Chemists started taking a hard look at heterocycles in the middle of the last century, and 4-morpholine carbonyl chloride came on the scene as research into new building blocks for pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals picked up steam. Platitudes about progress aside, some real sweat went into finding practical routes to this molecule, because tubing up early-stage compounds in big glassware meant facing down plenty of unexpected reactivity and choked fume hoods. Papers dating back to the 1970s document these early days. Researchers, especially in Europe, realized morpholine derivatives could open a lot of doors in both fine chemical synthesis and medicinal chemistry. Their work laid a foundation that still affects how chemists and manufacturers approach new routes to active pharmaceutical ingredients.
Anyone who’s spent serious time in a chemical production plant knows that chlorinated intermediates play an outsized role, and 4-morpholine carbonyl chloride stands out for its flexibility. Its structure—consisting of a morpholine ring bonded to a reactive carbonyl chloride group—lets it fit snugly into different synthesis plans. Synthetic labs and production plants turn to this compound for introducing carbonyl or morpholine groups efficiently, cutting down the number of steps and increasing the overall yield of end products. Whether in kilograms or higher batch scales, operators prize consistent purity and well-matched reactivity.
Many buyers and users care less about a pure data table and more about the compound’s handling quirks. 4-morpholine carbonyl chloride flows as a clear to pale yellow liquid, volatile enough to trigger a sharp bite in the nose even with modest exposure. Its boiling point sits around 109 °C under reduced pressure, and it gives off fumes as temperature climbs. The molecule dissolves in a range of organic solvents, which has become a double-edged sword—handy for formulating reaction mixtures, but creating a persistent need for careful solvent recovery and air control wherever it’s in use. Commercial suppliers flag its reactivity toward water, describing immediate hydrolysis that releases corrosive hydrogen chloride gas.
Manufacturers and researchers usually quote purity upwards of 97%, with acid chloride content and residual solvents closely monitored batch by batch. Most reputable suppliers print both molecular and structural formulas right on the drum or bottle, with UN number 3261 attached—a detail not just for show, since shipping rules clamp down hard on mishandled or mislabeled consignments. Labels feature signal words like “Danger” or “Corrosive,” making plain this isn’t a chemical to take lightly. All technical datasheets should describe stable storage at cold temperatures, in tightly sealed packaging made from materials that stand up against acid chlorides.
Operators in chemical plants tend to favor methods that promise fewer by-products and tighter control, especially where the final destination involves active pharma ingredients. The process usually starts with 4-morpholinecarboxylic acid, which undergoes reaction with thionyl chloride or, in some cases, oxalyl chloride. The reaction—typically run in a solvent such as dichloromethane or chloroform—calls for keeping an eye on temperature, since excess heat or poor mixing could send hazardous vapors up the hood. Late-stage purification demands washing away unreacted starting materials and volatile by-products, either through distillation or crystallization, to meet strict regulatory specifications.
Experience in the lab teaches that 4-morpholine carbonyl chloride acts as a strong acylating agent, bringing carbonyl groups smoothly onto a range of nucleophiles. This makes it a popular tool for amide coupling reactions, especially when synthesizing complex small molecules. Chemists often block competing functional groups first, then let the carbonyl chloride add its payload in a targeted way. Beyond basic amide formation, this compound takes part in cyclization reactions and polymerization efforts, where control over backbone structure is crucial. The reactive carbonyl chloride group leaves plenty of room for functional modifications, giving rise to new derivatized morpholine products for industry and academia alike.
People working in procurement and regulatory compliance run into a range of shorthand for this molecule. Some documents list it as 4-morpholinecarbonyl chloride; others prefer morpholine-4-carbonyl chloride, or even just 4-morpholinecarboxylic acid chloride. Catalogs from European suppliers occasionally throw in MOCCl or its registry numbers—both CAS and EC identifiers—for the sake of clarity. Trading under these names, the chemical lands in warehouses and laboratories with only minor spelling variations, but the core parent structure remains identical.
