Science journeys down winding paths before settling on a compound that covers as many needs as 2-N-Carbamoylmethylaminoethanesulfonic acid. Years ago, researchers needed better biological buffers—something gentle on living systems but sturdy against changing temperatures or pH swings. Through the late 20th century, scientists probed the chemistry of sufonic acids, searching for stability and compatibility. This pursuit led to the development of novel zwitterionic buffers. Out of the labs working on physiological research and protein chemistry, compounds like this surfaced—not flashy, but with qualities that filled a gap between old-school phosphate buffers and more reactive amine systems. Its unique structure, combining a sulfonic acid group and an amide functional group, came from deliberate work tuning molecular features to avoid the interference many buffers introduced into assays.
Once it stepped onto the research scene, 2-N-Carbamoylmethylaminoethanesulfonic acid earned its place on the shelf by offering something different. Unlike classic buffers, it walks the line between water solubility and chemical neutrality, supporting enzyme reactions and cell cultures without muddying results. Specialists use it for its buffering range and low UV absorbance, making it popular in processes requiring precise optical measurements. Its powder form dissolves cleanly, and its low toxicity sidesteps headaches faced with other amine-based buffers.
This compound tends to appear as a white, crystalline solid that doesn’t clump under the humidity of typical lab environments. Its melting point sits comfortably above the temperature ranges used in routine experiments. The molecular weight, usually cited near 214 g/mol, sits in a sweet spot for easy measurement and calculation. The pKa value hovers around 7.2, giving stability in the physiological pH zone crucial for biochemical applications. This property keeps proteins and enzymes behaving the way nature intended. Its zwitterionic nature means that in water, it balances out charges, so the solution avoids unpredictable shifts seen with some older buffer systems. The sulfonic acid group boosts water solubility and resists oxidation.
Labs require transparency in their reagents, so suppliers clearly list batch numbers, purity (often greater than 99%), and traces of heavy metals or other contaminants. Packaging comes in high-density containers to fight moisture intrusion. Every shipment includes lot-specific certificates of analysis with details like loss on drying, pH of a standard solution, and visual inspections. Reliable labeling prevents mix-ups in high-throughput environments. The compound meets or exceeds analytical grade requirements, with traceability to trusted standards.
The synthesis of 2-N-Carbamoylmethylaminoethanesulfonic acid starts by reacting 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid (taurine) with a carbamoyl methylating agent under carefully controlled pH and temperature. The process uses aqueous solvents, which reduce solvent waste and support greener chemistry. After the initial reaction, purification through recrystallization strips out unreacted starting materials and side products. The yield can hit high percentages with proper temperature control and agitation. Quality control teams screen each batch for byproducts through techniques like HPLC and NMR, catching impurities that can disrupt downstream research.
In graduate school, I tinkered with its functional groups in the biochemistry lab, attaching fluorescent tags to visualize buffer diffusion in gels. The amide moiety in the molecule offers a handle for gentle derivatization, while the sulfonic acid holds up against weak acid or base treatment. Researchers also modify it to tailor solubility or introduce selective binding features. In synthetic organic chemistry, the ability to tolerate mild oxidizing or reducing conditions speaks volumes for its versatility. What really stands out is its resistance to enzymatic cleavage; most proteases and nucleases leave it untouched, so it doesn’t sap the buffer’s effect or confound experiment outcomes.
This chemical hides behind a few alternate names in catalogs. Sometimes it appears as N-(Carbamoylmethyl)-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid or simply referred to by its acronym, CHES. Certain brands tack on their company identifier, so it’s worth cross-referencing the CAS number during ordering to avoid confusion. This practice matters most for big research teams running multiple projects in parallel and for companies exporting to markets with different naming conventions.
Regulators expect strict safety standards for laboratory chemicals. The low toxicity profile does not remove the need for safe handling. Gloves and safety glasses should always be in reach, and procedures require good ventilation. The compound avoids common issues like strong odors or dust hazard, making it easier for facility teams to manage. Safety data sheets detail storage between 2–8°C and recommend containment in sealed containers to stop hydrolysis or contamination. Spills wipe up easily with water, but waste reagents go in labeled chemical waste containers to meet environmental codes. Training supports both new and experienced lab members in responsible use.
