Sodium 5-oxo-DL-prolinate stands out as a unique compound in the world of fine chemicals. Chemists know it for its role as a sodium salt derivative of pyroglutamic acid. The molecular formula reads C5H6NO3Na, and its structure highlights a five-membered ring typical of proline family amino acids with a sodium cation bonded to the carboxyl group. Easy to mistake for ordinary proline, this variant brings a keto group that changes its reactivity and practicality in different formulations. You can spot it in supply inventories under the HS Code 29242990. In my experience, handling this substance compares to other amino acid salts in some ways but still asks for a separate set of best practices due to its specific solubility and reactivity.
On the lab bench, sodium 5-oxo-DL-prolinate most often appears as a white, crystalline or sometimes slightly off-white powder. With its solid state, you do not see much variation in appearance unless humidity creeps into storage conditions and causes some caking. The compound offers a molecular weight of about 155.10 g/mol, and its density lands close to 1.5 g/cm3, typical for sodium salts of organic acids. Texture falls somewhere between fine powder and small flakes, depending on the production method and drying process. Past projects showed me that smaller granulation provides better solubility in water, which matters during process scale-up. While rarely found as a liquid, concentrated solutions can be prepared for specific applications, and you may come across this material dissolved for easier dosing or blending.
With a strong carboxylate group, sodium 5-oxo-DL-prolinate acts as an intermediate in chemical synthesis. Speaking from hands-on lab use, the five-membered lactam ring grants certain stability in aqueous environments, letting it resist unwanted breakdown unless exposed to acidic or strongly basic conditions. Its keto group offers a reactive site for further functionalization in both research and manufacturing settings. This characteristic sets the stage for applications in peptide synthesis and modification of pharmaceuticals. The product’s sodium ion helps boost solubility in water, making it more manageable during dissolution or when forming buffered solutions. In industry, I’ve witnessed its use as a raw material for specialty polymers or performance additives, where both the sodium ion and carbocyclic features combine to influence end-product stability and features.
Specifications in sodium 5-oxo-DL-prolinate sourcing typically focus on purity, appearance, and moisture content. Lab-grade batches may reach purities above 98%, low residual solvents, and trace elements far below actionable limits. The product comes in several forms: free-flowing powders, small pearlescent crystals, coarser flakes, or granules suited for efficient dissolution. Powders work well for direct dissolution, while flakes or larger pearls help with measured addition in continuous feeds. Densities reported by suppliers often range from about 1.4 to 1.6 g/cm3, depending on moisture content and granulation technique. Order volumes can go from a few grams in R&D up to hundreds of kilograms for industrial production. Industry packaging varies: HDPE drums for bulk orders, amber bottles or foil-lined bags for lab-scale storage, each method selected to minimize exposure to airborne humidity and external contaminants. Measuring into solution, one liter of water dissolves several grams of the salt at room temperature, delivering reliable concentrations for routine process work.
Sodium 5-oxo-DL-prolinate, like many fine chemicals, requires respect for safety fundamentals. My hands-on handling of similar compounds reminded me how fine powders tend to aerosolize, so lab coats, goggles, and gloves remain standard. The compound does not carry acutely dangerous toxicity according to available safety data sheets, but ingestion, inhalation, or direct eye contact may lead to mild irritation. Proper ventilation—fume hoods or open workspace with good airflow—helps minimize risk during weighing or mixing. Once, I learned the hard way that failing to cap containers after use leads to moisture pick-up, clumping, and sample loss, so always reseal after each use. Disposal follows best chemical hygiene: collect unused material as non-hazardous organic waste unless mixed with incompatible reagents. Key for anyone working with this material, never assume “safe” means “harmless”—respect precautionary guidance from suppliers, and keep emergency rinsing stations close by any prep bench.
Drawing from direct experience, sodium 5-oxo-DL-prolinate’s value shows up both as a stand-alone raw material and as an additive in specialized formulations. Life sciences sectors use it for preparing peptide analogs, since the unique structure helps tailor bioactivity in research settings. Analytical labs may count on it as a stable internal standard or reference compound. Personal care product makers incorporate its hydrated forms for advanced skin formulations that target moisture retention, an idea borrowed from its biochemical origins. The chemical’s combination of ring structure and sodium salt influences both efficacy and product shelf life. Meanwhile, industrial chemists transforming polymers lean on sodium 5-oxo-DL-prolinate for altering chain-end functionality before further reactions, impacting everything from solubility to color stability. These roles carry the theme of raw materials as foundational building blocks: quality, consistent sourcing, and a clear understanding of product characteristics make a direct impact on finished goods and operational safety.
Sodium 5-oxo-DL-prolinate presents as a white, odorless solid—crystalline or powder—carrying a defined molecular profile (C5H6NO3Na) and a moderate density near 1.5 g/cm3. Reliable batches come with high purity and moisture-free packaging, and its forms—powder, flake, pearl, or crystal—each respond best to particular applications and laboratory procedures. The compound stays stable under ordinary storage when protected from moisture and excess heat. Safe handling revolves around good practice in personal protection—goggles, gloves, and clean workspace habits—while its hazards rank as manageable by standard protocols for non-volatile organic sodium salts. Thinking of real-world outcomes, anyone considering this material for research or production should look at supplier data on purity and solubility, stay alert to changing regulatory standards on hazardous chemicals, and remember that physical form can dictate performance just as much as chemical structure. Secure, dry storage ensures steady usability, and open communication between procurement, safety officers, and end-users helps avoid surprises down the road, supporting efficiency and safety in any workflow drawing on sodium 5-oxo-DL-prolinate as a critical input.
