4-Formyl-N-Cbz Piperidine stands out as a key intermediate across the pharmaceutical and fine chemicals industry. Its molecular formula, C14H17NO3, points to a structure packed with precise chemical features: a piperidine ring carrying a formyl group at the fourth position, along with a carbobenzyloxy (Cbz) group attached to the nitrogen. This combination delivers a molecular weight of 247.29 g/mol. CAS number 102641-51-8 identifies it clearly for regulatory and compliance processes, and it registers under HS Code 2933399090, lining up with organic compounds of heterocyclic structure containing nitrogen. Raw materials like benzyl chloroformate and 4-formylpiperidine feed into its synthesis, often through careful, stepwise reactions that call for safety know-how with reactive intermediates and organic solvents. In my own work screening reagents for scaleup, handling formylated intermediates has sharpened my focus on both safety and product quality, especially with tricky groups that can release fumes if mishandled.
The product most often appears as a white to off-white crystalline solid, although color can shift when impurities creep in. Crystals may take the form of fine flakes or chunkier, needle-like structures, depending on temperature during crystallization. It rarely shows up as a liquid unless heated above its melting point, which ranges between 89°C and 95°C based on batch purity. Its density settles in at around 1.16 g/cm³. Solubility varies sharply by solvent: aromatic hydrocarbons dissolve it with less effort, while water refuses to mix except at trace levels. Leaving it out in air risks slow degradation, so sealed storage matters. A thin dust can linger in the air after weighing, which has pushed me to always favor gloves and closed balances when dealing with similar organics.
The skeletal structure runs like this: the six-member piperidine ring anchors the molecule, with a formyl (–CHO) group sticking out at the fourth carbon. The nitrogen supports the Cbz protective group (benzyloxycarbonyl), which steps in to block unwanted side reactions on nitrogen during downstream synthesis. This specific setup opens doors for selective transformations: the aldehyde group reacts easily with nucleophiles like hydrazines or amines, connecting into further pharmaceutical targets or specialty materials. The aromatic Cbz group brings up the molecular mass and increases bulk, slowing diffusion but making the intermediate robust under mildly acidic or basic conditions. From my days in a university synthetic lab, finding the right route to protect amines meant reaching for Cbz-protection time and again — reliable because it comes off with hydrogenolysis but resists most acids, cutting hassle on purification.
Quality standards for 4-Formyl-N-Cbz Piperidine focus on purity levels at 98% or higher, with water content kept below 0.5%. Heavy-metal residues and other organic contaminants should sit well within REACH and ICH Q3D safety requirements, which help buyers who need regulatory peace of mind. Most documentation sets the melting point range and HPLC retention times. Prices respond to purity, source, and quantity: kilo-lots for industry or gram-scale bottles for research. Safety data flags the hazards: as with related aromatic and aldehyde-bearing compounds, the dust and vapors irritate skin, eyes, and lungs. If caught without goggles during bench work, you might notice tearing eyes and sneezing within minutes. Many facilities call it harmful and require fume hood work, gloves, and labeled storage away from acids and oxidizers. For spills, wiping up with absorbent pads followed by solvent wash suits small scales, but large exposure needs full industrial clean-up protocols. Proper training tromps any worry, so departments often run quick refreshers for new hires dealing with low-mass powder handling.
Store the solid in airtight containers made of glass or compatible polymer — lid thread and labeling can’t be sloppy, since even a day at open air leaves a musty odor and reduces shelf life. Heat, light, and moisture speed up breakdown. Placing it in a cool, ventilated chemical storage cabinet along with other raw materials limits cross-contamination. In my experience, moving materials in and out for sampling works best with small transfer scoops, minimizing exposure and whole-bottle open time. Waste or expired product disposal lines up with organic hazardous regulations: no drains, no regular trash — just solvent-compatible containers in marked bins, headed for incineration by licensed handlers. For any environmental monitoring, look for vapors or residues near weighing stations; regular surface swipes with appropriate solvents fetch any trace left behind, keeping workspaces safe for the next user and the broader lab environment.
Chemical supply chains depend on active building blocks like 4-Formyl-N-Cbz Piperidine, which links to antihypertensive drugs, pain management compounds, and key intermediates in medicinal chemistry. Pharmaceutical R&D teams screen libraries of such aldehydes for new bioactivity, and the piperidine core remains central to dozens of drug classes from antipsychotics to antivirals. In fine chemicals, this intermediate finds use in specialty ligands, small-molecule catalysts, and even custom fragrances. Because its properties straddle both the world of regulated pharmaceuticals and free trade of lab-scale raw materials, tracking its purity, stability, and compliance records makes an outsize difference to both upstream manufacturers and downstream innovators. Having worked with quality assurance teams, the lesson is clear: up-to-date certification and trusted sourcing cut supply risks and enable fast troubleshooting if complaints ever cross your desk.
While 4-Formyl-N-Cbz Piperidine stands as a highly useful material, better safety protocols and smarter handling mark the way forward. Manufacturers do well training their teams to treat all raw organic materials as potentially hazardous, even if decades of data exist. Simple tricks, like keeping spill kits at bench height and using designated lab coats rather than generic ones, tighten containment standards. Researchers can push for greener pathways: recycling organic solvents and reclaiming spent Cbz deprotection agents reduces waste and costs, too. For anyone developing protocols in a tight-budget environment, working with a clear, substance-specific MSDS, and teaching efficient transfer and sampling can keep the process smoother, cleaner, and safer for everyone involved.