Anyone who’s filled out a risk assessment understands the long list of hazards. Exposure risks come from both the compound itself and its hydrolysis by-products, especially hydrogen chloride. Full-face shields, gloves, and chemical-resistant aprons form the basic protective kit, and fume hoods should never sit idle during transfer or use. Emergency showers and eye wash stations become essential near storage and work areas, not just box-ticking measures. Regulatory standards across the EU, U.S., and Japan echo similar calls for containment, spill remediation, and prompt disposal. Proper documentation—Safety Data Sheets, transport manifests, internal usage logs—helps keep accountability high and accidents rare. Everyone in the workflow, from warehouse to bench, needs clear protocols and training updates on the books.
Pharmaceutical research leans heavily on intermediates like 4-morpholine carbonyl chloride. Its role in building block synthesis underpins new candidate molecules for oncology, antimicrobials, and central nervous system drugs. Agrochemical firms bring this intermediate into herbicide and pesticide production runs, letting chemists swap out functional groups rapidly to chase resistance issues or tighten selectivity. Beyond labs, the polymer sector taps into morpholine derivatives to create specialty materials tuned for new end uses in coatings and resins. The sheer number of patent filings over recent decades points to broad curiosity and steady commercial demand, as evidenced by supplier rosters and market analysis reports.
Academic groups and contract research organizations see 4-morpholine carbonyl chloride not just as a reagent but as a platform for innovation. There’s ongoing work improving process efficiency through continuous flow methods, cutting down on waste, or better capturing volatile emissions. In medicinal chemistry, researchers keep exploring new derivatives to boost bioavailability or fine-tune receptor targets. Teams dedicated to green chemistry are setting out new protocols using milder chlorination agents or solvent systems that slice through environmental hurdles. These fresh approaches, detailed in both peer-reviewed papers and industrial white papers, reflect a broader trend toward linking process accessibility with sustainability. Anyone monitoring grant funding and intellectual property trends can see the expanding role of this compound in the next wave of synthetic chemistry.
Toxicological profiles are never an afterthought where acid chlorides are involved. Animal studies and in vitro screenings point to pronounced irritation and possible systemic toxicity, especially at moderate doses or with repeat exposure. Regulatory documents stipulate maximum allowable concentrations in workplace air and urge fast cleanup for any accidental releases. Medical literature notes respiratory distress and skin burns from both direct contact and by-products. Companies have pushed for clearer hazard labeling as well as mandatory reviews of safe handling procedures. Recent research aims to build faster, field-ready detection methods for leaks or accidental exposure, a nod to real-world dangers in fast-moving production environments.
Looking ahead, market analysts predict continued strong demand for 4-morpholine carbonyl chloride as pharmaceutical synthesis keeps ramping up worldwide. Regulatory trends call for cleaner, safer production routes, driving innovation in both synthesis and containment. Research programs aim to further trim the environmental footprint, either by switching out harsh reagents or boosting recycling rates for solvents and by-products. The compound’s versatility ensures a seat at the table in both traditional batch production and newer flow chemistry applications. Partnerships between academic labs, startups, and established chemical firms increasingly focus on extracting new value and finding less hazardous homologs. From discovery projects to full-scale manufacturing, efficiency and safety stand out as the guiding lights in the next chapter for this important intermediate.
4-Morpholine carbonyl chloride sounds complex, but it plays a straightforward role in the labs and factories that shape so many products. Chemists often reach for this compound during the early stages of drug development. With its reactive chlorine group and the morpholine ring, this chemical helps build new molecules that can treat diseases or boost plant growth.
Most conversations about this compound start with the pharmaceutical world. Researchers rely on it to attach specific nitrogen and oxygen atoms to a molecule, making it easier to test how those changes affect potential medicines. Take antibiotic research: 4-morpholine carbonyl chloride allows scientists to tweak the backbone of molecules, sometimes making drugs more resistant to bacterial defenses. By helping build stronger links in molecular chains, the compound has quietly pushed forward new drugs for cancer and viral infections. These successes rely on good chemistry and strict handling, since the chemical itself reacts fast and needs careful storage.
