Tris, short for tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, is a widely used buffer in biological and chemical research. As a leading supplier of tris hydroxymethyl, I am often asked about its chemical formula and properties. In this blog post, I will delve into the chemical formula of tris hydroxymethyl, its characteristics, applications, and why you should choose our products.
Chemical Formula of Tris Hydroxymethyl
The chemical formula of tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane is C₄H₁₁NO₃. This formula reveals a lot about its structure. Tris consists of a central nitrogen atom bonded to a carbon chain. Three of the carbon atoms in this chain are each attached to a hydroxyl group (-OH), and the fourth carbon is part of a methylene group that links to the nitrogen. The full chemical name, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, precisely describes its structure: "tris" indicates three, "hydroxymethyl" refers to the -CH₂OH groups, and "aminomethane" shows the presence of an amino group (-NH₂) attached to a methane backbone.
The molecular weight of tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane is approximately 121.14 g/mol. This relatively small molecule has unique chemical and physical properties that make it highly useful in various applications.
Characteristics of Tris Hydroxymethyl
One of the most significant characteristics of tris is its buffering capacity. Buffers are substances that resist changes in pH when an acid or base is added to a solution. Tris has a pKa (the negative logarithm of the acid dissociation constant) of around 8.1 at 25°C. This pKa value makes it an excellent buffer in the slightly alkaline pH range, typically between pH 7.0 and 9.2. In biological systems, where maintaining a stable pH is crucial for the proper functioning of enzymes and other biomolecules, tris buffers are widely employed.
Tris is also highly soluble in water, which is essential for its use in aqueous solutions. It forms clear, colorless solutions that are easy to work with in laboratory settings. Additionally, tris is relatively stable under normal storage conditions, making it a reliable choice for long - term use.
Applications of Tris Hydroxymethyl
Tris has a wide range of applications in both research and industrial settings.
Biological Research
In molecular biology, tris is a key component of many buffers used in DNA and RNA extraction, purification, and electrophoresis. For example, Tris - acetate - EDTA (TAE) and Tris - borate - EDTA (TBE) buffers are commonly used in agarose gel electrophoresis to separate DNA fragments based on their size. The stable pH provided by tris ensures accurate and reproducible results in these experiments.
In protein research, tris buffers are used in protein purification, crystallization, and enzyme assays. Many enzymes require a specific pH range to function optimally, and tris buffers can maintain the desired pH environment. For instance, in Western blotting, a technique used to detect specific proteins in a sample, tris - based buffers are used in the transfer and blocking steps to ensure proper protein binding and detection.
Pharmaceutical Industry
Tris is used in the formulation of pharmaceutical products. It can act as a pH adjuster and buffer in injectable solutions, oral medications, and topical creams. By maintaining the appropriate pH, tris helps to ensure the stability and efficacy of the active ingredients in these products.


Chemical Manufacturing
In chemical synthesis, tris can be used as a reactant or a catalyst. It can participate in various chemical reactions, such as condensation reactions and substitution reactions. Its ability to buffer the reaction medium can also influence the reaction rate and selectivity.
Why Choose Our Tris Hydroxymethyl Products
As a supplier of tris hydroxymethyl, we take pride in offering high - quality products that meet the strictest standards.
Purity and Quality Control
Our tris products are of the highest purity. We use advanced manufacturing processes and rigorous quality control measures to ensure that each batch of tris meets or exceeds industry standards. Our products are free from contaminants and impurities that could interfere with your experiments or applications.
Customization
We understand that different customers may have different requirements. That's why we offer customization options for our tris products. Whether you need a specific grade of tris, a particular packaging size, or a customized formulation, we can work with you to meet your needs.
Competitive Pricing
We strive to offer our customers the best value for their money. Our pricing is competitive in the market, without compromising on the quality of our products. We believe that high - quality tris should be accessible to all researchers and industries.
Excellent Customer Service
Our team of experts is always ready to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have. Whether you need technical support, product information, or help with ordering, we are here to provide you with the best service possible.
Our Product Range
We offer a variety of tris - related products to meet your diverse needs. You can find more information about our products on the following links:
- Tris buffer powder: Our tris buffer powder is a convenient and easy - to - use form of tris. It can be quickly dissolved in water to prepare buffers of the desired concentration and pH.
- Trometamol Tris Buffer Tham Tris Base Cas No: 77 - 86 - 1: This product is a high - purity form of tris, suitable for a wide range of applications in biological and chemical research.
- Tris Base /Tris (hydroxymethyl) Aminomethane THAM CAS 77 - 86 - 1: Our tris base product is available in different grades and packaging sizes to meet your specific requirements.
Contact Us for Procurement
If you are interested in purchasing tris hydroxymethyl products, we encourage you to contact us for a detailed discussion. Our team will be happy to provide you with a quote, answer any questions you may have about our products, and assist you in the procurement process. Whether you are a small research laboratory or a large industrial company, we have the products and services to meet your needs.
References
- Berg, Jeremy M., John L. Tymoczko, and Lubert Stryer. "Biochemistry." W. H. Freeman and Company, 2002.
- Gomori, G. "Buffers for use in enzyme studies." Methods in Enzymology, 1955.
- Rieger, P. H., and D. L. Rieger. "Inorganic Chemistry: Principles of Structure and Reactivity." Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1976.






