dl-Dimethylaminoethanol bitartrate brings together a reputation in chemical synthesis alongside quite a few practical uses in different industries. Chemically, it carries the molecular formula C6H15NO3·C4H6O6. Chemists spot this compound by its two-part identity: dimethylaminoethanol paired with tartaric acid. Each part shapes what the material can do in a lab or in production. Many call it DMAE bitartrate for short, referring to the dimethylaminoethanol structure and the paired bitartrate group. This combination results in a solid form, often appearing as fine crystalline powder or small white flakes. When seeing or handling the material, folks notice a neutral to slightly amine-like scent, bringing home the connection to amino chemistry right away.
A closer look at the structure reveals a molecule with both amine and alcohol groups offered up by dimethylaminoethanol, linked ionically to the bitartrate. This arrangement gives the compound its water solubility and certain handy buffering properties. The physical form usually comes as a free-flowing white or pale solid. Density hovers around 1.2 g/cm³ depending on moisture content. Most samples arrive as fine powder, but some batches might take the shape of glistening pearls or small crystalline chunks, which relates to the conditions during manufacture and storage. This powder dissolves quickly in water to produce a clear, nearly odorless solution, which sometimes gets used in test kits or buffers where steady pH matters.
On the technical front, pure dl-dimethylaminoethanol bitartrate weighs in at a molar mass of about 273.28 g/mol. Its chemical makeup means it resists simple degradation and reacts in predictable ways with other basic and acidic chemicals. Because it boasts high solubility, it fits roles where rapid solution or good dispersion is needed. Purity usually comes rated above 98% for industrial or research supply, making the compound a reliable ingredient when strict formulation counts. The HS Code for this material most often falls under 2922.19, used globally for customs and shipping paperwork. This code keeps logistics clear, especially across borders.
Industries that tap into the properties of dl-dimethylaminoethanol bitartrate stretch from pharmaceutical research to specialty coatings, and even nutritional supplements in some corners. It acts as a building block for more complex molecules, sometimes working as a pH buffer, sometimes as a stabilizer or precursor in synthesis. Some find it listed as a raw material for pharmaceutical actives or fine chemicals, where the exacting specs really count. While it brings value in the lab or factory, folks need to keep the risks in mind. This chemical can irritate eyes, skin, and breathing passages, especially when inhaled as dust or when solutions splash. Without proper gloves and ventilation, regular handling builds up minor but troublesome health effects. Its harmful nature means that good storage habits, quick spill responses, and personal protective equipment go hand in hand with regular use. Never eat, drink, or smoke around open containers, and always label waste and containers as hazardous chemical waste.
A story about dl-dimethylaminoethanol bitartrate is not just about specs and formulas. It’s about how each chemical, big or small, arrives as part of a global system—raw material to finished product, research bench to regulated warehouse shelf. As someone who’s spent time in R&D and logistics, I can speak to the headaches that come when a shipment gets flagged due to poor labeling or out-of-date HS codes. Layers of regulations protect people and the environment, but they only help if people put in real effort. Manufacturers need to keep documentation air-tight, end users need clear training, and everyone touching the supply chain needs to stay sharp on chemical changes, safety data sheets, and hazard symbols as regulatory shifts happen. Beyond the paperwork, smart investment in lab ventilation, spill kits, and hands-on training makes more difference than piles of paper warnings.
Plenty of talk circles around safer substitutes these days. Some industries hope for alternatives to certain chemicals due to chronic exposure hazards. In the real world, innovation only takes hold when a replacement proves as reliable and cost-effective. Until that day, best practices win every time: treat respected chemicals with caution, invest where it counts for worker health, push suppliers for purity and clarity, and balance efficiency with responsibility. Everyone from small labs to global outfits needs to keep an eye out for eco-friendlier handling and smarter waste disposal to limit harm down the line.
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