40718

Diethyl pyrocarbonate

96% (NT)

• Synonym(s): DEP, DEPC, Diethyl dicarbonate, Diethyl oxydiformate, Ethoxyformic acid anhydride
• Linear Formula: O(COOC₂H₅)₂
• CAS Number: 1609-47-8
• Molecular Weight: 162.14
• Beilstein: 637031
• EC Number: 216-542-8
• MDL number: MFCD00009106
• UNSPSC Code: 12352100
• PubChem Substance ID: 24865430
• NACRES: NA.22

Properties

• Assay: 96% (NT)
• form: liquid
• color: APHA: ≤20
• refractive index: n20/D 1.398 (lit.); n20/D 1.398
• bp: 93-94 °C/18 mmHg (lit.)
• solubility: 95% ethanol: 4.5 g/10 mL, clear, colorless
• density: 1.121 g/mL at 20 °C; 1.101 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.)
• shipped in: wet ice
• storage temp.: 2-8°C
• SMILES string: CCOC(=O)OC(=O)OCC
• InChI: 1S/C6H10O5/c1-3-9-5(7)11-6(8)10-4-2/h3-4H2,1-2H3
• InChI key: FFYPMLJYZAEMQB-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Description

General description

Diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEP) is a bactericidal agent and decomposes in water to CO₂ and ethanol. DEP inhibits enzymes such as DNase and RNase without affecting nucleic acids. It is useful for the preparation of mRNA from tissues.

Application

Diethyl pyrocarbonate may be used in the following studies:

• For the modification of histidyl residues in proteins.
• As a nuclease inhibitor, for the extraction of undegraded nucleic acids from etiolated and green plant tissues.
• For the modification of linear and supercoiled plasmid DNAs.
• As a chemical probe to investigate the secondary structure in negatively supercoiled DNA.
• For cabethoxylation of histidine residues of actin.

Modification reagent for His and Tyr residues in proteins. Robust probe for structural disruptions in dsDNA, reacting with fully or partially unstacked bases.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Inactivates RNase in solution at about 0.1% (v/v), thus protecting RNA against degradation.

Safety Information

• Pictograms: GHS07
• Signal Word: Warning
• Hazard Statements: H302
• Precautionary Statements: P264 - P270 - P301 + P312 - P501
• Hazard Classifications: Acute Tox. 4 Oral
• Storage Class Code: 10 - Combustible liquids
• WGK: WGK 3
• Flash Point(F): 156.2 °F - closed cup
• Flash Point(C): 69 °C - closed cup
• Personal Protective Equipment: dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves