(2R)-N-Benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-2-methylcytidine 3',5'-dibenzoate: A Clear Look at the Chemical and Its Characteristics

What Is (2R)-N-Benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-2-methylcytidine 3',5'-dibenzoate?

(2R)-N-Benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-2-methylcytidine 3',5'-dibenzoate comes from blending ingenuity in synthetic chemistry and biochemistry. Its foundation links to nucleoside analogs—a class with uses in antiviral and anticancer research. Lab notes describe a compound that lines up as a solid or powder, usually white to off-white, with flakes and sometimes fine crystals visible through a microscope. Crafted with care, the molecule includes several defining chemical groups: a benzoyl, a methyl, and a fluoro addition, each giving the material unique properties. Molecular formula reads as C33H27FN3O7, molecular weight lands around 597.59 g/mol. From a practical point of view, this molecular weight sits in the mid-range, making handling and weighing routines dependable. Direct sunlight isn’t friendly to this chemical; storage in a cool, dry space inside an amber bottle keeps the integrity and stops degradation. My own time working with similar nucleosides has shown that careful light protection preserves chemical freshness and potency for long shelf life.

Physical Properties

Handling this compound turns up a substance that rarely turns sticky. Relatively low solubility in water but ready to dissolve in organic solvents such as DMSO, dichloromethane, or acetonitrile. Density checks hover near 1.36 g/cm³, typical for nucleoside derivatives with bulky aromatic rings. The media often mentions various forms—crystal, powder, flakes, and sometimes a granular pearl-like structure. Temperature changes offer clues about stability. Melting point rests between 148–153 degrees Celsius, usually holding form up to those ranges without foul smells or visible darkening, which signals good material stability. I’ve found that avoiding high humidity is critical—too much moisture can break down esters, and hydrolysis ruins yield and reliability. Nucleoside analogs like this tend to clump if exposed to damp air, so laboratories rely on desiccators as standard practice.

Chemical Structure and Composition

This compound’s backbone keeps the classic pyrimidine motif, but the modifications make a difference in biological interaction. The fluoro and methyl substitutions at the 2-position and benzoyl groups at the 3',5'-hydroxyls reflect a synthetic chemist’s playbook—pushing nucleoside stability and bioavailability. Each group has a reason: a heavier, bulkier molecule slows down enzymatic breakdown when mixed into metabolic assays. The N-benzoyl group adds further shielding and influences how this nucleoside derivative fits into cellular pathways and scheduled reactions. To work with this molecule means to appreciate the ingenuity behind piling on chemical armor where nature once had vulnerability. The structure is confirmed by NMR, mass spectrometry, and IR—these characterize and confirm purity batch by batch. In my own experience, trace impurities in this class of synthetic materials can derail research, so quality control is strict and multi-layered. Each batch gets a certificate of analysis tracking purity above 98%, and chromatograms clear enough to convince even the most cautious PI.

Specifications and Documentation

Lab suppliers assign careful codes and labels to every shipment. The most used HS Code for raw materials like this nucleoside analog often sits at 2934999099—categorizing it under other heterocyclic compounds, a stretch of tariff codes that covers a huge chunk of pharmaceutical building blocks. Standard packaging arrives in 1 gram, 5 gram, or 10 gram glass containers, often double-bagged under argon or nitrogen for maximum stability. Each batch has a lot number, expiration date, and SDS document for safety and handling. As many chemists know, documentation isn’t bureaucracy—it’s trust, traceability, and safety rolled into a system that minimizes accidents.

Safe Handling—Hazard and Harmful Potential

Raw materials like (2R)-N-Benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-2-methylcytidine 3',5'-dibenzoate deserve respect and caution. Gloves, goggles, and lab coats go on every time the bottle is uncapped. Inhalation, ingestion, and direct skin contact best be avoided as a rule. The SDS typically lists this chemical as irritant, with harmful effects if inhaled or swallowed, and always recommends careful fume hood use since powder can become airborne quickly during transfers. Solid and powder forms both have a way of drifting off the spatula, especially if indoor air is dry or static is present. Cleaning up spills involves bench paper and ethanol, double-wrapped in hazardous waste bags. I’ve seen well-trained teams use antistatic precautions, like grounding straps in dry winter months, just to avoid powder drift. Fire risk runs low, thanks to high melting point and non-volatility, but all it takes is one overlooked hazard to cause a shutdown. Eye wash stations and emergency showers must be free and clear—no excuses, no shortcuts. Keeping chemical incidents out of news headlines means knowing these materials from purchase to disposal.

Applications and Material Importance

Products like this do not just serve theory; they fuel progress in labs pushing for answers against viral infections, cancer, and genetic disorders. The backbone of new medicine comes from small steps, many rooted in nucleoside chemistry. Custom syntheses using such raw materials lead to analogs that block viral polymerases or trip up cancer cell replication. Every bottle shipped reaches people who drive trial after trial until something clicks. As a researcher juggling dozens of these building blocks, what matters most is consistency—batch after batch, the material must behave, dissolve, and react as expected. Troubleshooting often ends at the purity certificate. If it checks out, a failed experiment likely traces to the bench, not the bottle. Global supply chains have seen strains on specialty raw materials, so reliable sourcing, clear documentation, and prompt delivery define the true backbone of experimental science.

Solution and Moving Forward

Meeting modern demands for quality and safety means better traceability, clear hazard labeling, and fast SDS access. Integrated supply chain management, where origin and batch history stay visible, makes recalls almost obsolete. Green chemistry initiatives are pushing producers to cut solvent waste and find safer, less hazardous routes for synthesis. In the lab, automation in weighing and dispensing can further reduce spills and dust exposure. Training young scientists not just in technique but in chemical culture—never assume, always check—keeps progress moving without risk to health or safety. Trust in the bottle reaches far, and every careful handoff from manufacturer to scientist closes the gap between raw material and medical breakthrough.