Chemistry has left its mark on every era, and the story of 1-Methylpiperidine-2-ethanol fits the pattern. In the postwar decades, demand for alkaloid analogs and specialty amines grew as researchers looked for molecules with unique pharmacological profiles and synthetic flexibility. During the mid-twentieth century, improvements in catalytic hydrogenation and selective alkylation put such heterocyclic amines within reach. Laboratories moved beyond basic piperidine, exploring methyl substitution and alcohol side chains. As custom syntheses increased, chemical suppliers took notice and started listing these materials, especially as drug screening programs and agrochemical innovation required more structure–activity exploration. The journey of 1-Methylpiperidine-2-ethanol rides alongside the practical need for functionalized amines and the wider expansion of medicinal chemistry toolboxes.
1-Methylpiperidine-2-ethanol shows up in chemical catalogs as an off-white to pale yellow liquid or low-melting solid. Chemists recognize its structure at once: a six-membered nitrogen ring, with a methyl group at the first position and a hydroxyethyl side chain on the second carbon. It balances water-solubility from the ethanol group and organic solubility from the saturated ring. Lab teams interested in piperidine derivatives pull this compound for its synthetic potential—ready to undergo further reactions at the alcohol, the secondary amine, or along the backbone. This structure appeals to researchers interested in making analogs for biologically relevant tests or for building block purposes in organic synthesis. Bottle labels often list typical specs above 98% purity for research grades, satisfying the accuracy needed for analytical and developmental work.
This small molecule packs physical traits that make it easy to handle in most laboratory settings. Its molecular formula—C8H17NO—gives a molar mass around 143.23 g/mol. Its low melting point keeps it liquid or semi-solid under standard room conditions, which makes weighing samples simple and straightforward. Like other secondary amines, 1-Methylpiperidine-2-ethanol carries a faint nitrogenous odor—noticeable, though much less pungent than unadorned piperidine. The hydroxyl group boosts its hydrophilicity, so users find that the compound dissolves in water and polar organic solvents. Its boiling point comes high enough to allow distillation under reduced pressure without significant decomposition, setting it up for purification by vacuum distillation or short-path setups. The molecular architecture makes both the nitrogen and oxygen sites accessible, useful for downstream chemical elaboration.
Chemical suppliers print specifications out of necessity. Most bottles of 1-Methylpiperidine-2-ethanol come with analytical results—liquid chromatography, NMR spectra, and sometimes elemental analysis for reassurance. The label usually lists storage recommendations: keep cool, protect from moisture and strong oxidizers. Some stockrooms request refrigeration to prevent any slow oxidation or degradation. Most research-grade products require a purity of no less than 98%, with water and residual solvent levels below 0.5%. SDS sheets spell out the flash point, boiling range, irritancy, and incompatibilities, so everyone along the chain—from bench chemist to safety officer—knows what to expect.
Synthesis of 1-Methylpiperidine-2-ethanol calls for a blend of ring manipulation and chain-building. The piperidine ring takes shape through classic methods—cyclization of aminopentanes or reductive amination routes. Methylation can happen before or after ring closure, but direct N-methylation with agents like methyl iodide or methyl sulfate on piperidine is popular for efficiency. Adding the hydroxyethyl group often uses alkylation: reacting the methylpiperidine with an ethylene oxide or halohydrin under basic conditions leads to the hydroxyethyl group linking onto the ring. Careful control of temperature and time minimizes side products, such as dialkylation or over-alkylation at the nitrogen. Work-up steps remove inorganic salts and unreacted reagents, and the final distillation cleans up the end product.
The structure of 1-Methylpiperidine-2-ethanol opens routes for chemists who want to push boundaries. The secondary alcohol on the ethyl chain can become a reactive site—oxidation transforms it into a ketone, or esterification links it with carboxylic acids for more elaborate structures. The N-methylpiperidine ring often acts as both nucleophile and base, joining in with alkyl halide substitution, condensation with activated carbonyls, or deprotonation to form imines. Reductive amination, carbamate formation, and sulfonylation at the nitrogen also appear in the literature. Med chem teams tune substitution patterns along the ring and at side chains to probe biological activity or develop SAR maps for CNS-active or antimicrobial compounds. Further, derivatizing the ethanol moiety builds potential prodrugs or increases lipophilicity—a trick often used to test structure–function relationships.
