MOPS Sodium Salt goes by the chemical name 3-(N-morpholino)propanesulfonic acid sodium salt. In molecular terms, its formula is C7H14NNaO4S, and it has a molecular weight of 229.25 g/mol. Many researchers know this buffer for its steady pH control, especially in biological and biochemical work. Unlike stronger bases and acids, it doesn’t interfere with most reactions or degrade sample quality. That steady presence lets biochemists and lab technicians focus on results, not unpredictable shifts. In hands-on lab routines, MOPS Sodium Salt often performs as a buffer in the pH range of 6.5–7.9, holding the environment right where sensitive protein or enzyme assays need it.
MOPS Sodium Salt comes mostly as a white or off-white solid. Labs receive it in the form of flakes, powder, or fine crystalline pearls. The density stands around 0.9 g/cm3 (for the solid), which makes pouring and weighing hassle-free. No need to worry about it caking up before use—a dry, cool storage area keeps it flowing nicely. Dissolved into water, it stays clear without making any cloudy mess, showing high purity above 99%. Bulk users sometimes go through buckets of it, measuring out grams or kilograms at a time, never running into lumps or blockages. A clean, simple material like this saves time during crucial prepping steps, whether you’re making up a single flask or filling a bank of bioreactors.
Looking close at its structure, the MOPS sodium salt molecule features both morpholine and sulfonic acid groups. This unique combination means it holds its buffering action steady, even with fluctuating temperature or ionic strength. In a lot of daily work, the substance dissolves easily in water, giving a stable liquid solution for basic and advanced experiments alike. Unlike many buffering agents, MOPS Sodium Salt leaves other ions alone, so reaction results don’t get skewed by unexpected side products. The crystalline and powder forms prove easy to dissolve at room temperature, with no need to fight stubborn chunks. Chemically, it has a melting point near 250°C (decomposes), so it stays stable and reliable over all normal handling. The crystal structure doesn’t crumble or melt away during routine benchwork or shipment, making it a go-to for both research and production settings.
For shipment and customs, MOPS Sodium Salt uses HS Code 2934999099, covering other heterocyclic compounds. Buyers and distributors know exactly what category it fits in, saving time and trouble on import paperwork. Purity runs as high as 99% or more in most reputable lots. Moisture content usually stays below 1%, stopping growth of clumps and mix errors. Not every lot is the same: some manufacturers sell it as extra-fine powder for high solubility, others in granules or pearls for less dust. Even at high volumes, consistent particle size helps keep lab measurements steady and trustworthy. Whether small-batch or commercial lab, these reliable specs mean no technician has to second-guess measurements or fill in with backup chemicals.
Ease of use matters to busy researchers. MOPS Sodium Salt’s solid forms—flakes, powder, or crystal—dissolve in water at about 100 g/L at 20°C. That kind of solubility lets users make concentrated stock solutions, cut down time spent stirring or heating, and avoid gritty undissolved residue. The density (about 0.9 g/cm3) helps in direct weighing without compacting. Strong dissolution with no foaming or fizzing means less risk of losing product to spills, especially in rushed, high-volume settings. Once in solution, MOPS Sodium Salt stands up against temperature swings. pH buffering stays tight, giving everything from protein purification to RNA work the dependable conditions they need. In personal experience, no other buffer gives the consistent clarity in sample prep, which pays off in downstream data accuracy.
No one should skip the safety sheet. While MOPS Sodium Salt isn’t volatile or highly reactive, powder dust can cause mild irritation to the skin, eyes, or lungs. Direct contact—rare with gloves—washes off with water. Inhalation of fine powders happens mostly when measuring large batches or pouring from bulk containers, so a simple lab mask and goggles solve the problem. For disposal, standard lab wastewater practices apply, as this buffer does not count as a major environmental hazard under normal use. It’s not classed as “hazardous” in transit, so users avoid special paperwork or licensing that slow down other chemical shipments. Harsh solvents aren’t needed for cleanup, as plain water does the job. The absence of strong odors or corrosive properties means lower risk in shared, multi-use labs, and less concern over long-term exposure. No product is risk-free, but for years, MOPS Sodium Salt has kept that risk as low as possible in both student and professional settings.
Consistently high-quality batches of MOPS Sodium Salt require top-grade morpholine and propanesulfonic acid derivatives, alongside food-grade sodium sources. Careful manufacturing removes color bodies and side products, leaving a near-white, clean-tasting material that won’t add unpredictable factors to research. Cross-contamination stays rare with closed-system processes and in-house purification. Big suppliers often share traceability back to original raw materials. Such transparency builds trust, as researchers and industry buyers can double-check every origin if questions pop up down the line. Without this level of quality, results go sideways, especially for pharmaceutical and biotech-grade labs where every contaminant can slow a whole project.
Routine buffers form the backbone of lab work, but only a few deliver the stability and ease that MOPS Sodium Salt provides. Its neutral chemical behavior means it won’t mess up sensitive protein or nucleic acid samples. Users get clear, reliable results, and don’t spend late nights tracking down “phantom” interactions. The material’s dependable solid forms—powder, flakes, pearls—keep daily prep moving with less loss and less waste. Open a container and the contents stay free-flowing, so there’s no hang-up during time-sensitive steps. Any buffer with that kind of track record earns its way into every modern life sciences toolbox, from early education to drug development and high-throughput screening.
Many research labs run into budget and supply chain snags with specialty chemicals, including buffers. To cut costs without giving up quality, some labs band together for bulk orders or negotiate with local suppliers to shorten the lag between demand and delivery. Others check for third-party purity audits, keeping questionable suppliers off their approved lists and insisting on batch certifications with every shipment. Digital inventory platforms can track use and forecast needs, so scientists don’t get caught short right when a big experiment is on the line. For storage, investing in airtight, moisture-proof containers preserves quality and prevents accidental clumping or early spoilage. Cross-training more staff in buffer prep pays off as well, so no single busy tech holds the keys to smooth workflow. These ground-level fixes all add up to stronger, safer, more productive use of MOPS Sodium Salt day in, day out.