Work in molecular biology leans heavily on buffers that do the job without taking center stage. This acid steps in during protein purification, keeping enzymes in their native state. In cell culture, stable buffering supports steady pH so cells can grow and differentiate as planned. Chromatography workflows turn to it for its clean background, letting researchers actually see what they’re measuring rather than chase after buffer peaks. Drug discovery uses its low reactivity to protect fragile assays from background interference. Environmental scientists use the buffer to test water samples under conditions close to nature, bringing more reliability to data that informs policy or remediation.
Innovation in the life sciences never sits still. Teams keep pushing this molecule in new directions, trying it out as a component in diagnostic platforms or looking for new ways to tweak its buffering range through structural analogs. Given its solid base of publication references and case studies, most advances now target miniaturized systems such as lab-on-a-chip devices or use it in combination with other reagents for synergistic effects. Funding from both academic and commercial sources builds a foundation for more stable, more specific, and more biocompatible reagents growing out of its basic scaffold.
Early toxicology screens suggest this molecule carries little risk in ordinary laboratory conditions, but detailed animal studies still keep things conservative. Chronic exposure data looks clean: aquatic organisms show little effect at concentrations used in routine testing, and skin or eye irritation rarely appears. Standard Comet assays and Ames tests show low DNA reactivity. This doesn’t encourage reckless disposal, though; all research chemicals head to treatment facilities to curb cumulative environmental load. Some institutions run their own water exposure and bioaccumulation studies, finding breakdown profiles that give confidence in its safe use both at bench scale and in research-scale production.
The direction of 2-N-Carbamoylmethylaminoethanesulfonic acid in the coming decade points to even more customized analogs. Next-generation protein therapeutics require buffers with tighter tolerances, so chemists return to the drawing board, tweaking substituents for slightly shifted pKa ranges or fine-tuned solubility. Diagnostic tools trend toward miniaturization, where stable, low-absorbance buffers bring sharper sensitivity to microfluidics. Select chemical companies already explore using bio-based routes for precursor production, shrinking the environmental cost of manufacturing. Clinical research grows more sophisticated, expecting supporting agents that never interfere and always support the target process. The buffer’s story hasn’t reached its last chapter; with each discovery, the science community relies a little more on such backbone molecules to keep the data flowing clean and the experiments rolling forward.
2 N Carbamoymethylamino Ethanesulfonic Acid doesn’t show up in dinner conversations, but it finds a steady place in science labs. Most people working in life sciences or chemical research recognize it by its shorter name, CHES. As an organic chemical buffer, CHES helps keep things steady. Reliable pH control keeps experiments on track, and this acid acts as the referee inside reactions and cultures.
Long hours in the lab can get thrown off by the smallest detail—often as simple as pH shifting outside its safe zone. Growing bacteria, running protein studies, or testing chemicals in solution demands serious control. CHES steps in where ordinary buffer systems fall short. Its sweet spot falls around pH 9 to 10. That means it gives researchers a solid option for experiments happening just above the neutral mark, where many biological or environmental samples need steady conditions.
Researchers often rely on this buffer in enzyme studies, especially when the enzymes refuse to work in lower-pH ranges. Most of us, at one point, have run into sensitive enzymes that seem to quit their jobs when things get even a hair too acidic or too basic. Using CHES gives those enzymes the comfort zone they demand, keeping the structure of proteins or the accuracy of diagnostic tests right on the money.
Most protein purification processes force scientists to keep their samples stable for hours or days. Shifts in pH break down proteins or make results useless. CHES plays its part by delivering consistent performance. Its relatively low salt interference and stable buffer capacity put it ahead for tricky biological processes. That includes protein crystallization—a process where clarity and structure make all the difference between blurry results and a breakthrough in disease research or therapy.
It's hard to mention these kinds of acids without seeing them in environmental testing. Water testing labs reach for CHES to make sure measurements in the 9-10 pH domain stay reliable. A researcher studying local river pollution or water treatment performance needs every reading to mean something. If the pH bounces around, all those expensive machines end up spitting out data that doesn't help people—which sells short the community and wastes time and money. Consistency builds public trust in data.
