(R)-(-)-Mandelic acid

(R)-(-)-Mandelic acid (CAS 611-71-2, EC 210-276-6), also known as D-Mandelic acid and D-Amygdalic acid, is the dextrorotatory enantiomer of mandelic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid derived from bitter almond. It carries no assigned E-code and is classified under HS code 29181980.

In pharmaceutical synthesis, D-Mandelic acid serves as a chiral resolving agent, separating racemic amines into enantiomerically pure forms through selective salt crystallisation. In personal care formulations, it functions as a skin conditioner and pH buffer, exfoliating the stratum corneum by weakening corneocyte adhesion while its antimicrobial activity inhibits bacterial proliferation at low concentrations.

This material is supplied as a crystalline powder conforming to Ph.Eur. and REACH registration requirements. Standard commercial grades are available for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. Procurement teams should confirm enantiomeric purity specifications, as optical purity directly determines performance in chiral synthesis and regulated cosmetic applications.