What is trans-(1R,2S)-2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)cyclopropylamine L-tartrate?

trans-(1R,2S)-2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)cyclopropylamine L-tartrate shows up on chemical catalogs with a mouthful of a name, but in the world of applied chemistry, every part tells a story. The first piece, cyclopropylamine, drills down to a rigid three-ring carbon base, known for adding resilience and interesting reactivity to drug and material design. Attach a difluorophenyl group at the 2-position, and you push classic aromatic chemistry into new directions, as fluorine atoms don't just alter the molecule’s electronics; they harden it against metabolic breakdown, opening possibilities for more stable pharmaceuticals or advanced materials. It wraps together with L-tartrate, a left-handed tartaric acid counterion. That may sound trivial. Yet, the choice of counterion tunes solubility, processability, and even the taste or smell in case of food additives or active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Product Nature and Appearance

Examine trans-(1R,2S)-2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)cyclopropylamine L-tartrate on the benchtop. Most times, clear white or off-white crystalline powder lands in the container after synthesis and isolation. Handle this chemical with a little respect—like many fine powders, it floats easily and tends to cling to containers. Depending on process, you may see chunky flakes or finer granules. Crystals range from microscopic to needle-shaped. Solubility tends to favor water and alcohol mixtures, owing to the tartrate ion. Expect a moderately dense powder, with a bulk density in ranges typical for pharmaceutical salts: about 0.4 to 0.6 g/cm³ for loosely packed material. Pour it out in larger amounts, and you notice how it stacks—not glossy, but soft-matte, almost chalky, like powdered sugar mixed with salt.

Chemical Properties and Structure

One run through a spectrometer and the structure lights up. The cyclopropane ring in the 1R,2S configuration creates two closely positioned hydrogen atoms, making this molecule nearly symmetrical, with the 3,4-difluorophenyl group jutting out like a flag. The formula looks like this: C12H15F2N · C4H6O6. Molecular weight rises, hitting around 343.3 g/mol, with the tartaric acid portion tilting the scales. Fluorinated aromatics combine metabolic resistance with increased lipophilicity, which can punch up membrane penetration or tweak interactions with receptors or catalysts. Solubility in standard solvents like DMSO or aqueous ethanol aligns with the salt form—useful for labs testing activity or examining stability. Under heat, the powder holds its own for a while but starts decaying at elevated temperatures, something to consider for shipping or storage. Under normal pressures and temperatures, it stays easy to handle, flammable only at much higher temperatures.

Specifications and Regulatory Details

For customs and logistics, trans-(1R,2S)-2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)cyclopropylamine L-tartrate normally falls under HS Code 29213099 as an amine and its derivatives. Supply chains notice this code because it defines paperwork for worldwide shipping, especially when crossing strict borders. Purity in lab or manufacturing settings hovers above 98% by HPLC. Impurities catch attention during screening, but after proper recrystallization or salt formation, the material solidifies into a batch-friendly solid, suitable for scale-up or research distribution. Labs check identity using NMR, IR, and mass spectrometry, which lock down structural authenticity. If delving into quality control, moisture content often stays below 0.5%, and known residual solvents sit under ICH Q3C guidelines—good to keep in mind for safe formulation work.

Material Safety and Handling

Nobody wants surprises in the lab or factory. Safe handling of trans-(1R,2S)-2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)cyclopropylamine L-tartrate means gloves, goggles, and basic PPE. Like most amine-containing organics, it brings some risks if mishandled. Direct contact with powdered form sometimes causes irritation; long-term exposure to vapors or dust could have harmful effects, though detailed toxicity studies still hit the research pipeline. Always park this kind of compound in a sealed container under dry air; moisture grabs onto the salt, and you might see clumping or caking if left out. As a chemical, it warrants respect due to its pharmacological activity or precursor status—regulators sometimes tighten controls, especially if new data emerges on environmental persistence or bioaccumulation.

Raw Materials and Uses

Raw material for this molecule branches from fine-chemical stocks. Cyclopropylamine comes from commercial routes, while 3,4-difluorobenzaldehyde or closely related benzenes drive the aromatic component. Tartaric acid shows up in many food, pharma, and industrial settings, ensuring a reliable supply chain for salt formation. Although some new molecules sit in the shadow of big active pharmaceutical ingredients, fluorinated cyclopropylamines recently caught interest as enzyme inhibitors, CNS modulators, or synthetic intermediates—often riding on the backbone of their stability and unique shape. Beyond pharma, some outfits dabble with these materials as building blocks for crop protection or advanced polymers, driven by the molecular stiffness and ability to tweak surface energy or tune solubility in specialty blends.

Practical Perspective: Why the Details Matter

If a researcher or production manager skips details about density, physical form, or safe handling, problems pop up fast. Take bulk density: packing wrong means a kilogram fills the wrong size drum, or flows poorly on a production line. If a chemist grabs this salt instead of the free base for a reaction, solubility changes, affecting yields and product recovery. Handling a powder as though it’s nonhazardous might blow a cloud of dust right into the air intake, spreading chemical exposure risk. Knowing melting points, crystal forms, and volatility shapes design choices for manufacturing, storage, and shipping—not just for safety, but to hold onto quality, consistency, and regulatory compliance.

Addressing Challenges and Moving Forward

Scientific progress leans on sharing accurate, up-to-date details—molecular structure, physical properties, regulatory calls, and specific hazards. Transparent safety data, proper PPE recommendations, and thoughtful packaging practices prevent accidents and support efficient research or industrial use. Labs and factories benefit from clear labeling, instructional sheets, and environmental risk assessments. Chemists and engineers can ease issues of dust or static by shifting from powders to granules for large-scale handling, or by controlling humidity to keep the salt dry and stable. Pressing for high-purity lots and detailed impurity profiles safeguards downstream products, especially as these materials edge into pharma, agrochemical, or specialty polymer use. Collaboration among suppliers, researchers, and regulators builds the foundation for innovation, trust, and lifelong learning in the chemical world.