In the world of chemistry and pharmaceuticals, the CAS Registry Number serves as a unique identifier for chemical substances. CAS No. 254731-40-3 refers to a compound known as Sertraline Mandelate, a salt form related to one of the most widely studied antidepressant molecules in modern medicine. In this blog, we’ll explore what this compound is, its chemical significance, its uses in pharmaceutical science, and its connection to the well-known antidepressant sertraline.
What Is Sertraline Mandelate?
At its core, sertraline mandelate is the mandelic acid salt form of sertraline — a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Chemically, it is defined by the molecular formula C₂₅H₂₅Cl₂NO₃ and a molecular weight of approximately 458.38 g/mol.
A CAS Registry Number like 254731-40-3 is assigned by the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) to track and catalog chemical substances consistently. This unique identifier ensures that scientists around the world refer to the same compound when discussing its properties, synthesis, and applications.
In technical terms, sertraline mandelate is formed when sertraline, a chiral amine with psychoactive properties, pairs with mandelic acid. This salt formation alters some physical properties — such as solubility and crystallinity — which can be relevant in analytical and synthetic processes.
Chemical Context: Salt Forms and Why They Matter
Medicinal chemistry often uses different salt forms of active molecules. A salt form can influence:
- Solubility in water and organic solvents
- Stability during storage or manufacturing
- Crystallization behavior
- Bioavailability in some formulations
For instance, while sertraline hydrochloride is the common salt used in marketed drugs, other salts like mandelate or lactate may be used in research, analytical standards, or intermediate steps in synthesis. These alternative salts can exhibit different physical properties that are exploited during manufacturing or quality control.
In the context of pharmaceutical synthesis, sertraline mandelate may be used to resolve sertraline’s stereochemistry or prepare sertraline in a consistent, crystalline form that facilitates later conversion to the hydrochloride salt, which is more commonly administered to patients.
Connection to Sertraline and SSRIs
To understand the relevance of sertraline mandelate, it helps to know a bit about sertraline itself. Sertraline is a member of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) — a class of antidepressants widely used in clinical practice. SSRIs work by inhibiting the serotonin transporter in the brain, increasing levels of serotonin in the synaptic cleft, and thereby modulating mood and emotional regulation.
Sertraline’s medical applications include treatment of:
- Major depressive disorder (MDD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Panic disorder
- Generalized and social anxiety disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
These effects and indications stem from the pharmacological action of the sertraline molecule once delivered and absorbed in the body.
Within the broader chemical family, sertraline is derived from tetraline analogs. Historical development shows that structural modifications — such as introducing chlorine atoms into the tetraline framework — helped enhance its selectivity for the serotonin transporter, which is central to its antidepressant activity.
Where Sertraline Mandelate Fits In
Sertraline mandelate itself is not typically a prescribed medication but can serve important roles in pharmaceutical science, including:
- Analytical Reference Material:
Research laboratories and quality control units often use specific salt forms like mandelate as reference standards in methods like HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography). These help verify the identity and purity of compounds during development or testing. - Synthetic Intermediate:
In some drug production processes, sertraline mandelate might be an intermediate that is converted into the more widely used hydrochloride salt through chemical steps. - Chiral Resolution:
Because sertraline has stereocenters (specific 3D arrangements), forming a salt with mandelic acid can assist in separating desired stereoisomers — a technique often used to prepare pure enantiomers in the lab.
While the mandelate salt itself may not enter the final medicinal formulations for patients, its existence and study are essential to ensuring that the final drug forms are produced correctly and consistently.
Final Thoughts
CAS No. 254731-40-3 — sertraline mandelate — represents a fascinating intersection of chemistry, pharmaceutical science, and drug development. Its role as a salt form of a clinically important antidepressant molecule highlights how slight variations in chemical structure can make a big difference in how compounds are used in research and industry.
Understanding such substances deepens appreciation for the complex pathways that lead from molecular design to medications that impact millions of lives. Whether used as analytical standards, intermediates, or tools in chiral chemistry, compounds like sertraline mandelate are part of the unseen foundations of modern pharmaceutical science.
Other recommended Link: CAS NO 138402 11 6 (IRBESARTÁN)
