Triethylammonium acetate

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Triethylammonium acetate
Chemical name Triethylammonium acetate
Chemical formula (CH3CH2)3NHOCOCH3
Molecular mass 161.24 g/mol
Melting point --- °C
Boiling point 164.5 °C
Density --- g/cm3
CAS number 5204-74-0
SMILES ----
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Triethylammonium acetate is a volatile buffering agent, which, when diluted in water, mantains pH at about 7. When mixed with other components, such as methanol or acetonitrile other pHs may be attained. It is used in the purification of DNA, for instance.

It is prepared from equimolar quantities of triethylamine and acetic acid. After the reaction requiring buffering is done, this buffer can easily be removed by freeze drying or some other evaporative mean.

In a pure state, it is liquid at room temperature and it has a yellowish color. This compound tends to get oxidized during heating (observed as a darkening of the solution); thus, it is recommended to do so under a nitrogen blanket or purge.