Every lab worker learns quickly that good chemicals cost money, especially when every test calls for high purity. Waste and lack of planning run budgets into the ground. Sourcing high-grade buffering agents, including 2 N Carbamoymethylamino Ethanesulfonic Acid, can pinch smaller institutions or independent labs. Some scientists work around this by sharing resources or buying in bulk, trading a little flexibility for a bigger container and a better price.
Sustainable lab practices also come into focus with chemicals like CHES. Some researchers push for greener alternatives or more responsible use by measuring pH more often, stretching out the lifespan of their solutions safely. Simple steps like these shrink the load on the environment and free up funds for better equipment or more advanced research down the road.
For every discovery in health, environment, or genetics, reliable buffers help put the results in people's hands. That sort of down-to-earth value—keeping experiments honest and data reliable—runs through every bottle of 2 N Carbamoymethylamino Ethanesulfonic Acid sitting in a cold storage room. People rarely talk about buffers outside the lab, but anyone who trusts medicine or a clean glass of water has reason to care.
When you see a name like 2 N Carbamoymethylamino Ethanesulfonic Acid, the chemistry does not look familiar at first glance. This compound is better known in labs as CHES, a biological buffer used to stabilize pH in experiments and industrial processes. Its actual molecular formula is C6H13NO4S. Each letter and number in this short formula gives us clues about what this molecule does in a chemical setting.
Students of life sciences have heard countless times that buffers play a vital role in experiments. Buffer solutions create stable conditions that let enzymes, proteins, and other biological molecules do their job without any surprises. CHES, or 2 N Carbamoymethylamino Ethanesulfonic Acid, sits in a unique pH range—good for many biochemistry experiments, especially where traditional compounds like Tris don’t work well. This molecular formula tells us exactly what atoms we are working with, and there’s no ambiguity. Each element counts: carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur all contribute to the way CHES interacts with water, other chemicals, and biological samples.
The molecular weight of CHES comes from adding up the atomic weights of each element in the formula C6H13NO4S. Carbon brings about 12 units each, hydrogen contributes 1, nitrogen adds 14, oxygen adds 16, and sulfur comes in at 32. Put it all together, and the weight totals 195.24 g/mol. Many researchers calculate these numbers by hand during training, but modern lab supplies and software give you this number at a glance. Accurate molecular weight is not trivia—it lets you make precise solutions, mix the right proportions, and compare data across labs worldwide.
Many labs, especially those in resource-limited areas or tight academic budgets, struggle to find and afford ultra-pure specialty chemicals. High purity is fundamental when you need reliable results. Impurities in CHES or any buffer can throw off entire experiments, leading to wasted hours or even days of work. Investing in consistent suppliers, checking for certificates of analysis, and using digital balances is not about bureaucracy—it’s about keeping experiments reproducible. If a buffer like CHES comes in at a lower purity, researchers often purify it or switch to another compound, turning a chemistry session into a troubleshooting marathon.
Quality experiments and sound research depend on transparent formulas and weights, but it goes further. Reliable reagents—right down to the last carbon or oxygen—support quality research that policymakers, doctors, and engineers trust. If you cut corners or skip basic checks, data becomes less valuable and solutions less reliable. Sharing clear information on molecular formula and weight helps labs across the world stay on the same page, drive progress, and solve real-world problems, not just theoretical ones.
When planning an experiment or teaching students, every step counts. Weighed powders, carefully measured liquids, and trustworthy data make science work day after day. Tools like CHES let researchers clear tough hurdles in philosophy, medicine, and environmental science—with every gram and every molecule playing a direct role in better results.
In many labs, 2-N-Carbamoymethylamino Ethanesulfonic Acid crops up as a handy buffer. Some folks recognize it as CHES. Anyone who’s ever tried to keep a reaction steady or a protein from falling apart likely came across it. So, is it risky? The answer depends on how you use it and what the facts tell us about its behavior.
Safety Data Sheets (SDS) give a pretty straightforward outline. CHES doesn’t scream danger the way strong acids, powerful bases, or volatile solvents do. Testing shows low acute toxicity. Contact with skin and eyes, while not pleasant, usually results in mild irritation—you’d get more drama from handling bleach or industrial cleaners. Breathing it in isn’t likely outside of a powder spill, which lab folks should clean up using basic personal protective equipment. Gloves and eye protection handle most routine exposure risks.
