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Key Documents

Safety Information

C1863

Sigma-Aldrich

Chloramphenicol

Biotechnology Performance Certified, suitable for plant cell culture

Synonym(s):

D-(−)-threo-2,2-Dichloro-N-[β-hydroxy-α-(hydroxymethyl)-β-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyl]acetamide, D-(−)-threo-2-Dichloroacetamido-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-1,3-propanediol, D-threo-2,2-Dichloro-N-[β-hydroxy-α-(hydroxymethyl)-4-nitrophenethyl]acetamide, Chloromycetin

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About This Item

Linear Formula:
Cl2CHCONHCH(CH2OH)CH(OH)C6H4NO2
CAS Number:
Molecular Weight:
323.13
Beilstein:
2225532
EC Number:
MDL number:
UNSPSC Code:
41116107
PubChem Substance ID:

grade

Biotechnology Performance Certified

form

crystalline

technique(s)

cell culture | plant: suitable

impurities

endotoxin, tested

mp

149-153 °C (lit.)

solubility

ethanol: soluble 100%

antibiotic activity spectrum

Gram-negative bacteria
Gram-positive bacteria
mycobacteria
mycoplasma

Mode of action

protein synthesis | interferes

SMILES string

OC[C@@H](NC(=O)C(Cl)Cl)[C@H](O)c1ccc(cc1)[N+]([O-])=O

InChI

1S/C11H12Cl2N2O5/c12-10(13)11(18)14-8(5-16)9(17)6-1-3-7(4-2-6)15(19)20/h1-4,8-10,16-17H,5H2,(H,14,18)/t8-,9-/m1/s1

InChI key

WIIZWVCIJKGZOK-RKDXNWHRSA-N

Gene Information

human ... CYP1A2(1544)

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General description

Chemical structure: phenicole

Application

Chloramphenicol is a synthetic antibiotic, isolated from strains of Streptomyces venezuelae. It is often used for bacterial selection in molecular biology applications at 10-20 μg/mL and as a selection agent for transformed cells containing chloramphenicol reistance genes.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Mode of Action: Chloramphenicol inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by blocking the peptidyl transferase step by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit and preventing attachment of aminoacyl tRNA to the ribosome. It also inhibits mitochondrial and chloroplast protein synthesis and ribosomal formation of (p)ppGpp, de-pressing rRNA transcription.

Mode of Resistance: Use of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase will acetylate the product and inactivate it.

Antimicrobial Spectrum: This is a broad spectrum antibiotic against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, and is used mainly for ophthalmic and veterinary purposes.

Caution

Stock solutions should be stored at 2-8°C and are stable at 37°C for 5 days. Aqueous solutions are neutral and stable over a wide pH range, with 50% hydrolysis occurring after 290 days. Use of a borax buffered solution reduces this number to 14%. Solutions should be protected from light as photochemical decomposition results in a yellowing of the solution. Heating aqueous solutions at 115°C for 30 minutes results in a 10% loss of chloramphenicol.

Preparation Note

Stock solutions can be prepared directly in the vial at any recommended concentration. A solution at 50 mg/mL in ethanol yields a clear, very faint, yellow solution. Degradation of chloramphenicol in aqueous solution is catalyzed by general acids and bases. This rate of degradation is independent of the ionic strength and pH.

Other Notes

Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Light sensitive.

Pictograms

Health hazardCorrosion

Signal Word

Danger

Hazard Statements

Hazard Classifications

Carc. 2 - Eye Dam. 1 - Repr. 2

Storage Class Code

11 - Combustible Solids

WGK

WGK 3

Personal Protective Equipment

dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves

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.

JAN Code

C1863-VAR:
C1863-500G:
C1863-25G:
C1863-100G:
C1863-BULK:


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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