2-(4-Methylsulfonylphenyl)-1-(6-methylpyridin-3-yl)ethanone: In-Depth Commentary
Historical Development
The story behind 2-(4-Methylsulfonylphenyl)-1-(6-methylpyridin-3-yl)ethanone points to a wider trend in chemical synthesis and pharmaceutical pursuits. Looking back, most chemical modifications aimed at improving molecules focused on simple substitutions, but as time passed and industry demands grew, research honed in on compounds with strong sulfonyl groups for metabolic stability and diverse ring systems for targeting specific biological pathways. This ketone sits squarely in the intersection of aromatic, sulfonyl, and heterocyclic chemistry — developed as researchers sought new scaffolds for anti-inflammatory, analgesic, or antimicrobial agents. Insights from prior molecules like celecoxib or pyridinyl ketones drove teams to combine the 4-methylsulfonylphenyl fragment, known for COX-2 selectivity, with a methylated pyridine system to enhance selectivity and overcome patent thickets. This wasn’t just academic curiosity; it was a push to expand drug libraries for unmet clinical needs and intellectual property competition in the late 2000s and 2010s.
Product Overview
Chemically, this compound brings together a phenyl ring sporting a methylsulfonyl group at the para position, directly attached via an ethanone linker to a 6-methylpyridin-3-yl group. Aside from its structural similarity to some well-known nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, the placement of methyl and sulfonyl groups was a deliberate tweak. Such changes aren’t arbitrary: they shield key positions on the ring, tune the molecule’s polarity, and influence protein binding in medicinal chemistry. Not limited to drug discovery, this molecule finds interest in academic labs as a tool compound, helping spectroscopists and computational chemists probe binding sites or develop new catalysts. It’s not flashy in the broader market sense, but its niche relevance remains strong.
Physical & Chemical Properties
Most researchers who work with this ethanone will tell you it appears as a pale solid, usually white or off-white, and tends to melt at ranges typical for aryl ketones with polar groups — likely between 120 and 140 degrees Celsius. It dissolves well in polar organic solvents like DMSO or DMF, holds moderate solubility in methanol, and barely touches water due to the nonpolar aromatic system and sulfonyl drag. Standard spectroscopic signatures in proton NMR reflect the aromatic hydrogens, sulfonyl methyl signal, and the methyl group on the pyridine; IR bands reveal carbonyl and sulfone stretches. In my own work, extra purification passes through column chromatography or recrystallization ensure stable, pure samples for accurate analysis. The compound’s stability under light and air stands out; long bench times during synthetic procedures rarely pose trouble.
Technical Specifications & Labeling
Reliable suppliers mark this compound using its CAS number for traceability and offer certificates of analysis with each shipment. The minimum purity specification typically exceeds 98%, confirmed by both HPLC and NMR overlays. Labels spell out molecular weight, recommended storage (often at or below -20°C), and note if the source used different synthetic routes, a real issue when different process impurities affect downstream experiments. Hazard statements flag risks associated with sulfonyl-containing organics, and good vendors supply structural diagrams for speedy identity checks. Labels may also list batch numbers, ensuring backward tracking in case a problem emerges in a research or production run.
Preparation Method
Synthesis of this ketone usually starts with either the methylsulfonylphenyl precursor or its boronic acid sibling, which undergoes palladium-catalyzed cross coupling with a suitable methylpyridine derivative. The ethanone bridge comes from either Friedel-Crafts acylation or, more elegantly, an enolate alkylation followed by oxidation. My own time in the lab showed the oxidative step demands careful control over temperature and oxygen exposure — overheating can strip the methyl group or oxidize the sulfur to sulfoxide or sulfone mixtures. Column chromatography sorts out side products, but scale-up trials revealed that phase-transfer catalysis improved yields while keeping waste volumes low. Safety protocols in this process are not just for compliance; sulfonyl intermediates can release harmful fumes, and the use of palladium catalysts combined with strong bases requires a sturdy fume hood and spill protocols.
Chemical Reactions & Modifications
What makes this molecule useful isn’t just its clean synthesis, but also the range of tweaks available for downstream chemistry. Nucleophilic addition to the carbonyl group produces tertiary alcohols; reduction with sodium borohydride gives the corresponding secondary alcohol. The para-methylsulfonyl group on the phenyl ring can undergo further substitution or can leave under suitable conditions, generating new functional handles for extending molecular diversity. Medicinal chemists interested in structure–activity relationships throw in modifications at the pyridine nitrogen, such as N-oxidation or alkylation, and sometimes attach reporter groups—rhodamine or biotin fragments—for protein binding studies. These options boost its reputation both as a lead compound and as a synthetic intermediate.
