Ethyl 5-fluoro-1-(2-fluorobenzyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-3-carboxylate: A Closer Look
Historical Development
Interest in pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine frameworks really picked up in the late 20th century as chemists dug deeper into heterocyclic compounds with pharmaceutical promise. As drug discovery turned toward complex nitrogen scaffolds, the fusion of fluorinated benzyl groups with these rings came to represent a new frontier for improving molecular stability and metabolic resistance. Ethyl 5-fluoro-1-(2-fluorobenzyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-3-carboxylate sits on the back of decades of synthetic legwork and the chase for selective enzyme inhibitors. The addition of fluorine atoms can sound simple on paper, but each step has taken real sweat in labs worldwide, especially at that point where theoretical chatter meets practical troubleshooting. Nowadays, both academic teams and pharmaceutical companies see these molecular arrangements as real contenders for drug candidates, mostly because of the way they tweak biological activity without dragging along unwelcome side effects.
Product Overview
Ethyl 5-fluoro-1-(2-fluorobenzyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-3-carboxylate falls squarely into the category of research chemicals that show promise in medicinal chemistry. The basic structure balances three components—a pyrazolopyridine core, strategically placed fluorine atoms, and an ethyl ester group. The pairing of this specific backbone with a fluorobenzyl side chain isn’t just for show; it gets chosen for its potential to improve binding affinity with target enzymes and to possibly extend half-life in the bloodstream. Chemists these days regard its rigid, non-polar surface and electron-rich nitrogen atoms as ripe territory for fine-tuning drug-like properties and adjusting reactivity toward metabolic enzymes.
Physical and Chemical Properties
This compound shows up as a pale-colored solid under normal lab conditions and tends to dissolve well in organic solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide and acetonitrile. The melting point usually falls in the range you’d expect for rigid aromatic ethers—moderately high but still allowing for convenient purification through recrystallization. Its fluorinated ring stretches bring a pronounced lipophilicity, which nudges it toward high membrane permeability. The electron-withdrawing nature of fluorine atoms alters reactivity across the molecule, slowing down hydrolysis rates and giving analysts a stable window for storage and handling. Spectroscopists find clean signals in both NMR and mass spec, confirming not just structural integrity but also the level of purity achieved after synthesis.
Technical Specifications and Labeling
Material arriving from trusted chemical suppliers lands with a full set of specs: purity above 98% by HPLC, confirmed molecular weight matching 347.3 g/mol, contouring with C17H13F2N3O2. Product sheets list storage guidance—away from light, capped tight, and kept cool to avoid decomposition. Batch data typically include UV/Vis absorbance maxima, solubility in ethanol and DMSO, and sometimes elemental analysis to squash any doubt about contaminants. Containers arrive with hazard pictograms and R/S phrases not just to satisfy regulatory bodies but to keep day-to-day users in the loop about flammability and irritation risk. No one takes shortcuts on the paperwork because the stakes—lab safety, clean data, reproducibility—don’t leave much room for sloppiness.
Preparation Method
The main route to this compound walks through multi-step synthesis, usually beginning with fluorinated precursors and leveraging palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. Early steps lay down the pyrazolopyridine core, followed by substitution reactions to stick on benzyl and ethyl ester groups. Wet chemists have to think ahead at every stage—timing, temperature, solvent choice—because each ring closure and fluorination raises the risk of unwanted isomers or decomposition. After crystallization and chromatographic purification, QA teams line up a suite of analyses to confirm identity, check for unreacted starting material, and flag any by-products. The process remains time-consuming, and the margins for error grow thinner as you scale from the milligram to the multi-gram scale. It’s clear that no single protocol works for every batch, and trial-and-error still informs many modifications.