Farmers depend on reliable chemistries to protect food and keep pests outside their fields. 4-Morpholine carbonyl chloride often helps create selective herbicides—those substances that target weeds without hurting crops. By using this compound during the synthesis stage, crop protection companies can test subtle changes to a pesticide’s structure. These tweaks can cut down on environmental harm, trim manufacturing costs, and help meet a growing demand for food with fewer chemical residues.
Material scientists need stable, durable polymers for things as varied as water-resistant coatings and fireproof foams. This is where 4-morpholine carbonyl chloride steps in as a building block. Its unique mix of atoms can make plastics more flexible or more resistant to heat. It’s also used in specialty adhesives that bond metals and ceramics, which end up in electronics and cars. These applications might not make headlines, yet they shape products people depend on every day.
Every powerful tool has its downsides, and this compound isn’t an exception. Its chemical reactivity means spills or unsafe handling can hurt workers or cause environmental issues. Many countries regulate how it’s shipped and stored. Mistakes can lead to exposure, and symptoms range from skin burns to lung irritation. I’ve seen companies invest in training and safety gear once they stepped up production, which cut down accidents and kept workers safer.
Moving forward responsibly depends on deep experience and updated guidelines. New research keeps unlocking ways to use 4-morpholine carbonyl chloride safely. For example, automated equipment now pairs engineers with digital monitoring, alerting teams to gas leaks before they become a problem. Some labs have even switched to smaller batches and greener solvents to keep both yields and safety up. It takes experience to put these new practices in place and keep them running.
Behind the scenes, experts with a real background in chemical safety set these standards and help others avoid mistakes. It’s less about tech hype, more about keeping people and the planet safe while closing gaps in the science. That’s where trust comes in: training workers, sharing lessons learned, and staying on top of new research. Making better medicines and materials only works if the people involved feel respected, listened to, and safe on the job.
4-Morpholine carbonyl chloride, known for applications in organic synthesis, grabs attention among chemists for its unique combination of a morpholine ring and an acyl chloride group. The CAS number for this compound is 3592-58-9. A CAS number might look like a bunch of digits, but it plays a serious role. It acts as a fingerprint for chemicals, letting scientists and suppliers talk about a substance without confusion, no matter the country or language. This kind of clarity matters, especially when even tiny slip-ups can risk safety in labs or industries.
Anyone who’s ordered chemicals for research or manufacturing knows confusion can slow things down. Consider a company sourcing raw materials for a new pharmaceutical ingredient. A mix-up between similar-sounding chemical names could set a project back for weeks or spark a real safety hazard. The CAS number 3592-58-9 puts a full stop to this guessing game. Every vial, drum, or shipping label carrying this CAS number ties back to one exact substance.
Out in the field, chemists use these numbers to hunt down safety data sheets or research toxicity and environmental impacts. Amazon, Alibaba, or local chemical supply shops all arrange their stock using CAS numbers. This habit saves time and keeps operations efficient. That’s not just good business sense — it’s basic lab safety.
In my early lab days, I once waited two weeks for a reagent that arrived labeled differently than my paperwork. Had we relied solely on substance names, we would have risked contamination or project delays. Matching CAS number to bottle content gave us peace of mind.
Regulators inspect storage areas, making sure everything hazardous has its documentation in line. When a bottle shows the CAS number 3592-58-9, it connects to inventory records, risk assessments, and disposal procedures.
Mistakes pop up even in the age of databases. Fake chemicals sometimes slip into supply chains, sporting convincing packaging but missing the real chemistry inside. Fact-checking CAS numbers blocks fake supplies from circulating. Still, not everyone has access to reliable chemical databases. Universities and start-ups can struggle to pay database subscription fees, so knowledge sometimes sits behind paywalls.
