Guanidine carbonate shows up in the chemical world as a white, odorless solid, famous for its strong alkaline properties. It takes the form of powder, flakes, granules, or even pearly crystals, echoing versatility in both look and application. Some folks might see it as a simple raw material, but looking closer, its molecular structure—C3H12N6O3—brings together carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen, locking these atoms in a way that releases both power and stability. In its solid state, guanidine carbonate clocks in with a density close to 1.42 g/cm³. Its molecular weight runs at about 180.17 g/mol, a basic detail most buyers want to know. The chemical formula stands as (NH2)2CNHCO3H, and that really tells a story about its reactivity and behavior when handling acids or bases. At room temperature, this compound holds its shape, not melting or breaking apart until heat ramps up to around 160°C, where it starts showing signs of decomposition.
Years back, I ran into guanidine carbonate first as a lab reagent needed for its alkaline reaction. Handling the solid, I noticed how fine and almost silky the powder felt between my fingers—nothing sticky, no strong smell, just a straightforward white material. The flakes and crystals can pile up in bulk bags, showing off a certain luster when light catches them, looking a bit like salt or sugar. Although it can be dissolved in water—at rates up to about 22 grams per 100 ml at room temp—it isn’t going to dissolve well in organic solvents like acetone or alcohol. This compound is known for its water solubility, and that trait alone means it finds its way into solutions for both industrial and lab use.
The pH of a saturated solution lands solidly in basic territory, commonly registering values above 11. Getting a solution right—that balance of pure water and guanidine carbonate—often feels like cooking, where an exact recipe secures reliable chemical reactions later. If someone works with it in a fume hood, the dust won’t irritate the nose or eyes like some other alkaline agents, but gloves and goggles really are nonnegotiable for safety. In crystalline or pearl form, guanidine carbonate stands up to a few knocks and shifts, not slipping apart easily, which lets manufacturers package, ship, and store it without much fuss about broken material or clumping.
Most chemical suppliers make a point of testing for purity when supplying guanidine carbonate. For general industry and research use, the standard purity sits above 99%, with common checks tracking for trace levels of ammonia, sulfate, heavy metals, and other byproducts. The HS Code for this compound—29252900—falls under the broader category for nitrogen-function organic compounds, making customs and trade easier for folks moving materials around the world. Companies sourcing guanidine carbonate in bulk care about loose specs like moisture content, solubility rate, and the physical form, since different factories might need powder for mixing, flakes for feeding into reactors, or pearls for specialty applications.
It wouldn’t surprise anyone to see guanidine carbonate marketed by both its chemical structure and formula. That’s how buyers check compatibility and reactivity for their own recipes—if you’re making flame retardants, cosmetics, or textile reagents, each form and purity could change the outcome of a process. Some suppliers provide product certificates outlining physical tests, MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) summaries, and batch trace reports. Buyers lean on this transparency to track down the best match for their needs, which in turn reflects a growing demand for responsible chemical sourcing.
Even though guanidine carbonate is less hazardous than some industrial alkalis, it still calls for proper handling. Skin and eye irritation crop up for those who ignore gloves and goggles. If a small cloud of dust lifts during weighing or mixing, it can scratch the throat or trigger sneezing, though it rarely causes acute toxicity at levels used in typical settings. Long-term, breathing in the dust probably won’t destroy lung tissue, but no one should get casual with frequent exposure. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) spell out risks: keep out of reach of children, avoid releasing large amounts to drains, and clean up spills with damp cloths or dedicated vacuums rather than dry sweeping. The non-flammable nature makes transport less of a headache, but mixing with acids or strong oxidizers builds real risk for dangerous reactions or off-gassing. Store away from heat, sunlight, and high humidity to avoid clumping or unwanted changes in the active material. The right labeling, spill response protocols, and employee training spell the difference between safe use and trouble on-site.
Real-world industries look for reliable, simple solutions, and guanidine carbonate has become a mainstay in textile processing, cosmetics, specialty detergents, and even pharmaceuticals. For instance, in textile dyeing, guanidine carbonate’s strong alkalinity unlocks stubborn fibers, letting dyes soak in deeper and more evenly. Cosmetic formulators use it to adjust pH for skin-friendly creams and cleansers. Some folks even lean on it for specific flame retardant additives, where guanidine-based molecules resist combustion and boost fire safety ratings. I’ve spoken with process engineers who appreciate its predictable, repeatable behavior in reactors—just add the right weight, dissolve fully, and reactions proceed on schedule.
Pharmaceutical production teams sometimes use guanidine carbonate as a raw material or pH control agent. Unlike some more hazardous chemicals, guanidine carbonate lets workers maintain quality control without sacrificing operator safety or finished product stability. In research and diagnostics, this compound aids in RNA extraction and protein denaturation. Its role as a chaotropic agent sets the right environment for scientists to break down complex biomolecules. Equipment cleaning and process rinsing benefit too, since the solution leaves no oily residue or stubborn buildup.
Global trade and chemical production raise unique challenges. Raw material traceability and purity assurance have taken center stage, with buyers and regulators pushing for more documentation. The demand for sustainable sourcing hammers home the need for transparency—knowing where that bag of guanidine carbonate came from, how it was made, and whether it meets environmental and workplace health standards. Responsible suppliers invest in closed-loop manufacturing, reduced-emission processing, and safe packaging. End users call for robust SDS data, ongoing employee training, and technology to limit airborne dust or water contamination.
Some teams trial alternatives to guanidine carbonate, looking for less hazardous or more biodegradable options. Green chemistry guides development, but so far few compounds match the blend of performance, cost, and ease-of-use. For smaller labs and facilities, bulk buying brings down price but ramps up the need for correct labeling and chemical logbooks. I’ve seen the fallout when teams skip these basics—a missed label means wasted product or, worse, safety incidents.
Guanidine carbonate’s story covers more than formulas and safety sheets. Its blend of practical physical properties—dense, solid, highly soluble, tough under pressure—delivers results from the factory floor to the research bench. Supply chain teams pick it out by HS Code, product form, and purity, focusing on specs to fit exact job requirements. Upstream manufacturers have to keep up with safe production and packaging, responding to feedback from downstream users who demand accountability in every step. Responsible sourcing and safe handling never take a break, since the harm from chemical shortcuts never stays hidden for long.