Chemical Reactions and Modifications
Tinkering with the base structure turns up plenty of options for medicinal chemists. The ethyl ester at the 3-position serves as an entry point for hydrolysis to a free carboxylic acid—a move that can dial up polarity and potentially improve water solubility in finished drugs. Fluorine atoms anchor the bench for selective nucleophilic substitution, opening up further branching for derivatives with different pharmacological profiles. The nitrogen-rich core proves amenable to both alkylation and acylation, which broadens the pool of analogs for SAR (structure-activity relationship) studies. Chemists keep their eyes peeled for position-specific halogen exchange, as well as for reduction or oxidation steps that let you swap out portions of the ring and see what falls out in bioassays.
Synonyms and Product Names
On supplier websites and research catalogs, this compound sometimes pops up under alternate monikers such as 5-fluoro-1-(2-fluorobenzyl)pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester or simply as FFPB-EC. Shortened labels may skip the ‘ethyl’ or reorder the substituent list, but the chemistry remains unchanged. The variety in product names can trip up newcomers scanning abstracts, though most commercial sources settle on unified identifiers based on IUPAC rules and CAS registration numbers. Reading through syntheses in old journals, I’ve run into four unique naming schemes—one more reason to double-check before ordering or reporting results.
Safety and Operational Standards
Anyone handling this compound in the lab follows the full PPE protocol—nitrile gloves, safety glasses, and lab coats—because even though the acute toxicity data still looks sparse, the general rule for novel organics is better safe than sorry. The ethyl ester and fluorinated benzyl groups flag this for skin and eye irritation on standard safety sheets, with advice to use ventilated hoods during weighing and solution prep. Labs set up local exhaust and keep eyewash stations within arm’s reach, especially during scale-up or during workups involving strong acids and bases. Waste goes straight into halogenated-organic streams, and spill plans stay up to date as regulatory agencies drive new chemical hygiene mandates. Up-to-date training matters as much as the raw materials, because even the quietest bench can turn risky in an instant if protocols lapse.
Application Area
Research groups worldwide focus on pyrazolopyridine derivatives as candidate molecules in central nervous system drugs, kinase inhibitors, and anti-inflammatory agents. The unique balance of electronic and steric effects from the fluorobenzyl and ester groups gives medicinal chemists a toolkit for probing enzyme binding sites and tweaking drug metabolism rates. Outside pharmacology, some groups have explored related scaffolds for materials science, particularly in the quest for new organic semiconductors—though the bulk of citations still relate to small-molecule drug discovery. Academic labs, contract research organizations, and larger pharma all show up in publication data, which doesn’t surprise anyone who pays close attention to the evolution of molecular scaffolds across industries.
Research and Development
Development hinges on cross-talk between synthetic chemists refining production and biologists screening compounds for activity. Teams lean on high-throughput screening platforms to pull actionable hits from libraries of analogs, checking for inhibitory potential against specific kinases or receptors. Computational modeling steps in early to predict ligand-receptor fit, speeding up the cycle from bench to animal models. Recent years brought deeper collaboration between academic and private sector labs, with joint funding targeting rare and neglected diseases. Each advance in synthesis or in silico prediction brings new analogs forward, broadening the path toward an eventual clinical candidate.
Toxicity Research
There’s an urgent need for extensive in vitro and in vivo toxicity testing. Early studies, usually in cell culture, monitor cytotoxicity and genotoxicity to weed out problematic structures before moving up to animal models. Fluorinated compounds get special attention due to persistence in biological systems—a mixed blessing, since metabolic stability often runs hand in hand with bioaccumulation risk. Data on this specific molecule still sits in preclinical bins, but careful oversight ensures that each new analog faces a battery of ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) and toxicity screens before anyone considers advancing to more serious pharmacological evaluation. With synthetic organics, history teaches that surprises in long-term toxicity can upend even the most promising program.
