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Merck

75632

Osmium tetroxide solution

suitable for electron microscopy, 4% in H2O

Synonym(s):

Osmium(IV) oxide

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About This Item

Linear Formula:
OsO4
CAS Number:
Molecular Weight:
254.23
NACRES:
NA.47
PubChem Substance ID:
UNSPSC Code:
12171500
MDL number:
form:
solution

Product Name

Osmium tetroxide solution, suitable for electron microscopy, 4% in H2O

InChI

1S/4O.Os

SMILES string

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

InChI key

VUVGYHUDAICLFK-UHFFFAOYSA-N

form

solution

reaction suitability

reagent type: oxidant

concentration

4% in H2O

technique(s)

electron microscopy: suitable

color

colorless to yellow

pH

6.0-8.0

density

1.0 g/mL at 20 °C

application(s)

hematology
histology

storage temp.

2-8°C

Quality Level

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Application

Osmium tetroxide solution has been used as a fixative in scanning and transmission electron microscopy.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Osmium tetroxide is also referred to as osmium and is mainly used as a secondary fixative of tissues. The molecule reacts with lipid moieties and is responsible for the oxidation of unsaturated bonds of fatty acids. This reaction adds density and contrast to biological samples. In normal tissues, presence of osmium results in intense black staining which can be viewed by normal eye. In addition, it can be used as a mordant (a molecule which combines with stain or dye at later stages) in electron microscopy, thereby enhancing lead staining.

Other Notes

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

Packaging

5 mL in ampule
10 mL in ampule

pictograms

Skull and crossbonesCorrosion

signalword

Danger

Hazard Classifications

Acute Tox. 2 Dermal - Acute Tox. 4 Inhalation - Acute Tox. 4 Oral - Eye Dam. 1 - Skin Irrit. 2

Storage Class

6.1B - Non-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

Faceshields, Gloves, Goggles, type ABEK (EN14387) respirator filter


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Bozzola JJ and Russell LD
Electron Microscopy: Principles and Techniques for Biologists (1999)
Antibacterial effect of component of Terminalia muelleri Benth. Against Staphylococcus aureus.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 6, 407-412 (2010)
G C Glikin et al.
Nucleic acids research, 12(3), 1725-1735 (1984-02-10)
Supercoiled plasmids Col E1 and cDm 506 (a Col E1 derivative carrying the D. melanogaster histone gene repeat) were treated with OsO4 in presence of pyridine and the reaction products were analyzed using different approaches. Gel electrophoresis showed that OsO4
Histological-MRI correlation in the primary motor cortex of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Meadowcroft MD, et al.
Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging : JMRI, 41, 665-665 (2015)
Carsten Købler et al.
Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry, 406(16), 3863-3873 (2014-01-23)
Ultrastructural characterisation is important for understanding carbon nanotube (CNT) toxicity and how the CNTs interact with cells and tissues. The standard method for this involves using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). However, in particular, the sample preparation, using a microtome to

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