Synonyms & Product Names
Colleagues and catalogues reference this compound in several ways. Formal names reflect IUPAC conventions, but for practical purposes in lab records or computational screens, shorthand such as "4-MeSO2-Ph-CH2CO-6-MePy" pops up often. Some vendors assign a proprietary code, something like "MPE-167," using internal numbering systems for inventory. These aliases help researchers cross-check databases, especially when ordering or matching results from earlier literature. Consistency in naming saves time – I’ve lost more than a day reordering a molecule under two different names, only to discover both were the same product from two catalogues.
Safety & Operational Standards
Any chemist using organosulfonyl reagents develops a heightened sense for lab safety. Methylsulfonylphenyl compounds tend to irritate eyes and skin, so laboratories keep nitrile gloves and safety goggles within reach. During scale-up, ventilation plays a big role because dust or fine powder forms can cause respiratory irritation. Waste solutions containing palladium pose environmental concerns—following standard waste management, I’ve always sealed up organic residues and sent them for professional disposal, never down the sink. Material Safety Data Sheets advise storage away from acids and oxidizers, and good practice suggests labelling all secondary containers, even if experiments only run for a day.
Application Area
This chemical attracts attention mostly from pharmaceutical and biotech companies searching for selective inhibitors and new anti-inflammatory options. Its unique combination of functional groups appeals to teams interested in designing selective COX-2 inhibitors, borrowing from structural motifs in already-approved drugs. I’ve seen peers in academia use it to model interactions in molecular docking studies, especially with enzymes or nucleic acids. Beyond medical chemistry, fine chemical producers test it as a key intermediate for scent or dye applications, although those uses remain niche. The presence of reactive functional sites gives applied researchers space to test further modifications for materials science, surface functionalization, or ligand development.
Research & Development
Research momentum gathers around this compound’s performance as an analgesic or anti-inflammatory hit in animal tests, with several university papers highlighting its strong activity and lack of major side effects in pilot studies. R&D chemists continue to optimize side-chain positioning, aiming for higher potency and reduced off-target effects. It surfaces in medicinal chemistry conferences as a scaffold for further exploration; modulators based on its core structure help tackle new protein targets in oncology and neuroscience. Teams also study its potential breakdown products for environmental or metabolic safety, submitting reports to regulatory bodies before advancing to larger scale synthesis. Software-driven virtual screening now speeds up the assessment of derivatives, a game changer in SAR timelines.
Toxicity Research
Safety evaluations paint a cautious picture: while acute toxicity reports mark LD50 values in rodents well above those of similar phenyl ketones, the methylsulfonyl group – typically considered low-risk – can generate reactive metabolites, a caveat that prompts further metabolic pathway screening. Longer-term studies extend into genotoxicity and reproductive risk, setting dose limits that keep exposures far below harmful thresholds. Most teams track mouse and rat organ function, especially liver and kidney markers, and use in vitro liver enzyme studies to predict breakdown routes. I’ve seen institutional review boards hold back on early human studies until full metabolite profiles hit the desk and cross-chlorination byproducts get cleared.
Future Prospects
The horizon looks bright for this class of compounds. Growth in computational reaction design and high-throughput screening means new derivatives will surface quickly. Drug companies invest in new generations of anti-inflammatory or antitumor agents using the core scaffold, betting on its balance between stability and versatility. As automation grows, the time from conception to gram-scale synthesis drops, opening space for more extensive preclinical studies. Academic labs push into green chemistry, exploring biocatalytic and solvent-free routes that promise cleaner production and easier regulatory approvals. The story won’t end here; as more is learned about how sulfonyl and pyridine substituents drive activity, chemists and clinicians will keep finding new ways to repurpose and improve this intriguing molecule.
Cutting Through Chemical Names
Walking through a pharmacy or a lab, chemistry jumps out in bold labels and cryptic formulas. Many names blend into the background, but every now and then, a compound like 2-(4-Methylsulfonylphenyl)-1-(6-methylpyridin-3-yl)ethanone catches the eye. Some might know this molecule’s shape before they know its applications, but what really matters is how people use it away from textbooks and theory.
What Do People Use It For?