Future Prospects
The pipeline for pyrazolopyridine and their fluorinated derivatives stays healthy, as researchers chase down breakthroughs in treating neurological, inflammatory, and infectious diseases. Further improvements in direct fluorination and regioselective coupling should keep prices in check and allow exploration of hundreds of analogs in less time. Advances in predictive toxicology—especially AI-driven models—will likely close the gap between molecular design and safe, effective therapies. As regulatory pressures ramp up for clean, well-characterized chemical libraries, suppliers and end users both push for even higher standards in documentation and chain of custody. The momentum that started with tinkering at the benchtop continues as these compounds find their way into the toolkit for molecular pharmacology, with each new publication hinting at new uses and modifications.
Why This Chemical Matters
Names like Ethyl 5-fluoro-1-(2-fluorobenzyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-3-carboxylate can sound like a mouthful, but behind the complex title lies a molecule with promise in drug discovery. In my work following trends in medicinal chemistry, I keep seeing compounds like this pop up in scientific discussions. Not as background material, but as the kind of building blocks that help labs hunt for improved treatments or open up new approaches for medical conditions.
Where It Fits In Pharmaceutical Research
This specific molecule comes from a family of heterocyclic compounds. These aren’t theoretical curiosities; research teams test derivatives like these for anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and central nervous system activity. A lot of the recent buzz centers on their use as intermediates in the search for kinase inhibitors—those new-generation drugs that have changed how cancer and autoimmune diseases get treated.
The fluorine atoms stand out. Medicinal chemists often add fluorine to molecules for a reason: it changes how a drug interacts with its target. It can boost the strength of the bond to the protein the chemical is designed to block. Sometimes, fluorine makes the compound more resistant to being broken down by the body, so it sticks around longer—good for drugs you don’t want to take every few hours.
Potential Applications and What Scientists Look For
Research papers point to molecules like this showing up in screens for new anti-cancer agents. In one study I read, a batch of pyrazolopyridine derivatives, including close relatives of this compound, stopped certain leukemia cell lines from multiplying. If you talk to medicinal chemists, you’ll hear phrases like “scaffold for optimization”—the idea that you take a core structure and tweak it. Add a fluorine here, a benzyl group there, and test what happens. That’s the grind of modern drug discovery.
Labs invest in compounds like this even before anyone knows if they’ll make it to a real pill. The process leans heavily on being able to rapidly assemble a range of variants, see which ones stop the target protein, then go back to the drawing board and adjust the blueprint. It’s slow work, but crucial for breakthroughs.
Risks, Oversight, and Quality Concerns
Anytime a new chemical enters the early research pipeline, safety questions follow. Even though these compounds aren’t meant for immediate use in humans, professional standards demand careful handling and documentation. Labs use databases to track batch origins and purity tests. Regulatory agencies check lab records to make sure early experimentation doesn’t skip steps needed to keep workers and the environment safe.
The drive for new therapies brings a race to test thousands of variants, and shortcuts can tempt underfunded or rushed labs. I’ve followed stories where low-quality reagents led to costly failed experiments. The only way forward requires strict attention to traceability and reproducibility—turning careful chemistry into reliable advances.
The Big Picture: From Molecule to Medicine
Chemistry like this sits near the starting line of every drug development marathon. Compounds such as Ethyl 5-fluoro-1-(2-fluorobenzyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-3-carboxylate aren’t just chemical names. They mark out new ground for what’s possible in treatment. Only a tiny fraction of these get picked for full testing. Still, every one expands the toolkit, bringing a chance to tackle diseases that outsmarted yesterday’s solutions.
Understanding What Makes Up the Molecule
Chemistry leans heavily on structure, and for Ethyl 5-fluoro-1-(2-fluorobenzyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-3-carboxylate, the name itself uncovers a fascinating story. With every syllable, a structural detail pops out: an ethyl ester tail, a fluorinated benzyl connection, and a complex fused ring system. After years spent parsing chemical names and drawing structures for lab reports, decoding names like this feels like solving a puzzle.
Breaking it down, this molecule builds on a fused heterocyclic scaffold—pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine. Basically, this joins two rings: a pyrazole and a pyridine, fusing them to form a single, flat chunk of carbon and nitrogen atoms. The structure sets the stage for intricate interactions, which matters since medicinal chemistry often finds value in flat, aromatic segments carrying electronegative groups.
