Chemists have worked with piperidine-based structures since the late 1800s, when research into alkaloids and their synthetic derivatives really started to take off. The piperidine ring shows up in a broad array of natural bioactive compounds. By the early 20th century, chemical manufacturers refined routes to access basic and elaborated piperidine structures. Ethyl 4-oxopiperidine-1-carboxylate entered the industry toolkit as a useful intermediate for pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals as attention grew toward heterocycles that could be easily modified. Over decades, more practical and scalable methods made these molecules more accessible and appealing for routine laboratory and pilot-scale use.
Chemists prize Ethyl 4-oxopiperidine-1-carboxylate not just for its core ring system but for the way the ketone and ester groups add versatility. It opens up routes to a variety of final compounds depending on the transformations required. Manufacturers that deliver this intermediate typically serve drug discovery teams, medicinal chemistry groups, and sometimes materials researchers looking for new polymer building blocks. Demand for the compound reflects its value as a scaffold for custom small-molecule synthesis.
Ethyl 4-oxopiperidine-1-carboxylate usually shows up as a light yellow to transparent oily liquid or sometimes a low-melting solid, depending on storage and purity. Odorless or faintly sweet, it dissolves readily in common solvents: ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, or even a bit in ethanol. Its most characteristic feature—a reactive ketone at the 4-position—means it gets involved in nucleophilic addition and condensation reactions. The ester can be cleaved or transformed for further tailoring, so researchers can adapt it for new targets. Its boiling point lands in the middle range for organic liquids, allowing simple distillation when purification is required. Moisture doesn’t break it down quickly, but it performs best with careful storage away from acid, base, or sunlight.
Suppliers focus on critical quality measures: clear labeling with CAS number (877718-18-8), lot identification, purity percentage, residual solvent profile, and expiry or retest date. Many vendors confirm analytical specs by NMR, GC-MS, or HPLC, targeting a purity of 95% or higher. For labs synthesizing analogs or scaling up new drug leads, knowing the optical rotation, melting or boiling point, and impurity levels makes a world of difference in planning. Proper labeling also covers handling risk, storage conditions (room temperature, sealed from air and light), and regulatory classification.
Most synthetic routes start from cheap, accessible raw materials. Chemists typically select N-protected piperidone derivatives, perform a selective oxidation or acylation at the 4-position, then introduce the ethyl ester using a standard esterification or transesterification step. Traditional work-up includes extraction, washing, and distillation or flash chromatography to clean up the product. Pilot-scale production bridges batch and continuous flow setups, depending on the needs of end users. Experienced chemists always look for routes that minimize hazardous byproducts and improve yield.
The core structure lends itself to plenty of downstream chemistry. That carbonyl group at the 4-position is a hotspot for nucleophilic attack—think reductive amination, aldol-type reactions, or conjugate additions. The ethyl ester has its own charm, offering a handle for hydrolysis or transformation to amides, acids, or even other esters. Medicinal chemists often use the scaffold to introduce new substituents, exploiting the ring’s rigidity and the orthogonal modification points. Carefully chosen reagents and conditions allow building diverse libraries to test for new bioactive compounds.
Anyone searching for this compound in chemical databases encounters several names: Ethyl 1-piperidinecarboxylate-4-one, Piperidine-1-carboxylic acid, 4-oxo-, ethyl ester, or simply 4-Oxopiperidine-1-carboxylic acid ethyl ester. Each naming style reflects a different perspective—whether the focus is on the ring, the ester, or the overall functionalization. Catalog entries may also refer to it by internal numbering systems or as part of a “building block” or “starting material” collection.
Lab workers treat this intermediate with standard organic precautions: nitrile gloves, chemical splash goggles, and fume hood work. While it doesn’t carry extreme toxicity or volatility at room temperature, its ketone group can react with strong oxidants or reducing agents, sometimes producing unexpected byproducts. Frequent risks involve inhalation of vapors during rota-evaporation or accidental skin contact in the event of a spill. Material Safety Data Sheets list environmental and disposal guidelines, urging collection in organic waste containers and avoidance of wastewater drains. Some facilities automate handling to cut down on exposure.
