2-Mercaptoethanol

2-Mercaptoethanol

β-Mercaptoethanol; 2-Hydroxyethanethiol; BME; Thioethylene glycol

CAS 60-24-2

Chemical Formula C₂H₆OS

Molecular Weight 78.13 g/mol

2- Mercaptoethanol 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.

Industrial Uses

1. Pharmaceuticals

  • Reducing Agent: 2-Mercaptoethanol is used in pharmaceutical research and manufacturing as a reducing agent. It helps in maintaining proteins in their reduced state and prevents the formation of disulfide bonds, which is crucial for studying protein structure and function.
  • Stabilizer in Biological Reagents: It is also used to stabilize some biological reagents and maintain their activity by preventing oxidation.

2. Chemical Synthesis

  • Reducing Agent: 2-Mercaptoethanol is widely used in chemical laboratories and industrial processes as a reducing agent. It is particularly effective in breaking disulfide bonds in proteins and peptides, which is useful in biochemical research.
  • Biochemical Research: It is commonly used in the preparation of cell cultures and as an additive in buffers for DNA and RNA analysis. Its reducing properties help maintain a reducing environment and prevent oxidation during experiments.

3. Water Treatment

  • Corrosion Inhibition: It is employed in water treatment applications as a corrosion inhibitor, protecting metal surfaces from oxidative damage by scavenging free radicals and other oxidizing agents.

4. Fabric Solutions

  • Wool Processing: In wool and hair processing, 2-Mercaptoethanol is used to break down disulfide bonds in keratin, which helps soften the fibers, making them more manageable during textile production.
  • Leather Tanning and Processing: It is used to break disulfide bonds in proteins during the tanning and processing of leather, helping to soften hides and skins by disrupting the crosslinks in keratin.

5. Agrochemicals

  • Pesticide and Herbicide Production: It is used as a chemical intermediate in the synthesis of sulfur-containing pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides.
  • Soil Treatment: In some cases, it is included in soil treatment chemicals to manage the sulfur content in agricultural soils.

6. Metal Treatment

  • Corrosion Inhibitor: 2-Mercaptoethanol can act as a corrosion inhibitor for metals. Its thiol (-SH) group has a strong affinity for metal surfaces, where it forms a protective film that prevents the metal from corroding in harsh environments, such as in acidic or oxidative conditions. This makes it useful in metal finishing and treatment processes, especially in industries where metals are exposed to corrosive agents.

Specifications

Assay ≥ 99%
Appearance Colorless liquid
Odor Strong, unpleasant odor (similar to rotten eggs)
Boiling Point 157-158°C
Melting Point -100°C
Density 1.114 g/cm³ at 25°C
Solubility Miscible with water, ethanol, acetone
Viscosity 4.6 mPa·s at 20°C
Flash Point 68°C (154°F; closed cup)

Hazard Symbols

Corrosives
Acute Toxicity
Irritants/Sensitisers/Other Hazards
Environmental Hazard

FAQs

1. What is the current price of 2- Mercaptoethanol in India?
The price of 2- Mercaptoethanol can vary based on factors such as purity, quantity, etc. For the most accurate and competitive pricing, please contact us at +91.979 979 2121 directly for a customized quote tailored to your needs.

2. Where can I buy 2- Mercaptoethanol in India?
You can purchase 2- Mercaptoethanol from MULTICHEM, a leading importer with a reputation for quality and reliability. We provide convenient options for bulk orders and direct shipments across India. For more details on how to place an order, please visit our website or contact our sales team.

3. What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for 2- Mercaptoethanol?
Our minimum order quantity (MOQ) for 2- Mercaptoethanol is designed to cater to both small-scale and large-scale needs. The MOQ depends on the packing size of the product which could range from 25 kg to 250kg.

4. How can I ensure the quality of 2- Mercaptoethanol supplied by Multichem?
We adhere to stringent quality control processes to ensure that our products meet the highest standards of purity and effectiveness. They undergo rigorous testing and quality checks to guarantee that they comply with industry specifications. We provide a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) with every shipment to ensure transparency and quality assurance.