What is the Difference Between Tris and Tris Base?

The main difference between Tris and Tris base lies in their chemical properties and buffering capacity:

• Tris (Tris Base): Tris base, also known as tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, is an organic compound with the chemical formula C4H11NO3. It is primarily used in molecular biology to make buffer solutions. The basic properties of Tris base come from its amine group, and it has a molecular mass of 121.14 g/mol. The effective pH range of Tris base is between 7.5 to 9.0, due to its pKa of 8.07 at 25°C.
• Tris HCl: Tris HCl is a salt formed by the reaction of Tris base with hydrochloric acid (HCl). It also acts as an acidic buffer, but its pH can be adjusted by adding more HCl.

When choosing between Tris base and Tris HCl, the decision comes down to the specific application or the required pH adjustment. If you need to lower the pH of your Tris buffer, choose Tris HCl. If you need to increase the pH of your buffer, use Tris base. Both Tris base and Tris HCl can be used in various applications, such as electrophoresis, Western blotting, and DNA manipulations.

Comparative Table: Tris vs Tris Base

The main difference between Tris and Tris base lies in their chemical structure and buffering capacity. Here is a table comparing the differences between the two:

Both Tris and Tris base are organic compounds with the same chemical formula (HOCH2)3CNH2. However, Tris base has buffering capacity, whereas Tris does not. Tris base can be used to prepare buffers in molecular biology and biochemistry experiments, while Tris is used to adjust the pH of these buffers.