Drug development teams rely heavily on substituted piperidine intermediates for creating new lead candidates. Ethyl 4-oxopiperidine-1-carboxylate has found roles in CNS-targeted molecules, pain modulators, and even antiviral scaffolds. Chemists in crop science appreciate its ring stability and modifiability, often reengineering it for new plant protectants or growth regulators. A handful of researchers explore its use in preparing specialty polymers or advanced materials. Most of its demand originates from sectors that can exploit its aromatic-free, non-planar backbone and ease of customization for structure-activity relationship studies.
Every year, new publications and patents cite this compound as a core building block. Research teams often tweak the initial structure, seeking enhanced target affinity or metabolic stability in biologically active molecules. Automated synthesis platforms benefit from the reproducibility of reactions based on this scaffold, supporting high-throughput screening. Collaborative projects between academia and biotech startups push its chemistry into new areas, seeking catalytically-efficient, green modifications. Published research continues to refine preparation methods that avoid noxious reagents or intermediate purification bottlenecks.
Data on toxicity remains limited since most exposure happens in controlled lab settings. Experienced toxicologists perform classic dose-response tests in rodents and assess absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion properties when needed. Most acute and sub-chronic results classify it as low hazard for skin or inhalation, though some ketones in this class can act as mild mucosa irritants at high concentrations. No evidence links it with carcinogenicity or reproductive toxicity under standard use, but prudent chemistry means minimizing exposure, especially in unventilated spaces.
More synthetic and medicinal work will demand these types of core intermediates as discovery pipelines look for novel shapes beyond flat aromatics. As green chemistry gains a bigger foothold, scalable routes with less hazardous reagents or recyclable solvents carry more weight in selection decisions. Digital chemistry and AI-aided drug design favor easily modifiable, diverse building blocks—which puts compounds like Ethyl 4-oxopiperidine-1-carboxylate in the front line for new reaction exploration. Industry regulations and safety standards keep pushing for better hazard labeling and safer handling, making suppliers who invest in training and improved documentation stand out. The next years will likely see this molecule show up in even more patents for medicines, crop protectants, or material science innovations.
Ethyl 4-oxopiperidine-1-carboxylate isn’t a chemical you’ll find in your kitchen cupboard, but anyone with experience in synthetic chemistry knows names like this pop up often on research benches. This compound serves as a building block for more complex molecules, especially in pharmaceutical research. Its structure makes it attractive for engineers working to develop new drug candidates.
Drug discovery gets complicated fast. Chemists build new molecules piece by piece, and each block needs to fit just right for the resulting drug to do its job. Ethyl 4-oxopiperidine-1-carboxylate brings a flexible piperidine ring and a ketone group, both of which open doors for modifications. These features make it valuable when creating new compounds that target different diseases.
Some new treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders trace their roots back to piperidine derivatives. Major pharmaceutical companies and research universities publish patents where this compound appears as a starting material. It helps chemists explore new directions for pain relievers, antidepressants, and cognitive enhancers. Its versatility is what keeps it on the shopping lists of chemists hoping to move their ideas from scribbles on paper into real-world therapies.
Laboratory chemicals like this one come with plenty of safety warnings. Ethyl 4-oxopiperidine-1-carboxylate requires careful handling, just like so many reagents in organic labs. Spills, inhalation, and skin contact all carry risks. Users receive clear instructions: gloves, goggles, and a well-ventilated fume hood aren’t optional extras.
People with experience working day in and day out in organic chemistry quickly learn to respect these chemicals. Accidents have lasting effects, so research safety officers keep training current and insist on detailed documentation. Such caution pays off, both in health and in protecting research investments. Mistakes and incidents lead to lost time, thumb-twiddling while dealing with paperwork, sometimes ruined experiments.
