14diazacyclohexane

14diazacyclohexane, commonly known as piperazine, is a heterocyclic organic compound with a six-membered ring containing two nitrogen atoms at opposite positions (1,4-diazacyclohexane). Its chemical formula is C4H10N2. The ring structure provides two basic, secondary amine sites, making piperazine a versatile diamine used as a building block in pharmaceutical synthesis and polymer chemistry.

Chemically, piperazine has two secondary amine groups, each of which can be protonated, allowing the molecule to form mono- or di-protonated species in solution. It is miscible with water and soluble in many organic solvents. As a diamine, it can act as a nucleophile and as a coordinating ligand in metal complexes. Piperazine derivatives are common scaffolds in medicinal chemistry, contributing to a variety of pharmacophores.

Production and use: Piperazine is produced as a commodity chemical and is sold both as a free base and as various salts. It is widely used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and as a curing agent for epoxy resins, as well as a crosslinker in polyurethane chemistry. The piperazine motif also appears in numerous drug candidates, including antihistamines, antipsychotics, antidepressants, and other therapeutic agents.

Safety and handling: Piperazine has low to moderate acute toxicity. It can cause skin and eye irritation and should be handled with appropriate personal protective equipment in well-ventilated areas. It should be stored away from oxidizers and incompatible materials, and proper disposal guidelines should be followed.