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47671

Sigma-Aldrich

Formamide

BioUltra, for molecular biology, ≥99.5% (T)

Synonym(s):

Amide C1, Formic amide

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About This Item

Linear Formula:
HCONH2
CAS Number:
Molecular Weight:
45.04
Beilstein:
505995
EC Number:
MDL number:
UNSPSC Code:
12352111
PubChem Substance ID:
NACRES:
NA.25

grade

for molecular biology

Quality Level

vapor density

1.55 (vs air)

vapor pressure

0.08 mmHg ( 20 °C)
30 mmHg ( 129 °C)

product line

BioUltra

Assay

≥99.5% (T)

form

liquid

autoignition temp.

932 °F

technique(s)

FISH: suitable
hybridization: suitable
protein extraction: suitable

impurities

DNases, none detected
RNases, none detected
insoluble matter, passes filter test
phosphatases, none detected
proteases, none detected

ign. residue

≤0.1%

refractive index

n20/D 1.447 (lit.)
n20/D 1.447

pH

7-9 (25 °C, 1 M in H2O)

bp

210 °C (lit.)

mp

2-3 °C (lit.)

solubility

H2O: 10 M at 20 °C, clear, colorless

density

1.134 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.)

anion traces

chloride (Cl-): ≤1 mg/kg
sulfate (SO42-): ≤10 mg/kg

cation traces

Ag: ≤5 mg/kg
Al: ≤1 mg/kg
As: ≤0.1 mg/kg
Ba: ≤1 mg/kg
Bi: ≤1 mg/kg
Ca: ≤5 mg/kg
Cd: ≤1 mg/kg
Co: ≤1 mg/kg
Cr: ≤1 mg/kg
Cu: ≤1 mg/kg
Fe: ≤1 mg/kg
K: ≤20 mg/kg
Li: ≤1 mg/kg
Mg: ≤1 mg/kg
Mn: ≤1 mg/kg
Mo: ≤1 mg/kg
NH4+: ≤1000 mg/kg
Na: ≤20 mg/kg
Ni: ≤1 mg/kg
Pb: ≤1 mg/kg
Sr: ≤1 mg/kg
Tl: ≤5 mg/kg
Zn: ≤1 mg/kg

SMILES string

NC=O

λ

10 M in H2O

UV absorption

λ: 260 nm Amax: ≤0.4
λ: 280 nm Amax: ≤0.1

application(s)

genomic analysis

InChI

1S/CH3NO/c2-1-3/h1H,(H2,2,3)

InChI key

ZHNUHDYFZUAESO-UHFFFAOYSA-N

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General description

Formamide, also referred to as Carbamaldehyde, is an amide compound derived from formic acid. It plays a crucial role in biochemical research, particularly in denaturation and renaturation of nucleic acids (RNA and DNA). This includes applications like hybridization, sequencing gel electrophoresis, and electron microscopy. In molecular biology, BioUltra Formamide finds extensive use in various applications such as nucleic acid hybridization buffers, genetic fingerprinting, Southern and Northern blotting, as well as YAC screening. It typically functions by lowering the melting temperature of nucleic acid hybrids, facilitating their manipulation, and can enhance denaturation conditions in sequencing gels for more robust results.

Application

Formamide has been used:
  • as a component in the hybridization buffer for in situ hybridization as a component of solution X to wash the slides to remove the coverslips
  • in the preparation of denaturation solution for spectral karyotyping (SKY) analysis
  • in the preparation of 1% formaldehyde solution for the pretreatment of slides for comparative genomic hybridization (CGH)
  • to prepare pre-hybridization buffer I, II, III, IV, and hybridization buffer I, II, and III for RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (RNA-FISH)
  • as an ionizing solvent in the production of formic esters and vitamin, a softener for paper, in animal glues, and water-soluble gums, in molecular biology as a denaturing agent

Formamide destabilizes nucleic acid duplexes and may be used, typically, at a concentration of 50%, in hybridization protocols requiring lower hybridization temperatures.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Formamide serves as a good solvent for polar organic and inorganic compounds with potential catalytic activity in prebiotic processes due to its high dielectric constant.

Features and Benefits

  • Versatile and adaptable for a wide variety of laboratory and research applications
  • BioUltra Grade for your Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemical research
  • Tested to confirm low levels of heavy metal contamination, ensuring suitability for various applications
  • Free from DNase, RNase, NICKase and proteaseTested for trace levels of Anions and Cations

Other Notes

For additional information on our range of Biochemicals, please complete this form.
For the preparation of formamide denaturing polyacrylamide gels; In situ hybridization on human chromosomes

Pictograms

Health hazard

Signal Word

Danger

Hazard Statements

Hazard Classifications

Carc. 2 - Repr. 1B - STOT RE 2 Oral

Target Organs

Blood

WGK

WGK 1

Personal Protective Equipment

dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves

Certificates of Analysis (COA)

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  1. Which document(s) contains shelf-life or expiration date information for a given product?

    If available for a given product, the recommended re-test date or the expiration date can be found on the Certificate of Analysis.

  2. How do I get lot-specific information or a Certificate of Analysis?

    The lot specific COA document can be found by entering the lot number above under the "Documents" section.

  3. How do I find price and availability?

    There are several ways to find pricing and availability for our products. Once you log onto our website, you will find the price and availability displayed on the product detail page. You can contact any of our Customer Sales and Service offices to receive a quote.  USA customers:  1-800-325-3010 or view local office numbers.

  4. What is the Department of Transportation shipping information for this product?

    Transportation information can be found in Section 14 of the product's (M)SDS.To access the shipping information for this material, use the link on the product detail page for the product. 

  5. What is the best way to deionize Formamide, Product 47671?

    Mixed Bed Resin (e.g., Sigma Product No. M8157 or M8032) can be used to deionize formamide.

  6. Are aqueous solutions of Formamide, Product 47671, stable?

    In aqueous solution, formamide hydrolyzes to form ammonia and formic acid (i.e., ammonium formate).

  7. What is the molarity of the neat liquid Formamide, Product 47671?

    Based on the density of 1.13 and the molecular weight of 45.04, the molarity of this neat liquid is 25.09 M. The pH of a 0.5 M aqueous solution is 7.1, according to the chemicals encyclopedia published by the Royal Society of Chemistry, 12th edition.

  8. My question is not addressed here, how can I contact Technical Service for assistance?

    Ask a Scientist here.

R.C. Ogden et al.
Methods in Enzymology, 152, 67-67 (1987)
G. Wilkinson, ed.
In Situ Hybridization: A practical approach, 147-147 (1992)
Min Chen et al.
Prenatal diagnosis, 35(6), 534-543 (2015-02-03)
To develop a single-tube multi-marker assay for improved preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of deletional and/or non-deletional Hb Bart's hydrops fetalis syndrome, providing haplotype confirmation of deletional status, and maximization of linkage informativity. We performed in silico mining to identify novel
Jing Wang et al.
The journal of physical chemistry. B, 117(8), 2314-2320 (2013-01-26)
A step-by-step mechanistic pathway following the transformation of formamide to purine through a five-membered ring intermediate has been explored by density functional theory computations. The highlight of the mechanistic route detailed here is that the proposed pathway represents the simplest
A Touati et al.
Journal of clinical microbiology, 53(10), 3182-3194 (2015-07-24)
Molecular typing of Mycoplasma pneumoniae is an important tool for identifying grouped cases and investigating outbreaks. In the present study, we developed a new genotyping method based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) selected from the whole-genome sequencing of eight M.

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