Tris

Tris is an abbreviation of the trivial name (trishydroxymethylaminomethane) for 2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol. It is widely used as a component of buffer solutions, such as in TAE and TBE buffers used in biochemistry, with an effective pH range between 6.5 and 9.7. Tris has labile protons with a pKa of 8.30 (at 20 °C; this declines approximately 0.03 units per degree Celsius rise in temperature). Tris is often used when working with nucleic acids. Tris is an effective buffer for slightly basic solutions, which keeps DNA deprotonated and soluble in water.

Tris is commonly combined with EDTA to make TE buffer for stabilization and storage of DNA. EDTA binds to divalent cations, particularly magnesium (Mg2+). These ions are necessary co-factors for many enzymes; Magnesium is a co-factor for many DNA-modifying enzymes.

Tris is toxic to mammalian cells, and reacts strongly with pH electrodes. It is a primary amine, and can thus react with aldehydes.

Uses
Tris is used as an intermediate for the preparation of surface active agents, vulcanization accelerators, and pharmaceuticals, and used as a titrimetric standard.