Tris

Tris

Names
Preferred IUPAC name 2-Amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol
Other names TRIS, Tris, Tris base, Tris buffer, Trizma, Trisamine, THAM, Tromethamine, Trometamol, Tromethane, Trisaminol
Identifiers
CAS Number	77-86-1 Y
3D model (Jmol)	Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:9754 Y
ChEMBL	ChEMBL1200391 N
ChemSpider	6257 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.000.969
IUPHAR/BPS	7328
KEGG	D00396 Y
PubChem	6503
RTECS number	TY2900000
UNII	023C2WHX2V Y
InChI InChI=1S/C4H11NO3/c5-4(1-6,2-7)3-8/h6-8H,1-3,5H2 Y Key: LENZDBCJOHFCAS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1/C4H11NO3/c5-4(1-6,2-7)3-8/h6-8H,1-3,5H2 Key: LENZDBCJOHFCAS-UHFFFAOYAN
SMILES OCC(N)(CO)CO
Properties
Chemical formula	C4H11NO3
Molar mass	121.14 g·mol−1
Appearance	White crystalline powder
Density	1.328g/cm3
Melting point	>175-176 °C (448-449 K)
Boiling point	219 °C (426 °F; 492 K)
Solubility in water	~50 g/100 mL (25 °C)
Acidity (pKa)	8.07
Pharmacology
ATC code	B05BB03 (WHO) B05XX02 (WHO)
Hazards
Main hazards	Irritant
Safety data sheet	External MSDS
R-phrases	R36 R37 R38
S-phrases	S26 S36
NFPA 704	2
Flash point	Non-flammable
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
N  (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

Tris, or tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, or THAM, is an organic compound with the formula (HOCH₂)₃CNH₂. It is extensively used in biochemistry and molecular biology. In biochemistry, Tris is widely used as a component of buffer solutions, such as in TAE and TBE buffer, especially for solutions of nucleic acids. It contains a primary amine and thus undergoes the reactions associated with typical amines, e.g. condensations with aldehydes.

Tris has a pK_a of 8.07 at 25 °C, which implies that the buffer has an effective pH range between 7.5 and 9.0.

Tris is prepared industrially by the exhaustive condensation of nitromethane with formaldehyde under basic conditions (i.e. repeated nitroaldol reactions) to produce the intermediate (HOCH₂)₃CNO₂, which is subsequently hydrogenated to give the final product.

The useful buffer range for tris (7-9) coincides with the physiological pH typical of most living organisms. This, and its low cost, make tris one of the most common buffers in the biology/biochemistry laboratory. Tris is also used as a primary standard to standardize acid solutions for chemical analysis.

Tris is used to increase membrane permeability of cell membranes.

Tris (usually known as THAM in this context) is used as alternative to sodium bicarbonate in the treatment of metabolic acidosis.