Description

Diethyl Pyrocarbonate is a highly reactive alkylating agent widely used as a sterilant and preservative. Its core value lies in its potent biocidal activity against a broad spectrum of microorganisms, including bacteria, yeasts, and molds. This compound is essential for industries requiring aseptic processing and long-term stability of sensitive products, particularly in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and diagnostics.

Application

• Pharmaceutical Sterilization: Used to inactivate viruses and sterilize biological solutions, vaccines, and tissue culture media without leaving toxic residues after hydrolysis.
• Biotechnology & Diagnostics: Acts as a nuclease inhibitor for protecting RNA and DNA samples from enzymatic degradation during extraction and analysis.
• Beverage & Food Processing: Employed as a cold pasteurization agent (DEPC treatment) for sterilizing water and equipment to prevent microbial contamination.
• Laboratory Research: A critical reagent for preparing RNase-free water and solutions essential for molecular biology, PCR, and sequencing workflows.
• Enzyme Inactivation: Used to selectively inhibit enzymes in biochemical studies and industrial fermentation processes.
• Cosmetic Preservation: Serves as a preservative in certain cosmetic formulations to ensure product shelf-life.

Basic Information

Product Name	Diethyl Pyrocarbonate
CAS No.	1609-47-8
Molecular Formula	C6H10O5
Molecular Weight	162.14 g/mol
Synonyms	DEPC; Diethyl Dicarbonate; Ethyl Pyrocarbonic Acid Ester; Pyrocarbonic Acid Diethyl Ester; Diethyl Oxydiformate; Baycovin; NSC 20624; Ethoxyformic Anhydride
EINECS	216-542-8

Quality Control

Our Diethyl Pyrocarbonate is manufactured under strict quality management systems. Each batch undergoes comprehensive analytical testing, including assay by GC or HPLC, to ensure high purity and consistency. Certificates of Analysis (COA) detailing purity, identity, and specific impurity profiles are provided with every shipment. We adhere to relevant quality guidelines suitable for industrial and research applications.

Storage

Preserve in a tightly closed container, protected from light. Store in a cool, well-ventilated place at temperatures between 2°C and 8°C (refrigerated). Due to its highly volatile and easily oxidized nature, it is recommended to store under an inert atmosphere (e.g., nitrogen or argon) and minimize headspace in opened containers. Keep away from heat, sparks, and open flames.

Specification

Item	Specification
Appearance	Clear, colorless liquid
Identification (IR)	Conforms
Assay (GC/HPLC)	≥ 97.0%
Density (at 20°C)	~1.12 g/mL
Refractive Index (nD20)	~1.395 - 1.398
Water Content (KF)	≤ 0.1%

Note: Specifications can be tailored. Please contact us for the detailed technical data sheet of a specific grade.