Tris Formula: Definition, Structure, Properties, Uses

Tris Formula: Tris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane, also known as tromethamine or THAM in medicinal applications, is an organic compound with the chemical formula (HOCH ₂ )3CNH ₂ . It plays a significant role in the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology, primarily serving as a crucial component in buffer solutions like TAE and TBE buffers, especially for solutions containing nucleic acids.

What is Tris?

Tris is an organic chemical substance frequently employed in biochemistry and molecular biology to create buffer solutions. Tris functions as an amine proton acceptor and presents as a white crystalline powder. Its applications extend beyond the realm of biology, finding use in the pharmaceutical industry as an emulsifying agent for producing cosmetic creams, lotions, paraffin wax, mineral oil, and even in the synthesis of surface-active compounds.

In solution, Tris can also form compounds with metal ions. In the field of medicine, tromethamine, a variant of Tris, is occasionally utilized as a medication, particularly in intensive care settings to address severe metabolic acidosis. Interestingly, certain drugs, such as hemabate (carboprost as a trometamol salt) and "ketorolac trometamol," are formulated as "tromethamine salts."

The production process of Tris involves industrial methods. It is manufactured by exhaustively condensing nitromethane with formaldehyde under basic conditions, a process akin to multiple Henry reactions. This yields an intermediate compound known as (HOCH ₂ )3CNH ₂ , which is subsequently hydrogenated to yield the final Tris product.

Structure of Tris

Regarding its molecular structure, Tris represents the main amino molecule called tert-butylamine, wherein each methyl group has one hydrogen atom substituted with a hydroxy group. Below is the Structure of Tris.

Properties of Tris

• Chemical Formula: C 4 H 11 NO 3
• Molecular Weight: 121.136 g/mol
• Density: 1.328 g/cm3
• Other Chemical Names: Tris base, Tris buffer, Trizma, Trisamine, THAM, Tromethamine, Trometamol, Tromethane, Trisaminol
• Acidity (pKa): 8.07
• Melting Point: >175-176 °C
• Boiling Point: 219 °C

Uses of Tris

Tris exhibits a versatile range of applications in various fields:

Chemical Analysis Standardization: Tris plays a pivotal role as a primary standard in the realm of chemical analysis. It is utilized for the precise standardization of acid solutions, ensuring accuracy in analytical processes.

Enhancing Cellular Permeability: Tris finds frequent use in the realm of cellular biology, where it is employed to augment the permeability of cell membranes. This property is invaluable for researchers studying cell transport and molecular interactions.

Vital Component in COVID-19 Vaccines: Tris assumes a critical role as an integral component in the formulation of the Modern COVID-19 vaccine and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine designed for children aged 5 to 11. Its inclusion in these vaccines underscores its significance in contemporary healthcare.

Metabolic Acidosis Treatment: In the medical field, Tris serves as an alternative to sodium bicarbonate for the treatment of metabolic acidosis, a condition characterized by excessive acidity in the body. Its use is particularly relevant in clinical settings where metabolic acidosis requires intervention.

Pharmaceutical Emulsifying Agent: Within the pharmaceutical industry, Tris operates as a valuable emulsifying agent. Its role extends to the production of cosmetic creams, lotions, paraffin wax, and mineral oil. Additionally, Tris plays a vital role in synthesizing surface-active compounds, further contributing to the formulation of pharmaceutical products.

Buffer Solution Essential: Tris holds a central position in the composition of buffer solutions, with a notable presence in the preparation of TAE and TBE buffers. These buffers, containing Tris, are indispensable in facilitating various molecular biology and nucleic acid-related experiments, ensuring stable and controlled conditions.

Effective Treatment for Metabolic Acidosis: Tromethamine solution, a derivative of Tris, has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in the treatment of metabolic acidosis. This condition can manifest during or after cardiac bypass surgery, and the use of Tromethamine underscores its life-saving potential in critical medical situations.

Tris is a multifaceted compound with a wide-ranging impact across scientific, medical, and industrial domains, underlining its indispensable role in contemporary research, healthcare, and manufacturing processes.