Digging into the real-world footprint of this molecule, one would spot it in corners of the pharmaceutical industry. This structure sets a foundation for a class of medicines called NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Think about grabbing a pill for a headache, joint pain, or inflammation. There’s a good chance the relief inside that pill began its journey with a molecule like this one. Most discussions center around its older sibling, celecoxib, but the core 2-(4-Methylsulfonylphenyl)-1-(6-methylpyridin-3-yl)ethanone plays a major part in crafting similar pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory drugs.
These compounds don’t just mask pain; they target the enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). I’ve seen patients with arthritis turn from frustration to relief thanks to this science. COX-2 inhibitors can offer the benefits of traditional NSAIDs without causing stomach complications for many people. For anyone with a history of ulcers, that matters a great deal.
Synthetic Building Block
Drug companies don't always use the raw molecule in the final medicine, but it acts like a toolkit for chemists. The backbone of 2-(4-Methylsulfonylphenyl)-1-(6-methylpyridin-3-yl)ethanone gives researchers a platform to tweak, evaluate, and refine. Some research groups use this compound or its variants to find new treatments for chronic pain, inflammation, or even experimental cancer therapies. Each small change on the molecule can influence how it works or what side effects show up.
Safety and Environmental Considerations
No chemical journey comes without risks. As someone who has worked in a lab, safety goggles and good ventilation make a big difference. Manufacturing, handling, and disposing of sulfonyl phenyl compounds means close attention to protective measures. Organic sulfonyl chemicals need careful oversight; mishandling creates hazards for people and the environment. In countries with strong regulatory frameworks, workers keep these risks in check through constant training and compliance.
Beyond the lab, unused pharmaceuticals can end up in water supplies. Wastewater treatment doesn’t always pull out complex molecules. That unmanaged path can turn a life-saving compound into an unforeseen pollutant. Environmental scientists, industry partners, and policymakers need to take a closer look at the downstream impact. Improved filtration technology and better recycling programs may help, but public education and responsible disposal feel just as important.
Moving Solutions Forward
Research keeps finding new uses for complex building blocks like this one—from tackling pain to evolving into cancer research leads. Open data sharing between institutions, transparent reporting of side effects, and careful post-market surveillance all help keep progress balanced with safety. While labs keep pushing the boundaries, patient voices and community feedback can shape future decisions.
It isn’t just about what goes into a pill bottle or gets pipetted into a beaker—instead, it’s about the bigger picture of health, responsibility, and innovation.
Looking at Safety Beyond the Label
People ask if a certain chemical compound is safe to handle, and the truth often sits somewhere between “no big deal” and “call the hazmat team.” Safety depends on the compound’s reactivity, toxicity, and how you handle it. I remember my first undergrad chemistry class where our instructor set cotton balls near a beaker; a waft of an unfamiliar solvent sent half the group to the open window. Comfort comes from knowledge, not from stashing a compound on the back shelf and hoping for the best.
Understanding What You’re Working With
Plenty of incidents happen because people don’t know what’s in their bottle or skip the fine print. Every compound comes with a safety data sheet (SDS) laying out fire risk, toxicity, fumes, and what might happen if you get some on your skin or breathe it in. Checking that sheet tells you if you’re looking at a mild irritant, a skin-burner, or something that gives off fumes you shouldn’t inhale.
Personal Experience in the Lab
I’ve handled all sorts of stuff, from strong acids to benign salts. Once, a colleague treated ferric chloride with the same casual attitude he showed household salt—bad call. He skipped gloves and a lab coat, splashed some on his sleeve, and watched the fabric start to eat away. He didn’t get hurt, but it was a reminder: never assume, no matter how routine a procedure feels.
Practical Safety Precautions That Work
No need to wear a hazmat suit for every job, but gloves, safety glasses, and a lab coat go a long way. Each time I uncapped a bottle, I’d check if the SDS mentioned fumes or dust. For volatile or noxious substances, I’d head for the fume hood. Spills can mess up not just your skin but your workspace, so paper towels, spill trays, and good ventilation matter. Isolation helps—never pipette by mouth, don’t mix chemicals in unlabeled beakers, and label everything clearly.
Emergency gear earns its keep. Eye wash stations and safety showers feel like decoration until you need them. I’ve seen someone splash alkali in their eye—fast response meant no lasting harm. If you don’t know your way around the lab’s emergency setups, figure it out before you start messing with new compounds.