Suppliers sometimes differ in how they name 1-Methylpiperidine-2-ethanol—variations include 2-(1-Methylpiperidin-2-yl)ethanol, N-Methyl-2-piperidinoethanol, or Methylpiperidinoethanol. Catalogs sometimes group it with similar piperidinol derivatives, so searching by CAS number avoids mistakes. Researchers often refer to it in shorthand—“NMP2E” appears in lab books—but nomenclature best practice keeps to systematic names. This consistency matters, especially as the compound moves between chemical supply chains and regulatory bodies around the world.
Like many small amines, 1-Methylpiperidine-2-ethanol earns its safety data sheet. Direct exposure may irritate the skin, eyes, or respiratory tract, so gloves, goggles, and adequate ventilation rank as standard lab precautions. Its flash point sets it firmly outside the highly flammable category, but good chemical sense keeps it away from hot plates or open flames. Reactivity concerns tie back to strong oxidizers, acids, and alkylating agents—common for amines but always worth remembering. Waste streams need collection in organic waste bins, and emergency protocols ask for soap, water, and plenty of airflow in the event of a spill. Long experience shows that slow, deliberate handling reduces incidents, a lesson many newcomers learn on their first day in the synthetic lab.
1-Methylpiperidine-2-ethanol serves as a versatile intermediate across pharmaceutical and agrochemical development. Drug discovery programs value the piperidine core for its CNS penetration, metabolic stability, and receptor binding properties. The molecule also fits screening runs for anticholinergic, analgesic, and antihistamine activity. Agrochemical researchers use the structure for novel pesticide leads and plant-growth-modifying compounds. Because it contains both nucleophilic nitrogen and reactive alcohol, 1-Methylpiperidine-2-ethanol often launches as a starting building block when diversity in a chemical library matters. Educators draw on it for advanced organic laboratory classes, where students practice SN2 alkylations, amination, and straightforward oxidations. Manufacturers experiment with derivatizing the piperidine ring for flavor or fragrance additives, though regulatory concerns slow such experimentation.
Chemical innovation depends on these “middleweight” molecules, where tuneable groups unlock new findings. Research on 1-Methylpiperidine-2-ethanol runs from basic synthetic methodology to pharmacological evaluation in cell or animal models. Teams use it to test how ring nitrogen substitution changes metabolic fate or molecular recognition. Publications cited in SciFinder or PubChem reveal a network of synthetic schemes, either making the molecule in fewer steps or using it as a node for more complex architectures. Sometimes the target molecule falls outside pharmaceuticals—polymer or surface science labs see potential in using this amine as a modifier to change surface properties or improve adhesion in specialty coatings. These efforts reflect larger patterns in chemistry, where old scaffold molecules can suddenly become valuable once a new use or reaction comes to light.
Toxicity studies for 1-Methylpiperidine-2-ethanol remain limited but informative. Standard cytotoxicity screening in mammalian cell lines points to low-to-moderate toxicity at practical concentrations, with dose-dependent effects on cell viability at higher exposures. Animal data—though still sparse—suggest that acute effects mirror those of simpler secondary amines, including CNS depression at high doses and reversible irritation after skin or eye contact. Chronic exposure studies have not appeared widely in the literature, but the presence of the piperidine ring and primary alcohol warn of metabolic liabilities once the molecule enters the body. Metabolic pathways likely involve N-oxidation, alcohol oxidation, and conjugation, so toxicologists recommend evaluating both parent compound and metabolites in any preclinical safety analysis. The lessons from related piperidine drugs and solvents advise a cautious approach in scaling up production or moving toward therapeutic application. Recent advances in in vitro predictive toxicology may speed the development of more precise hazard profiles.
Progress in heterocycle chemistry hints at a wider future for 1-Methylpiperidine-2-ethanol. Medicinal chemists continue to find interest in the piperidine motif, driven by the need for new CNS-active compounds and as a backbone for targeted ligands. As more screening platforms rely on combinatorial chemistry, easily modifiable building blocks like this ethanol-terminated amine stand to see greater demand. Green chemistry trends point toward new catalysts or biotransformations for the more sustainable synthesis of piperidine derivatives, which could bring 1-Methylpiperidine-2-ethanol into high-volume processes without the same environmental footprint as legacy methods. Academic-industrial collaboration already looks into non-pharmaceutical uses, such as polymer modification, advanced material design, or as templates for molecular recognition in sensor development. While regulatory concerns around secondary amines call for responsible stewardship and research, the breadth of potential applications ensures this compound remains part of the synthetic chemist’s toolkit for the foreseeable future.
