Diethyl pyrocarbonate Chemical Properties

Melting point:

69℃

Boiling point:

93-94 °C18 mm Hg(lit.)

Density 

1.12 g/mL at 20 °C

refractive index 

n20/D 1.398(lit.)

Flash point:

157 °F

storage temp. 

2-8°C

solubility 

95% ethanol: soluble4.5g/10 mL, clear, colorless

form 

Liquid

color 

APHA: ≤20

Water Solubility 

slow decomposition

Sensitive 

Moisture Sensitive

Merck 

14,7998

BRN 

637031

Stability:

Combustible. Unstable - readily decomposes. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, strong reducing agents, strong bases, ammonia.

InChIKey

FFYPMLJYZAEMQB-UHFFFAOYSA-N

LogP

1.101 (est)

CAS DataBase Reference

1609-47-8(CAS DataBase Reference)

NIST Chemistry Reference

Diethyl pyrocarbonate(1609-47-8)

EPA Substance Registry System

Dicarbonic acid, diethyl ester (1609-47-8)

Safety Information

Hazard Codes 

Xn

Risk Statements 

22-36/37/38-20/21/22

Safety Statements 

26-36-37/39

RIDADR 

2810

WGK Germany 

3

RTECS 

LQ9350000

F 

4.4-9-21

TSCA 

Yes

HazardClass 

6.1(b)

PackingGroup 

III

HS Code 

29209085

Toxicity

LD50 orally in Rabbit: 850 mg/kg

MSDS

• Language:English Provider:Pyrocarbonic acid diethyl ester
• Language:English Provider:SigmaAldrich
• Language:English Provider:ACROS
• Language:English Provider:ALFA

Diethyl pyrocarbonate Usage And Synthesis

Chemical Properties

liquid

Uses

Modification reagent for His and Tyr residues in proteins. Robust probe for structural disruptions in dsDNA, reacting with fully or partially unstacked bases.1

Uses

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.

Uses

Gentle esterifying agent. Preservative for wines, soft drinks, fruit juices.

Definition

ChEBI: The diethyl ester of dicarbonic acid.

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.

Biochem/physiol Actions

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

Safety Profile

Poison by ingestion, inhalation, and intraperitoneal routes. Concentrated DEPC is irritating to eyes, mucous membranes, and sh. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and fumes. See also ESTERS.

Purification Methods

Dissolve the ester in Et2O, wash it with dilute HCl, H2O, dry over Na2SO4, filter, evaporate and distil the residue first in vacuo then at atmospheric pressure. It is soluble in alcohols, esters, ketones and hydrocarbon solvents. A 50% w/w solution is usually prepared for general use. Treat with great CAUTION as DEP irritates the eyes, mucous membranes and skin. [Boehm & Mehta Chem Ber 71 1797 1938, Thoma & Rinke Justus Liebigs Ann Chem 624 30 1959, Beilstein 3 IV 18.]

Diethyl pyrocarbonate(1609-47-8)Related Product Information

• Methyl acrylate
• Diethyl sulfate
• Diethyl phthalate
• Diethyl phosphite
• Olibanum oil
• Dimethyl succinate
• Dimethyl dicarbonate
• Tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphate
• Diethyl malonate
• CIS-BUTENEDIOIC ANHYDRIDE
• BUTYL OLEATE
• Isatoic Anhydride
• Ethyl methyl carbonate
• Phthalic anhydride
• Succinic anhydride
• Glutaric anhydride
• Trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride
• Di-tert-butyl dicarbonate