21-Hydroxypregna-1,4,9(11),16-tetraene-3,20-dione-21-acetate stands out in biochemical and chemical manufacturing due to its defined structure and specialized uses. This steroidal acetate, developed for synthesis and research, often plays a pivotal part in pharmaceutical and chemical settings. People in the lab and on the production floor see how its stability and form guide its choice among other intermediates. In years of handling chemical supplies and developing compounds, the right raw material makes a world of difference in outcome, and this acetate has built a reputation for reliability where precise reactions and predictable outputs matter.
This compound brings together a steroid backbone with multiple unsaturated bonds at positions 1, 4, 9(11), and 16. The carbonyl groups positioned at C-3 and C-20, together with the hydroxyl at C-21 turned into acetate, give it the full chemical name. Its molecular formula, C23H28O5, shows a significant mass, and chemists find it weighs in around 384.47 g/mol. Its structure carries rigid double bonds and functional groups that drive its reactivity in production and lab settings. Most handling takes place in controlled spaces, due to the molecular complexity and sensitivity to light, moisture, oxidative, or acidic degradation. Proper storage, protected from exposure, supports both safety and the preservation of its physical integrity.
People see this acetate as a solid powder or sometimes as crystalline flakes. In my own experience, the way it forms clear, off-white crystals is a visual cue for purity during procurement. Touching or processing it, the texture stays noticeable, between fine powder and coarser grains. Its melting point usually falls between 225–235°C, marking it as moderately stable under routine laboratory operations. Density tends toward 1.28 g/cm³, making it distinguishable from lighter, fluffier excipients you’ll meet on the same shelf. Not many materials in the steroid acetate class display both this level of granular consistency and this clarity of crystalline structure. In a handful of research setups, the solid’s precise melting point signals batch quality and helps differentiate genuine material from close analogs or poorly processed substitutes.
Handling any raw steroidal ketone or acetate, safety always tops consideration. This material asks for solid gloves, proper ventilation, and tight protocols for skin contact and inhalation. Workers know that prolonged exposure—usually through poor practice—can irritate, sensitize, or at worst, disrupt normal hormone balance in rare incidents. Storage shouldn’t bend, as temperature swings, sunlight, and humidity weaken structure and may raise hazards. Labeling under HS Code 29372290, the trade world recognizes its place among organic compounds, which calls for particular import, export, and customs declarations. In some places, its chemical classification leads to restricted handling or mandatory trace logging. Any team handling kilos or even grams has a responsibility—one mattering for worker health, waste disposal, and keeping records above board.
Raw stock lands at the buyer’s bench or warehouse in containers ranging from grams up to multi-kilo drums. Warehouse staff check for tightly sealed drums to fend off contamination. Aqueous solutions barely play a role, since the compound prefers organic solvents such as ethanol, acetone, or chloroform, due to low water solubility. People preparing standards or developing medications know that dissolution speed and clarity often chart the easiest path to successful blending with carriers, excipients, or next-step reactants. In liquid form, few laboratories handle it directly, as the solid or flaked material proves easier to weigh and transfer with accuracy. Supplying it as pearls, large granules, or powder form matches the best ratio of convenience to safety.
Real-world experience shows how choosing the right raw material—like this acetate—never happens on paper alone. On the plant floor, failed runs cost money and time; with this acetate, consistent flake size and density shave days off mixing and blending. Analytical teams check not only for physical purity but for characteristic IR, NMR, and MS spectra, because each batch influences downstream drug development or synthesis. If contamination or improper handling slips through, costs and risks multiply—especially when making the leap from gram-scale research to large-volume production. Mistakes at procurement or early storage ripple into wasted synthesis and lost opportunity, so a reliable profile translates directly into reduced headaches and stronger bottom lines.
Beyond research, this acetate moves into active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) lines as an intermediate, or occasionally in veterinary medicine. Chemists gravitate to its backbone structure, which can undergo specific modifications to develop corticosteroid drugs, anti-inflammatory compounds, or hormone regulators. Besides synthetic applications, quality control teams run routine checks to ensure each shipment aligns with specifications—color, melting point, density, and non-toxicity matter for product registration and regulatory compliance. In the custom synthesis sector, contract manufacturers who supply rare or patent-expired steroids value this acetate because it offers proven reliability batch after batch. Regulatory teams navigating import, export, and customs, for both shipment and on-site audits, depend on its unambiguous HS Code and the clarity of its safety labeling.
Every seasoned chemical handler recommends clear procedures to limit exposure on the job. Proper PPE, fume hoods, automated handling, and airtight containers all help minimize contact. Training new hires or temporary staff on both the hazards and the safe routines isn’t extra effort—it's necessity. Improved traceability, robust documentation, and tighter packaging standards would cut risk even further, especially with rising scrutiny on imported organic precursors. Many supply partners now offer serialization, anti-tamper seals, and digital certificates of analysis to make tracking and verification easier, lowering the odds of mislabeling or accidental cross-contamination in crowded storage areas. The more people share data and experience, the more predictable and safe handling becomes, especially for newcomers or upscaling production teams. Investing even small resources into worker education and process validation pays off, not only for compliance but to avoid the kind of mistakes that can stall production, waste material, or put teams at risk.
Compound Name: 21-Hydroxypregna-1,4,9(11),16-tetraene-3,20-dione-21-acetate
Molecular Formula: C23H28O5
Molecular Weight: 384.47 g/mol
HS Code: 29372290 (organic compounds, steroidal structure)
Physical Form: White/off-white crystalline powder, flakes
Density: Approx. 1.28 g/cm³
Melting Point: 225–235°C
Solubility: Low in water, soluble in alcohols and chloroform
Hazard Class: May be irritant, handle with gloves, eye protection, and ventilation
Common Packaging: 10 g, 100 g, 1 kg, or larger sealed drums
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