2-Piperazin-1-Ylethanol shows up in many chemical supply lists under the molecular formula C6H14N2O. The structure explains the name: a piperazine ring, which sticks out as a core of the molecule, with an ethanol side group attached. The arrangement makes the compound fairly adaptable. Up close, the compound often forms solid flakes, fine powders, or sometimes compact pearls, with a look somewhere between white crystals and semi-transparent grains. Brushing off a handful feels slick, a bit sticky if humid. The density lands close to 1.08 g/cm3, depending on the shape and temperature, which makes it easy to pour and measure by weight for lab batches or industrial use.
From my time in the lab, one thing stands out: this compound won’t win a prize for fragrance, as it smells slightly amine-like, sharp when you open the storage jar. Its melting point sits around 42-46°C, so you can run into a paste or soft solid in a warm space. Mix it into water and you get a clear, near-neutral solution that doesn’t foam up or settle much. That flexibility gives technicians room to play with concentrations, especially in pharmaceutical warehouses or manufacturing lines. The N-H groups and the alcohol end make it reactive for syntheses. When I’ve run synthetic routes for tailored pharmaceuticals, the secondary amine helps form stable bonds, while the alcohol often jumps into hydrogen bonding, which drags solubility up and pulls water in. It can react with acid chlorides or tosylates, acting as a key handle for further transformation into more advanced chemicals.
On the bench or in a storage locker, 2-Piperazin-1-Ylethanol doesn’t stand by itself for long. In my experience, direct application stays rare, but as a raw material, chemists reach for it when stitching together custom-built pharmaceutical intermediates, active pharma ingredients, or specialty coatings. You spot it popping up in research for antihistamines, antipsychotics, and new-age surfactants, as labs keep mining it for new tricks. Sometimes, it works as an emulsifier or stabilizer, and it pulls its weight well in aqueous solutions thanks to its balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic ends. For folks running polymer labs, it helps attach useful bits to the backbone of polymers, stretching out physical properties or chemical reactivity.
Factories and warehouses stock up on 2-Piperazin-1-Ylethanol in blocks, jars of powder, or sometimes as a slurry, depending on how much gets moved in a month. Bulk scales usually show off the solid form, but shake a bottle hard and some of it flows like coarse salt. In warm climates or over long shipping periods, it may partially liquefy, so transporters rely on lined drums or PE bags inside steel barrels. If someone lines up a custom liter or larger solution, it usually stays clear at reasonable concentrations, easy to blend with DMF, DMSO, ethanol, or just distilled water. From the production floor to bench-top work, safety goggles and gloves never feel optional, as the primary hazard remains skin and eye irritation, not explosive risk. Spills don’t spread like acid, but enough crystals on unprotected skin can sting and dry out the area fast.
People reading chemical datasheets spot standard warnings for this material. On direct contact, it can sting skin and cause eyes to water. Extended exposure can rough up membranes in your nose or throat. Storage always happens under cool, dry conditions, away from incompatible agents like oxidizers or strong acids. In my own use, working with a chemical as versatile as 2-Piperazin-1-Ylethanol has led to a healthy respect for methodical handling, especially since leaks on the bench can sneak into elbows or underneath gloves. Staff keeps spill kits near work areas—absorbent pads and neutral soap usually beat back the minor hazards. Outgoing packing slips list its HS Code, which typically sits at 2933599599 or a closely related number, used for tracking trade and customs as it crosses borders on the way to factories and research parks.
Reading labels in storage rooms or scanning online chemical databases, it’s clear 2-Piperazin-1-Ylethanol ranks as essential for projects that need targeted piperazine modifications. For years, pharma companies leaned on it for building complex scaffolds in new compounds. Techs in dye plants try it for fixing or stabilizing pigments. There’s a push to improve personal protective protocols, especially with rising shipments from Asian or European suppliers. Disposal remains straightforward but requires planning; water treatment plants want low concentrations. Companies that rely on it must pay attention to air and water regulations, because even small leaks or spills can add up. Vendors often share recommendations for collecting and burning small quantities with other organics under controlled incineration.
Trying to work with, or around, 2-Piperazin-1-Ylethanol, I’ve found no shortcut to understanding the specs. With a CAS Number of 103-76-4, it stands out with a defined molar mass of about 130.19 g/mol. Seeing these numbers on paperwork or chemical safety data sheets (SDS) might feel routine, but details like state (solid, powder, or liquid), density, or specific heat matter in every blend or process. A batch with the wrong moisture content throws off a reaction. Companies prioritizing process repeatability zero in on these details to keep accidents off the books and customer complaints to a minimum. For anyone looking to source or use 2-Piperazin-1-Ylethanol, asking for a full COA (certificate of analysis) helps weed out poorly handled lots and flags batches with impurity strips or label errors.
On a practical level, safeguarding users and communities hinges on a strong regulatory backstop and company-wide vigilance. Companies that purchase or distribute 2-Piperazin-1-Ylethanol need solid labeling, clear documentation, and up-to-date training for everyone in the chain: drivers, warehouse teams, chemists, and cleanup crews. Real protection comes from grounded rules: no shortcuts in personal protective equipment, regular refreshers on handling, and precautionary emergency eyewash stations close to mixing points. Environmental audits track how companies dispose of or recycle unused material. New regulations and tighter customs enforcement help, but most hazards get stopped or solved by front-line workers who take a hands-on approach to identifying leaks, organizing storage, or flagging confusion in paperwork. In my experience, attention to these mundane habits translates into fewer accidents and a safer workplace for everyone who handles a drum, scoop, or pipette loaded with 2-Piperazin-1-Ylethanol.
