D5758

Diethyl pyrocarbonate

96% (NT)

• Synonym(s): DEP, DEPC, Diethyl dicarbonate, Diethyl oxydiformate, Ethoxyformic acid anhydride
• Linear Formula: O(COOC₂H₅)₂
• CAS Number: 1609-47-8
• Molecular Weight: 162.14
• Beilstein: 637031
• EC Number: 216-542-8
• MDL number: MFCD00009106
• UNSPSC Code: 12352202
• PubChem Substance ID: 24893964
• NACRES: NA.77

Properties

• biological source: synthetic (microbial fermentation/ cell culture)
• Assay: 96% (NT)
• form: liquid
• refractive index: n20/D 1.398 (lit.)
• bp: 93-94 °C/18 mmHg (lit.)
• density: 1.101 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.)
• shipped in: wet ice
• storage temp.: 2-8°C
• SMILES string: CCOC(=O)OC(=O)OCC
• InChI: 1S/C6H10O5/c1-3-9-5(7)11-6(8)10-4-2/h3-4H2,1-2H3
• InChI key: FFYPMLJYZAEMQB-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Description

General description

Diethyl Pyrocarbonate (DEPC) is a chemical use to inactivate RNase enzymes and is sensitive to moisture and pH. It decomposes at 155°C, to ethanol and carbon dioxide in aqueous solution. DEPC is also sensitive to ammonia, which causes decomposition to urethane, a possible carcinogen.

Application

Diethyl pyrocarbonate has been used in PCR reaction for treating deionized water, which reduces the risk of RNA being degraded by RNases. It is also used for Dot blot hybridization, to dilute total RNA isolated from different micro-organisms.

Modification reagent for His and Tyr residues in proteins. Robust probe for structural disruptions in dsDNA, reacting with fully or partially unstacked bases.

Biochem/physiol Actions

DEPC is a potent nuclease inhibitor.0.1% solution of DEPC is used to inactive RNase.
It inhibits the ryanodine binding to ryanodine/Ca²⁺ receptor channels in skeletal muscle in a dose and time dependent manner and increases the Ca²⁺ permeability of SR vesicles.

Inactivates RNase in solution at about 0.1% (v/v), thus protecting RNA against degradation.

Safety Information

• Pictograms: GHS07
• Signal Word: Warning
• Hazard Statements: H302
• Precautionary Statements: P264 - P270 - P301 + P312 - P501
• Hazard Classifications: Acute Tox. 4 Oral
• Storage Class Code: 10 - Combustible liquids
• WGK: WGK 3
• Flash Point(F): 156.2 °F - closed cup
• Flash Point(C): 69 °C - closed cup
• Personal Protective Equipment: dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves