tert-Butyl 4-Formylphenethylcarbamate: Lab Handling Guide
tert-Butyl 4-Formylphenethylcarbamate: Lab Handling Guide
tert-Butyl 4-formylphenethylcarbamate is a bifunctional organic building block featuring a Boc-protected amine tethered to a para-formyl-substituted phenethyl scaffold, making it a versatile intermediate for medicinal chemistry, combinatorial library synthesis, and bioconjugation applications.
- Product Name
- tert-Butyl 4-formylphenethylcarbamate
- SKU
- T729066
- Functional Groups
- Aldehyde (–CHO) and Boc-protected amine (–NHBoc)
- Primary Applications
- Reductive amination, imine/oxime formation, Boc deprotection sequences, combinatorial synthesis
- Recommended Storage
- Cool, dry, well-ventilated area; protect from moisture and light
- Solubility
- Soluble in common organic solvents such as DCM, THF, DMF, and EtOAc
Chemical Identity and Structure
tert-Butyl 4-formylphenethylcarbamate is a dual-functionality organic compound comprising two key reactive handles: an aromatic aldehyde at the para position of the phenyl ring and a Boc (tert-butoxycarbonyl)-protected primary amine attached via an ethylene linker. This structural arrangement places a reactive electrophilic carbonyl and a latent nucleophilic amine within a single, stable molecule.
The Boc group serves as an acid-labile protecting group for the amine, allowing selective deprotection under mild acidic conditions (e.g., TFA in DCM or HCl in dioxane) without disturbing the aldehyde functionality under appropriate conditions. The free aldehyde, by contrast, is available for immediate condensation or reduction reactions without prior activation. Together, these features make this compound a convergent building block suitable for sequential or one-pot multi-step transformations in complex molecule synthesis.
Key identifiers:
- SKU: T729066
- Molecular formula: C14H19NO3
- Core scaffold: para-formylphenethyl with Boc-amino terminus
Synthetic Applications and Reactivity
The bifunctional character of tert-Butyl 4-formylphenethylcarbamate underpins its broad utility across several synthetic strategies:
1. Reductive Amination
The free aldehyde reacts readily with primary or secondary amines in the presence of a reducing agent (e.g., NaBH3CN or NaBH(OAc)3) to yield secondary or tertiary amine products. This reaction is highly compatible with the intact Boc group, enabling elaboration of the amine terminus in a subsequent step after selective Boc removal.
2. Imine and Oxime Formation
Condensation with hydroxylamine or substituted amines yields stable oximes or imines, respectively. These intermediates are valuable in prodrug design, bioorthogonal labeling, and preparation of pharmacophore-bearing heterocycles.
3. Wittig and Knoevenagel Reactions
The aldehyde participates in Wittig olefination and Knoevenagel condensation reactions to introduce alkene functionality, extending the carbon skeleton for further derivatization.
4. Boc Deprotection and Downstream Functionalization
Sequential Boc removal followed by acylation, sulfonylation, or reductive amination at the liberated amine allows rapid generation of structurally diverse analogs from a single precursor, a workflow particularly valued in fragment-based drug discovery and SAR studies.
Safe Handling and Storage Guidelines
As with all laboratory chemicals, proper handling and storage of tert-Butyl 4-formylphenethylcarbamate are essential for researcher safety and product integrity.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Wear chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile recommended), a laboratory coat, and safety goggles when handling this compound.
- Work in a well-ventilated fume hood to avoid inhalation of dust or vapors.
Storage Conditions
- Store in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area.
- Protect from light, moisture, and incompatible materials (strong oxidizers, strong acids, strong bases).
- Recommended storage temperature: refer to the product datasheet supplied with T729066 for confirmed conditions.
Spill and Waste Management
- In case of spill, contain the material, avoid dust generation, and dispose of in accordance with local chemical waste regulations.
- Do not dispose of down drains or into the environment.
First Aid
- Skin/eye contact: flush thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical advice.
- Inhalation: move to fresh air immediately; seek medical advice if symptoms persist.
Note: Always consult the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for T729066 before first use. SDS documents are available from Aladdin Scientific upon request or via the product page.
Quality, Purity, and Analytical Verification
For research applications, the purity and identity of tert-Butyl 4-formylphenethylcarbamate must be confirmed before use, particularly in quantitative assays, biological screening, or when serving as a reference standard. Aladdin Scientific supplies this compound (T729066) with a certificate of analysis (CoA) detailing lot-specific analytical data.
Recommended Analytical Techniques
- HPLC: Reverse-phase HPLC (C18 column, UV detection at 254 nm or 280 nm) is the standard method for purity determination of aryl aldehyde compounds.
- NMR Spectroscopy: 1H NMR confirms the characteristic aldehyde proton signal (typically δ 9.9–10.0 ppm, singlet) and the Boc tert-butyl signal (typically δ ~1.45 ppm, singlet, 9H).
- MS: ESI-MS or APCI-MS confirms molecular weight and fragmentation consistent with the Boc carbamate and aldehyde functional groups.
- IR Spectroscopy: Strong carbonyl absorptions for both the aldehyde (~1700 cm-1) and carbamate (~1690–1720 cm-1) provide structural confirmation.
Handling Purity-Sensitive Experiments
If the compound has been stored for an extended period or exposed to adverse conditions, re-analysis by TLC or HPLC before use is strongly recommended. Aldehyde-containing compounds may undergo slow oxidation to carboxylic acids or self-condensation under inappropriate conditions.
Ordering and Procurement Information
tert-Butyl 4-formylphenethylcarbamate is available from Aladdin Scientific under SKU T729066. Researchers and procurement professionals can place orders through the Aladdin Scientific website or by contacting the sales team directly.
What to Include When Ordering
- SKU: T729066
- Required quantity and pack size
- Purity grade requirement (refer to product datasheet)
- Shipping and storage temperature requirements
- Any project-specific documentation needs (e.g., CoA, SDS)
Bulk and Custom Requests
For bulk quantities, custom synthesis, or requests for additional analytical documentation (e.g., chiral purity, specific NMR data), please contact Aladdin Scientific's technical sales team. Custom packaging and multi-lot reservation services may be available depending on project requirements.
Returns and Quality Complaints
If the received product does not meet the specified purity or identity upon verification, please contact Aladdin Scientific customer service with the lot number and CoA for resolution in accordance with the company's returns and refunds policy.
Frequently asked questions
What is tert-Butyl 4-formylphenethylcarbamate used for in organic synthesis?
This compound serves as a bifunctional building block combining a reactive aldehyde for condensation or reductive amination reactions and a Boc-protected amine for sequential functionalization. It is widely used in medicinal chemistry for preparing amine-containing drug candidates, in combinatorial library synthesis, and in bioconjugation workflows where orthogonal reactivity is required.
How do I selectively deprotect the Boc group without affecting the aldehyde?
Boc deprotection is typically achieved using trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in dichloromethane (20–50% v/v) or 4 M HCl in dioxane at room temperature for 30–60 minutes. These conditions are generally selective for the Boc carbamate and leave the aromatic aldehyde intact, though care should be taken with sensitive substrates. Always quench the reaction and neutralize before proceeding to the next synthetic step.
What solvents are recommended for dissolving T729066?
tert-Butyl 4-formylphenethylcarbamate is expected to dissolve well in common polar aprotic and chlorinated organic solvents including dichloromethane (DCM), tetrahydrofuran (THF), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), and ethyl acetate (EtOAc). Solubility in water is expected to be low due to the lipophilic Boc group and aromatic ring. Always verify solubility empirically for your specific application and concentration.
How should T729066 be stored to maintain stability?
Store tert-Butyl 4-formylphenethylcarbamate in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from light, moisture, and strong oxidizing agents. Aldehyde-containing compounds can be susceptible to slow oxidation; therefore, minimizing headspace and using inert atmosphere (argon or nitrogen) storage is advisable for long-term preservation. Refer to the product-specific CoA and SDS for confirmed storage temperature.
Is tert-Butyl 4-formylphenethylcarbamate suitable for use as an HPLC reference standard?
This compound may be used as a reference standard in HPLC method development and purity assays, provided that the lot purity has been verified and documented via the certificate of analysis (CoA). For quantitative analytical applications requiring certified reference materials with traceable purity values, please contact Aladdin Scientific to discuss available purity grades and supporting documentation for T729066.
References
- Greene, T. W.; Wuts, P. G. M. Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, 4th ed.; Wiley-Interscience: New York, 2007. (General reference for Boc protection/deprotection strategies.)
- March, J. Advanced Organic Chemistry: Reactions, Mechanisms, and Structure, 5th ed.; Wiley: New York, 2001. (General reference for reductive amination and aldehyde reactivity.)
- Aladdin Scientific. Product Certificate of Analysis for tert-Butyl 4-formylphenethylcarbamate, SKU T729066. (Lot-specific analytical data; available upon request.)
Products are supplied for research and development use only. Not for use in humans, animals, diagnosis, or therapy.
危险品化学品经营许可证(带存储)