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Sigma-Aldrich

2-Mercaptoethanol

BioUltra, for molecular biology, ≥99.0% (GC)

Synonym(s):

β-Mercaptoethanol, 2-Hydroxyethylmercaptan, BME, Thioethylene glycol

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About This Item

Linear Formula:
HSCH2CH2OH
CAS Number:
Molecular Weight:
78.13
Beilstein:
773648
EC Number:
MDL number:
UNSPSC Code:
12161504
PubChem Substance ID:
NACRES:
NA.25

grade

for molecular biology

Quality Level

vapor density

2.69 (vs air)

vapor pressure

1 mmHg ( 20 °C)

product line

BioUltra

Assay

≥99.0% (GC)

form

liquid

expl. lim.

18 %

reaction suitability

reagent type: reductant

concentration

14.3 M (pure liquid)

technique(s)

RNA extraction: suitable
protein extraction: suitable

impurities

DNases, none detected
RNases, none detected
insoluble matter, passes filter test
phosphatases, none detected
proteases, none detected

refractive index

n20/D 1.500 (lit.)
n20/D 1.501

pH

4.5-6 (20 °C, 500 g/L)

bp

157 °C (lit.)

solubility

H2O: 0.5 M at 20 °C, clear, colorless

density

1.114 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.)

cation traces

Al: ≤0.5 mg/kg
Ba: ≤0.1 mg/kg
Bi: ≤0.1 mg/kg
Ca: ≤0.5 mg/kg
Cd: ≤0.05 mg/kg
Co: ≤0.02 mg/kg
Cr: ≤0.02 mg/kg
Cu: ≤0.02 mg/kg
Fe: ≤0.1 mg/kg
K: ≤0.5 mg/kg
Li: ≤0.1 mg/kg
Mg: ≤0.1 mg/kg
Mn: ≤0.02 mg/kg
Mo: ≤0.1 mg/kg
Na: ≤1 mg/kg
Ni: ≤0.05 mg/kg
Pb: ≤0.1 mg/kg
Sr: ≤0.1 mg/kg
Zn: ≤0.1 mg/kg

SMILES string

OCCS

λ

0.5 M in H2O

UV absorption

λ: 260 nm Amax: 1.5
λ: 280 nm Amax: 0.3

storage temp.

2-8°C

InChI

1S/C2H6OS/c3-1-2-4/h3-4H,1-2H2

InChI key

DGVVWUTYPXICAM-UHFFFAOYSA-N

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Application

2-Mercaptoethanol has been used
  • in the protein extraction buffer prepared for leaf samples.
  • as a supplement in cell culture media.
  • in the procedure of RNA extraction.
BME is suitable for reducing protein disulfide bonds prior to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and is usually included in a sample buffer for SDS-PAGE at a concentration of 5%. Cleaving intermolecular (between subunits) disulfide bonds allows the subunits of a protein to separate independently on SDS-PAGE. Cleaving intramolecular (within subunit) disulfide bonds allows the subunits to become completely denatured so that each peptide migrates according to its chain length with no influence due to secondary structure.

Other Notes

Isolation of RNA using guanidinium salts. Inclusion of a reductant enhances denaturation by breaking intramolecular protein disulfide bonds

Signal Word

Danger

Hazard Classifications

Acute Tox. 2 Dermal - Acute Tox. 3 Inhalation - Acute Tox. 3 Oral - Aquatic Acute 1 - Aquatic Chronic 2 - Eye Dam. 1 - Repr. 2 - Skin Irrit. 2 - Skin Sens. 1A - STOT RE 2 Oral

Storage Class Code

6.1A - Combustible, acute toxic Cat. 1 and 2 / very toxic hazardous materials

WGK

WGK 3

Flash Point(F)

165.2 °F - closed cup

Flash Point(C)

74 °C - closed cup

Personal Protective Equipment

dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves

Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Search for Certificates of Analysis (COA) by entering the products Lot/Batch Number. Lot and Batch Numbers can be found on a product’s label following the words ‘Lot’ or ‘Batch’.

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