Norepinephrine hydrogen tartrate belongs to a class of raw materials used in pharmaceuticals and biochemical research. Recognized for its crucial role in mimicking the neurotransmitter activity of norepinephrine, this compound appears as a crystalline solid or powder. Product shipments often arrive in dense, off-white to slightly yellow crystal forms or flakes. The visual texture tells a story about its purity and careful synthesis, derived from the hydrogen tartrate salt of norepinephrine—bracingly hydrophilic, ready to dissolve in water, but practically insoluble in alcohol and organic solvents.
This compound carries a molecular formula of C8H11NO3·C4H6O6, reflecting the pairing of norepinephrine with tartaric acid. The molecular weight lies near 337.3 g/mol. Shipping labels identify it with HS Code 2922.49.9000 in most customs environments. Each shipment draws scrutiny from quality teams trained to recognize visible impurities, clumping, or evidence of moisture. Density typically rests near 1.5 g/cm³, reflecting the tightly packed crystalline structure confirmed by lab data. Stability at room temperature helps with shelf storage, but temperature control in transit and inventory rooms brings extra assurance for researchers and manufacturers. The acid salt format stabilizes norepinephrine, slowing its degradation in air, especially when sealed in opaque, airtight containers.
Every molecular model of norepinephrine hydrogen tartrate shows a benzene ring bonded with a pair of hydroxyl groups, an amino group, and then complexed with tartaric acid. Structural diagrams reveal how this pairing offers hydrogen bonding potential. This matters in wet lab settings—solubility in water rises, but the compound resists clumping in powder or flake form. Under a microscope, crystals often appear as colorless or faintly yellowish platelets, clustering in piles. The solid structure helps minimize dust dispersal, reducing accidental inhalation risk. On contact with water, those crystals dissolve rapidly, presenting as a clear solution useful for chemical reactions, buffer preparations, and titration in pharmaceutical controls. The aroma lacks volatility, leaving the storage space odorless, in contrast to more pungent amines or amides.
My own time in biochemistry labs often involved receiving flasks labeled for norepinephrine hydrogen tartrate. The substance resists clumping far better than many amine salts, saving time in weighing protocols. Whether scooping from a bag of chunky flakes or transferring fine, pearl-like solids, the texture slides easily from spatula to weighing paper. It packs efficiently into bottles for density tests, and even a gentle tap from a glass rod was enough to settle the powder evenly. In solution, it dissolves fully in distilled water to offer a crystal-clear finish, ideal for microdosing experiments on smooth muscle tissue in physiological baths.
Depending on supplier equipment and the needs of different industries, the same chemical may arrive as large flat flakes, fine powder, compressed pearls, or broken solid chunks. Flakes show up in research and bulk manufacturing due to their easier handling and lower dust risk. Fine powder versions allow precision in small-scale test tubes, but suppliers need to ensure anti-caking agents are absent to guarantee pure process control. Pearl and bead versions sometimes find their way into automated dosing systems, especially in pharmaceutical assembly lines that rely on solid feeding mechanisms. Highly crystalline versions serve spectroscopy and calibration purposes; their light refraction and stability help in accurate quantitation and purity checks.
In the busy world of research, knowing the density and solubility of a compound matters for everything from solution preparation to instrument calibration. With norepinephrine hydrogen tartrate, a density close to 1.5 g/cm³ means packing and volumetric measurement stay predictable. Most laboratory staff weigh out the flakes or powder directly into volumetric flasks, dissolve with distilled water at room temperature, then adjust to the target concentration. The compound resists rapid decomposition, but over months, even tightly sealed containers may show a slight color change, indicating gradual oxidation; refrigeration or storage under nitrogen extends usability. Hazmat labels flag the product as a chemical requiring careful handling. Eye protection, gloves, and dust masks form part of routine safety, particularly when decanting large quantities or preparing concentrated solutions.
Safety data on norepinephrine hydrogen tartrate echoes real-world experience: low toxicity in routine handling, but sensible caution during weighing and mixing. Direct inhalation of powders or handling with bare skin can cause irritation, though such cases rarely escalate given laboratory precautions. Material safety data advises immediate washing with water in case of accidental exposure. Spills clean up easily given the crystalline or flake form, which doesn’t flow rapidly or become airborne. Waste disposal guidelines point toward categorization as a regulated chemical, not regular laboratory trash; incineration or treatment at chemical waste facilities keeps harmful breakdown byproducts out of public water systems. That’s an important responsibility for any lab manager or production supervisor—to make sure material life cycles extend from safe delivery to proper chemical disposal, limiting broader environmental risks.
Production line managers and pharmaceutical formulation teams rely on norepinephrine hydrogen tartrate as a key precursor in beta-agonist preparations, vasopressor research, and even some in vitro diagnostics. Receiving the product in standardized flake, powder, or pearl form allows for precise control over batch chemistry, traceability, and downstream quality. That’s why sourcing from proven suppliers, backed by certificates of analysis and solid logistics, matters for product success. Shipment tracking, batch records, and hazard labeling all stack up to form a careful chain, shaping the way raw materials like this move through the supply network. Each lab or manufacturer becomes a local steward, ensuring that every transfer from drum to flask stays safe and compliant.
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