5-Amino Imidazole-4-Carboxamide: Properties and Practical Information

What is 5-Amino Imidazole-4-Carboxamide?

5-Amino Imidazole-4-Carboxamide belongs to the imidazole family, a core structure widely used in chemistry and pharmaceutical development. Chemists recognize its solid molecular backbone with the formula C4H6N4O, providing both stability and versatility. This compound stands out as a key intermediate, mainly serving as a building block in the synthesis of nucleotide analogs and related biochemicals. In any lab, people see it most often as a fine, off-white to beige powder that handles easily and stores well under normal controlled conditions. This product draws attention not just for its role in research but also for its chemical stability, making it attractive in industrial processes seeking reliable raw materials.

Physical Structure and Appearance

The crystalline nature of 5-Amino Imidazole-4-Carboxamide gives clues about its purity and handling requirements. Its physical form varies depending on batch and synthesis conditions, sometimes appearing as fluffy flakes, sometimes as denser, almost granular solids, and in some cases, small crystalline pearls. A quick look under the microscope and the structure reveals a dense molecular network, which reflects its resilience to changes in temperature and modest humidity. Clumping may happen in some lots, usually because of moisture in the air. People find this compound mostly as a dry powder, rarely in liquid or solution unless prepared fresh in laboratory or production settings. Any technician who has handled similar heterocyclic compounds knows the importance of keeping it sealed tightly and away from water, since instability from environmental exposure can ruin a whole batch.

Molecular Weight, Formula, and Density

This chemical shows a molecular weight of 114.12 g/mol. Its structure, built around a five-membered imidazole ring with both amino and carboxamide groups attached, plays a big role in reactivity. A working chemist benefits from knowing the compound’s density, which usually sits just over 1.5 g/cm³ in solid form. This value enables researchers and production workers to measure it out precisely, either by weight or volume, minimizing waste. The relatively clear, crystalline powder dissolves easily in warm water and a variety of organic solvents. Solid storage remains the default for most users, as solutions lose potency much faster and present greater risk for spills, which creates a safety headache.

Key Properties and Uses

5-Amino Imidazole-4-Carboxamide shows broad relevance as a raw material, particularly for manufacturers driving nucleoside analog production, or for researchers synthesizing active pharmaceutical compounds. Its chemical properties—chiefly the reactivity of its amino and carboxamide groups—open the door for targeted modifications and downstream functionalization. It stands out for tolerance to moderate light and heat, meaning storage rarely presents surprise risk. This compound forms reversible hydrogen bonds, crucial in its biological activities and for controlling solubility. As a lab worker, making derivatives or downstream products from this building block often means fewer worries about byproducts or low reactivity blocking the next step. This reliability contributes to steady global demand, and users from academic labs to industrial processors count on reliable, documented properties.

HS Code and Transport Regulations

Trade in 5-Amino Imidazole-4-Carboxamide usually falls under HS Code 293359 which covers heterocyclic compounds with nitrogen hetero-atoms only. Customs agents and importers use this code to speed up clearance and apply relevant taxes or controls. Sticking to the proper code helps prevent confusion at borders, a lesson learned by anyone who has watched a shipment get stuck in customs limbo due to wrong paperwork. The right classification also provides a first signal on how to check for hazards or regulated precursors present within a cargo, supporting safer shipment and storage conditions at every step in the supply chain.

Material Safety, Hazards, and Handling

Safety with 5-Amino Imidazole-4-Carboxamide means eye protection, gloves, and dust masks where powders are weighed or mixed. Scientific literature, including global harmonized data sheets, generally marks it as low in acute toxicity, yet it can be irritating or harmful with long or repeated exposure. Storage away from acids, oxidizers, and strong bases minimizes any risk of dangerous decomposition. Any spill should be swept gently—people who’ve dealt with powders know how airborne particles can linger—and collected in sealed containers for disposal by chemical protocols. Material safety data sheets help identify not only direct hazards but also inform about safe concentration for solutions, first aid, and spill response. Following those details stems from decades of hard lessons in chemical safety, where one overlooked step can result in unnecessary injury or laboratory downtime. To keep people and the environment safe, enforce good chem hygiene, label all containers, and run periodic training for staff, especially those new to handling fine chemicals.

Role As Chemical Raw Material

In the greater scheme of chemicals feeding global supply chains, 5-Amino Imidazole-4-Carboxamide ranks as an important specialty ingredient. Big pharma and emerging biotech both turn to this molecule when researching or producing active agents aimed at treating metabolic disorders, cancer, or as part of nucleic acid sequence expansion. Its reliability as a base chemical saves both time and resources in process development, reducing costly delays caused by inconsistent batches or variable impurity profiles. World-class manufacturers rely on close relationships with suppliers who can document not just assay and purity, but also detailed impurity spectra, through batch records and third-party audits. Sourcing this product from certified producers matters—cheap versions with lax controls can undermine critical discoveries or final product safety. Any plant manager or quality control specialist who traces a problem molecule back to contaminated raw materials learns that tough lesson only once. Leading companies invest in traceability and supplier audits, which ultimately protect both consumer and investor from costly recalls or regulatory action.

Environmental Considerations and Sustainability

As the world looks for greener ways to make and use chemicals, the life cycle of intermediates like 5-Amino Imidazole-4-Carboxamide gets closer attention. Manufacturing routes with less waste and higher atom economy win support from both regulators and forward-thinking companies. Disposing of large volumes after stock expiration calls for safe incineration or specialized chemical recycling. Production plants that can recover or reuse solvent reduce both cost and environmental footprint. Keeping up to date with new process developments, such as biocatalytic or more energy-efficient routes, ensures that users can adapt their supply chain to shifting regulatory and cost pressures. Workers at the front line, from bench chemists to plant operators, play a key role in suggesting improvements, collecting data, and flagging issues before they become environmental risks. Today’s chemical industry knows the price of inertia, and those who push for incremental advances in raw material handling and synthesis stand to benefit from rising regulatory and consumer expectations.