Long before chemists started tailoring molecules on the atomic scale, folks looked for tools to nudge water's acidity, keep enzymes happy, or stabilize reactions that got cranky outside a narrow range. Sodium 4-morpholin-1-ylethylsulphonate, sometimes written as MESNa or SMES, appears in papers dating back to the 1960s. Researchers needed a buffer that left biological samples alone, didn't muck up chromatography, and kept its cool under heat. Recipes for it showed up in European patent filings and academic journals, designed to fit the daily grind in molecular biology and pharmaceutical labs. Names shifted as folks refined the formula, but the core job remained: keep pH regulated, avoid interference, and let proteins and cells do their thing with minimal fuss.
In the bottle, this compound shows up as a white or off-white powder. Nobody buys it for its looks; people want what it brings to solution chemistry. The material dissolves quickly in water. The ease of weighing and direct solubility saves time, which matters in labs where hands juggle timing and accuracy all day. Its main draw comes from stubborn reliability: The buffer takes on acids and bases, maintains a tight pH window, and leaves minimal footprint on biological assays. This reputation built up after researchers compared MESNa to other buffering agents and found it reduced background noise and chemical crosstalk in their work.
Measured out, it has a molar mass near 217 grams per mole. Most forms are highly soluble in water, often exceeding 100 grams per liter at room temperature. The pKa stands around 7.1, which means it covers the typical window biologists chase when aiming for physiological pH. It won’t catch fire easily, doesn’t evaporate, and doesn’t break down unless boiled or exposed to strong acids or bases. Dry storage preserves the powder. The nine-atom backbone includes a bulky morpholine ring, linked to a sulfonate group, all counterbalanced by a sodium ion. This molecular design explains its gentle hand in chemical environments: It buffers where needed but doesn’t bind proteins or metals that might hijack sensitive reactions.
In production, manufacturers call for purity above 99 percent, confirm trace metals stay under pinpoint levels, and avoid contamination by aldehydes. Labels list the full systematic name, Chemical Abstracts Service number, batch, expiration, and hazard warnings. Instructions remind users about shelf life, storage at room temperature in dry conditions, and handling with gloves and goggles if making concentrated solutions. Regulatory paperwork covers REACH, GHS, and CLP compliance in the EU; in North America, Material Safety Data Sheets outline emergency steps if inhaled or spilled. This paperwork doesn’t grab attention in a catalog, but compliance lets scientists work without side eyes from safety inspectors or funding agencies.
The backbone of the process relies on alkylation and sulfonation steps. Technicians begin by making 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)morpholine, then react it with sodium sulfite and chlorinated intermediates under controlled heat. The mixture goes through filtration and recrystallization to drive out byproducts. Industrial systems scale up from bench-top flasks to large reactors, all aiming for high yield and minimal waste. Older methods produced more side products, but tweaks in stoichiometry, temperature control, and solvent selection have lifted quality and safety. Each batch gets checked for purity before heading to labs, hospitals, or industrial users.
The morpholine ring stands resilient in most conditions. Its amine and ether groups rarely grab onto other molecules unless exposed to harsh oxidizers or strong alkalis. The sulfonate group, being strongly ionic, increases solubility but resists further reaction under normal lab conditions. Chemists seeking more tailored functionality sometimes modify the ethyl chain or swap out the sodium ion for other cations. While MESNa itself isn't usually targeted for chemical modifications, some uses involve building derivatives that shift pKa or reactivity for unusual settings. It's grabbed for its reputation: predictable and steady, with no surprises in most matrixes.
Walk through online catalogs or scan journal articles, and names pile up. Some call it MESNa, others just SMES, based on shorthand for Sodium 2-(morpholin-4-yl)ethanesulfonate. Regulatory lists stick to the IUPAC names, though plenty of suppliers cut it down for quick readability. Search for sodium morpholinoethanesulfonate or simply MES, and results often point to the same core powder, though some confusion still lingers between this molecule and the related MES (2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid). Labels, certificates of analysis, and customs paperwork reflect these differences, reminding end users to double-check the molecular structure before placing a large order for manufacturing or trials.
