Chemical Properties
Off white to gray powder
Uses
N,N,N′,N′-Tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine dihydrochloride has been used to determine the oxidase activity displayed by various microorganisms.
Uses
N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine dihydrochloride (TMPD) is an oxidizable compound that serves as a reducing co-substrate for heme peroxidases. It is also used as a test reagent in microbiology for the classification of cytochrome oxidase positive aerobic microorganisms. It finds application as a detection of peroxidases on polyacrylamide gels.
General Description
N,N,N′,N′-Tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine dihydrochloride (TMPD) is a redox mediator used in the oxidase test for detecting bacterial cytochrome c oxidases. TMPD is commonly used to perform the oxidase test for the colorimetric identification of pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria.
Purification Methods
Crystallise the salt from isopropyl or n-butyl alcohols, saturated with HCl. Treat it with aqueous NaOH to give the free base (see previous entry) which is filtered, dried and sublimed in a vacuum. [Guarr et al. J Am Chem Soc 107 5104 1985, Beilstein 13 H 74.]
