Why Serinol Remains an Important Pharmaceutical Building Block

Small molecules can play a surprisingly important role in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

2-Amino-1,3-propanediol, commonly known as Serinol, is a good example. With its combination of one amino group and two hydroxyl groups, this multifunctional amino alcohol can participate in a variety of chemical transformations and has become an established building block in pharmaceutical and fine chemical synthesis.

Serinol is particularly important because of its role in the synthesis of Iopamidol, a non-ionic iodinated X-ray contrast agent widely used in diagnostic imaging.

The compound is identified by CAS No. 534-03-2 and is also known as 2-Aminopropane-1,3-diol, 1,3-Dihydroxy-2-aminopropane, DL-Serinol, and Serinol.

According to PubChem and NIST, its molecular formula is C₃H₉NO₂ and its molecular weight is 91.11 g/mol.

1. Product Profile: 2-Amino-1,3-propanediol

The chemical identity and molecular data are consistent with established chemical databases.

Structurally, Serinol contains a central carbon bearing an amino group and two hydroxymethyl groups. This combination of amine + diol functionality gives the molecule considerable synthetic flexibility.

2. The Key Pharmaceutical Application: Iopamidol

The most commercially significant application of Serinol is its use in the manufacture of Iopamidol.

Iopamidol is a non-ionic iodinated X-ray contrast medium used in diagnostic imaging. Iodinated contrast agents increase X-ray attenuation and improve the visibility of anatomical structures during radiographic examinations and CT imaging.

Iopamidol has been commercially used for decades and remains an important contrast agent in the global diagnostic imaging market.

The connection between Iopamidol and Serinol is particularly direct.

Published process chemistry shows that the final stages of Iopamidol synthesis involve an amidation reaction in which 2-amino-1,3-propanediol (Serinol) reacts with an appropriately functionalized iodinated aromatic intermediate, followed by hydrolysis.

This means Serinol is not simply a general-purpose chemical additive. It provides a defined structural component required to construct the Iopamidol molecule.

3. Why Serinol Is Suitable for Iopamidol Synthesis

The molecular structure of Serinol is particularly useful for pharmaceutical synthesis.

It contains:

One primary amino group

Two hydroxyl groups

A compact three-carbon skeleton

The amino group provides the key nucleophilic functionality required for amidation chemistry, while the hydroxyl groups remain available for subsequent transformations or protection/deprotection strategies.

In the synthesis of Iopamidol, this multifunctional structure enables Serinol to become incorporated into the final pharmaceutical molecule.

Recent research published in ACS Omega in 2026 describes Serinol as a key aminodiol used on a multiton industrial scale for Iopamidol synthesis. The same study highlights the importance of controlling Serinol isolation, purification and solid-state properties at industrial scale.

This provides an important perspective for pharmaceutical buyers: although Serinol is a relatively small molecule, its quality can be highly relevant to downstream API manufacturing.

4. Serinol and the Iopamidol Supply Chain

The commercial production of Iopamidol involves multiple synthetic stages, meaning that intermediate quality and supply continuity are important considerations.

For a material such as Serinol, pharmaceutical manufacturers may evaluate:

Identity → Purity → Impurity profile → Batch consistency → Packaging → Supply stability

A supplier that can provide consistent Serinol quality can help reduce variability in downstream processing.

This is particularly relevant when the material is incorporated into an established pharmaceutical manufacturing process.

Recent research also emphasizes that Serinol purification can be technically demanding because of its highly polar structure and strong interaction with water. Crystallization and other purification approaches are therefore important areas of industrial process development.

5. Serinol Beyond Iopamidol

Although Iopamidol is one of the most commercially important applications, Serinol has broader value in pharmaceutical and chemical synthesis.

Its multifunctional amino-diol structure allows it to serve as a building block for:

Pharmaceutical intermediates

Amino alcohol derivatives

Bioactive compounds

Sphingolipid-related structures

Fine chemicals

Specialty chemical intermediates

A scientific review describes Serinol as an established intermediate used in X-ray contrast agents, pharmaceuticals and sphingolipid-related synthesis.

Its structure has also attracted interest in the synthesis of various biologically active molecules and non-natural amino-acid-related compounds.

Therefore, 2-Amino-1,3-propanediol should be viewed as a versatile pharmaceutical building block rather than a single-application raw material.

6. Application in Pharmaceutical Research and Pain-Related Compounds

Serinol and its derivatives have also been investigated as building blocks for pharmaceutical compounds, including structures associated with analgesic and pain-management research.

The significance here comes from the molecule’s ability to undergo selective functionalization.

The amino group and hydroxyl groups can be chemically modified to construct more complex molecular architectures.

For pharmaceutical developers, this makes Serinol useful as a starting material or intermediate when developing molecules requiring a compact amino-diol framework.

