reacted with isopropanol.
Talking density, diisopropyl d-tartrate clocks in at about 1.105 g/cm³ at 20°C, putting it on the heavier side for solvents used in the lab but light compared to more metallic reagents. The exact structure includes a d-tartrate backbone where both carboxyl groups are esterified with isopropyl alcohol, creating an asymmetric, optically active molecule. It has a melting point slightly below room temperature, so you may spot it as a liquid in the bottle but as a viscous or semi-solid in colder environments or during shipping. Its faint, almost floral alcohol scent becomes noticeable if you spill a bit on the bench. One of the critical secrets to its unique properties lies in the d-configuration of the tartrate ion, leading to chirality in the finished product.
Molecular structure plays a large part in how diisopropyl d-tartrate reacts with other substances. For catalytic purposes, such as Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation, this material teams up with titanium isopropoxide to help chemists control the exact three-dimensional shape of a molecule they want to build. That sounds esoteric, but it matters deeply if you're tasked with synthesizing a life-saving drug where the difference between d- and l- forms of an intermediate can mean the difference between a cure and a toxin. It resists hydrolysis in neutral and basic solutions but can hydrolyze slowly in the presence of strong acids, reverting to d-tartaric acid and isopropanol. Unlike pure d-tartaric acid, it rarely reacts with metals, so it gets along well in glassware and stainless steel reactors.
The specifications for this compound vary depending on purity, with most suppliers guaranteeing 98% or better. Typical batch analysis lists water content under 0.5% and acid value low enough not to interfere with most synthetic applications. The HS Code most often used for diisopropyl d-tartrate falls under 2918.19.9090, covering carboxylic acids and esters. Importers and customs officers refer to this number for duties and regulatory paperwork, especially when the material crosses borders for pharmaceutical or specialty chemical production.
Most batches arrive as a clear, oil-like liquid in sealed glass or HDPE containers. Several times, I've seen it tentatively described as "pearly" or "crystalline" on datasheets, usually when it's chilled and starts to set up as a solid. Contrary to some industrial materials, it doesn’t generate dust or dangerously large vapors in normal lab work, making the physical handling manageable. Pouring the liquid feels much like transferring a heavy alcohol—steady, quick flows with a mild tendency to cling to glass pipettes or gloves. In larger operations, tanks and totes of this material require proper labeling since spills can cause surfaces to become slippery.
Safety data highlight a low immediate hazard profile compared to many industrial chemicals. Diisopropyl d-tartrate doesn’t ignite easily, with a flash point around 120°C. Direct skin contact produces mild irritation at worst, but repeated exposure over a shift may cause dryness or cracking. Inhalation in vapor form triggers only slight throat discomfort, so local ventilation matters mostly to keep odors down rather than to avoid acute toxic effects. Eye contact—like most alcohols and esters—stings sharply, so goggles are a must. Pouring or mixing in enclosed spaces can make people slightly lightheaded, another reason for basic PPE. In shipping, regulators classify it as non-hazardous for ground transport under most international codes, yet safe work habits still demand gloves and eye shields. Waste disposal requires routine organic solvent collection: no dumping down the drain, as it can break down environmental bacteria in wastewater systems.
My own experience in the lab has shown that the availability of high-quality diisopropyl d-tartrate heavily depends on where the tartaric acid itself comes from. Most tartaric acid on the market comes from natural wine lees in Europe and increasingly from synthetic routes in Asia. Suppliers react high-purity d-tartaric acid with isopropanol, distill the ester under vacuum, and test optical purity to ensure the right chirality. Any color or odor signals residual starting materials or side reactions, and the best suppliers provide certificates of analysis for each lot. Pharmaceutical manufacturers rely deeply on this consistency because a slight contaminant or a minor switch in stereochemistry can throw off entire upstream syntheses. Beyond pharma, this compound finds roles in food flavor synthesis, fragrance creation, and even polymer modification as a mild but effective chiral auxiliary.
Problems with purity and stability occasionally crop up. Over the years, I've seen batches arrive cloudy, sour-smelling, or with inconsistent optical rotation: usually signs either of process shortcuts or mishandled temperature during shipping. To improve this, closer supplier vetting, requiring batch-specific spectroscopic data, and maintaining better inventory temperature controls help head off many costly rejections. For smaller firms, pooling purchases through chemical co-operatives keeps raw material pricing in check and forces suppliers to stay honest with documentation. In the end, the broader chemical community benefits most from pushing for cleaner processes and tighter tracking—both for environmental regulations and final product quality.
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