BMPO is a cyclic nitrone spin trap that can be used for the detection and characterization of thiyl radicals, hydroxyl radicals, and superoxide anions in vitro or in vivo. The BMPO-superoxide adduct does not rapidly decompose to the hydroxyl adduct in cells (t? = 23 min). Also, the ESR spectrum of the BMPO-glutathionyl adduct does not fully overlap with the spectrum of its hydroxyl adduct. Purified by crystallization and stored as a solid, BMPO has a longer shelf life than liquid spin traps.
