2-Heptadecyl-Imidazole comes through as a compound shaped by the fusion of a lengthy alkyl tail—heptadecyl group—with the persistent imidazole ring. People in chemistry labs spot it by C20H38N2 as its chemical formula, showing off two nitrogens and a 17-carbon straight chain bound to an imidazole. This structure brings an interesting mix: the sturdy hydrophobic tail, all dense and saturated, locking in a fat chain of hydrocarbons, while the imidazole part stands ready to step into reactions or bond with metals. The CAS registry often marks it under numbers like 85021-81-2, letting suppliers and buyers track down its identity without confusion. Dive into its HS Code—often classified under 293329 for heterocyclic compounds with nitrogen atoms, if you’re managing procurement or regulatory paperwork.
Folks who handle the material notice 2-Heptadecyl-Imidazole looks more like pale solid flakes, sometimes pressed into a fine powder, and often called crystalline. Pick it up and it won’t sting your nose or eyes with heavy fumes—its long chain makes it less volatile, so you won’t see it coming off as a vapor. Set your thermometer, because this stuff stays solid above room temperature—melting point sits around 57–63°C, and it doesn’t turn liquid in your hand. Pour it into a beaker, you’ll see a bulk density somewhere close to 0.8–0.9 g/cm³. Toss it in a small bottle, shake it around: the movement sounds muted, grains or flakes sliding instead of fine dust, and the color looks creamy white. No glimmer like metal, no dangerous dark cast like some transition complexes.
Drop 2-Heptadecyl-Imidazole in an organic solvent, and you get a pretty cooperative substance. It shows good solubility in chloroform, toluene, and dichloromethane, thanks to all that hydrocarbon in the tail, but it won’t dissolve much in water—hydrophobicity keeps it separated, seen in the way droplets cluster up. Testing for reactivity, the imidazole nitrogen offers up lone pairs, which step in as ligands, catalysts, or basic sites. Working with acids, the ring can soak up a proton, but you aren’t going to see fast or wild reactivity like with acidic halides or peroxides. Store it in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight, and don’t mix it with strong oxidizers or acids, as the organic chain could react or degrade.
Take a look at how industry folks use 2-Heptadecyl-Imidazole: its structure—one side toughly hydrophobic, the other rich with reactive nitrogens—makes it more useful than many straight-chain or aromatic imidazoles. In coatings, surfactants, and lubricants, this compound lays down a stable, non-polar tail that sticks to surfaces, spreads across polymers, or blocks water. If you ask someone at a corrosion prevention plant, they’ll talk about how this molecule binds to metal surfaces, forming a protective layer that stays put and stops rust. Hop into the world of metal complex catalysts, and the nitrogens in imidazole grip the transition metal tightly, stabilizing them for reactions in chemical manufacturing lines. Electronics producers play with it because long carbon chains can impact dielectric properties, aiding in thin film processing.
Check a specification sheet—2-Heptadecyl-Imidazole comes in purity grades above 98%, and product forms range from large flakes to dry powder. Every shipment lists batch number, melting point, identity by NMR, moisture content, and residual solvents. Weighing out several kilos in a lab, you’ll see it looks uniform, and stability information shows it won’t degrade for years if sealed up properly. Safety data points out the chemical doesn’t count as acutely toxic, but it still calls for gloves and goggles. If dust gets in the air, use a mask to avoid irritation, and keep the room ventilated. Environmental notes call out that any spill should get scooped up and sent for chemical waste disposal, not washed down the drain.
2-Heptadecyl-Imidazole, by most standards, doesn’t rank among hazardous substances like explosive organometallics or high-toxin pesticides. Yet, because it’s organic and sits snugly in the group of synthetic base chemicals, handlers treat it with standard caution: skin irritation can creep in, or eye contact can bring a brief burn. Emergency protocols recommend thorough washing with water, and for workers managing raw material supply, material safety data sheets (MSDS) tell the whole story. Raw materials typically start with higher alkyl halides or 1-bromoheptadecane, built up through alkylation of the imidazole ring. Each part of the supply chain—manufacturers who synthesize, shipping companies who seal it, labs that open containers—bears responsibility for keeping the compound out of the water supply and away from open flames.
Chemists and engineers chasing safer, more efficient processes often want more data on long-term stability and environmental impact. Many companies push for greener synthetic methods that save energy or create less toxic waste by tweaking the reagents or solvent choices. Working with powdered or flaky bulk chemicals comes with dust and disposal issues, so shifting packaging toward single-use sealed packs or water-dispersible forms could cut waste and risk. For disposal, partners in the industry push for clearer recycling or incineration options, so nothing toxic leaches out. Meanwhile, regulatory teams push suppliers for transparent origin and handling certifications, making it easier to slot the compound into product lines without running into import/export headaches—especially for anyone navigating customs forms or the classification under the HS Code.
People working in paints or electronics see 2-Heptadecyl-Imidazole as more than a molecular curiosity; its unique set of properties let them push for more effective anti-corrosion coatings, leaner lubricant blends, or controlled-release additives. The blend of structural stability and selectivity offered by imidazole’s nitrogen atoms creates a launchpad for designing next-generation materials. On the logistic side, steady supply chains backed by reliable raw material sourcing allow companies to plan ahead, keep inventory costs down, and meet quality targets. For anyone just stepping into chemical manufacturing or product development, truly understanding a compound like 2-Heptadecyl-Imidazole—beyond just the numbers in a data sheet—makes it possible to spot new applications, challenge old procedures, and improve process safety at every turn.