Labs take comfort knowing this chemical poses low acute toxicity. That said, no white powder gets a free pass: goggles, gloves, and lab coats stay essential, especially if mixing concentrated solutions or working in poorly ventilated spaces. Dust control cuts the risk of inhalation. In case of spills, most protocols call for scooping up solids with damp paper, rinsing with lots of water, and notifying supervisors if a large container breaks. The environmental impact from disposal remains low; wastewater plants can handle dilute solutions, but large discharges should be avoided. These routines come from decades of research into chemical hygiene and reflect a trade-off—minimal risk if you treat it with care and respect.
MESNa proves its worth across biochemistry, molecular biology, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. The major draw comes from its pH stability near neutrality, so it fits right into enzyme studies, tissue culture, and protein crystallization without gumming up results. Diagnostic kits and blood substitutes call for buffers that won’t provoke immune response or block reaction signals; MESNa steps in with minimal side effects. Some industrial settings use it in the formulation of cleaning agents or specialty polymers, where reliable buffering supports consistent product performance. I’ve leaned on MESNa in my own work, building cell-free protein synthesis systems where every other buffer left me chasing background peaks or strange color shifts. The repeatability and clarity it offers streamlines plenty of tricky experimental setups.
Academic teams test this molecule in all sorts of new roles, from stabilizing stem cell cultures to acting as a reference standard in ion-exchange chromatography. Research into buffer systems has drifted away from brute force solutions—MESNa stands out thanks to its low interference and ease of preparation. Pharmaceutical groups probe its compatibility with biologics, trying to widen the window for drug stability under changing storage or transport conditions. The compound’s structure makes it a testbed for modeling solute-solvent interactions, and its predictability helps in calibrating fine-tuned bioprocesses. Every few years, papers surface about new uses, sometimes in environmental remediation, sometimes in high-performance testing labs, all pointing back to its sturdy chemical backbone.
Most available studies support the idea that acute and chronic toxicity from MESNa exposure remains low for humans and animals. Oral and dermal LD50 values in rodents stack up in the gram-per-kilogram range, far above occupational exposure levels. Testing for mutagenicity and carcinogenicity finds no red flags at working concentrations. Researchers do note, though, that too much buffer—especially in cell cultures or aquatic systems—can shift osmotic balance or crowd out trace ions. Eye and respiratory irritation may crop up if folks ignore basic lab hygiene. Environmental groups keep an eye on sulfonate byproducts, but reported impacts so far sit below thresholds of concern, assuming normal disposal protocols find use.
Growth in biotechnology, personalized medicine, and advanced diagnostics all keep the demand for robust, low-interference buffering agents like Sodium 4-morpholin-1-ylethylsulphonate on the upswing. Ongoing improvements in synthesis—using greener solvents, cutting energy, or recycling intermediates—promise better sustainability and lower cost. As molecular-level monitoring demands sharper accuracy, buffers offering minimal artifact signals will keep earning their space on storage shelves. Regulatory agencies continue pushing for clearer labeling, better workplace protection, and stronger environmental tracking, nudging producers to up their game. My bet? MESNa stays ready on benchtops for decades, growing its reach as life science research brings new complexity, and scientists reach for what’s already proven.
Few people outside the labs run into the name Sodium 4-Morpholin-1-Ylethylsulphonate, but this compound shapes many scientific routines. The first time I handled it, the label alone made me double-check the shelf. In practice, the compound often goes by its shorthand, MES sodium salt. Its main job pops up in biochemical and molecular biology laboratories as a buffering agent, keeping experiments steady and reproducible. Buffers do the tough job of holding the pH in a tight range, letting enzymes and cells do their thing without swinging into chaos.
Every scientist learns early that even small pH shifts can ruin an experiment. Most proteins refuse to behave if the environment is too acidic or basic. I’ve seen a perfectly set experiment wasted because a buffer mix-up sent the pH off-kilter. MES salt holds pH between about 5.5 and 6.7, a sweet spot for proteins, enzymes, and cells that want a balanced scene. That’s why researchers reach for it in everything from running electrophoresis gels to preparing cell cultures.