Drug precursor chemicals have found themselves under scrutiny from more than just scientists. Law enforcement and regulators keep close tabs on what comes in and out of labs, because some compounds can be turned toward illegal uses. Reputable suppliers follow strict verification and tracking requirements. I’ve seen my own colleagues get grilled on proper storage, disposal, and tracking protocols.
Clear labeling, secure storage, and prompt reporting of any losses or spills all matter. Regulators, including the FDA and DEA in the U.S., have mandatory reporting standards. This level of oversight doesn’t just protect people working in the lab. It reassures the public that expertise and ethical standards prevent these materials from being diverted where they shouldn’t go.
Chemistry is always advancing, especially when it comes to safer and cleaner methods. Green chemistry has gained ground in recent years. New synthetic pathways reduce toxic byproducts, and more labs invest in waste reduction technologies. By pushing for greener alternatives and better documentation, research groups set a higher bar for workplace safety and environmental responsibility.
Ethyl 4-oxopiperidine-1-carboxylate won’t become a household word, but it will keep showing up behind the scenes as scientists hunt for better medicines and new technologies. The work that chemists put in, not just into the science, but into safe and responsible handling, keeps research moving forward while respecting public concerns.
Working around chemicals with names as long as Ethyl 4-Oxopiperidine-1-Carboxylate means questions about risk jump to the front. People have every right to wonder how safe it is and what sort of care belongs in the daily lab routine. My years in a university research lab put me up against more compounds than I can count, and one thing always came through—respect for chemical safety pays off.
Chemists and pharmaceutical researchers use this compound to build more complex molecules. It doesn’t often turn up in undergraduate classrooms or home workshops, which keeps the exposure numbers pretty low. That obscurity sometimes tricks new researchers into thinking it’s less risky than well-known or tightly restricted substances. Facts tell a different story. Any molecule with a piperidine core has the potential to irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs. Many of its chemical cousins produce sharp odors or cause dizziness, and handling pure samples almost always requires gloves and goggles.
I remember handling similar intermediates in synthesis work. Even a tiny splash on exposed skin left a red mark or brought on an itchy patch by the end of the day. Sometimes, strong odors turned up despite fume hoods doing their job. Colleagues who took short breaks without washing hands later faced mild headaches they never tied back to that morning’s benchwork. After enough warnings and a few close calls, nobody skipped the routine: gloves, goggles, and lab coats every time.
Reported chemical injuries keep showing a pattern—complacency leads to burns and eye accidents. According to the American Chemical Society, improper glove use and splashes rank as top causes for lab injuries. Ethyl 4-Oxopiperidine-1-Carboxylate’s safety data usually echoes that. Safety data sheets warn about mucous membrane irritation and recommend protective equipment. Spilling even a few milliliters might not cause a disaster, but it definitely increases odds of skin or eye irritation. Oddly, the true long-term effects don’t pop up often in journal articles, since so few people handle this compound day in and out.
Working safely with Ethyl 4-Oxopiperidine-1-Carboxylate looks a lot like the gold-standard routine for any organic intermediate. Anybody handling it gets nitrile gloves on both hands, goggles with wraparound protection, and access to running water. Labs need working fume hoods, since vapors or splashes send the chemical straight to delicate nose and lung tissue. If a spill happens, cleaning kits with absorbent pads and neutralizing agents step in fast. Restricting open transfer and keeping chemicals in sealed containers keeps ambient risk low.
Some older labs still count on open benchtop work, and that’s where problems start. Upgrading to splash shields, ensuring working ventilation, and locking away stocks after every use lowers risk. Everyone in the room has a duty to call out safety lapses. Continuous lab safety training closes knowledge gaps. Reviewing real incidents pushes teams to adopt a “no shortcuts” mindset.