How Fluorine and Substituents Change Chemistry
Fluorine pops up twice here. The first time, it swaps in for a hydrogen at the 5-position of the main ring. Again, a fluorobenzyl group hooks onto a nitrogen, and within that group, fluorine sits in the 2-position on a benzene ring. Experience in the lab has taught me that sticking electronegative groups like fluorine almost always impacts how a molecule interacts in biological systems. Fluorine can prevent unwanted breakdown by enzymes, crank up lipophilicity, and often makes the difference for drugs working correctly at their targets.
There’s an ester function at position 3—an ethyl group hooked into a carboxylate. Esters sneak across cell membranes more easily than plain acids, so drug designers use them to help molecules slip into the body before chopping them apart with enzymes. Such subtle structure tweaks only show their magic after years of trial and error at the bench.
Visualizing the Structure
Drawing the structure, the fused rings form the backbone running from left to right. Nitrogen atoms break up the aromaticity, shifting electron density and shaping the molecule’s physical and biological properties. The 5-fluoro substitution on the backbone pulls charge towards itself. The N-1 (the main pyrazole nitrogen) hosts the 2-fluorobenzyl chain, swaying off at an angle. At the 3-position, the carboxylic acid (now as an ethyl ester) pokes outward, doubling down on molecular flexibility and lipophilicity. Altogether, you get a compact pharmacophore with precise points of modification; drug candidates rarely appear much more “drug-like” on paper.
Real-world testing will always trump paper promises, yet past experience shows that this scaffold framework, especially with these tweaks, surfaces often during early-stage pharma projects. It blends pharmacokinetic stability, synthetic accessibility, and molecular recognition features into a single entity.
Implications for Synthesis and Discovery
Synthesizing a molecule like this calls for planning and careful choice of protecting groups. As any chemist scooping up product after hours in the lab knows, aromatic fluorination and ester formation involves selectivity, and the fusing of two aromatic rings doesn’t like shortcuts. The structure lets researchers swap in different esters or switch out benzyl fluorination for other halogens, tailoring the candidate for downstream optimization.
The chemical structure of Ethyl 5-fluoro-1-(2-fluorobenzyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-3-carboxylate lays a solid platform for innovation. Smart tweaking of such scaffolds produced many of today’s successful medicines. It’s not only about individual atoms—it’s about understanding how every part fits together, making molecules that stand a real shot at tackling tough diseases.
Everyday Lessons from Chemistry Storage
Once you’ve handled enough specialty chemicals in a research lab, you know each compound carries its own quirks. Ethyl 5-fluoro-1-(2-fluorobenzyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-3-carboxylate falls right into the lineup of materials that need a little extra respect. Leaving such a reagent on the bench or tossing it in a crowded cabinet can backfire fast. Corrosion, degradation, surprise side reactions—these tend to creep up when good storage takes a backseat.
What Matters Most in Storage
This compound doesn’t just call for a closed bottle. It demands a clean, stable, dry, and cool spot. Harsh light and heat make trouble, and so do humid workrooms. Even a supposedly minor rise in room temperature can push certain chemicals toward decomposition. Walk past an old shelf full of unstable reagents and you see the crusted lids, the color changes, and sometimes—if you’re unlucky—a wisp of vapor. That’s a lesson the textbook skips.
It’s tempting to store everything together for convenience, but once fluorinated organic molecules share space with acids, bases, or oxidizers, risk climbs. Personally, I’ve watched careless storage trigger surprise reactions. Mixing up containers or ignoring labels puts more than just the sample in jeopardy—it risks contamination, ruined data, and sometimes whole-room evacuations.
