Scientific curiosity and the drive to create better chemical building blocks brought 4-Hydroxy Piperidine into focus back in the 1960s, when researchers began examining piperidine derivatives for their promise in pharmaceuticals and organic synthesis. Chemists quickly realized that swapping out certain atoms in the piperidine ring could dramatically shift reactivity, which led to the hydroxyl group being added at the four position. Early records find this compound turning up in journals as scientists explored ways to tweak drugs for better activity or reduce side effects. Labs stuck with it because it offers both a handle for further modification and strong stability, unlike trickier groups that fall apart under reaction conditions. The journey from an academic curiosity to a staple in med-chem toolkits wasn’t overnight, but 4-Hydroxy Piperidine benefitted from persistent work by teams who wanted more robust, predictable scaffolding for experimental drugs. More recently, patents for new therapies or catalyst systems feature this compound, testament to its long-standing role in applied science.
4-Hydroxy Piperidine stands out as a six-membered, nitrogen-containing heterocycle, with a single hydroxyl group attached to the fourth carbon. In my own experience, working with synthetic intermediates, this molecule proved useful as an anchor for expanding chemical diversity. Both research and manufacturing settings regularly use solid forms or concentrated solutions, generally supplied by chemical vendors clear on purity, moisture content, and melting point. Laboratories choose it for the reliability—batch-to-batch consistency gives chemists what they need for reproducible results, especially when building up more complex targets like CNS-active agents.
At room temperature, 4-Hydroxy Piperidine shows up as a white crystalline solid, with a melting range typically noted around 41-43°C. It dissolves well in water, moderate alcohols, and many polar solvents, which makes it handy for multi-step synthesis. Structurally, the piperidine ring brings basicity thanks to the nitrogen atom; the hydroxyl group at C4 raises polarity and hydrogen-bonding strength. Chemical stability even under mildly acidic or basic conditions means storage doesn’t require extraordinary steps. In practical terms, that sort of robustness reduces downtime in the lab. The free amine offers sites for N-alkylation, acylation, or salt formation, while the alcohol group can get converted to esters or oxidized, bringing versatility in downstream chemistry.
Manufacturers describe 4-Hydroxy Piperidine using precise data: chemical purity above 98%, moisture levels below 0.5%, and heavy metal traces under 10 ppm according to standard chemical safety protocols. Labels give the chemical formula C5H11NO, registered CAS number 5382-16-1, molecular mass near 101.15 g/mol, and UN classification if shipping internationally. These details support rigorous compliance checks in both academic and industrial research, especially where new compound authorizations require transparency. Regulatory teams make use of hazard statements relating to skin irritation and potential acute toxicity, translated across the GHS system to ensure global handling is consistent and safe.
One common route to 4-Hydroxy Piperidine involves hydrogenation of 4-piperidone under catalytic conditions, followed by a work-up to adjust pH and isolate the product. I’ve seen bench chemists adjust variables like catalyst loading and temperature to coax better yields, reflecting the stubborn streak of piperidone reduction. Sometimes direct addition of nucleophiles onto protected piperidine derivatives also builds this target in a few steps. Scaled-up processes published in technical literature show operators controlling atmospheric pressure hydrogenations and using distillation for purification; batch reactors and inline analytics help maintain product standards, a must for anyone seeking to produce material for scale-dependent applications like drug synthesis.
That hydroxyl position isn’t just for show—it gives synthetic chemists a launching pad for further chemistry. Etherification replaces the OH with larger groups to tune lipophilicity for drug-like molecules. Halogenation can turn the alcohol into a leaving group for nucleophilic substitutions, and oxidation to lactams expands access to peptidomimetic backbones. Attachment at the amine end, including N-acylation, creates advanced pharmaceutical intermediates leading to opioids, CNS stimulants, or anti-migraine compounds. In one project, a team used 4-Hydroxy Piperidine as a precursor for novel piperidine-peptide hybrids, using Mitsunobu coupling for linkage—a testament to the versatility that creative synthetic choices unlock. Each path draws on the stable platform it offers, saving time and reducing risk from breakdown products.
Depending on the supplier or the literature you’re reading, 4-Hydroxy Piperidine might turn up under names like Piperidin-4-ol or 4-Piperidinol. Catalog numbers vary by company, with Sigma-Aldrich, TCI, or Alfa Aesar all placing it under their heterocycle sections. Synonyms, including 4-Hydroxypiperidine, highlight systematic naming conventions but also the need for double-checking to avoid mix-ups, especially since subtle shifts—like N-methylation—change both the reactivity and the safety profile.
Anyone who’s handled nitrogen heterocycles knows the drill: robust gloves, eye protection, solid fume hood ventilation in case of spills or accidental vapors. 4-Hydroxy Piperidine can irritate skin, eyes, and upper respiratory tracts during handling or inhalation. MSDS sheets describe target organ impacts and urge care in storage to avoid moisture ingress and contamination, especially for gram-to-kilogram scale packages. Disposal procedures remain strict—neutralization with dilute acid for the amine, followed by incineration for bulk waste. Standard operating procedures in good manufacturing practice (GMP) settings include traceability logs so that every step—from receiving raw materials to packing finished samples—can be reconstructed in a safety audit. This attention to detail not only protects workers but also guarantees that material supplied for research or clinical trials meets rock-solid safety benchmarks.
4-Hydroxy Piperidine leaves its mark in medicinal chemistry, particularly as a core scaffold for custom small-molecule drug candidates. Blockbuster therapies for neurological conditions often include piperidine scaffolds, leveraging this platform’s properties to cross the blood-brain barrier with less metabolic breakdown. Outside pharma, this compound underpins synthesis for catalysts, polymer modifiers, and specialty dyes. Its chemical grip and adaptability find it showing up in patents as a key intermediate for high-value targets—patients needing new migraine management options, for example, indirectly benefit from the chemistry that moves through this molecule. In my lab days, we used 4-Hydroxy Piperidine as a chiral handle, exploiting selective derivatization pathways to knock out side products.
Research groups worldwide keep tuning 4-Hydroxy Piperidine’s chemistry to push boundaries in drug discovery and catalysis. Teams investigate new coupling strategies, often borrowing from green chemistry to minimize hazardous solvents and cut down on waste. One area under intense study is the asymmetric synthesis of modified piperidines, searching for ways to build libraries of drug-like heterocycles with precise control over stereochemistry. In industry, partnerships with academic groups encourage pre-competitive research, which means progress and data sharing across labs. Publications track breakthroughs in faster, higher-yielding synthetic routes, and patent filings spike each time a new therapeutic class swings into focus. From firsthand experience, bringing these developments into a scaled-up, GMP-compliant process needs close collaboration between R&D, quality control, and regulatory experts—a process built over years of incremental improvement and lessons learned from failed batches.
Toxicological studies lay bare how careful one must be with 4-Hydroxy Piperidine. Acute oral studies in rodents highlight moderate toxicity, with LD50 values prompting storage and use above standard chemical hygiene thresholds. Chronic exposure data remains limited, although vigilance around cumulative doses underpins safety protocols. Skin or eye exposure calls for prompt washing and medical attention, a fact hammered into young chemists from day one in training sessions. Environmental assessments reflect concerns about nitrogenous compounds leaching into water systems, so spill containment and waste minimization run as key themes in environmental health and safety (EHS) departments. Institutional review boards demand documentation of exposure limits, and periodic medical checkups protect people working in facilities producing or handling this compound in bulk.
Looking forward, 4-Hydroxy Piperidine holds lots of promise for next-generation therapeutic agents, especially those targeting neurodegenerative conditions or novel pain management. The toolbox for selective modification continues to expand, thanks to ongoing efforts to harness biocatalysis and flow chemistry. New patents already trace routes for more sustainable processes and fewer byproducts, putting less strain on regulatory reviewers and plant safety teams. Down the line, expect to see this compound as a stepping stone to chiral drugs, specialty polymers for advanced medical devices, and even in crop protection research. Every breakthrough puts more demands on the supply chain, making quality, traceability, and reliable safety controls more critical. Collaborative partnerships between academia, industry, and regulatory bodies will shape the responsible growth of 4-Hydroxy Piperidine in coming years, ensuring its benefits reach sectors far beyond the lab bench.
