Norepinephrine tartrate shows up in many hospital settings and chemical supply chains. As a raw material, it draws the eye because of its role in emergency medicine and as a chemical building block. The compound comes from norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter, with tartrate as the salt form to help with stability and solubility. You usually see it labeled by its molecular formula C8H11NO3·C4H6O6. This means two molecules—one from the base norepinephrine, one from the tartaric acid—link up and give rise to consistent physical and chemical traits.
Norepinephrine tartrate often appears as a white or off-white powder, sometimes forming fine flakes or crystalline aggregates, depending on the production method. The solid material is stable at room temperature but draws in moisture easily from the air. It does not exhibit a strong odor. You can also find it in lab settings as a solution, usually mixed with water or saline, where it becomes clear and colorless, ready for precise dosing. In bulk, its solid phase remains easy to weigh and transfer, though it can cake if left exposed. Its density hovers around 1.5 g/cm3, making it heavier than a lot of organic solids, so even small amounts pack some weight in a vial.
Taking a closer look at the structure, norepinephrine brings the catechol ring with two hydroxyl groups attached to a two-carbon chain that also has an amino group; tartrate comes from tartaric acid with its own hydroxy and carboxyl groups. Combine the two through salt formation and the resulting molecule provides key stability and water solubility. The molecular formula, adjusted for the salt, reads as C12H17NO9, with a molar mass around 339.26 g/mol. This structure matters for storage and solubility, ensuring norepinephrine tartrate can dissolve in both polar solvents and be used in a range of chemical preparations or medical formulations.
Norepinephrine tartrate manufactured for pharmaceutical use gets held to strict purity standards—at least 98% by high-performance liquid chromatography—because impurities hurt both safety and function. The specification sheet calls for identification tests by infrared spectroscopy, clear melting point ranges, loss on drying below 1.0%, and limited heavy metals contamination. Each batch receives a unique lot number and related Certificate of Analysis before shipment. In industrial applications, specifications can flex somewhat, but even then, users watch for particulate matter, pH range of solutions from 3.0 to 5.0 when dissolved in water, and precise assay content.
For worldwide shipment, norepinephrine tartrate uses the Harmonized System (HS) code 2939.41, which covers simple catecholamine derivatives. This code helps customs officials, traders, and warehousing keep track of movements across borders. Shipments frequently face additional scrutiny due to its potential as a controlled substance precursor and the critical nature of its uses in healthcare.
Working with norepinephrine tartrate demands a sharp awareness of chemical safety protocols. The powder can act as a mild irritant if inhaled or if it lands on the skin. Gloves and mask cut down on exposure, and laboratory eyewash stations must sit nearby, since splashes in the eye require fast rinsing. Spilled powder should get swept up with damp towels, not dry, since dry dust may hang in the air. Storage in dry, tight-sealed containers prolongs shelf life and prevents clumping.
Pharmacologically, norepinephrine acts strongly on the cardiovascular system—it can spike blood pressure fast if mishandled, so that makes correct dosing and secure labeling non-negotiable in clinics. In chemical plants, environmental teams keep an eye on runoff, making sure any waste solution gets neutralized before disposal, preventing risks to both workers and ecosystems.
This chemical transitions easily from raw, solid forms like powder or pearls to aqueous mixes, thanks to its water-soluble nature. Whether packed in drums as a powder or glass vials as a sterile injection, volume gets measured not only by weight (grams or kilograms) but also liquid concentration—often in milligrams per milliliter—when dissolved for use. Care in preparing these solutions avoids dosage errors, a big concern where high-potency cardiovascular agents are involved.
In the bigger industrial context, norepinephrine tartrate plays a behind-the-scenes role. Research labs use it for making diagnostic kits that look for neurotransmitter imbalances. Chemical manufacturers may use it as a building block for less common adrenoreceptor drugs, each batch traceable by its HS code and documented under safety data. The need for reliable supply lines remains high, since hospitals and industrial users rely on this compound not only for its direct therapeutic effects but for the basis it gives other, more complex medical products.
One big issue comes down to stability. Even though norepinephrine tartrate keeps better than some related chemicals, humidity and light can slowly break it down, turning it brown and decreasing potency. Vacuum-sealed packaging combined with opaque containers holds up shelf life during shipping or long-term storage. In my time supporting hospital pharmacy logistics, it became clear that the smallest flakes or powders, if not managed right, often contaminate neighboring materials—so clearly labeled, compartmentalized bins prevent mix-ups and exposure incidents. Regulatory compliance matters just as much, as improper handling or mislabeling invites fines or worse, which keeps focus high on continuous staff safety training and chemical tracking from receiving dock through to point of care.
Norepinephrine tartrate stands out through its clear chemical structure, reliable solid and solution forms, rigorous handling specifications, and crucial implications for both industry and healthcare. Every stage—from raw crystalline powder to diluted solution—calls for care and attention, shaped by decades of experience, updated regulations, and the steady pressure to drive safer outcomes for both workers and patients. Each supply shipment and every safety protocol contributes to the larger goal of responsible, effective use in science and medicine.
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