TAPSO
[CAS# 68399-81-5]

Identification

• Classification: Organic raw materials >> Organic sulfur compound
• Name: TAPSO
• Synonyms: 2-Hydroxy-N-(tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl)-3-aminopropanesulfonic acid; 3-(N-Tris-(hydroxymethyl)methylamino)-2-hydroxypropanesulfonic acid
• Molecular Formula: C₇H₁₇NO₇S
• Molecular Weight: 259.27
• CAS Registry Number: 68399-81-5
• EC Number: 269-993-8
• SMILES: C(C(CS(=O)(=O)O)O)NC(CO)(CO)CO

Properties

• Melting point: 220-221 ºC
• Water solubility: soluble

Safety Data

• Hazard Symbols: GHS07 Warning
• Hazard Statements: H315-H319-H335
• Precautionary Statements: P261-P264-P264+P265-P271-P280-P302+P352-P304+P340-P305+P351+P338-P319-P321-P332+P317-P337+P317-P362+P364-P403+P233-P405-P501

Hazard Classification

Hazard	Class	Category Code	Hazard Statement
Skin irritation	Skin Irrit.	2	H315
Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure	STOT SE	3	H335
Eye irritation	Eye Irrit.	2	H319

Discovory and Applicatios

TAPSO, or N-tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl-3-aminopropanesulfonic acid, is a zwitterionic buffer widely used in biochemical and biological research. This compound was discovered during the development of a series of Good buffers and is named after Norman E. Good, who established the criteria for an ideal biological buffer in the 1960s. These criteria included properties such as minimal interaction with biological systems, chemical stability, nontoxicity, and effective buffering capacity in the physiological pH range.

The molecular formula of TAPSO is C7H17NO6S and its molecular weight is 243.28 g/mol. Its structure features a tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl group attached to the aminopropanesulfonic acid moiety. This unique combination provides TAPSO with excellent buffering capacity, making it effective in the pH range of 7.0 to 8.2 with a pKa of approximately 7.6 at 25°C. This pH range is particularly suitable for many biological and biochemical applications, ensuring a stable environment for a variety of reactions and processes.

TAPSO is commonly used in electrophoresis buffers, where it helps maintain a consistent pH during protein and nucleic acid separations. Its stable buffering capacity ensures accurate and reproducible results, which is critical for techniques such as SDS-PAGE and agarose gel electrophoresis. Using TAPSO in electrophoresis buffers allows for better resolution and cleaner separations of biomolecules.

In cell culture applications, TAPSO helps maintain the pH of the culture medium within the physiological range, promoting optimal cell growth and viability. Its non-toxic properties ensure that it does not interfere with cellular processes, making it a reliable buffer for maintaining consistent experimental conditions in cell-based studies. The stability of TAPSO in cell culture media helps with reproducibility of experimental results.

TAPSO is used in a variety of biochemical assays to stabilize pH, which is critical for the activity and stability of enzymes and other biomolecules. Its buffering capacity ensures that assay conditions remain optimal, allowing for accurate and reliable measurements of biochemical activity. The non-interfering properties of TAPSO make it a key ingredient in enzymology studies and other biochemical analyses.

During protein purification, maintaining a stable pH is critical to maintaining protein structure and function. TAPSO is used in chromatography techniques and other purification protocols to buffer the system, increasing the yield and purity of isolated proteins. Its compatibility with different purification methods makes it a versatile tool in protein chemistry.

TAPSO is used in molecular biology techniques such as PCR and DNA sequencing, where maintaining a stable pH is critical for the accuracy and efficiency of these processes. Its buffering capacity ensures optimal performance of enzymes involved in DNA amplification and sequencing, which helps to achieve high-quality results.

The high buffering capacity allows TAPSO to effectively maintain a stable pH, ensuring consistency in experimental results. TAPSO has a suitable pH range and can be used in a variety of experimental conditions, making it a versatile buffer. TAPSO is generally non-toxic to cells and does not interfere with biochemical reactions, making it suitable for sensitive biological applications.