(R)-1-Tert-Butyloxycarbonyl-3-hydroxypiperidine stands out as a key intermediate for chemists working on complex molecule construction, especially in pharmaceutical synthesis. This compound, known in the industry by its CAS number 143900-44-1, often enters labs as a solid material carrying high purity. Its role extends into the making of protected amino alcohols, serving as a raw material that brings both usability and control over key reactions. People in chemical manufacturing and research pick it for its well-defined stereochemistry and protective Boc group, essential for keeping reactive sites shielded during multistep syntheses. Daily handling sees it as powders, crystalline flakes, or sometimes as slightly clumped pearls, depending on production batch and storage conditions.
The molecular formula reads C10H19NO3, officially placing it among protected piperidines due to its tert-butyloxycarbonyl (Boc) group at the 1-position. This Boc group not only brings bulk to the piperidine ring but also raises the compound’s stability by masking reactivity during transformations. The 3-position houses a hydroxyl (-OH), contributing both to its polarity and its capacity for further functionalization. Examining it under a microscope or a crystal lens, every molecule traces a backbone with the six-membered piperidine ring, the Boc group sprouting like a chemical shield at one end, and an -OH offering a handle for anchoring new molecular pieces. For those aiming at the right chirality in biologically active molecules, the R-configuration ensures the product matches the shape requirements needed for bioactivity.
At room temperature, most commercial samples arrive as white to off-white solid, with a density close to 1.07 g/cm3. You’ll rarely see this material as a liquid in regular lab settings—stability drops, and so does safety. Instead, it maintains solid form, sometimes as fine powder, sometimes as crystals. A melting point generally lands around 74-77°C, so typical storage environments keep it safely above room temperature but well below its breakdown. If someone shakes a sample in a glass vial, flakes and grains move freely and don’t clump like hygroscopic materials. The material dissolves well in organic solvents like methanol or dichloromethane, a detail that matters for synthetic labs aiming for clean preprocessing. Visual assessment gives you a good sense—strong, well-formed solids, not sticky or oily. For shelf labeling and compliance, you’ll often spot the HS Code 2933399090.
This material packs value for chemists making APIs (active pharmaceutical ingredients) and other fine chemicals. Folks in research set up synthetic sequences that count on protected piperidines like this one, building up drug molecules, specialty ligands, or catalysts. Others take advantage of its ready-to-deprotect Boc group, which streamlines downstream modifications. The compound’s compatibility with various organic transformations brings a reliable edge for laboratories handling chiral amines or piperidine derivatives central to medicinal chemistry.
Sourcing this compound demands reliable raw stock—tert-butyl dicarbonate for the Boc protection and a suitable piperidine base. Companies producing this item keep their process tuned for high enantiomeric purity and solid yields. Each batch travels from reactor to purification bench, monitored for trace impurities and checked frequently for the right crystalline structure. As markets for fine chemicals keep expanding, more emphasis falls on batch documentation, reproducibility, and traceability.
Handling (R)-1-Tert-Butyloxycarbonyl-3-hydroxypiperidine demands basic chemical safety. Although less volatile and not acutely toxic like many small-molecule reagents, this compound still brings risks typical of piperidine-based materials. Direct skin contact or inhalation should be avoided—gloves, goggles, and a fume hood are part of the standard lineup in any lab using it. Even as a solid, powder particles can disperse under fast air movement, so containment matters. Waste treatment calls for organic solvent incineration or specialized disposal facilities. Material safety data sheets list it as potentially harmful if swallowed or inhaled, not carcinogenic, but capable of causing mild irritation. I’ve seen experienced chemists get careless because the crude product “looks harmless,” yet even non-corrosive, faint-smelling compounds can trigger rashes or mild respiratory symptoms after careless exposure.
Working with chemicals like this shapes one’s respect for the hidden risks of daily research. My time in a synthesis lab taught steady routines—labeling, secondary containment, familiarization with emergency showers. Most incidents stem from simple lapses: missing a glove, hurrying a weighing step, or skipping a safety data check. Chemical manufacturers stress the need for training, but real safety grows from community, routine, and checking each other without resentment. Beyond the lab, conversations ramp up over lifecycle impacts. As more compounds like this enter commercial use, waste management and environmental release become relevant. Labs need process designs that minimize waste, encourage solvent recovery, and train new chemists to keep safety front and center. Investing in greener protective groups or recovery systems brings both cost and environmental benefits. Businesses see the payoff in fewer incidents, better employee retention, and smoother relationships with regulators.
Many chemicals pass through the doors of a research site, but those with a well-designed functional pattern—like (R)-1-Tert-Butyloxycarbonyl-3-hydroxypiperidine—shape how chemists think about protecting groups and stereochemical fidelity. Properties like a predictable melting point, clean handling as a dry solid, and stability against overreacting save time, keep products clean, and rescue bad days in the lab. Regulatory demands keep multiplying, so traceability, accurate labeling, and consistent documentation become part of the backbone for anyone handling this compound at scale. The steady inclusion of this material in synthetic plans means more teams keep lessons learned close by: doublecheck container seals; don’t trust appearance; and treat every shipment as unique until you analyze it yourself. These are the daily habits that keep both people and products in good shape, even as markets shift and new chemical targets emerge.