Real-World Risks and Experience
Ethyl 5-fluoro-1-(2-fluorobenzyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-3-carboxylate contains functional groups sensitive to hydrolysis and oxidation. Water sneaking in means the ester group starts breaking down. Reactive dust and oxygen in the air introduce fresh problems. Even a brief period with a cap left loose can bring on a chemical mess—one that costs time and money to fix. More than once, I’ve seen a year’s worth of synthesis lost because someone treated their bench like a junk drawer.
Lab protocols and chemical manufacturers agree: Store in an airtight, clearly labeled container. Desiccators or low-humidity cabinets offer a safety net against ambient moisture. Steer clear of direct sunlight—those ultraviolet rays keep on working, even through tinted glass. Over time, this kind of exposure can shift a promising sample toward useless sludge. I’ve yet to meet a researcher happy to remake compounds because sunlight wiped out four months' yield.
Solutions: Small Steps, Big Impact
A lot of storage headaches disappear with a temperature-controlled chemical refrigerator, often set between 2°C and 8°C. Keeping shelf space tidy and picking metal, glass, or high-quality plastic containers makes a difference. Silicone grease under the cap rim or using PTFE liners offers protection against vapor leaks—a small trick with huge payoffs. Placing moisture-absorbing packets inside storage cabinets also helps maintain dryness.
Routine checks on labels, seals, and container integrity catch failures early. Some labs use inventory systems that track opening dates and shelf life—no more guessing what lurks in the back corner. Training goes a long way. The best labs pause to share tips on catching common mistakes. I learned fast that old habits—tossing partially used bottles in with general stock—just set up bigger problems for the next person.
Building Trust with Safe Handling
Following these guidelines protects not just expensive reagents, but also every person walking through that lab. This approach doesn’t just follow recommendations—it values the work every researcher puts in, from synthesis to discovery.
Chemistry Isn’t Always Safe by Default
I’ve seen a lot of questions pop up lately about the safety profile of new synthetic chemicals, especially ones with names so long they barely fit in a headline. Ethyl 5-fluoro-1-(2-fluorobenzyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-3-carboxylate sounds like a handful, and for anyone handling chemicals, either in the lab or in manufacturing, there’s more to worry about than complicated spelling. This substance starts raising red flags right from its structure. Whenever you see “fluoro” in a chemical, you’re dealing with fluoride atoms that can sometimes push toxicity upward. Fluorinated compounds have built-in qualities that often make them persistent in the environment and—depending on the neighboring atoms—sometimes not all that friendly to living things.
What Real-World Experience Shows Us
Through years spent teaching college chemistry, I’ve learned that new molecular structures can bring unexpected risks. Even chemicals with trusted-sounding names have sometimes surprised researchers, and many compounds that slide into research labs show up in recreational or designer drug markets without proper testing. Back before regulatory crackdowns, some designer compounds made their way into vape cartridges, and before anyone knew how dangerous they were, folks experienced hospital trips, poisonings, and even deaths. Scientific literature on this specific compound is thin because it may be new, experimental, or niche. That’s not an automatic green light. Inexperience with a substance is itself a risk.
Risks That Don’t Wait for Evidence
As of now, there’s no established toxicology report available to the public about ethyl 5-fluoro-1-(2-fluorobenzyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-3-carboxylate. But with a close look at similar compounds, caution always makes sense. Compounds in the pyrazolopyridine group sometimes interact with the nervous system. That’s the reason why several derivatives are screening candidates for pharmaceutical development. Others, under different conditions, have ended up as part of novel psychoactive substances. In cases like these, even the smallest changes in the structure can mean big jumps in toxicity, or make a chemical a stubborn pollutant that resists breakdown.
Solutions That Put People First
Responsible science always calls for transparency and safety measures. Proper labeling, good ventilation, and full protective gear matter every day chemicals like this one appear in the workplace. Research labs should treat any new fluorinated, aromatic compound as potentially hazardous. If the chemical is part of a cutting-edge product or experiment, clear protocols keep people safe during both handling and disposal. Community resources help too—public poison control centers, safety data sheet databases, and chemical hygiene officers can help spot hazards that go under the radar. Regulators can fast-track assessments and, if needed, introduce restrictions quickly.
