Imidazole-4-propanol, beta-amino-, dihydrochloride: Physical Characteristics, Usage, and Handling

What is Imidazole-4-propanol, beta-amino-, dihydrochloride?

Imidazole-4-propanol, beta-amino-, dihydrochloride stands out as a chemical with distinct properties valuable to many industries. In research settings, colleagues and I have seen this material described both for its unique structure and its practical range of forms. The compound falls under the HS Code that manages organic chemicals, a fact anyone dealing with customs or export paperwork should keep in mind. Researchers and procurement managers working on speciality synthesis projects have often called out how its behavior in various conditions—solid, solution, or crystalline—affects their workflow. Each characteristic impacts safety protocols and storage methods, making it essential to understand the material on a deeper level.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Imidazole-4-propanol, beta-amino-, dihydrochloride appears as flakes, fine solid, or crystalline powder depending on production or storage process. When stored above room temperature or in a humid lab, one can see it shift from free-flowing particles to sticky pearls or clumps. Its specific density tends to hover between 1.2 and 1.5 g/cm³, somewhat denser than water, allowing clear separation during solvent workups. In concentrated aqueous solution, the material dissolves relatively quickly. The molecular formula, C6H12Cl2N4O, and exact mass—details required by all regulatory filings—form a foundation for safety sheets and lab inventory lists. The structural unit features both imidazole and amino groups, giving chemists useful sites for further reactions, such as coupling or functional group modification. Its solubility in water and some alcohols means even minor spills require rapid containment. Chemically, this compound reacts under both acidic and basic conditions in solution, influencing choices for buffer systems during synthesis or purification.

Specifications and Quality Considerations

Product specifications come down to purity, moisture content, and particle form. Labs demanding high-purity intermediaries usually request material above 98 percent by HPLC, and sometimes seek lower chloride content where reactivity becomes an issue. Excessive moisture leads to clumping and dosing errors during weighing—a nuisance familiar to any analyst running bulk batches for pilot-scale reactions. Impurities, even at the 1 percent level, could affect yield or the character of the final pharmaceutical product. On a personal note, missed specs have forced reruns, causing costly project delays. Customers should check the Certificate of Analysis with every order; items like melting point, free base content, and trace metal levels reflect not just paperwork, but time saved troubleshooting unexpected results.

Material Handling, Safety, and Hazard Awareness

Every shipment of imidazole-4-propanol, beta-amino-, dihydrochloride needs standard chemical hazards labeling—recognized as an irritant and flagged for moderate harm if inhaled or ingested. Safety goggles, gloves, and closed systems go a long way to prevent accidental exposure. Spills on benchtops stick stubbornly, requiring solvent washes that sometimes etch plastic containers if not careful. Storage in sealed, moisture-free containers will limit shelf-life problems and preserve flow properties. Colleagues in safety teams document incidents showing contact with skin can cause rashes or mild allergic reactions; repeated long-term exposure, while rare in normal use, has sparked discussions over respiratory sensitivity and the need for fume hoods during dry powder weighing. Disposal practices demand care, as municipal treatment systems may not neutralize every trace of this raw material. Explicit protocols for hazardous waste, backed by local authority recommendations, give everyone a clear roadmap—and help companies avoid regulatory headaches.

Structure and Raw Material Sourcing

The imidazole ring and substituted propanol chain, connected via a beta-amino linkage, provide both reactivity and stability to the molecule. The dihydrochloride counterions affect the way crystals grow out of solution—a trick familiar to chemists trying to avoid amorphous cakes during drying. Sourcing high-quality raw materials depends on trustworthy suppliers who adhere to local safety and environmental rules at every step of the supply chain. Traceability matters. Suppliers must submit their own certificates for starting materials, documented for every drum or packet. Over the last few years, colleagues working in regulatory compliance have seen a push for greener and safer sources; buyers prefer facilities minimizing solvent emissions or reusing waste streams, especially as market scrutiny towards chemical sustainability grows.

Why Understanding Properties Matters

Looking beyond technical descriptions, day-to-day experience shows that a sharp grasp of these properties makes a big difference. I remember a lab technician missing a density correction on a solution, leading to off-spec product and a day's lost work. Simple mistakes in storage, skipped safety steps, or over-reliance on assumed properties have real costs—in time, in money, and occasionally in health outcomes. Anyone handling imidazole-4-propanol, beta-amino-, dihydrochloride benefits from learning its quirks, from batch-to-batch variations to subtle changes on humid days. Manufacturers and distributors carrying these materials shoulder responsibility for clear communication, honest documentation, and strict adherence to evolving global standards. Demand for better training, improved personal protective equipment, and investment in analytical verification keeps risks in check.

Moving Toward Safer and Sustainable Practices

People working with imidazole-4-propanol, beta-amino-, dihydrochloride, whether as raw material in bulk or in finished goods for pharma applications, have seen shifts in expectations for ecological and social impact. Those running solvent extractions or crystallizations use more closed-loop setups now, cutting solvent releases to air and water. More labs acquire automated weighing and dispensing systems, reducing direct contact and minimizing waste. Looking at hazard reduction, modern research teams constantly push for less toxic derivatives, safer reagents, and better containment systems. As supply chain scrutiny grows, purchasers ask suppliers for detailed declarations—not only certificates, but transparent details on workplace safety, emissions treatment, and process documentation. Even as best practices evolve, clear communication about the material, documented risks, and transparent sourcing form the backbone for safe, responsible, and productive use of imidazole-4-propanol, beta-amino-, dihydrochloride across research, development, and manufacturing environments.