4-Acetylmorpholine belongs to the family of morpholine derivatives and combines both an acetyl functional group and a morpholine ring. Its chemical formula, C6H11NO2, signals a straightforward structure: a four-carbon acetyl group attached to the nitrogen atom in a six-membered morpholine. The product comes in several forms, including solid flakes, crystalline powder, or even pearls, and under certain synthesis routes may be seen as viscous liquid with low volatility. The compound stays stable under normal conditions and retains its white to off-white color in most storage environments. Chemists and supply chain managers look for its chemical purity, which typically exceeds 99%, and its low moisture content, given that water uptake can interfere with its applications.
Examining the structure reveals a simple yet versatile framework. The morpholine ring brings both ether and amine characteristics into the functional profile, impacting its solubility and reactivity. A single acetyl modification shifts both polarity and lipophilicity, opening the door for solubility in polar solvents like water and alcohols, while keeping some compatibility with organic phases. The molecular weight hovers around 129.16 g/mol, something quality control labs often check during bulk analysis. Under standard temperature (20°C), its density stands at roughly 1.13 g/cm³. This matters not only for those handling raw material storage, but also for process engineers calibrating dosing pumps in manufacturing settings. As a chemical intermediate, the molecule stays clear of excess branching or steric hindrance, ensuring clean reactions with acyl, alkyl, or sulfonyl functional groups.
4-Acetylmorpholine’s melting point tends to cluster around 85°C, with the compound appearing as either solid flakes or crystalline powder in commercial lots. Water solubility remains high due to the morpholine backbone, offering flexibility for manufacturers blending it into aqueous solutions. Partition coefficients point toward a balance between hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity, a characteristic that helps in both pharmaceuticals and polymer additive markets. The boiling point reaches above 260°C, so thermal stability rarely causes headaches in normal usage. On the hazardous materials front, the compound doesn’t classify as acutely toxic by inhalation or skin contact, yet handling without gloves and protective glasses isn’t smart practice. Spillage calls for standard cleanup and ventilation instead of emergency hazmat, unless exposed to intense heat or open flame, where nitrogenous vapors can pose low-level respiratory risk.
Most industries source 4-Acetylmorpholine using the HS Code 2934999099, which covers other heterocyclic compounds with nitrogen hetero-atom(s) only. Packaging appears in drums, HDPE bags, or fiber barrels, often lined with polyethylene to keep moisture at bay. Quantities range from kilogram batches for research labs up to multi-ton containers for large industrial users. The main buyers split into two camps: pharmaceutical manufacturers turning out specialty active intermediates, and chemical plants making cationic surfactants or modifiers for polymer resins. Specification sheets call for precise molecular analysis—often GC or HPLC—along with certifications free from heavy metals or other regulated contaminants. Each lot includes the safety data sheet with transport, storage, and disposal guidelines, followed closely in regions with strict chemical safety compliance like Europe, North America, and Japan.
Handling 4-Acetylmorpholine rarely creates severe risks with proper protocols, but repeated skin or eye contact triggers moderate irritation in sensitive users, which shows the need for long sleeves and face protection. As a raw material, it doesn’t create strong toxic metabolites or environmental breakdown products, but as with most nitrogen-organic compounds, long-term aquatic exposure or improper disposal could impact local water quality. Facilities investing in best-practice storage—cool, well-ventilated, and sealed against moisture—avoid most of the usual worries. Fire risk stays low under normal storage, though in manufacturing settings where high temperature or strong oxidizers play a role, fire suppression plans should use foam or dry chemical rather than water streams. Hazard communication aligns with GHS standards, detailing specific exposure limits and recommended first aid for splashes or accidental inhalation.
Upstream supply often starts from morpholine synthesis, which pulls from diethylene glycol or ethylene oxide with ammonia, then continues with acetylation. Dependence on either feedstock can carry ripple effects from global energy markets or hazardous substance rules. The route determines product consistency, so buyers check batch-to-batch purity, color, and moisture limits. Transportation stays within standard chemical logistics, but customs declarations attach both the HS code and details on intended industrial use, tightening local controls in sensitive regions or high-security applications. As regulations tighten globally around nitrogenous emissions and organic solvent waste, companies redesign routes or invest into cleaner production methods, both improving worker safety and limiting community impact. From experience, working closely with supply partners and testing lots in-house before full manufacturing runs limits cost overruns and ensures consistency in finished products.
Chemists and quality managers select 4-Acetylmorpholine because it introduces the right balance of reactivity and stability in most synthesis routes. Its use in pharmaceutical synthesis focuses on high-yield reactions and predictable product purity. In the polymer industry, the compound serves as a stabilizer or crosslinking agent, lending both chemical flexibility and resistance to environmental degradation. For those designing specialty surfactants or process chemicals, 4-Acetylmorpholine helps craft a product that works across broad pH and temperature ranges, ensuring reliability in cleaning agents, lubricant additives, or even specific water treatment solutions. Safety managers check both the storage density per liter and maximum allowed shelf life, which in practice means the compound sits in dedicated racks far from oxidizers or food-grade chemicals. Waste handling follows national or regional hazardous chemical rules, typically routing byproducts to specialist incineration or neutralization facilities, reducing impact on sewage treatment plants and preventing long-term accumulation in soil or groundwater. New users benefit from direct technical engagement—from raw material selection through to downstream compatibility testing—to avoid surprises in batch production or customer applications.