Building a More Informed Public
Without open data and transparency around new substances, the public stays in the dark. Here’s where scientists, safety officers, and educators can help. Breaking down tough names and theoretical risks into clear guidance helps everyone—from the worker in the manufacturing line to the student in the lecture hall—make safer choices. If you’re working anywhere near chemicals like this one, stay skeptical until hard data rolls in. The risks of taking shortcuts show up in real lives, not just regulatory paperwork.
Understanding Chemical Access
Looking to purchase a compound like Ethyl 5-fluoro-1-(2-fluorobenzyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-3-carboxylate doesn’t fall into the same category as picking up rubbing alcohol or table salt. These chemicals, often used in research and development, don’t show up on typical consumer shelves. I’ve been involved in academic research settings where sourcing chemicals was not only about finding a supplier, but also about ensuring the compound's purity, safety, and legality.
Regulatory Oversight: Why It Matters
Most compounds containing fluoro or benzyl groups bear close examination due to possible health and environmental hazards. Regulatory bodies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) monitor transactions involving chemicals that could see misuse. Even for academic labs, obtaining them involves filing paperwork proving legitimate research purposes. Getting them as an individual—or outside official research—is more complex, often blocked entirely.
This kind of scrutiny protects public safety and ensures potentially harmful substances aren’t diverted for recreational, illicit, or unsafe pursuits. Some neighbors might question the process, but without any oversight, the risks pile up fast. I’ve seen cases where labs overlooked these basics, leading to fines, criminal charges, and sometimes dangerous exposures.
Supplier Reliability and Safety
Research-grade chemicals come from specialty suppliers catering to universities, pharmaceutical companies, or certified labs. Sigma-Aldrich, TCI America, and Alfa Aesar vet buyers because they're ultimately liable for what happens after delivery. Navigating their websites demands proof of business or academic ties. Personal credit cards rarely make the cut at checkout. Orders involve technical representatives, formal quotes, and verifiable end-uses. In my experience, suppliers often prefer working relationships with returning institutions instead of one-off transactions.
Ethics, Compliance, and Social Responsibility
No chemical is neutral in consequence. Fluorinated compounds frequently turn up in drug discovery, agricultural research, and sometimes in products with dual-use concerns. Academics deal with internal compliance offices making sure all the right boxes are checked. When those layers fall away outside a regulated setting, the risk of mishandling or environmental damage goes up. In neighborhoods where safety seems an afterthought, unregulated chemical buying has caused real tragedy—explosions, poisonings, contamination. Ultimately, any shortcut around the gatekeeping system weakens safety for everyone, and sometimes, a single misstep costs more than just a fine.
Alternative Paths
For those truly needing access for education or science, partnering with a university or joining a certified lab offers a legitimate channel. Sometimes collaboration with a licensed researcher opens legitimate avenues. There are also licensed contract research organizations that act as intermediaries, purchasing and handling specialty compounds under proper guidelines. In my time in the field, these channels provided a safe, legal way to advance projects without risking personal liability or public health.
The Larger Picture
Modern society depends on clear lines between consumer and industrial chemicals for good reason. Buying obscure, potentially hazardous compounds fuels conversations not only about science, but about who bears responsibility if something goes wrong. Chemists and the scientifically minded need to show respect for this trust, using their access wisely and accepting the layers of paperwork and compliance as a fair trade for safety and legality. The system isn’t perfect, but the alternative paves the way for accidents, loss, and regret.
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![Ethyl 5-fluoro-1-(2-fluorobenzyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-3-carboxylate](/static/addc9509-2be4-4959-982b-d09ecb4f6812/images/3d/ethyl-5-fluoro-1-2-fluorobenzyl-1h-pyrazolo-3-4-b-pyridine-3-carboxylate.gif)