Making access easier to CAS data would go far for science education and public safety. Nonprofit groups and open-data enthusiasts keep fighting for free chemical info, but bigger players often control major databases.
Making CAS numbers a habit in everyday chemical handling does more than cut red tape. It encourages discipline, responsibility, and transparency. Schools and research centers could run short trainings just on using CAS numbers. Suppliers ought to print CAS numbers clearly on every label, from barrel to sample vial, so no one gets left guessing.
4-Morpholine carbonyl chloride with CAS 3592-58-9 doesn’t just fuel industrial chemistry. It offers a chance to get chemical communication right, if everyone from teacher to warehouse crew pays close attention. This is what keeps people safe, work moving, and experiments reproducible across the world.
4-Morpholine carbonyl chloride matters in the chemical industry because it helps build other useful compounds. Anyone handling it needs to respect its reactive, moisture-sensitive personality. This isn't a benign powder tossed on a shelf; it's a serious reactive liquid. My early days in a research lab taught me that rushing to store a reagent without preparation can turn a shelf into a hazardous mess. Mishandling this chemical creates risks nobody wants in their workplace.
4-Morpholine carbonyl chloride doesn't respond well to heat or humidity. At room temperature, it can already start to break down if there's moisture in the air. Even small droplets can cause it to hydrolyze and generate unpleasant gases, such as hydrogen chloride gas. This isn’t just an odor issue; breathing in HCl is dangerous and can trigger severe reactions in the lungs. In real labs, I've seen careless storage lead to warped plastic containers, leaking liquids, and expensive cleanups.
Safe storage means keeping this compound in a cool, dry spot. Refrigerators used for chemicals—not the same place you keep lunch—work best. Standard guidance sits around 2 to 8°C. At this temperature, reactions slow down enough to keep things stable, and water vapor hangs out at lower concentrations.
This chemical comes alive in the wrong way when it meets water or oxygen. Airtight containers provide the first line of defense. Ideally, bottles made from glass with Teflon-lined caps block both moisture and oxygen pretty well. Screw the cap back on immediately after pouring. Leaving the bottle open gives atmospheric water a chance to work its way inside.
For those working in labs without proper desiccators, silica gel packs and freshly opened driers can make life easier. Stocking up on these can take the edge off humidity during transfer. In high school, I once cut corners by storing a sensitive compound in a regular cabinet. Within weeks, crust developed on the bottle’s lip—an unmistakable sign that air had crashed the party and ruined a fresh reagent.
Clear labeling saves time and nerves. If you can't tell what’s in a bottle at a glance, accidents become more likely. Labels should show the date of receipt, opening date, and hazard symbols since emergency responders count on this info if something goes wrong.
4-Morpholine carbonyl chloride needs its own real estate on the shelf. Keep it far from alcohols, amines, acids, and especially water-based solutions. Crowding it alongside incompatible chemicals means a single broken bottle could spark a violent reaction. After a spill in a university stockroom, I stopped assuming that “organized chaos” on reagent shelves was safe.
Work with this compound in a chemical fume hood—no exceptions. While storing, make sure nearby containers stay properly shut to block fume cross-contamination. Regularly check shelves for corrosion or leaking bottles. Supervisors who skip these steps invite trouble, and even with all precautions, emergency spill kits must be close by. Fire extinguishers for chemical fires and eyewash stations should never lie far from storage spots.
Nobody wants to scramble for safety goggles or gloves once a reaction gets out of hand. Always use protective gear when opening containers. Avoid storing personal items or food anywhere near chemical storage.
For disposal, follow hazardous waste policies exactly and dispose of anything past its expiration date. In my experience, chemicals ignored for too long only become more dangerous with age.
Taking storage conditions seriously keeps people safe and equipment intact. Sticking with recommended temperatures, moisture barriers, solid labeling, and regular audits leads to cleaner labs and fewer emergencies. Using 4-morpholine carbonyl chloride with respect isn’t overkill—it’s just smart chemistry.
