Epinephrine hydrogen tartrate appears across pharmaceutical manufacturing, biotechnology, and emergency medicine. Professionals working with it deal with a compound that blends the life-saving urgency of epinephrine—commonly called adrenaline—with the stabilizing presence of hydrogen tartrate. This combination increases both solubility and longevity for storage, making it suitable for lab, clinical, and on-the-road medical settings where reliability means everything. In physical terms, epinephrine hydrogen tartrate typically shows up as fine, white to off-white crystals or a powder, sometimes forming “flakes” or granular solids depending on storage conditions and processing methods.
Looking at its molecular structure, epinephrine hydrogen tartrate merges two main components: the epinephrine part (with its well-known catecholamine skeleton) and the tartaric acid hydrogen salt. The molecular formula reads as C9H13NO3·C4H6O6, signaling a careful balance between organic bases and acids. This brings a molecular weight of around 333.29 g/mol. For those invested in chemical logistics, handling, or international trade, the HS Code generally used for this chemical falls under 2939.11, which aligns with organic compounds similar in kind. Epinephrine hydrogen tartrate holds its place as a pivotal raw material, especially in injectable solutions where dose accuracy matters and in advanced research where conditions can’t be left to guesswork.
Dive into its properties, and the compound stands out due to its water solubility—an important trait for delivering fast medication in critical scenarios. Solutions prepared with it maintain clarity and consistency at typical pharmaceutical concentrations. The compound remains mostly odorless, with a slight acidic taste if tested under strict laboratory safety conditions. Crystallization tends toward the formation of colorless to slightly yellowish flakes or powder. Measured density commonly sits around 1.5 g/cm³ in its solid crystalline form, although minor variations can sneak in depending on environmental moisture and lot preparation. Its melting point generally appears near 220°C, offering predictable results for chemists who need a firm set of constants.
Every lab tech and clinical pharmacist knows that materials behave differently depending on how they're provided. Epinephrine hydrogen tartrate, as a raw ingredient, comes in flexible formats: powder form for bulk handling, crystalline flakes for exact scaling in smaller batch work, and ready-to-use aqueous solutions meant for direct medical use. Its solubility in water means that preparing a high-concentration solution doesn’t take much time, and the resulting liquid stores relatively well under dark, cool conditions, though stability always depends on packaging and the absence of airborne oxidants.
Real-world experiences in pharmaceutical prep rooms highlight the importance of paying attention to the density and hygroscopic nature of this compound. It absorbs moisture from the air, so handlers keep it tightly sealed in glass or poly containers with desiccant packs. Stability data demonstrates reliable chemistry as long as storage stays below 25°C and direct sunlight doesn’t hit the material. Regular inventory checks matter because exposure to air or improper closure can clump the powder or diminish potency, compromising both research and patient safety. Those who measure out epinephrine hydrogen tartrate daily watch for these telltale signs that a batch has gone off-spec.
Personal experience with hazardous materials teaches caution. Epinephrine hydrogen tartrate, while life-saving as a finished medicine, calls for careful PPE use in manufacturing or compounding. Direct contact with the powder or its solutions can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Inhalation risks run higher for those working with open containers or mixing large batches. Accidental spills demand quick, methodical cleanup with proper gloves, goggles, and ventilation. On a larger scale, the compound qualifies as hazardous for both workplace safety data sheets and transportation, as defined by chemical regulatory agencies in the US, EU, and Asia. Trained staff know to store it away from strong bases, oxidizers, and open flames, and every batch moving through customs gets documented against the correct HS Code and specification sheets to avoid legal or health issues down the line.
Epinephrine hydrogen tartrate rarely escapes into the general environment thanks to tight control in industrial and hospital settings. Disposal still matters, and experience says it’s always better to send unused or expired product through an approved incineration or chemical neutralization pathway. Drains and landfill can’t handle compounds of this potency. Organizations with strong environmental, safety, and quality controls make sure to follow these protocols, not only for regulatory compliance but out of genuine concern for downstream consequences. Waste manifests and inventory sheets form the backbone of a responsible supply chain that ensures this raw material performs only as intended—never as an accidental pollutant.
Epinephrine hydrogen tartrate’s wide use across emergency medicine and research keeps the conversation open about how organizations support training. Every new staff member gets introduced to its chemical properties, hazard profile, and the correct way to handle spills or exposures. Experienced managers review standard operating procedures each year, confirming that on-the-ground routines fit real-world risks. International standards and continuous professional education make sure manufacturers and clinicians work off the same page, with up-to-date facts on molecular structure, proper storage, safe dissolving, and disposal. From the warehouse shelf to a critical care unit, its journey demands respect for both the science and the responsibility that comes with handling a potent raw material.