Phenylephrine bitartrate comes up in plenty of discussions about chemical raw materials. People who work in the pharmaceutical industry know this ingredient well, especially as a decongestant or vasoconstrictor. On the shelf, this compound usually turns up as a white to almost-white crystalline powder. There’s a density that feels notable when handling it by volume — with a specific gravity close to 1.5 g/cm³, it holds together without clumping in the usual humidity. Phenylephrine bitartrate draws a line between fragile and stable, sitting as solid flakes, fine pearls, powder, or clear crystalline forms depending on how it’s processed. The flake and crystal forms break under pressure but dissolve fast in water, producing a clear, nearly colorless solution. This unique solubility plays a role in efficient blending for tablet pressing or solution mixing.
From the raw materials side, phenylephrine bitartrate gets tapped mostly for its punch as an active pharmaceutical ingredient. Chemists favor it for its manageable handling and stable structure, especially during the tableting phase or when blending in liquid preparations. Its melting point sits around 163°C, a property that matters in manufacturing lines where heat stability can shape outcomes. The material brings no distinctive odor and doesn’t significantly cake, so storage and transport tend to be straightforward. Whenever factories look for reliable inputs, the odds are high that they will lean toward crystalline solids like phenylephrine bitartrate, simply for the balance between reactivity and physical stability.
Diving into its molecular side, phenylephrine bitartrate packs the formula C9H13NO2·C4H6O6. One molecule of phenylephrine links with one molecule of tartaric acid, crafting a bitartrate salt that’s recognized for its improved solubility and better handling compared to the base compound. If you check under a good microscope, the crystalline shape comes clear: sharp, slant-edged particles packed tight. From a chemist’s point of view, this translates to predictable dissolution rates and consistent dosing, which keep safety margins steady. Its HS Code—29394000—puts it among the alkaloids and derivatives for global customs.
In any warehouse, volunteers can spot pure phenylephrine bitartrate by its fine, light-reflective flakes or simplified pearls. No one will mistake it for coarse industrial powders. Whether poured from a drum or scooped with a spatula, it behaves as a free-flowing mass, opposing the usual issues seen with hygroscopic materials. Its density clocks in at approximately 1.5 grams per cubic centimeter, giving enough heft for precise measuring in both large-scale and small-scale applications. Used as a powder, it disperses without sticking. In solution, it kicks off as clear with no noticeable sediment, even when sitting for hours at room temperature or below. This consistency is a lifesaver in high-throughput settings where time means money.
Anyone who’s handled raw phenylephrine bitartrate knows it behaves more predictably than many chemical peers. Even so, safety comes first; this compound can be harmful if inhaled or if it contacts the skin in unchecked amounts. Like most chemicals of its class, wearing gloves and using a dust mask does the trick, especially since irritation can sneak up. The safety data sheets all tell the same story: keep the material dry, work in a ventilated space, and respond promptly to any spills. It isn’t an outright hazardous material by international standards, but repeated, careless exposure brings risks you don’t want. Unlike some raw ingredients that corrode metal or react violently, phenylephrine bitartrate stays inert under most typical lab and production conditions. Proper labeling and locked cabinets are standard practice not because of volatility, but simply out of respect for chemical hygiene and accident prevention.
Every production manager faces the challenge of maintaining purity, preventing cross-contamination, and ensuring safety for workers and the environment. Phenylephrine bitartrate’s physical form reduces risks from dust and static charges, especially when compared to highly volatile agents. Keeping air circulation strong, storing raw material in airtight, labeled drums, and using anti-static containers lowers potential hazards. Spills clean up easily; a damp cloth or vacuum for fine powders gets the work done. Regular training helps keep workers alert to the specific irritant properties of phenylephrine bitartrate, with emergency wash stations nearby as a backup. For environmental care, collection and controlled disposal of any excess material stops waste streams from picking up traces. The steady, predictable behavior of this raw material cuts down on sudden surprises, which stands out as a real upside in operations pushing for zero-incident records.
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