High quality Guanidine thiocyanate Cas 593-84-0 with best price

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Guanidine Thiocyanate: An Overview

1. Chemical Properties:

• Formula: C?H?N?S (a combination of guanidine and thiocyanate ions).

• Appearance: White crystalline powder, hygroscopic (absorbs moisture).

• Solubility: Highly soluble in water, ethanol, and other polar solvents.

2. Mechanism of Action:

• Acts as a chaotropic agent, disrupting hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions.

• Denatures proteins and nucleic acids by destabilizing their 3D structures.

• Inactivates enzymes like RNases and DNases, critical for preserving RNA/DNA during extraction.

3. Primary Applications:

• RNA Isolation: Key component in methods like the single-step RNA extraction (e.g., TRIzol® reagent) to lyse cells and inhibit RNases.

• DNA Purification: Used in plasmid or genomic DNA protocols, though less common than for RNA.

• Protein Denaturation: Disrupts protein folding for analysis (e.g., SDS-PAGE).

• Virology: Employed in RNA extraction kits for viruses, including SARS-CoV-2.

4. Safety & Handling:

• Toxicity: Irritating to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract; harmful if ingested or inhaled.

• Precautions:

  • Use PPE (gloves, goggles, lab coat).

  • Work in a fume hood to avoid inhalation.

  • Avoid contact with acids (releases toxic hydrogen cyanide gas).

• Storage: Keep tightly sealed in a dry, cool place due to hygroscopic nature.

5. Protocol Considerations:

• Often combined with phenol-chloroform for phase separation in RNA/DNA extraction.

• Ethanol/isopropanol precipitation or silica-column binding follows lysis for nucleic acid purification.

6. Alternatives:

• Guanidine hydrochloride: Less potent chaotrope but lower toxicity.

• Urea or SDS: Weaker denaturants used in specific protocols.

7. Environmental & Disposal:

• Treat as hazardous waste; comply with local regulations for disposal.

Key Takeaway:
Guanidine thiocyanate is a critical reagent in molecular biology for its potent ability to denature proteins and protect nucleic acids during extraction. Its use demands strict safety protocols due to toxicity, but it remains indispensable in RNA isolation, particularly for sensitive applications like virology and diagnostics.