L-(+)-THREO-1-PHENYL-2-AMINO-1,3-PROPANEDIOL: Substance Insight

What is L-(+)-THREO-1-PHENYL-2-AMINO-1,3-PROPANEDIOL?

L-(+)-Threo-1-phenyl-2-amino-1,3-propanediol stands out in the catalog of fine chemicals. This compound, recognized in the chemical trade and research sectors, draws attention because of its unique structure and practical value across pharmaceutical and chemical synthesis fields. The chemical falls under the HS Code 2922.49, which covers a spectrum of amino alcohols, including derivatives like this threo isomer. Applications often link to its role as a key intermediate in producing active pharmaceutical components or as a building block in academia-driven syntheses.

Structure, Formula, and Properties

This molecule presents the formula C9H13NO2, offering a blend of a phenyl ring, an amino group, and two hydroxyl groups arranged on a three-carbon chain. Structurally, its backbone puts the amino group at the central carbon, with hydroxyls flanking both ends of the chain. Such a configuration brings chirality into play, and the ‘threo’ descriptor marks the spatial arrangement of substituents—this matters for downstream chemical behavior and biological function. Its molecular weight clocks in at roughly 167.21 g/mol. The presence of both hydrophobic (phenyl) and hydrophilic (amino, diol) features shapes solubility and reactivity profiles, influencing practical handling in both academic and industrial environments.

Appearance and Physical State

L-(+)-Threo-1-phenyl-2-amino-1,3-propanediol arrives in several physical forms. Most commonly, it takes the shape of colorless to white crystalline solids. Depending on manufacture or storage conditions, the substance turns up as flakes, powder, small pearls, or even as a crystalline solid mass. Each form lends itself to different workflows. The crystalline form shines under polarized light due to its chiral structure. The solid state offers higher density (usually above 1.2 g/cm³), making for relatively easy measuring and storage in glass or chemical-grade containers.

Chemical and Physical Properties

The molecule offers a melting point typically above 150°C, suggesting thermal robustness under standard conditions and making it suitable for a range of synthetic procedures that demand stable intermediates. As a result of its alcohol groups, the solid dissolves in water, ethanol, and other polar solvents. Each batch, when handled in the lab, offers a direct lesson in the effect a molecule’s structure has on practical properties—moisture absorption, solubility, and safety depend on those two primary hydroxy groups and the phenyl presence. A careful whiff will show near-odorless behavior, and direct physical handling usually turns up no irritation, provided contact stays short and follows standard PPE guidelines.

Safety, Hazards, and Handling

L-(+)-Threo-1-phenyl-2-amino-1,3-propanediol bears attention in handling, owing to its chemical nature. Available data and safety sheets show this compound sits at the safer end of the laboratory spectrum, though ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact during weighing or solution preparation brings mild to moderate risks—seeking irritative or sensitizing responses for those with hypersensitive reactions to amines or diols. Proper storage calls for tightly sealed containers, dry environments, and access only to trained personnel. Spills on the bench clean up with routine lab solvents, though powders need careful scooping to avoid particulate spread. Disposal tracks standard paths for non-halogenated organics, usually under supervision by environmental health personnel found at any reputable research facility.

Raw Material and Chemical Sourcing

In recent years, the demand for molecules like L-(+)-Threo-1-phenyl-2-amino-1,3-propanediol has followed the expanding reach of pharmaceutical and fine chemical innovation. As a feeder material, its manufacturing roots stretch through chiral resolution routes from benzaldehyde derivatives and protected amino alcohols in industrial syntheses. Each kilogram sourced from a trusted producer carries certification of purity (often 98-99%), guaranteeing reliability for downstream chemistry. Raw material purity directly affects the value and safety of research outcomes, so analytical controls—NMR, IR, and HPLC—stay close at hand during incoming material inspection.

Practical Considerations for Research and Industry

Working with this molecule teaches how raw materials can shape experimental outcomes. Simple solubility tests demonstrate its affinity for polar and semi-polar solvents, making solution-phase reactions straightforward. I’ve found measuring out dense, flaked crystals speeds up dissolve times, while finer powders tend to clump and pick up ambient moisture—the practical reason for handling everything with spatulas and gloves. Some colleagues mention switching between powder and crystalline forms based on the reaction’s speed and expected product purity. Storage works best in amber bottles, tucked into desiccators, avoiding exposure to humidity that would transform the physical state and introduce uncertainty into scaled operations.

Why Properties and Documentation Matter

The story of L-(+)-Threo-1-phenyl-2-amino-1,3-propanediol echoes a broader lesson: Properties, structure, and trusted sourcing matter just as much in practice as they do on a data sheet. Each parameter, from melting point to form, dictates success in complex syntheses and routine processes. Laboratories depend on suppliers providing honest documentation on HS code, hazard class, and analytical checks. Those checks keep innovation possible, letting pharmaceutical and chemical research go further while protecting the well-being of people tasked with daily hands-on work.