4-Morpholine carbonyl chloride isn’t a household name, yet it shows up in labs and chemical plants across the world. It’s used to make pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and a handful of specialty compounds. What draws attention isn’t its obscurity—it’s the effects it can have on people working near it.
Anyone who’s walked through a chemical plant knows there’s a reason for all those gloves, goggles, and fume hoods. Personal experience tells me that chemicals sitting quietly on a shelf often come packed with unseen risks. 4-Morpholine carbonyl chloride is no exception, and direct exposure doesn’t play nice.
The real issue with this compound is its behavior on contact. It’s corrosive. Splash it on skin or eyes, and there’s a high chance of burns or severe irritation. If vapors escape into the air, breathing them in can damage lungs and airways. In cramped workspaces, a single spill can mean chaos—someone I once worked with had a close call just uncapping a related compound, with splashes leading to weeks of recovery.
Ingestion or even inhalation at low levels can trigger coughing, shortness of breath, or worse. The Material Safety Data Sheet for this substance lists strong health warnings. Some labs require emergency showers in every room for chemicals with this sort of profile.
Accidents with 4-Morpholine carbonyl chloride don’t stop at human health. Once it escapes into water, soil, or drains, the mixture can hurt fish, plants, and wildlife. During training, I saw how a minor spill forced a shutdown and brought in an entire environmental crew. Even a few grams can linger, thanks to slow breakdown under normal conditions.
Treating risk as “just paperwork” leads to slips and poor judgment. Good workplaces stay strict about chemical storage, using containers that won’t corrode or leak. I’ve watched colleagues swap stories about fume hoods failing and how a simple respirator made the difference between a bad night and a trip to the hospital.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) outlines specific rules for hazardous chemicals like this one—real standards, not just suggestions. Failure to use the right gloves or masks can lead to injuries or costly citations.
Risk can never disappear, but smarter decisions can keep the worst outcomes at bay. Mandatory training, regular drills, and clear labels on containers all help. One lesson from years in the lab: never work alone with reactive chemicals. Always keep antidotes and eyewash stations stocked and easy to reach.
Responsible managers audit their protocols and demand up-to-date safety data. Some labs switch to less dangerous alternatives whenever the chemistry allows. Upstream, designers of new processes should weigh safety before scaling up production with substances like this.
Chemicals like 4-Morpholine carbonyl chloride deliver powerful results in medicine and industry. They also carry very real hazards, both for people and the environment. A respect for facts, a strong safety culture, and vigilance on the job all count for more than any warning label. In my time handling dangerous substances, I’ve seen that the difference between a near-miss and a disaster often comes down to planning ahead and never taking shortcuts.
Chemists often deal with molecular formulas that seem foreign to most people. 4-Morpholine carbonyl chloride stands as an example. The molecular formula is C5H8ClNO2. The atoms link up like this: A morpholine ring, which combines nitrogen and oxygen within a six-membered ring, has a carbonyl chloride group attached at the fourth carbon spot on the ring. This simple structure delivers a lot of chemical punch.
I remember the first time I encountered morpholine derivatives in the lab, the importance of getting each atom’s position correct struck me. A misplaced group throws off not just the name but the whole reactivity and safety profile. Here, the formula C5H8ClNO2 offers every piece of information a chemist needs to sketch the compound accurately, work out its expected reactions, and plan safe handling.
This compound finds use in organic synthesis, where it acts like a builder’s block. Scientists reach for it to craft more complex molecules, including substances in pharmaceuticals and pigments. Without a reliable supply of compounds like this, downstream industries stall. I’ve seen chemists rely on such reagents to speed up steps in drug research. A good chemical building block saves time and money in materials discovery.
Working with 4-morpholine carbonyl chloride isn’t like mixing vinegar and baking soda. Its reactivity can surprise those who aren’t careful. Exposure to moisture or heat breaks it down, forming, among other things, hydrogen chloride gas, which burns lungs and eyes. Proper storage under dry, cold conditions in a fume hood isn’t optional—this comes from seeing a careless colleague land themselves in the medical suite.
