DIMETHYL PIMELIMIDATE Meaning and
Definition
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Dimethyl pimelimidate is a chemical compound that belongs to the class of imidoesters. It is an organic compound with the molecular formula C10H20N2O2 and a molar mass of 200.28 grams per mole.
Dimethyl pimelimidate is commonly used in biochemistry and molecular biology as a crosslinking reagent. It acts by forming covalent bonds between molecules, thereby connecting and stabilizing them. The compound contains two reactive imidoester groups that can react with functional groups on other molecules, such as primary amines (-NH2) or sulfhydryl groups (-SH).
This crosslinking ability makes dimethyl pimelimidate suitable for various applications in biological research. For instance, it can be employed to attach proteins or peptides to solid surfaces, such as beads or membranes, enabling the immobilization of molecules for affinity chromatography or enzyme assays. Additionally, it can be utilized to crosslink proteins together, facilitating the study of protein-protein interactions or protein structure.
Dimethyl pimelimidate is typically used in aqueous solutions at slightly alkaline pH to enable its reactivity. After the crosslinking reaction takes place, any excess dimethyl pimelimidate can be easily quenched or removed by acidic treatment or dialysis.
It is important to handle dimethyl pimelimidate with caution, as it is a potentially hazardous substance that can cause skin and eye irritation, and should be used in a well-ventilated area.
Etymology of DIMETHYL PIMELIMIDATE
The word "dimethyl pimelimidate" has its etymology rooted in organic chemistry.
"Dimethyl" comes from the combination of two words: "di", meaning two, and "methyl", which refers to a chemical group consisting of one carbon atom and three hydrogen atoms. "Dimethyl" indicates the presence of two methyl groups in the structure of the compound.
"Pimelimidate" derives from the term "pimelic acid", which is a carboxylic acid containing seven carbon atoms. "Pimelic" is derived from the word "pimel", meaning fat or butter in Greek, signifying that this acid occurs in natural fatty acids.
The addition of "-ate" in "pimelimidate" suggests that one of the acidic hydrogen atoms of pimelic acid has been replaced by another compound or has undergone a chemical reaction to form a salt or an ester.