Chemical safety lives in the little habits. Ethyl 4-Oxopiperidine-1-Carboxylate might not show up as a headline hazard, but treating it with real caution prevents avoidable injuries. Experience says gear up, keep cleanup materials on hand, and ask questions about odd smells or strange sensations. Nobody regrets playing it safe. Reliving a rush to the eye wash station or treating a bad rash makes that lesson simple and memorable. With the right preparation, lab work stays safe, even when the chemicals on the bench sound like something out of a spelling bee challenge.
After spending several years working in labs and poring over chemical catalogs, certain structures keep popping up, each with their own quirks. Ethyl 4-Oxopiperidine-1-Carboxylate belongs to an interesting family thanks to its blend of a piperidine ring and a couple of modifications. The name almost sketches out the chemical backbone for you: piperidine by itself acts as a six-membered ring with one nitrogen, like a bent playground swing where nitrogen takes the spot of one carbon. Adding “4-oxo” means there’s a carbonyl group (C=O) bolted onto the fourth carbon in the ring. Attach “1-carboxylate” and you end up with an ester group bound to the nitrogen at position one. The “ethyl” part rounds things out, pointing to an ethyl chain hanging off that ester. This particular structure shows up in drug development circles, research compounds, and a fair share of academic studies because it carries a lot of functional handles for chemists to tinker with.
With this chemical, you’ve got a molecule that plays well with others. That’s not just theory; it comes up constantly in pharmaceutical syntheses and intermediate work. The six-membered piperidine ring always fascinated me—stable, flexible, and a popular starting block for all sorts of medicines. That carbonyl at position four serves as an effective spot for reactions, whether you’re building up a bigger compound or shaving off electrons in a controlled way. The carboxylate ester, attached to nitrogen, sends the molecule in a direction that most standard cyclic compounds can’t follow, since you don’t find esters on ring nitrogens every day. I appreciate how these features combine, producing a structure that can mimic neurotransmitters or work as a building block for other ring-heavy molecules.
The research world doesn’t just pick molecules for their looks; it wants useful ones. Ethyl 4-Oxopiperidine-1-Carboxylate steps up as a key intermediate for pharmaceutical design and chemical synthesis. Labs often rely on its setup when building complex molecules for neurological or cardiovascular projects. Its core, the piperidine ring, shows up in plenty of drugs, from painkillers to antipsychotics. What helps here is the molecule’s reactivity—the oxo group at position four turns the ring into a handle for tweaks, substitutions, or further chaining, which speeds up the drug development process. Companies that search for new central nervous system drugs pay close attention to compounds like this because their scaffolds open doors that simpler molecules can’t unlock.
Safety always sits in the front seat. Handling esters and piperidinone derivatives in bulk brings its own set of headaches. I’ve seen enough improper storage or disposal to understand that strict controls matter. This molecule, like many ring-based intermediates, can contribute to byproducts or environmental worries if not kept in check. Drawing up protocols for containment, improving waste management, and adopting greener reaction pathways can curb risks. Switching to more efficient, selective catalysts helps lower chemical waste, and routine monitoring of exposure keeps workers and researchers out of trouble. Anyone working with this kind of compound owes it to the field to document best practices—sharing what works (and what doesn’t) so future experiments run smoother and safer.
Ethyl 4-Oxopiperidine-1-Carboxylate represents more than just a chain of atoms. It’s a reminder of the power in a well-designed chemical structure—a blend of utility, reactivity, and practical challenge, all rolled up in one. Chemists, whether they’re in academic labs or pharmaceutical companies, lean on structures like these to build the medicines and tools of tomorrow. Paying attention to the details of its structure and impact helps the field grow responsibly, turning interesting molecules into real solutions.
Ethyl 4-oxopiperidine-1-carboxylate shows up in a range of chemical syntheses and research circles. The way this compound gets stored really does matter. My years in academic labs remind me that mistakes in chemical storage can ruin months of work and endanger labmates. This particular compound, like many organics, calls for a measured approach rooted in both practicality and respect for basic safety.
