What Is Guanidine Hydrochloride?
Guanidine hydrochloride is the hydrochloride salt of guanidine, with the chemical formula CH6ClN3. It is a white, crystalline powder with high solubility in water and is used as a protein solubilizer, an antistatic agent for synthetic fibers, and a reagent in pharmaceutical synthesis. It is produced from dicyandiamide and ammonium hydrochloride.
Uses of Guanidine Hydrochloride
1. Protein Solubilizer
Guanidine hydrochloride serves as a protein solubilizer (protein denaturant), acting as a chaotropic agent that destabilizes protein molecular structures by disrupting their hydrogen bonds. This property is leveraged in biochemistry for DNA purification and RNA extraction, as it can inactivate ribonuclease, an enzyme that degrades ribonucleic acid.
2. Antistatic Agent
As a component in antistatic agents for synthetic fibers such as polyester and nylon, guanidine hydrochloride works in conjunction with surfactants and cationic polymers to uniformly protect the fiber surface without impairing performance.
3. Synthetic Reagents
In pharmaceutical synthesis, guanidine hydrochloride is utilized as a precursor for folic acid, essential for red blood cell production, and as a base material for synthesizing sulfa drugs, which serve as antibacterial agents.
4. Pharmaceutical Products
Historically, guanidine hydrochloride was employed in oral medications to alleviate muscle weakness in patients with Lambert-Eaton syndrome. However, its use has declined due to side effects like gastrointestinal disturbances.
Properties of Guanidine Hydrochloride
| Chemical Formula | CH6ClN3 |
| Common Names | Guanidine Hydrochloride, Guanidinium Chloride |
| CAS Number | 50-01-1 |
| Molecular Weight | 95.53 g/mol |
| Melting Point | 182°C |
Guanidine hydrochloride, also referred to as guanidine chloride or guanidinium hydrochloride, is commonly abbreviated as GdmCl, GndCl, or GuHCl.
Highly soluble in water and alcohols, guanidine hydrochloride must be handled with care due to its hygroscopic nature, readily absorbing moisture from the air.
Other Information on Guanidine Hydrochloride
1. Hazardousness of Guanidine Hydrochloride
Although not regulated under specific industrial or labor laws, guanidine hydrochloride is classified in the GHS as acutely toxic, and a skin and eye irritant/corrosive.
2. Precautions for Use of Guanidine Hydrochloride
To mitigate its irritating effects on skin and eyes, the use of protective gloves, glasses, and clothing is advised. In case of contact, immediate rinsing with water and seeking medical attention is recommended. Workplace safety measures include the installation of wash basins, safety showers, and appropriate ventilation equipment.
Stable at room temperature, guanidine hydrochloride should be stored in a sealed container in a dry environment to prevent moisture absorption.
3. Transport and Disposal Methods
Transport requires adherence to safety regulations, including carrying a yellow card and avoiding co-transportation with food or feed. Disposal must follow local environmental regulations to prevent environmental release.