A good buffer isn’t just about hitting a number. It also must avoid side reactions, stay stable across temperatures, and stay out of the way of whatever chemistry we’re observing. MES sodium salt checks those boxes, letting us focus on what matters—results, not rescue missions when things go sideways.
Beyond the test tube, MES sodium salt keeps showing its worth. Diagnostics firms bank on consistent buffer performance for kit manufacturing. In the clinics, biochemical assays need that reliability to return answers people trust with their health. If the buffer drifts, the answer changes. I got into science to help produce results people rely on, and nothing builds public trust more than reliable, repeatable data. Years of research and regulation keep reinforcing the need for error-proof basics such as these.
Supplying high-purity MES sodium salt takes chemical manufacturers with tight quality control. Even trace contaminants can upend sensitive assays. Over the years, stricter quality standards and peer-reviewed studies have set the bar higher, led by regulatory agencies focused on safety. Allergies or reactions remain rare, but safety sheets call for gloves and goggles, reminding anyone who uses it that even trusted chemicals deserve respect.
One concern I see growing is waste management after large laboratory uses. Buffers themselves might be safe, but the processes they take part in sometimes mix them with solvents or heavy metals. Labs can step up by keeping chemical inventory lean, using just what’s needed, and following tighter protocols for waste disposal. Green chemistry groups have begun talking about alternatives or recycling strategies, and researchers can stay aware of new developments in order to create less chemical waste downstream.
Lab routines run on certainty, but the world outside the bench faces more uncertainty. By tightening up production standards, seeking greener options, and remembering the humble role of a good buffer, routine science can continue to support discoveries and diagnostics without leaving excess baggage behind. The future probably holds new challenges, but compounds like Sodium 4-Morpholin-1-Ylethylsulphonate set the baseline for consistent and effective research stepping forward.
Sodium 4-morpholin-1-ylethylsulphonate pops up in a variety of research labs and sometimes even in production settings. Scientists often use it as a buffering agent, especially in biochemical experiments where stable pH is essential. These solutions may not sound remarkable to people outside the lab, but ask any technician who works with buffers day in and day out, and they’ll tell you that chemical safety is not a side note. A skipped label, a misstep in handling, or a missing pair of gloves can cause more than just an accident. Getting a direct splash on bare skin or eyes will grab attention fast.
Sodium 4-morpholin-1-ylethylsulphonate is not widely flagged for acute, catastrophic risks. It does not belong in the same hazardous league as sodium cyanide, chlorine gas, or many organic solvents with sky-high volatility. That said, scientists are careful with it. Even with mild to moderate irritant warnings on Material Safety Data Sheets, users still put on lab coats, goggles, and gloves. Safety boards and chemical suppliers urge the same precautions for good reason: chemical irritation adds up fast, and respiratory exposure from powders or splashes is never something you want to tough out.
Repeated contact with any synthetic chemical — especially in lab settings — deserves respect. The basic rule has always been that you don’t handle white powders by hand, and you don’t pour any reagent in a stuffy, unventilated workspace. Some researchers have recalled accidental spillage or wafting dust from handling chemicals similar to this one. Even when the acute risks are not high, the discomfort of skin redness or eye watering can mess with your daily work or force you off the bench for the rest of the shift.
Most chemical handling mistakes simmer down to gaps in information or to habits formed over years. Someone running a buffer prep at the last minute might skip goggles for speed, or a technician may work outside the fume hood because it seems quicker. In these moments, the lack of an immediate, dramatic health effect from sodium 4-morpholin-1-ylethylsulphonate can actually tempt people into forgetting to follow best practices. But that’s a gamble.
The best safety net? Easy-to-use protective gear, a clean workspace, and culture where people are encouraged to call out shortcuts without fear. Labels on bottles should be legible, up-to-date, and the inventory must show disposal and age. Rushed labeling, or careless transfer between bottles, creates confusion in busy labs—a recipe for accidents.
