(R)-1-Chloro-2-propanol 98+% shows up in many chemical labs as a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a sharp, biting odor that comes from its molecular structure. The compound, also known as (R)-Chloropropanol, has carved out a place as a core ingredient in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. Its systematic name clearly describes the core: a three-carbon backbone with a hydroxyl group and a chlorine atom attached, giving it both reactivity and flexibility as a raw material.
The compound bears the molecular formula C3H7ClO and a molecular weight of about 94.54 g/mol. Chemists recognize the structure by its chiral center at the second carbon, carrying both the hydrogen and hydroxyl in a specific configuration, which ranks as the (R) enantiomer, not the (S). Its chemical structure leads to different physical and chemical behaviors compared to its mirror image, factoring into selectivity when manufacturers design pharmaceuticals that work in one direction only. Its structure is usually drawn as CH2Cl–CH(OH)–CH3, with the chlorine and hydroxyl groups separated by the central carbon.
(R)-1-Chloro-2-propanol arrives most often as a clear liquid, sometimes with a faint yellow tint if it picks up trace impurities during storage or transport. Its density hovers near 1.079 g/cm3 at 20°C, which puts it slightly heavier than water and many other common organic solvents. It boils at around 127–129°C, the presence of both a polar hydroxyl group and an electronegative chlorine atom making it less volatile than simple alcohols and alkanes. With that boiling range, both distillation and careful temperature control matter at scale. The compound dissolves easily in water, as well as in polar organic solvents such as methanol, acetone, and ether. That water solubility means handling precautions extend to spills, since (R)-1-chloro-2-propanol won’t float away in oil waste–it blends quickly and spreads in aqueous solutions.
Typically stored and shipped as a liquid, it rarely appears in forms like flakes, powder, pearls, or crystals because of its fairly low melting point, which sits near -55°C. These specs separate it from other raw materials or intermediates like isopropanol or glycerol, which can show up in solid or powder forms. Still, in colder climates or specialized processes, some might chill or freeze (R)-1-chloro-2-propanol for easier transport, pointing toward a transparent, glassy solid when below freezing. Purity over 98% counts as the standard for chemical synthesis, keeping side reactions and contamination low. Trace moisture or chlorinated byproducts often form the biggest risks to purity; batch specs include water content, halide ion content, and clarity.
The presence of the hydroxyl and chloro functional groups lets this molecule step into diverse reactions. In lab syntheses, the chlorine group gets swapped out in nucleophilic substitution reactions, making compounds like epoxides, amines, or acetals. The secondary alcohol group opens doors to oxidations and esterifications. (R)-1-Chloro-2-propanol can act as a building block in active pharmaceutical ingredients, surfactants, and polymer additives, especially where chirality matters. Its structure sets up reactivity for ring-closure, as in the synthesis of glycidol or related epoxide intermediates, which feed further into more valuable chemistry downstream.
International commerce depends on clear classification, and products like (R)-1-chloro-2-propanol fall under HS Code 2905.59, which covers chlorinated alcohols and similar derivatives. Customs authorities use this code for tracking, duty, and reporting; regulations often differ from country to country, based on toxicity and potential for misuse in chemical manufacture. When working with this material, manufacturers keep certificates of analysis and safety data sheets close by, showing not just compliance, but also known chemical and physical risks.
Chemically, (R)-1-chloro-2-propanol is not considered explosive or highly flammable, but it carries marked hazards due to its toxicity profile. Inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact causes irritation and, if absorbed in large doses, can impact liver and kidney function. Studies link some chlorinated alcohols to toxicity in laboratory animals, so users work with gloves, goggles, and fume hoods as standard safety steps. Spills call for careful cleanup using absorbents and then controlled disposal. Waste handling guidelines suggest dilution and neutralization for small spills; larger operations will shoot for containment and neutralization in waste streams. Fire hazards rise with high temperatures, where toxic gases such as hydrochloric acid may evolve if the compound breaks down.
This compound’s main value comes from its use as a synthetic intermediate. Factories draw on its reactivity both as a source of the (R)-configuration and as a hopping-off point for making things like glycidol, amino alcohols, and other chiral molecules. Its enantiomeric purity brings value to pharmaceutical synthesis, where many modern medicines act differently depending on which handedness the molecule carries. In the fine chemical sector, (R)-1-chloro-2-propanol often acts as a tool for adding small, reactive groups to more complex molecular frameworks. By providing a chiral secondary alcohol and a labile chlorine, it supports efficient transformations, especially as companies move to greener and more selective chemistry.
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