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Merck

O5500

Osmium tetroxide

Sealed ampule.

Synonym(s):

Osmium(VIII)-oxide, ‘Osmic acid’

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About This Item

Linear Formula:
OsO4
CAS Number:
20816-12-0
Molecular Weight:
254.23
NACRES:
NA.47
PubChem Substance ID:
57654490
UNSPSC Code:
12171500
EC Number:
244-058-7
MDL number:
MFCD00011150
Form:
powder

Key Documents

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InChI key

VUVGYHUDAICLFK-UHFFFAOYSA-N

InChI

1S/4O.Os

SMILES string

O=[Os](=O)(=O)=O

vapor density

8.8 (vs air)

vapor pressure

7 mmHg ( 20 °C)

form

powder

reaction suitability

reagent type: oxidant

bp

130 °C (lit.)

mp

39.5-41 °C (lit.)

Quality Level

200

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General description

Osmium tetroxide (OsO4) is a heavy tetrahedral, symmetrical molecule composed of osmium, a third-row transition metal. Osmium tetroxide is both a dye, and a non-coagulant fixative agent in electron microscopy primarily used for the examination of biological tissue components in the histopathology laboratory. Specimens are postfixed with osmium testroxide to ensure preservation of the lipids.

Application

Osmium tetroxide has been used as a fixative reagent for Brevibacterium mcbrellneri, and curcumin treated human lung cancer cell lines′ observation with a scanning electron microscope. It is also suitable as a fixative for ultrastructural analysis of Toxoplasma gondii′s skeletal muscle cells.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Osmium tetroxide chemically combines with lipids making them insoluble; only 7% of the lipids can be extracted after the fixation. Therefore, the cell membranes comprising phospholipids become black and electron-dense after fixation in osmium tetroxide. It is also used to fix small amount of fat maintained in sections during paraffin processing.

Other Notes

Due to the hazardous nature of osmium tetroxide, it is recommended to use an ampule opener when using this chemical.

pictograms

Skull and crossbonesCorrosion
GHS06,GHS05

signalword

Danger

Hazard Classifications

Acute Tox. 1 Dermal - Acute Tox. 2 Inhalation - Acute Tox. 2 Oral - Eye Dam. 1 - Skin Corr. 1B

Storage Class

6.1A - Combustible acute toxic Cat. 1 and 2 / very toxic hazardous materials

wgk

WGK 1

flash_point_f

Not applicable

flash_point_c

Not applicable

ppe

Eyeshields, Faceshields, Gloves, type P3 (EN 143) respirator cartridges

Regulatory Listings

Regulatory Listings are mainly provided for chemical products. Only limited information can be provided here for non-chemical products. No entry means none of the components are listed. It is the user’s obligation to ensure the safe and legal use of the product.

Substances Subject to be Indicated Names

ishl_indicated

Substances Subject to be Notified Names

ishl_notified

O5500-250MG:4548173950556 + O5500-10X1G:4548173950532 + O5500-1G-PW: + O5500-VAR: + O5500-1G:4548173950549 + O5500-BULK: + O5500-250MG-PW:

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Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Lot/Batch Number
MKCZ2098
MKCW9901
MKCS7632
MKCV2728
MKCT1423

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