Training is not just a checkbox. It sticks when people share stories—not just of accidents, but of near-misses and the day-to-day quirks of a particular chemical. Management can help by supplying fit-for-purpose gloves and making sure spill kits don’t gather dust under a sink. Researchers benefit from reviewing updated safety data sheets and knowing exactly where the eye wash stations are—and practicing using them.
Sodium 4-morpholin-1-ylethylsulphonate may not be as infamous as other chemicals, yet safety around it still depends on habits, communication, and accountability. These steps take little extra effort to put in place but go a long way toward keeping people healthy at the bench and on the production floor.
Chemistry always offers a puzzle, and Sodium 4-Morpholin-1-ylethylsulphonate is no exception. The chemical name gives us hints. Starting with the base group, morpholine forms a ring containing both nitrogen and oxygen atoms. Attached to this is an ethyl group, then a sulfonate group, finished off with a sodium ion for charge balance. The formula boils down to C6H12NNaO4S.
In the lab, chemical names often feel like a foreign language. They're a code—one quick glance for a chemist offers a peek into the molecular architecture. Morpholine itself carries a four-carbon ring, one nitrogen, one oxygen. Add in that ethyl piece and the sulfonate "tail" with sodium riding shotgun, and the formula starts to build itself.
Some folks might shrug at the idea of parsing through a formula like C6H12NNaO4S. Still, structure tells us more than meets the eye. Knowledge of this formula means one can predict the compound’s basic physical and chemical properties—solubility in water, stability, and interaction with other chemicals. That’s how safety plans and lab protocols begin; mistakes don’t tend to happen as often when people understand the “building blocks.”
Outside the lab, people might spot sodium 4-morpholin-1-ylethylsulphonate—or closely related compounds—acting as buffering agents, surfactants, or helping with drug formulation. Each functional group set in its place steers the behavior of the molecule. The sodium sulfonate gives good solubility in water. Morpholine’s ring brings stability and a little chemical flexibility. I remember mixing compounds with similar backbones during college organic chemistry, amazed by how a tiny swap—add one atom here, move a group there—changes almost everything: pH, reactivity, even smell.
Knowing the formula C6H12NNaO4S isn’t just academic. Workers handling similar sulphonates need to know exactly what they're working with. The presence of sodium hints at moderate corrosive properties, though not as much as sodium hydroxide or harsher agents. The sulfur atom could lead to formation of unwanted byproducts if things get heated or mixed incorrectly. I learned pretty quickly in industry that understanding chemical identities—down to each number and symbol—protects people from burns, toxic fumes, and even the humble yet painful chemical rash.
Accurate labeling and hazard communication rely on formulas. Researchers often reference the C6H12NNaO4S formula directly when calculating safe exposure limits, waste disposal protocols, and environmental footprint. Errors in matching up chemical names and formulas sometimes cause near-misses or supply chain delays, as regulators and health inspectors check genuine compliance.
Safer practices start with clear chemical education. Students and professionals who see C6H12NNaO4S on a label or in a recipe instantly recognize what’s inside the bottle. Data sheets point directly to the risks and recommended uses. Companies that provide up-to-date chemical inventories let workers find crucial info fast. If a spill or fire happens, emergency responders know precisely what they’re cleaning up—and which antidotes or firefighting methods apply.
It’s a chain reaction—right from a formula scribbled on a label, people make smarter decisions. Scientific literacy, accurate records, and hands-on training form the backbone of safety in chemistry. That’s what keeps labs productive and people healthy.
Growing up in a family that ran a small cleaning supplies shop, I learned early about the importance of handling chemicals with care—small missteps could cause big problems. While sodium 4-morpholin-1-ylethylsulphonate hides behind a complicated name, the lessons about storing it stay simple and practical. Keeping it safe on a shelf isn’t just about the law; it’s also about protecting people who work around it and making sure the product stays good.