The American Chemical Society’s guidance matches that found in European risk databases: CHES isn’t flagged for cancer, reproductive harm, or major environmental impact. It doesn’t show up on priority pollutant lists or hazardous substance inventories. In some industries, people could handle kilos without much more than the standard gear.
Anyone who’s worked with even “safe” chemicals knows that carelessness leads to problems. Powder spills, slip hazards, or accidental ingestion from poor housekeeping still matter. Staring down a heavy container of CHES in the backroom, you remember why gloves are the default. While immediate harm may be low, repeated unprotected contact strains skin. Powders also hang in the air, especially with poor ventilation, so some might catch a breath of it if they rush cleanup.
Old habits from working in teaching labs come back fast: good technique means wearing a lab coat, labeling containers tightly, and keeping the workspace clean. These habits aren’t just for show; they stop small mistakes from turning into long lab reports and health logs. The same approach works anywhere—college, industry, or the home experimenter.
Treating every chemical with respect forms the foundation for a good lab environment. It felt silly at first to grab goggles for a simple buffer, but stories of people splashing “harmless” liquids in their eyes make the rounds for a reason. People develop allergies from repetitive exposure, too, even with these low-hazard salts.
Facilities handling bulk CHES keep dust down with closed containers and use a fume hood for prep work if large amounts get handled. They store it away from food and drinks, simple enough but often overlooked. Training every new worker or student, not just about the big risks but about the low-profile guys like CHES, gives people the confidence to speak up if something spills or goes wrong.
Manufacturers could offer more ergonomic packaging, minimizing dust release. Regular reminders, posted protocols, and a culture that values safety over speed help everyone, from the seasoned chemist to the new intern. If regulators update exposure limits or new studies reveal a hidden risk, teams who already follow solid habits adjust without missing a beat.
CHES won’t headline chemical safety news, but it serves as a quiet check on whether safety programs work day after day. The risk isn’t dramatic, but the discipline and knowledge gained from careful handling build habits for tougher challenges down the road.
Chemicals like 2 N Carbamoymethylamino Ethanesulfonic Acid are common in labs and biochemistry work. It’s easy to treat them like everyday supplies, but safety and reliability begin at the storage shelf. I remember my early days in the lab, how a spilled buffer or mislabeled bottle could turn into a mess — the label not just a sticker, but a warning and a map for what comes next.
This buffer, often known as CHES, does not take well to heat. I’ve seen labs keep some chemicals right next to windows or near benches with heating devices running all day. That extra warmth might not wreck the bottle right away, but breakdown doesn’t always come with an announcement. The ideal way to store 2 N Carbamoymethylamino Ethanesulfonic Acid is in a cool environment, away from direct sunlight. Most sources agree that room temperature, around 20–25°C (68–77°F), brings the best stability. Refrigerators are not always necessary — actually, cold can force the buffer to crystallize out of solution. Once that happens, you won’t have reliability batch-to-batch.
Once, after a rainy day, I opened a container in the chemical cabinet and found clumps sticking to the sides. It turned out the cap hadn’t sealed well, and extra water vapor had sneaked in. Even trace moisture can change the concentration and mess up experiments. Dessicant packets or sealed containers keep humidity out, and they’re such a small step that pays big dividends. In shared labs where people rush, resealing and storing new batches in airtight, labeled jars cuts confusion and waste.
A bottle may show an expiration date, but watch for color or consistency changes. If the powder turns pale yellow or clumps, this points to oxidation or hydrolysis. The buffer loses its punch, making controls and standardizations a gamble. Rather than push old material, rotating stock keeps everything within spec. Weekly or biweekly checks help—just a mark on the lid for the last check and a quick scan for signs of aging.
There’s peace of mind in knowing your reagents deliver what they promise. Proper storage prevents ruined experiments and wasted hours. That sense of responsibility shows up in records, safety audits, and on a daily basis—protected bottles mean fewer chemical incidents. Simple habits around where and how we keep these chemicals turn averages into reliable data, batch after batch.
Chemistry has a way of weaving its creations into the everyday world, often in ways that go unnoticed. 2 N Carbamoymethylamino Ethanesulfonic Acid, more commonly known as CHES, belongs to a group of biological buffers. These buffers steady the pH in experiments that test the edge of what’s possible in pharmaceutical, agricultural, and biochemical fields. Folks in labs notice that without a reliable buffer, experiments get unpredictable, wasting time and resources.