The need for proper labeling, training, and storage couldn’t be more real. Every year, underestimating reagents like these causes avoidable injuries in labs around the world. Even simple things like checking expiration dates and looking for cracked caps on bottles play a role in keeping everyone safe.
Wrong formulas mean trouble. It’s not just about making errors in a lab notebook. Regulatory agencies demand precise identities for all chemicals in a facility for compliance and emergency response. List the wrong formula on a material safety data sheet and risk both fines and safety hazards. Fact-checking chemical information pays off, as I realized after a cross-check prevented a warehouse mix-up between two compounds that only differ by a single atom.
Reliable sources matter. To pull the correct formula, chemists use authoritative resources—peer-reviewed papers, official chemical registries, manufacturer certificates. Free databases help, but nothing replaces cross-checking with primary literature, especially when handling reagents with safety risks. Misinformation moves quickly in poorly moderated online forums, and this can cost lives and lawsuits.
Safer labs depend on vigilance and sharing best practices from experienced staff to trainees. Refresher courses in chemical identification, especially using digital tools and up-to-date reference books, prevent routine errors that spiral into big ones. Lab managers can set up systems for regular inventory checks and training updates, making sure the chemical formula on each shelf matches the contents inside the bottle.
Simple routines and respect for foundational chemistry knowledge go a long way. With reliable formulas and safe handling, researchers protect both their projects and coworkers. Every accurate label means one less incident and one more advance in research and development.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | Morpholine-4-carbonyl chloride |
| Other names |
4-Morpholinecarbonyl chloride Morpholine-4-carbonyl chloride 4-Morpholinecarboxylic acid chloride N-COCl Morpholine Morpholine-4-carboxylic acid chloride |
| Pronunciation | /ˈfɔːr-mɔːrfəˌliːn ˈkɑːrbəˌnaɪl ˈklɔːraɪd/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 3596-23-4 |
| Beilstein Reference | 1464306 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:87178 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL41518 |
| ChemSpider | 21377144 |
| DrugBank | DB04176 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 20d405c3-a4fe-43ae-b9e2-6f6d327b3f1e |
| EC Number | EC 612-426-8 |
| Gmelin Reference | 74156 |
| KEGG | C19211 |
| MeSH | D042369 |
| PubChem CID | 6912244 |
| RTECS number | RR0350000 |
| UNII | 7KZ9M469S3 |
| UN number | 3265 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C5H8ClNO2 |
| Molar mass | 161.61 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless to yellow liquid |
| Odor | Amine-like |
| Density | 1.292 g/cm3 |
| Solubility in water | reacts |
| log P | -1.0 |
| Vapor pressure | 0.2 hPa (20°C) |
| Acidity (pKa) | 10.1 |
| Basicity (pKb) | pKb = 5.64 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -50 × 10⁻⁶ cm³/mol |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.507 |
| Viscosity | 0.895 cP (25°C) |
| Dipole moment | 3.73 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 356.6 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Hazards | |
| Main hazards | Toxic if swallowed, in contact with skin or if inhaled. Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. May cause respiratory irritation. |
| GHS labelling | GHS02, GHS05, GHS06 |
| Pictograms | GHS05, GHS06 |
| Signal word | Danger |
| Hazard statements | H302, H314, H317, H334, H335 |
| Precautionary statements | P280, P261, P305+P351+P338, P302+P352, P310, P304+P340, P303+P361+P353, P405, P501 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 3-3-1-W |
| Flash point | 88°C |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD₅₀ (oral, rat): 566 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (median dose): **500 mg/kg (oral, rat)** |
| NIOSH | Not established |
| PEL (Permissible) | No PEL established. |
| REL (Recommended) | 0.5-1.0 mg/m³ |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | Unknown |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
4-Morpholinecarboxylic acid 4-Morpholinecarbonitrile 4-Morpholinecarboxaldehyde 4-Morpholinecarboxamide |
