MES sodium salt
[CAS# 71119-23-8]

Identification

• Classification: Chemical reagent >> Organic reagent >> Sulfonate / sulfinate
• Name: MES sodium salt
• Synonyms: Sodium 4-morpholin-1-ylethylsulphonate; 4-Morpholineethanesulfonic acid sodium salt; 2-(N-Morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid sodium salt
• Molecular Formula: C₆H₁₂NNaO₄S
• Molecular Weight: 217.22
• CAS Registry Number: 71119-23-8
• EC Number: 275-203-2
• SMILES: C1COCCN1CCS(=O)(=O)[O-].[Na+]

Properties

• Solubility: 335.3 g/L (water 20 ºC)

Safety Data

• Hazard Symbols: GHS07 Warning
• Hazard Statements: H302-H315-H319-H335
• Precautionary Statements: P261-P305+P351+P338

Hazard Classification

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

Discovory and Applicatios

MES sodium salt, scientifically known as 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid sodium salt, was invented by Norman Good and co-workers in the early 1960s. It belongs to the group of buffers commonly known as Good buffers. These buffers are specially developed to provide a stable pH environment for biochemical and biological research without interfering with the reactions being studied.

MES sodium salt has buffering capacity in the pH range of 5.5 to 6.7. It has a pKa value of 6.15 at 25°C, making it suitable for experiments requiring slightly acidic to neutral pH values. MES sodium salt has a molecular formula of C6H12NO4SNa and has high solubility in water, which enhances its usefulness in a variety of aqueous solutions.

MES sodium salt is widely used in cell culture media and biochemical assays. Its ability to maintain a consistent pH is essential for creating stable conditions for the growth and maintenance of cells and the activity of enzymes that are sensitive to pH fluctuations.

It is a commonly used buffer in electrophoresis, especially in systems for protein and nucleic acid analysis. MES sodium salt helps maintain the pH of the electrophoresis buffer, ensuring that proteins and nucleic acids migrate correctly and are efficiently resolved.

MES sodium salt is used in protein purification protocols such as ion exchange chromatography. Its buffering capacity ensures that the pH of the solution remains stable, which is critical for binding and elution of proteins from the column.

In assays where enzyme activity is pH-dependent, MES sodium salt provides a stable environment that prevents pH shifts, resulting in more reliable and reproducible results.

MES sodium salt offers several benefits, including low absorbance in the UV and visible spectra, which minimizes interference in optical measurements. It is also chemically stable and resistant to enzymatic degradation, ensuring it remains effective over long periods of time and under a variety of experimental conditions.