3-Oxo-4-Aza-5-Alpha-Androsatane-17Beta-Carboxylic Acid: Physical Properties, Structure, and Handling

What is 3-Oxo-4-Aza-5-Alpha-Androsatane-17Beta-Carboxylic Acid?

3-Oxo-4-Aza-5-Alpha-Androsatane-17Beta-Carboxylic Acid belongs to a group of androgen derivatives, typically studied for their role in steroid metabolism, pharmaceutical synthesis, and biochemical assays. Its chemical structure incorporates a carboxylic acid group at the 17-beta position, forming a solid link to research into hormonal pathways and enzyme inhibition. The molecular formula C18H26N2O3 suggests a compound with moderate complexity, indicating the presence of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen functional groups. Analysis reveals a fused ring backbone common in steroids, giving it rigidity and influencing solubility in various solvents.

Chemical Structure and Specifications

A closer look at the steroid scaffold, with 3-oxo and 4-aza substitutions, marks out an unusual pharmacophore. Chemists rely on spectroscopy and crystallographic data to confirm bond locations and stereochemistry. Each atom, each bond influences the way this material behaves — both in laboratory glassware and in the body. Specifications often list a melting point between 196°C and 203°C, a range typical for solid steroidal acids, which supports safe handling and detailed analysis. Most material comes as a fine powder or crystalline solid, free-flowing and slightly off-white, distinguishing it from waxy or pearlescent intermediates sometimes seen in related substances.

Physical Forms: Powder, Flakes, Pearls, and Liquids

Manufacturers often convert this raw material into multiple forms for different uses: powder for weighing accuracy, flakes or small pearls for safer transport, and in rare cases, suspension in liquid carriers for controlled release or easier dosing. Density tracks near 1.13 g/cm³, which means bulk material needs secure storage to prevent clumping and exposure to moisture. From the shelves of chemical distributors to research laboratories, the trade often circles around containers marked with hazard statements, given the potential for mild irritancy or harm if mishandled. Material safety data sheets tend to underline required personal protective equipment, as inhalation or contact poses risks—standard practice in any chemistry lab.

HS Code, Raw Material Supply, and Regulatory Oversight

For international trade, the product lines up under Harmonized System (HS) Code 29372900, typically sorted among organic compounds with nitrogen heterocycles. Customs declarations demand full identification, often combined with certificates of analysis and purity. Importers and large users follow strict chain-of-custody documentation, sometimes seeking batch-specific data to meet regulations set by agencies like the European Chemicals Agency, the US Environmental Protection Agency, or regional equivalents elsewhere. Raw material sourcing usually starts with suppliers specializing in active pharmaceutical ingredients, fine chemicals, or steroid intermediates, each batch tested for compliance and contaminant exclusion.

Molecular Formula, Solution Preparation, and Analytical Uses

In solution, the molecular weight—often calculated at 318.41 g/mol—guides every dilution, calibration, and experiment. Chemists dissolve the solid in measured proportions to prepare test solutions for chromatography, spectrum analysis, or biological assay. Not every solvent works. Methanol, acetonitrile, or buffered aqueous mixtures may be necessary, depending on the downstream method. Solubility, pH stability, and light sensitivity form the triad of practical issues. The right handling protects sample integrity, reduces waste, and sharpens experiment outcomes. Analytical evidence from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry validates each step in the workflow, building a record of trust for each raw material lot on its journey from synthesis to applied science.

Hazardous Properties, Safety, and Long-Term Storage

Safety data points toward mild toxicity if swallowed or inhaled, skin irritation, and possible environmental harm if released in large quantities. Technicians work with full laboratory PPE—lab coats, gloves, safety goggles—to keep exposure below occupational limits. The crystalline nature of most samples simplifies containment and reduces risk, but cutting corners brings trouble. Proper ventilation, precise training, and real-time auditing of chemical waste streams matter on the shop floor and in the field. Flammable hazards are lower than many volatile organics, but care still counts. Disposal follows guidelines set by hazardous waste management authorities, blocking contamination of water sources or accidental mixing with incompatible substances. Many research labs store bulk solid in sealed glass or HDPE bottles, away from sunlight, kept cool and dry, with access restricted to trained staff.

Applications and Importance in Research and Industry

The scientific relevance of 3-Oxo-4-Aza-5-Alpha-Androsatane-17Beta-Carboxylic Acid finds roots in its biological activity, potential as an intermediate, and use in the synthesis of clinically active steroids. Pharmaceutical chemists track it as a building block for enzyme inhibitors and new therapeutic agents. The specificity of its structure gives rise to focused inhibition in androgenic and enzymatic pathways, with downstream effects in prostate research, hormone replacement trials, and potential drug discovery. Its reliable melting point, density, and ability to form stable solutions ensure repeatability across research studies and pilot-scale formulations. Advanced users sometimes pursue structural analogs, hoping to tweak activity profiles or unlock new use cases, which means the compound rarely gathers dust on a shelf.

Potential Risks and Paths to Safe Handling

From direct experience working with similar compounds, safety grows from routine: secure labeling, daily inventory updates, and staff training shape every good lab culture. Closed systems for material transfer reduce the dust and airborne exposure. Emergency showers and eyewash stations hover within easy reach. Even with careful procedures, accidents occasionally happen; quick access to safety data sheets and updated emergency response plans minimize damage. Investing in digital tracking can halt mistakes before they spiral, especially as asset management scales up. Continuous monitoring for leaks, spills, and unauthorized access draws clear lines between responsible research and reckless shortcuts.

Supporting Responsible and Sustainable Use

Global pressure mounts for safer, greener chemistry. To keep pace, suppliers push for better purity, improved documentation, and greener synthetic routes, sometimes harnessing biodegradable solvents or lower-energy processing. Labs choose reusable packaging and opt into take-back programs or shared resource pools. End-users, from pharmaceutical manufacturers to university researchers, play a role in making sure raw materials like 3-Oxo-4-Aza-5-Alpha-Androsatane-17Beta-Carboxylic Acid see responsible use, balancing research innovation with environmental stewardship. Collaborative platforms and industry networks share best practices, troubleshooting safety risks, and exploring alternatives to hazardous or energy-intensive workflows. Step by step, these shifts turn compliance from a box-ticking exercise into the core of chemical practice, serving health, safety, and progress in equal measure.