Working with any chemical, the storage spot says a lot about the outcome. For sodium 4-morpholin-1-ylethylsulphonate, a few clear steps make a difference. Store it in a tightly sealed container—the original packaging usually gets this job done. Moisture likes to creep into containers, so controlling humidity keeps the powder from clumping or breaking down. I remember using desiccant packs at our shop for this sort of thing; cheap and effective.
Heat and sunlight also cause trouble. High temperatures or direct light can speed up degradation. A solid approach is to keep chemicals like this one on a cool, shaded shelf away from windows or ovens. The storage room at our shop had a shaded corner just for bottles that needed a bit of extra care, and this worked out most of the time.
Mistakes happen faster when storage practices get sloppy. Mixing incompatible chemicals spells trouble, so keep sodium 4-morpholin-1-ylethylsulphonate away from strong acids or oxidizers. I once saw what happened when bleach wound up next to ammonia in someone else’s storeroom—nothing good came out of that. Dedicated shelves or cabinets, clearly labeled, help avoid these slip-ups. Labels don’t need to be fancy. Tape and marker worked for us.
Ventilation makes a difference, too. Some people overlook airflow, but chemicals like this one can let off vapors under certain conditions. A well-ventilated spot prevents buildup, especially if something unexpected spills or leaks. Our shop relied on a small fan and an open window—basic steps that gave us peace of mind.
People matter more than policies. Everyone handling the storage area should know the basics—what the chemical does, why its location matters, and what to do if a spill happens. Training doesn’t have to be formal. One-on-one talks, printouts taped to the door, or simple reminders before closing time usually stick better than dry lectures. In my experience, folks respect what keeps them safe if you tie it to their day-to-day routines.
Unauthorized access also poses risks. Locking expensive or hazardous chemicals away gets overlooked sometimes until something disappears or gets misused. Cabinets with a padlock or keypad, keys held by a manager, and a sign-in log let you track who comes and goes. Such small efforts save big headaches later.
Regulatory groups lay out basic storage rules. Agencies like OSHA and the EPA provide accessible guides about storing laboratory chemicals, including substances similar to sodium 4-morpholin-1-ylethylsulphonate. These guides often mention temperature limits, compatible storage, and spill control. Staying updated on these rules isn’t busywork—it shields businesses from fines and legal headaches. The facts show that most chemical-related accidents trace back to ignored protocols or missing information. Keeping up with science and the law pays off in fewer accidents and longer shelf lives.
Safe storage isn’t about paranoia—it’s about common sense. That lesson stuck with me from our family business and shows up every time I talk to people who work in labs or storerooms or cleaning supply shops. Watching for leaks, separating chemicals, and tracking who handles them builds a culture of responsibility. Sodium 4-morpholin-1-ylethylsulphonate, like any lab reagent, follows these rules. And just like in daily life, those habits prove their worth at the end of every quiet, incident-free day.
Sodium 4-morpholin-1-ylethylsulphonate rarely catches the public eye, but plenty of researchers have run into it—especially in buffer systems and solutions where stability matters. For those knee-deep in lab work, chemical compatibility questions aren’t just academic. Mixing the wrong compounds costs time, slashes budgets, and sometimes means scrapping days of data because an unexpected reaction spoiled your sample.
Experience has taught me that trusting the label isn’t enough. Over the years, I’ve watched even seasoned techs grab unfamiliar buffers, toss them together with their reagents, and shrug off the fine print. Minutes later, a cloudy mix or sudden color change brings everything to a halt. It’s more than just a nuisance—unexpected incompatibilities burn through supplies, often at a pace that finance teams definitely notice.
The published literature surrounding sodium 4-morpholin-1-ylethylsulphonate is sparse, especially when it comes to incompatibilities. Reports rarely flag catastrophic reactions, at least at room temperature and in dilute aqueous environments. That might offer some relief, but this doesn’t mean safety is guaranteed across the board. Even buffers known for their calm nature have blind spots.