Every chemical compound enters the global stage with a CAS number. Picture it as a fingerprint—distinct for each substance and crucial for safety data, transport, and regulatory compliance. The CAS number for 2 N Carbamoymethylamino Ethanesulfonic Acid is 103-47-9. This number guides manufacturers, shippers, and even customs officers, ensuring that what’s in the barrel matches what’s on the manifest.
In a lab, the smallest variance in buffer quality or concentration can skew a result. As a scientist, getting your hands on the genuine item matters. The CAS number becomes your assurance: the buffer in your hands is not some knockoff or substitute. CHES, sitting under CAS 103-47-9, often plays a behind-the-scenes role in growing cells, developing new medications, or tweaking enzymes in test tubes. Hospitals also depend on buffers for tasks from diagnostics to dialysis.
A casual glance at chemical labels sometimes isn’t enough. Mislabeling, miscommunication between supplier and lab technician, or poor organization can trigger disaster. In 2010, a university lab reported a near-miss where an incorrect buffer, lacking a proper CAS number reference, nearly contaminated a clinical study and delayed results for weeks. Most companies keep robust databases keyed to the CAS structure to sidestep this risk.
Supply chains can get tangled, especially with broadly used chemicals. Suppliers who post clear CAS numbers on all documents help everyone up and down the line skip confusion and costly mistakes. The value of that number—103-47-9 for CHES—grows every year as regulations tighten. I’ve seen research teams switch to new suppliers based solely on transparency around CAS identifiers.
As laboratories push into new scientific frontiers, the level of detail in chemical identification matters. Mistakes decrease when researchers lean on concrete evidence, like CAS numbers, instead of trading by outdated names or abbreviations. Policymakers and purchasing managers should consider requiring CAS-labeled documentation on every chemical. Barcode systems and digital inventory could tie real-time verification to the identifier for even tighter controls.
Trust in science and commerce hangs on tiny details. For compounds such as 2 N Carbamoymethylamino Ethanesulfonic Acid, whose CAS number is 103-47-9, there’s no substitute for absolute clarity. That number isn’t just paperwork—it draws a line between safe handling and preventable mistakes. As someone who’s run experiments that depended on honest, traceable chemicals, I know how much that matters.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | 2-\[2-(Carbamoylmethylamino)ethanesulfonic acid |
| Other names |
TES TES buffer N-[Tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid N-tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid N-[2-Carbamoylethyl]aminoethanesulfonic acid |
| Pronunciation | /tuː en kɑːrˈbæməwɪlˌmɛθəlˌəˈmiːnoʊ ˌiːθeɪnˈsʌlfɒnɪk ˈæsɪd/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 25864-14-4 |
| Beilstein Reference | 1393664 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:39076 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL1230548 |
| ChemSpider | 92584 |
| DrugBank | DB04147 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 03a1c9f3-e7f3-4010-8e54-8e8b5ffb8d7a |
| EC Number | EC Number 410-440-3 |
| Gmelin Reference | 85355 |
| KEGG | C06036 |
| MeSH | D020616 |
| PubChem CID | 16219238 |
| RTECS number | WH7175000 |
| UNII | U9F378AAY2 |
| UN number | UN2811 |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | DTXSID5020662 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C5H12N2O5S |
| Molar mass | 241.26 g/mol |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 1.348 g/cm³ |
| Solubility in water | soluble in water |
| log P | -4.1 |
| Vapor pressure | <0.01 mmHg (25°C) |
| Acidity (pKa) | 7.2 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 8.35 |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.515 |
| Viscosity | Viscous liquid |
| Dipole moment | 6.2 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 381.7 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -1252.9 kJ/mol |
| Hazards | |
| Main hazards | No significant hazards. |
| GHS labelling | GHS07 |
| Pictograms | GHS07 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H302, H332, H373 |
| Precautionary statements | Precautionary statements: P261, P264, P271, P272, P273, P301+P312, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P312, P332+P313, P337+P313, P362+P364, P501 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 1-1-0 |
| Flash point | > 225.2°C |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (median dose): > 5,000 mg/kg (oral, rat) |
| NIOSH | ST0865000 |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
ACES HEPES MES PIPES TES Tricine |
