MES (buffer)

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MES (buffer)

IUPAC name	2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid
Properties
Molecular formula	C₆H₁₃NO₄S
Molar mass	195.2 g/mol
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references

This page is about the biochemical buffering agent. For information about other meanings of MES, see MES.

MES is the common name for the compound 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid. Its chemical structure contains a morpholine ring. It has a molecular weight of 195.2 and the chemical formula is C₆H₁₃NO₄S. Synonyms include: 2-morpholinoethanesulfonic acid; 2-(4-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid;, 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid; 2-(4-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid; MES; MES hydrate; and morpholine-4-ethanesulfonic acid hydrate. MOPS is a similar pH buffering compound which contains a propanesulfonic moiety instead of an ethanesulfonic one.

1 Applications
2 Safety
3 References
4 External Links
5 See also

[edit] Applications

MES is used as a buffering agent in biology and biochemistry. It was developed as one of Good's buffers in the 1960's, with pKa value of 6.15. These buffers were developed with the following criteria in mind: midrange pKa, maximum water solubility and minimum solubility in all other solvents, minimal salt effects, minimal change in pK with temperature, chemically and enzymatically stable, minimal absorption in visible or UV spectral range and reasonably easily synthesized.^[1] The Melting point is approx. 300 degrees C. It is soluble up to 2 M in water. It is also useful as a non-coordinating buffer in chemistry involving metal ions, as many common buffers (e.g. phosphate and acetate) readily form coordination complexes.

[edit] Safety

MES is reasonably safe, but skin/eye exposure should be cleaned well with water and medical aid should be sought in the case of eye exposure/swallowing/inhalation of dust. It also emits toxic fumes upon combustion, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and sulfur oxides.

MSDS