Thermo Scientific™ N,N,N',N'-Tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED) 99%

N,N,N′,N′-Tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) is a widely used chelating diamine and ligand employed in coordination chemistry, polymerization reactions, and organometallic synthesis. It is particularly known for its role in catalyzing the polymerization of acrylamide and bis-acrylamide (with ammonium persulfate) for the preparation of polyacrylamide gels used in protein and nucleic acid separation.

This high-purity TMEDA (≥99%) is supplied as a colorless to slightly yellow liquid, miscible with water and ideal for complexation with alkali metals and transition metals such as lithium, copper, and zinc. It enhances ortho-metallation, Michael additions, and oxidative coupling reactions, making it indispensable in synthetic organic chemistry and electrophoresis workflows.

Key Features & Benefits

• High Purity (≥98.5%)
  Suitable for both biochemical and synthetic organic chemistry applications.
• Polyacrylamide Gel Catalyst
  Commonly paired with ammonium persulfate in SDS-PAGE and native PAGE protocols.
• Effective Chelating Ligand
  Coordinates with lithium, zinc, copper, and other metals in organometallic complexes.
• Enhances Reactivity in Metallation Reactions
  Boosts rates and selectivity in lithiation, ortho-metallation, and coupling reactions.
• Miscible with Water
  Easily handled and incorporated into aqueous and organic systems.

Chemical Identity & Properties

Applications & Uses

• Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
  • Polymerization of acrylamide gels for SDS-PAGE
  • Protein and nucleic acid separation workflows
• Organic & Organometallic Synthesis
  • Ligand for metal complex formation (Zn, Cu, Li)
  • Enhances ortho-metallation and alkyl lithium reactivity
  • Complexation agent in oxidative coupling reactions
• Catalysis & Reaction Acceleration
  • Boosts rates of Michael additions, deprotonations, and lithiation
  • Facilitates oxidative coupling of alkynes and heteroatom oxidations

Safety & Handling

• Storage:
  Store tightly sealed under dry, inert conditions. Avoid moisture and exposure to air.
• PPE Recommendations:
  Use gloves, safety goggles, lab coat; work in a fume hood.
• Hazard Warnings:
  Flammable liquid and vapor. Harmful if inhaled or absorbed through skin.
• Use Restrictions:
  For Research Use Only (RUO). Not for drug, household, or food use.

Literature References

• J. Am. Chem. Soc., 92, 4664 (1970) – Role in metallation
• Tetrahedron Lett., 35, 385–401 (1994) – Ortho-lithiation enhancement
• Org. Lett., 3, 3041 (2001) – TEMPO-mediated oxidations
• J. Org. Chem., 71, 352 (2006) – Michael addition rate acceleration
• Organometallics, 13, 5173 (1994) – TMEDA lithiation

Thermo Scientific™ N,N,N′,N′-Tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) is a versatile, high-purity diamine reagent essential for polymer chemistry, metal complexation, and advanced organic synthesis. Whether catalyzing acrylamide polymerization or enhancing metal-mediated transformations, TMEDA offers reliable performance and broad applicability in research and industrial workflows.