Exposure to sunlight or room lamps causes photo-degradation in a number of piperidine derivatives. Leaving bottles out on the bench shortens their shelf life and risks odd impurities showing up in later steps. Every chemist I know trusts dark glass bottles kept away from windows and strong lamp sources. Commercial suppliers follow this lead, shipping sensitive substances in amber vials or cans.
Warm storage cabinets speed up chemical reactions. Nobody wants thermal decomposition, even on a small scale. I’ve seen colleagues store this material at 2–8°C, in the same refrigerators used for aldehydes and esters. Not only does this keep degradation at bay, it also slows down the evaporation rate for those esters that tend to have a smidge of volatility. I always check the temperature settings twice, especially since frost can block airflow and ruin the whole effort.
Oxygen can cause oxidation—even weak esters sometimes break down, changing not only the yield but the safety profile. Screw tops and solid PTFE liners keep air out. Desiccators filled with silica gel help, not just for moisture but for limiting access to airborne contaminants. In shared labs, clear labels on every jar make misidentification less likely, especially during late-night runs. Ethyl 4-oxopiperidine-1-carboxylate doesn’t call for an inert gas blanket, but if humidity spikes in summer, I’ve found even a quick flush with dry nitrogen keeps unwanted interactions at bay.
Gloves and eye protection protect skin and eyes from accidental contact with these carbamates. Someone new to chemical handling will want to read the material safety data sheet (MSDS/MSDS) before opening the bottle. This points out the toxicity risks if spilled or inhaled. Keeping chemicals locked up—especially when students pass through the lab—reduces the risk of unintentional exposure or accidental mixing.
All waste materials, including used pipettes, syringes, and gloves, get disposed of following local hazardous waste guidelines. I’ve sat through audits where improper disposal nearly triggered heavy fines for the department. It’s not just about ticking boxes—groundwater and air can’t handle extra organics floating around. Chemical stewardship requires constant vigilance, not just by the book but by shared responsibility.
Safe storage protects people and projects. By sticking to cool, dark, dry environments and using the right containers with tight seals, chemists protect material value and personal safety. Education, routine inspection, and a touch of common sense prevent near-misses from blossoming into disasters. I can’t overstate the peace of mind that comes from opening a cabinet and knowing that every chemical in there is right where it belongs—secure, stable, and ready for whatever the next experiment brings.
Ethyl 4-oxopiperidine-1-carboxylate makes its way into research labs and production plants with a job to do: provide a building block for pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, or advanced materials. Cutting corners on purity means headaches down the line—failed reactions, wasted resources, and regulatory headaches. Companies set minimum purity requirements for this compound, often upwards of 98 percent. Below that, impurities start to cause trouble, interfering with synthesis steps or creating unwanted byproducts.
Labs can't lean only on purity percentages. Having the right crystalline form, melting point, and solubility matters a lot. People working with Ethyl 4-oxopiperidine-1-carboxylate often check visual appearance—white to off-white solid signals the right compound. Any strange color or odor? Something likely went wrong during synthesis, or storage conditions let contamination sneak in.
Quality checks don’t stop at what’s visible. Water content needs monitoring. Too much moisture, or traces of solvents from the manufacturing process, can spoil sensitive reactions. Gas chromatography or Karl Fischer titration helps here, keeping water under 0.5 percent and limiting residual solvents below thresholds set by pharmacopeias or industry guidelines.
From my time in chemical development, infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies were the go-to tools confirming identity and purity. Chromatography steps in to chase down lingering impurities: thin-layer chromatography (TLC) gives a fast read, but high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) tells the full story. Often, both are used together, with batch-to-batch analysis showing consistent profiles.
Heavy metals and other trace contaminants get special treatment. I’ve seen companies stick to strict limits—under 20 ppm for heavy metals. Elemental analysis, like inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectrometry, gives a clear answer on that front. Endotoxin content rarely comes up unless the compound’s destined for a biological setting, but when it does, less than 0.5 EU/mg is a common bar.