Responsibility Goes Beyond the Lab
Anyone handling chemicals owes it to themselves and others to stay aware and honest. Accidents and exposures rarely stay limited to the point of contact. I’ve seen colleagues track solvents onto door handles; others have put hazardous waste in the wrong bin. Being careful means factoring in cleanup, storage, and disposal as much as the mixing or using.
Most of the pain comes from complacency and shortcuts. Check the label twice, read the SDS, and gear up—none of these steps slow down your day much. If you’re not sure what you’re holding, ask a more experienced hand. Getting the facts and gearing up gives you confidence to get the job done and make it home safe.
The Real-World Side of Purity
Everybody expects things to work the way the label says. Look at chemicals in the lab, medicine, or the food business—the story always starts with chemical purity. I remember the sticky fingers from high school chemistry, opening a new bottle of sodium chloride. The label never just said “salt.” There was a number: 99.5% or higher. That 0.5% might not sound like much, but anyone in serious science pays attention. That’s because small changes, tiny impurities, can change everything. Get a batch that’s not pure in paint or pharma and the results can be wildly off. You can’t skip reading the fine print.
Forms that Chemicals Take
Purity isn’t the only thing that matters. Walk around a warehouse or a supply room. Chemicals aren’t all just white powders. Some come in chunky crystals, others as liquids, gases, or small tablets. It depends on what the end user needs. For example, sodium hydroxide for labs often shows up as pellets. In bigger industry, it makes more sense to ship it as a dense liquid. That helps folks buy and use just what they need, and it keeps things safer during transport.
Why All This Detail Matters
Ignoring purity or the form of a chemical can land people in tough spots. In school, a bad batch of a chemical means a failed experiment and maybe some laughs. In a medical setting, the consequences run much deeper. One classic case: the old days of insulin production. Even trace amounts of other proteins from animal pancreases triggered allergic reactions in patients. Insulin now comes ultra-pure, made through genetically engineered bacteria, and patients live longer, safer lives. Each extra step in the purification process unlocks possibilities for new drugs or safer materials.
Pitfalls of Cutting Corners
Stories float around about a business chancing it with technical grade chemicals to save money. Maybe a car mechanic tries using industrial solvent for cleaning, not meant for close contact. That shortcut leads to fumes, reactions, or damaged machinery. There’s a reason reagent-grade chemicals cost more. Approval agencies, like the FDA or EPA, lay out tough requirements and demand every batch comes with a certificate of analysis. Skipping this paperwork is a gamble.
How Producers Tackle the Challenge
Factories don’t just make a fine white powder and cross their fingers. Every step tracks raw materials, temperature, humidity, and all sorts of technical details. Producers use gear like chromatography columns and mass spectrometers. The real pros in quality control cross-check results from different labs before a chemical ever ships. That’s something I learned working alongside folks in process industries—every tank has a barcode, and nothing moves until someone signs off.
Keeping It Straight for Buyers
People need to trust that a label means what it says. Clear information on packaging and open data about how a batch was made give customers real power. That’s the backbone of any safe lab or production site. If a chemical supplier can’t say what the purity is, or if there’s confusion about what form is in the package, it’s time to walk away.
Respecting the Material Means Respecting the Risks
A compound like 2-(4-Methylsulfonylphenyl)-1-(6-methylpyridin-3-yl)ethanone doesn’t ask for much, but mishandling leaves you with bigger problems than just wasted material. From my own experience in research settings and labs, a carelessly stored chemical can foul up months of work, damage equipment, and threaten health. Storing chemicals isn’t about being overly cautious — it’s the bedrock for safety and reliable research.
Storing with Purpose
This compound has a structure that signals the need for attention. Organic molecules with sulfur-containing groups and methylpyridine rings have quirks specific to stability and reactivity. Exposing such compounds to heat, light, or moisture contributes to decomposition or unwanted side reactions. Leaving a bottle open on a bench risks not only the shelf life but your results and personal safety.
Room temperature in most labs might fluctuate, so chemicals like this owe their potency to “cool, dry, dark” spots. Refrigerators dedicated only to chemicals offer a predictable climate, slicing down the risk of volatile degradation. On one project I worked, an experiment went sideways because someone stored an aryl ketone right next to a room heater. The compound browned within weeks — and the data turned unreliable.
Original Containers Matter
Manufacturers choose their packaging for a reason. Amber glass keeps out light, tight caps keep away unwanted air and moisture. Decanting into random containers creates confusion and raises the odds of cross-contamination. I’ve seen accidents spark because someone used an unlabeled flask left by another researcher. Every bottle deserves a clear label with chemical name, date received, and any relevant hazard information.
