2578-28-1

A poison.

colorless, faint smelling, glistening powder

Selenization is a common method for protein crystallization, and selenomethionine (SELENO-DL-METHIONINE) is a commonly used reagent in selenomethionine crystallization. In practice, this product is used as a nutrient to culture bacteria, so that the sulfur (S) element in the corresponding proteins produced by bacterial metabolism is replaced by selenium (Se), allowing the crystal form of the protein to be observed using specialized instruments.

ChEBI: Selenomethionine is a selenoamino acid that is the selenium analogue of methionine. It has a role as a plant metabolite. It is a member of selenomethionines and a selenoamino acid.

It crystallises in hexagonal plates from MeOH and H2O. [Klosterman & Painter J Am Chem Soc 69 2009 1949.] The L-isomer [3211-76-5] is purified by dissolving it in H2O, adjusting the pH to 5.5 with aqueous NH3, evaporating to near-dryness, and the residue is washed several times with absolute EtOH till a solid is formed and then recrystallise from Me2CO. It has m 266-268o(dec) [also 275o(dec)], and [] D +18.1o(c 1, N HCl). [Pande et al. J Org Chem 35 1440 1970, Beilstein 4 IV 3216.]