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75632

Sigma-Aldrich

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:
20816-12-0
Molecular Weight:
254.23
MDL number:
MFCD00011150
UNSPSC Code:
12171500
PubChem Substance ID:
57652576
NACRES:
NA.47

form

solution

Quality Level

100

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

SMILES string

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

InChI

1S/4O.Os

InChI key

VUVGYHUDAICLFK-UHFFFAOYSA-N

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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.

Packaging

5 mL in ampule
10 mL in ampule

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

Signal Word

Danger

Hazard Classifications

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

Storage Class Code

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

Personal Protective Equipment

dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves

Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Search for Certificates of Analysis (COA) by entering the products Lot/Batch Number. Lot and Batch Numbers can be found on a product’s label following the words ‘Lot’ or ‘Batch’.

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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
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)
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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