Buyers ask for certificates of analysis (CoA) every time. No one wants supply chain surprises. CoAs detail every critical characteristic—assay result, moisture content, melting point, impurity profile—alongside lot numbers and expiry dates. Reliable producers back up results with batch records and analytical data, giving buyers confidence the chemical will perform as expected.
Regulators, especially in Europe and North America, expect this level of transparency. They want proof that each shipment meets written specs. Failing to provide this stops business in its tracks, and rightly so. Companies invested in strong quality systems rarely run into compliance issues.
Chasing high purity and robust quality isn’t about looking good on paper. It’s essential for cost-effective, safe research and manufacturing. Escaping the headaches caused by contaminated batches saves more in the long run than any savings made from sourcing low-grade material. Labs using Ethyl 4-oxopiperidine-1-carboxylate for high-stakes applications choose vetted suppliers who publish full analytical profiles, maintain strict documentation, and update standards in response to new regulatory advice.
Mistakes with starting materials rarely stay hidden. Investing in precise analytical work at the start can spare days or weeks lost to troubleshooting and rework. Being able to spot trends or creeping issues—like rising moisture content in storage—can let teams fix problems before they snowball.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | Ethyl 4-oxopiperidine-1-carboxylate |
| Other names |
Ethyl 1-carbethoxy-4-piperidone Ethyl 4-oxo-1-piperidinecarboxylate Ethyl 4-oxopiperidine-1-carboxylate 1-Carboethoxy-4-piperidone Ethyl 4-oxopiperidin-1-carboxylate |
| Pronunciation | /ˈiːθɪl fɔːrˈɒksəʊpɪpəˌriːdiːn wʌn kɑːˈbɒksɪleɪt/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 59777-99-0 |
| Beilstein Reference | 3523926 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:159321 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL4173007 |
| ChemSpider | 21566122 |
| DrugBank | DB08382 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 05e00c9b-9b90-430e-8c14-6e31b9bb12c4 |
| EC Number | EC 695-893-5 |
| Gmelin Reference | 107150 |
| KEGG | C14329 |
| MeSH | Ethyl 4-Oxopiperidine-1-Carboxylate" does not have a specific MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) term assigned as of the latest dataset (2024). |
| PubChem CID | 131666158 |
| RTECS number | TN7463000 |
| UNII | HAE2N7K4HQ |
| UN number | UN3271 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C8H13NO3 |
| Molar mass | 171.21 g/mol |
| Appearance | White to off-white solid |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 1.11 g/cm3 |
| Solubility in water | Slightly soluble in water |
| log P | 0.03 |
| Vapor pressure | 0.115 mmHg at 25°C |
| Acidity (pKa) | 14.4 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 5.58 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -57.3×10^-6 cm³/mol |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.497 |
| Viscosity | 93.5 cP |
| Dipole moment | 3.50 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 373.6 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) of Ethyl 4-Oxopiperidine-1-Carboxylate: "-3874 kJ·mol⁻¹ |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | There is no ATC code assigned to "Ethyl 4-Oxopiperidine-1-Carboxylate". |
| Hazards | |
| Main hazards | Harmful if swallowed. Causes serious eye irritation. Causes skin irritation. |
| GHS labelling | GHS02, GHS07 |
| Pictograms | GHS07 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H302, H315, H319, H335 |
| Precautionary statements | P261, P264, P271, P272, P280, P301+P312, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P312, P330, P332+P313, P337+P313, P362+P364, P405, P501 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 1-2-0-0 |
| Flash point | 84.0 °C |
| Autoignition temperature | 255°C |
| NIOSH | Not established |
| PEL (Permissible) | Not established |
| REL (Recommended) | 10 mg/m3 |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Methyl 4-Oxopiperidine-1-Carboxylate Tert-Butyl 4-Oxopiperidine-1-Carboxylate 4-Oxopiperidine-1-Carboxylic Acid 4-Oxopiperidine Ethyl Piperidine-1-Carboxylate |
