EDC HCl (EDC Hydrochloride): Properties, Uses, and Applications

EDC HCl, also known as 1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride, is a widely used coupling reagent in organic and peptide synthesis. It is primarily employed for the formation of amide and ester bonds, making it an essential reagent in biochemical and pharmaceutical research.

Chemical Properties

• Chemical Formula: C8H17N3•HCl

• Molecular Weight: 191.70 g/mol

• Appearance: White to off-white crystalline powder

• Solubility: Soluble in water, ethanol, and other polar solvents

• Stability: Sensitive to moisture; best stored in a desiccated environment

Mechanism of Action

EDC HCl functions as a carbodiimide-based coupling reagent. It activates carboxyl groups to facilitate their reaction with amines, leading to the formation of stable amide bonds. During this process, EDC forms an unstable O-acylisourea intermediate, which then reacts with an amine to yield the desired product. The reaction often requires the addition of N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) or hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) to improve efficiency and yield.

Applications

1. Peptide Synthesis

EDC HCl is extensively used in solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) to couple amino acids, enabling the creation of peptides for pharmaceutical and research purposes.

2. Protein Cross-Linking

It is employed in bioconjugation reactions, facilitating the linkage of proteins and biomolecules to enhance their functionality in drug development and diagnostics.

3. Nucleic Acid Research

EDC HCl is utilized in the modification of nucleic acids by linking oligonucleotides to biomolecules, aiding in gene therapy and molecular biology applications.

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