(R)-3-Aminobutan-1-ol stands out in the world of organic building blocks, drawing attention in both research and industry for its utility and versatility. Its structure comes from a butanol backbone, with an amino group snug at the third carbon and a chiral center at the R-configuration, giving it a role as a chiral intermediate in pharmaceutical synthesis and fine chemical manufacturing. People rarely talk about the individuality of each chemical, but for those who have ever worked up a batch in a real lab, the peculiarities of this molecule quickly become obvious; its formula—C4H11NO—isn’t just a string of letters and numbers, but a blueprint for how this compound behaves and interacts in the world.
The density of (R)-3-Aminobutan-1-ol sits at about 0.938 g/cm3, a detail that influences storage and transport decisions. Its appearance can shift, sometimes showing up as a colorless solid, sometimes tending to be a viscous liquid at room temperature, with a melting point near 36°C and a boiling range that hovers around 186°C at atmospheric pressure. These numbers don’t just fill specification sheets—they matter in real-world applications. The solid can be found as flaky crystals, powder, or sometimes as small pearls, reflecting both purity and handling conditions. Its solubility in water makes it easy to dissolve for reagent preparations or reactions, and this property becomes crucial in both pilot and manufacturing scales when consistency and safety come into play.
Looking at the structure, (R)-3-Aminobutan-1-ol’s primary alcohol and secondary amine create a functional handle for further derivatizations; medicinal chemistry teams take advantage of the chirality to assemble complex molecules with high specificity. In hands-on synthesis, both the amine and alcohol can act as nucleophiles or hydrogen bond donors, paving the way for downstream reactions and functionalizations that lead to active pharmaceutical ingredients or lab reagents. Years spent building intermediates for beta-blockers and CNS drugs come together in the choice of a material like this, thanks to the precise control it offers in asymmetric synthesis.
The specifications for (R)-3-Aminobutan-1-ol generally hinge on purity—often no less than 98%—with defined limits for water content, color, and sometimes enantiomeric excess. On packing labels or customs forms, people will see the HS Code, typically referenced as 2922.19, grouping it with amino alcohols. This is a practical detail, as those numbers control the paperwork for moving shipments across borders and let customs officers and buyers track exactly what kind of raw material is entering a supply chain.
This chemical may not seem as hazardous as strong acids or alkali metals, but coming close without proper protection isn’t wise. Skin contact brings irritation, and inhaling vapors poses risks. Proper gloves, goggles, work under ventilation—these aren’t optional if you want to avoid workplace injuries. Datasets in safety sheets show LD50 values that suggest moderate toxicity, certain enough to warrant careful handling. With the rise in green chemistry focus, some companies aim to source and use the purest grades while keeping worker exposure low and emissions tightly contained. No one likes seeing a spill in the lab, especially when a reactive amine is involved; following protocols helps avoid those accidents that turn a routine day into a scramble.
For suppliers and buyers in pharma, agrochemicals, and specialty sectors, (R)-3-Aminobutan-1-ol often starts as a raw material for optically active intermediates. My own work assembling API syntheses often circles back to such chiral alcohols, since they serve as both the foundation and differentiator for dozens of finished drugs. High-quality sourcing matters, not only for cost but because the downstream effects of an impure lot can ruin months of work. With global logistics chains growing more complex and sustainability scrutiny on the rise, verifying the molecular fingerprint and traceability from production right down to DSP (downstream processing) becomes a shared burden across teams.
As regulations tighten on chemical safety and supply transparency, manufacturers face the task of maintaining both high throughput and compliance, particularly on imported raw materials linked to HS Code 2922.19. The documentation load grows heavier, but labeling batches precisely and storing according to guidelines pays off by lowering liability and supporting audits. In production settings, regular training on handling practices, closed systems for solvent recovery, and non-stop updates to SDS ensure that minor incidents don’t spiral. My own advice—relying on personal experience—calls for building strong relationships with suppliers who don’t just offer a price list, but can speak to their QC (quality control) and process transparency, helping everyone move away from blind spots in the chemical supply chain.