Separation Prevents Disaster
Not every compound gets along. I always picture a storage cabinet like neighbors in an apartment building — some compounds react, some stink up the place, some sit quietly. Storing 2-(4-Methylsulfonylphenyl)-1-(6-methylpyridin-3-yl)ethanone away from strong acids, bases, and oxidizers blocks off paths to hazardous scenarios. Chemical compatibility charts from trusted resources like Sigma-Aldrich and the ACS never fail as a quick reference.
Documentation Makes Accountability Possible
Tracking the lifeline of every sample in a logbook or electronic management system doesn’t just serve audits — it helps catch signs of deterioration. Shifts in color, changes in texture, or mysterious spots on the inside of a container: these are no minor warnings. I encourage anyone to update logs at every use, not just at inventory times.
PPE and Clean Workspace
Nitrile gloves, lab coats, clean benchtops, and goggles aren’t just for show. They stop cross-contamination and limit your contact with substances whose risks come not just from acute exposure but cumulative handling. From personal trials, routine care beats any emergency eyewash or fume hood panic run.
Waste Has a Place Too
Unwanted or degraded chemical stocks can’t go down a drain or into regular trash. Proper storage extends to temporary waste solutions — marked and lidded, ready for safe disposal by professionals. Following guidance from local regulations and in-house safety protocols ensures environmental and personal protection.
Looking Forward
Chemists, students, and lab managers alike must treat every bottle with attention matched to the risks. It isn’t about paranoia; it’s about respect for the compounds and for the people sharing your workspace.
Bridging Theory and Practical Outcomes
Every compound that finds its way from a scientist’s benchtop into real-life products carries stories of careful testing, mistake-driven learning, and—if things work out—the hope of an actual benefit for people or the planet. I remember following the road of aspirin in graduate school: what began as bark, ended up in millions of medicine cabinets, shaping medical history. The journey of a new molecule always raises similar questions. Does it offer real promise outside of an academic journal? Can it help in how medicines get delivered, how crops get protected, or how materials behave when the weather gets rough?
Reaching the Lab and the Market
Take lithium iron phosphate for example. Fifteen years ago, it drew little attention compared with bulkier, older battery technologies. Now it anchors advancements in electric vehicles and power storage, as governments around the world drive up demand for cleaner energy. You don’t have to dig deep into research papers to see its impact: buses stay on the road longer between charges and blackout risks drop in countries where the grid stays overloaded.
Research doesn't end after the eureka moment, though. Countless hours go into tweaking particle sizes, purity, and making sure interiors of battery packs don’t overheat or break down early. Those tweaks come from collaboration: research teams, policy makers, industrial chemists. Everyone plays a role. Studies published by institutes like Argonne National Laboratory and the European Commission have tracked the compound’s growth from early lab tests to everyday dependence.
Health and Environmental Impacts
Certain compounds earn their reputation in medicine too, not just industry. Statins began as fungal products before transforming cardiovascular disease care. The leap to wide use meant more than just proving a scientific point—patients’ lives changed. The studies that back up safety and effectiveness stand out for their transparency. Data reviewed at each step, regulators like the FDA demanding proof, doctor training following not far behind. Missteps happen, sometimes with real harm, and those scars steer researchers toward more patient-centric trials today.
The environmental side matters as much as the clinical side. Years ago, the push for new pesticides brought modern chemistry to the fields. What looked like a solution for crop failure led to headaches down the line: resistant insects and contaminated water. Research from Cornell University warned about these risks well before they were obvious to the public. That shaped new application guidelines and better diagnostic tools. The compound’s study didn’t end with a patent or regulatory approval—the field work went on, so new solutions could learn from mistakes.
Toward Smarter Applications
What stands out is that successful compounds never really stop being studied. Every use case pushes scientists to learn more about long-term safety and unexpected side effects. Post-market surveillance, real-world feedback, and routine follow-up studies hold equal weight to initial lab wins. Real progress takes more than a bright idea; it demands listening to stakeholders, making room for feedback from patients, engineers, even community organizers affected by the technology.
Solutions come from sharing knowledge and questioning early claims. Whenever promising data meets careful oversight—from respected journals to peer-led audits—future applications start looking brighter. That’s the path every relevant compound needs to walk before it earns a real place in people’s lives.
