(S)-3-(4-Phenyl-1-piperazinyl)-1,2-propanediol: Properties and Practical Insights

What is (S)-3-(4-Phenyl-1-piperazinyl)-1,2-propanediol?

(S)-3-(4-Phenyl-1-piperazinyl)-1,2-propanediol draws interest across the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors for its distinctive piperazine backbone joined to a phenyl group and an S-configured propanediol chain. This molecular arrangement gives rise to a combination of significant solubility and stability, which means its use extends from lab-scale intermediates to raw material in large manufacturing environments. In the world of organic synthesis, this compound steps up as a versatile intermediate, helping produce more advanced molecules. Its phenyl ring brings a touch of aromaticity, while the propanediol side imparts hydrophilicity, complementing both water-based and organic chemical reactions.

Molecular Structure and Formula

The formula for (S)-3-(4-Phenyl-1-piperazinyl)-1,2-propanediol is C13H20N2O2, capturing the arrangement of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen atoms. Seeing its structure under a model or sketched on graph paper, the phenyl group attaches to the nitrogen of the piperazine ring, and the other nitrogen links to the (S)-configured propanediol fragment. This S-configuration signifies the chiral nature of the molecule, and enantiopure materials play an essential role in fields like drug development, where one chiral form might be biologically active, but the other could react very differently in the body. Rotating the molecule in a model, it’s clear that density, stereochemistry, and surface area all affect how it performs in reactions and binding processes.

Physical Properties

Describing it in physical terms, (S)-3-(4-Phenyl-1-piperazinyl)-1,2-propanediol commonly appears as a white to off-white solid, showing up in labs as crystalline flakes or sometimes fine powder depending on processing steps. Those working in pilot plants see it collected in glass containers as pearly microcrystals or a somewhat waxy solid. With a molecular weight around 236.31 g/mol, its density hovers near 1.2 g/cm³ at room temperature, making it a solid with moderate heft without being too dense to handle or dissolve. Its melting point tends to settle between 90°C and 110°C, which informs both its storage conditions and how it might be incorporated in subsequent syntheses. Notably, it dissolves readily in water, alcohols, and polar organic solvents, providing flexibility in cleaning and possessing favorable solution properties when forming intermediates or final products.

Applications and Use as Raw Material

Chemists rely on this compound as a raw material in synthesizing antihistamines, antifungal agents, and more experimental molecules aimed at treating central nervous system disorders. The combination of aromatic and piperazine functionality promotes high reactivity for nucleophilic substitutions, alkylations, and amide bond formation. Over years of research, some materials like this land as starting points to new drug scaffolds or specialty polymers, showing their value doesn’t just sit in their description but in daily lab routines. Several pharmaceutical patents cite this structure as a precursor to active pharmaceutical ingredients, especially where enantiomeric purity means the difference between efficacy and side effects.

Safety and Handling

Practically, safety officers label (S)-3-(4-Phenyl-1-piperazinyl)-1,2-propanediol with care, following its hazard status, as it may cause eye and skin irritation, and inhalation risks if handled as a dust. It sits under the HS Code 293499—other heterocyclic compounds—where customs and shippers routinely classify specialty intermediates. Researchers and operators use nitrile gloves, safety goggles, and fume hoods to prevent unnecessary exposure, as direct contact can lead to mild inflammation or allergic response for sensitive individuals. Though not known as an acute toxin or carcinogen, a sensible workplace risk assessment plans for proper ventilation, spill containment, and safe waste disposal to prevent unintentional harm and environmental exposure.

Material Forms and Specifications

Manufacturers supply this compound across a spectrum of grades, often in solid (powder, flakes, small pearls) or, less frequently, in solution for rapid dosing and reaction setup. Bulk suppliers print clear assay values, typically above 98.0% for medicinal and research-grade material, complete with specs on moisture, particle size, and chiral purity, since contamination or racemization could derail subsequent synthesis. Laboratories running pilot batches might order by the kilogram, measuring crystalline solid with high-performance liquid chromatography to confirm both purity and enantiomeric excess. Storage recommends a cool, dry place, in tightly capped amber containers to prevent photo-degradation or clumping.

Outlook: Challenges and Solutions

As global chemical regulations tighten, raw material handlers focus on traceability, reporting, and waste management. Ensuring that (S)-3-(4-Phenyl-1-piperazinyl)-1,2-propanediol maintains its high purity across long supply chains means working closely with suppliers to track batch numbers, supply certificates of analysis, and adapt formulations if process impurities arise. Chemists with their hands on these materials emphasize the need for practical safety training paired with transparent labeling, cutting down mix-ups and unnecessary risks. Waste streams featuring residual phenylpiperazine derivatives often require specific destruction methods to mitigate environmental harm, so investment in better analytical tools and green chemistry alternatives gives this compound a sustainable, safer pathway from synthesis to scale-up.