Tromethamine (THAM)

Tris is an organic compound with the formula (HOCH2)3CNH2. Tris is extensively used in biochemistry and molecular biology. In biochemistry, Tris is widely used as a component of buffer solutions, such as in TAE and TBE buffer, especially for solutions of nucleic acids. It is a primary amine and thus undergoes the reactions associated with typical amines, e.g. condensations with aldehydes. Tris is prepared industrially in two steps from nitromethane via the intermediate (HOCH2)3CNO2. Reduction of the latter gives tris(hydroxymethyl)aminometha. The useful buffer range for tris (7-9) coincides with the physiological pH typical of most living organisms. This, and its low cost, make tris one of the most common buffers in the biology/biochemistry laboratory. Tris is also used as a primary standard to standardize acid solutions for chemical analysis.Tris is used to increase membrane permeability of cell membranes.