Metal cations sometimes stir up trouble. I’ve worked with transition metals—think copper and nickel—that just won’t play nice with certain sulphonates. Cloudy precipitates mark the moment things go wrong. Strong oxidizers tell a similar story, especially under heat or high concentration. One bad combination can rip apart a buffer system or shake loose harmful byproducts that skew analytical results.
Chemists learn early about common troublemakers: strong acids, strong bases, anything that fizzes or smells unusual. Compounds like sodium 4-morpholin-1-ylethylsulphonate fly under the radar. They seem inert, just sitting in solution. In practice, even subtle incompatibilities can change pH or block enzyme activity. Couple that with batch-to-batch variations or contaminants, and mystery results start to stack up.
I remember a protein purification run brought down by an unexpected interaction. All it took was a sulphonate-based buffer crossing paths with a chromium salt. What looked like hazy solution soon turned into a sticky mess, killing yields for the day. Now I check interaction data before adding even the “harmless” buffers. Not every unexpected reaction makes headlines, but inside the lab, it only takes one slipup to learn respect for compatibility charts.
Best practice means digging for information, then running a small-scale test if uncertainty lingers. Flushing out unknowns with a simple bench trial saves grief later on. Even among seasoned colleagues, I encourage people to flag anything out of the ordinary. Documentation helps—small notes can save the next shift a world of headaches.
For research teams lacking a risk management playbook, manufacturer safety sheets and supplier FAQs become first stop shopping. Publishing clear, updated incompatibility data builds trust. Labs that create open lines of communication—through whiteboards, Slack channels, or quick talks—outpace those that push on through confusion. The chemical may not pose dramatic risk, but hidden surprises are never far for those who skip due diligence.
Improving access to compatibility data remains a group effort. Regulatory bodies, suppliers, and researchers need to trade notes, publish negative results, and update documentation. Some of the most useful findings in my own projects came from shared war stories about what didn’t work. Until then, every buffer—no matter how “mild”—gets the same careful scrutiny as its more volatile cousins.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | Sodium 2-(morpholin-4-yl)ethane-1-sulfonate |
| Other names |
MES 2-(N-Morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid 4-Morpholineethanesulfonic acid Sodium MES |
| Pronunciation | /ˈsəʊdiəm fɔː ˌmɔːfəˈliːn wʌn ˈɪlˈɛθ.ɪlˈsʌl.fəˌneɪt/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 6038-19-3 |
| 3D model (JSmol) | `/PDWC1ULW9K/3D` |
| Beilstein Reference | 1759004 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:91249 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL1200215 |
| ChemSpider | 26589095 |
| DrugBank | DB11357 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 03d2b24f-fd41-4d8a-b41a-b84c8080dd54 |
| EC Number | EC 252-487-6 |
| Gmelin Reference | 110134 |
| KEGG | C05744 |
| MeSH | D017060 |
| PubChem CID | 15534973 |
| RTECS number | WL5250000 |
| UNII | 1O2E8U6L4E |
| UN number | UN2811 |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | UQ1C2D7016 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C6H13NO4SNa |
| Molar mass | 237.27 g/mol |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 1.24 g/cm³ |
| Solubility in water | Soluble in water |
| log P | -3.4 |
| Vapor pressure | Negligible |
| Acidity (pKa) | 8.0 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 5.6 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -57.0·10⁻⁶ cm³/mol |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.478 |
| Viscosity | Viscosity: 25 cP |
| Dipole moment | 3.85 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 284.7 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | B05XA17 |
| Hazards | |
| Main hazards | Causes serious eye irritation. Causes skin irritation. May cause respiratory irritation. |
| GHS labelling | GHS07, GHS05 |
| Pictograms | GHS07 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H315, H319 |
| Precautionary statements | P264; P280; P305+P351+P338; P337+P313 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 1-0-0 |
| Lethal dose or concentration | > LD50 (oral, rat) > 5000 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (oral, rat) > 2000 mg/kg |
| PEL (Permissible) | Not established |
| REL (Recommended) | 13.12 |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | Not listed |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
MES CHES PIPES MOPS HEPES |