The specific downstream application depends on the target molecule and synthetic route, so the suitability of a particular Serinol grade should always be evaluated against the customer’s process requirements.

7. Why Purity and Moisture Control Matter

Serinol contains multiple hydrophilic functional groups and is hygroscopic, meaning that moisture management can be relevant during storage and handling.

For pharmaceutical intermediate applications, buyers should therefore pay attention to:

Chemical Purity

The assay should meet the agreed product specification.

Water Content

Moisture can influence weighing, reaction stoichiometry and downstream processing.

Impurity Profile

Potential impurities should be controlled according to the customer’s application.

Batch Consistency

Consistent material quality helps support reproducible pharmaceutical synthesis.

Packaging

Appropriate sealed packaging can help protect the product during transportation and storage.

For customers using Serinol in Iopamidol or other pharmaceutical intermediate synthesis, a supplier’s COA, specification and batch analytical data can be important components of supplier qualification.

8. Industrial Production and Supply Considerations

Serinol has been produced through several synthetic approaches.

A historically important industrial route involves the condensation of nitromethane and formaldehyde to form a nitro-containing intermediate, followed by catalytic hydrogenation to convert the nitro group into the amino group.

Recent literature confirms that this route remains an important industrial approach, while alternative chemical and biotechnological routes have also been investigated.

The development of improved production and purification technologies reflects the commercial importance of Serinol.

For pharmaceutical customers, however, the most important question is not simply how the molecule can be synthesized, but whether the supplier can consistently provide material that meets the required specification.

9. Why Choose a Reliable Serinol Supplier?

For a pharmaceutical intermediate such as 2-Amino-1,3-propanediol CAS 534-03-2, supplier evaluation should go beyond unit price.

Key considerations include:

Confirmed chemical identity

Stable purity

Consistent batch quality

Appropriate packaging

Complete technical documentation

Reliable production capability

Flexible order quantities

Long-term supply continuity

These factors become increasingly important when Serinol is incorporated into an established pharmaceutical manufacturing process.

10. SHLZ Pharma’s 2-Amino-1,3-propanediol Supply

SHLZ Pharma supplies 2-Amino-1,3-propanediol CAS No. 534-03-2 as part of its pharmaceutical intermediate portfolio.

According to the company’s product information, Serinol is a regularly produced product, with supply capability ranging from smaller sample quantities to larger commercial requirements.

For customers sourcing Serinol for pharmaceutical development and manufacturing, SHLZ Pharma focuses on:

Product specification

Batch consistency

Quality documentation

Professional packaging

Supply continuity

International customer support

This is particularly relevant for customers requiring Serinol as an Iopamidol intermediate or as a building block for other pharmaceutical synthesis programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 2-Amino-1,3-propanediol?

2-Amino-1,3-propanediol is an amino alcohol commonly known as Serinol. Its CAS number is 534-03-2.

What is the molecular formula of Serinol?

The molecular formula is C₃H₉NO₂, with a molecular weight of 91.11 g/mol.

What is Serinol used for?

One of its major pharmaceutical applications is as an intermediate in the synthesis of Iopamidol, a non-ionic iodinated X-ray contrast agent. It is also used as a building block in pharmaceutical and specialty chemical synthesis.

Is Serinol the same as 2-Aminopropane-1,3-diol?

Yes. 2-Aminopropane-1,3-diol is the IUPAC name for Serinol.

What is DL-Serinol?

DL-Serinol generally refers to the racemic form of Serinol when stereochemical designation is relevant. CAS 534-03-2 itself is listed without an isomeric designation in major chemical databases.

Why is Serinol important for Iopamidol?

Serinol provides the amino-diol structural unit incorporated into Iopamidol during its synthesis. Published process chemistry specifically describes the use of 2-amino-1,3-propanediol in the amidation step toward Iopamidol.

Conclusion

2-Amino-1,3-propanediol CAS 534-03-2, widely known as Serinol, is a compact but highly useful amino-diol building block with established importance in pharmaceutical chemistry.

Its best-known commercial application is its role as an intermediate in the production of Iopamidol, a widely used non-ionic iodinated X-ray contrast agent. Recent 2026 research confirms that Serinol is used on a multiton industrial scale for Iopamidol synthesis, highlighting its continuing importance in the pharmaceutical supply chain.

Beyond Iopamidol, Serinol’s multifunctional structure supports applications across pharmaceutical intermediate synthesis, medicinal chemistry and specialty chemical development.

For companies sourcing 2-Amino-1,3-propanediol, Serinol, 2-Aminopropane-1,3-diol or DL-Serinol, important supplier-selection criteria include chemical purity, moisture control, batch consistency, analytical documentation and long-term supply capability.

SHLZ Pharma provides 2-Amino-1,3-propanediol CAS 534-03-2 for customers seeking a reliable pharmaceutical intermediate supplier for Iopamidol-related manufacturing and other advanced chemical applications.