Introduction: PHOSPHOENOLPYRUVIC ACID TRIS(CYCLOHEXYLAMMONIUM) SALT is a chemically stabilized salt form of PEP. PEP itself is a high-energy intermediate of paramount importance in central biochemical pathways, notably glycolysis and gluconeogenesis. The native free acid of PEP is highly unstable and susceptible to rapid degradation, especially in aqueous solutions. To overcome this practical limitation for research and industrial applications, several stabilized salt forms have been developed. Among these, the tris(cyclohexylamine) salt is a widely utilized and commercially important derivative, offering enhanced solubility in certain solvents and significantly improved shelf-life, making it a reliable reagent in enzymology and molecular biology. Chemical Structure and Properties: · Molecular Formula: Typically represented as C21H44N3O6P. · Appearance: It is commonly supplied as a white to off-white crystalline or amorphous powder. · Solubility: It exhibits good solubility in water, which is critical for biological assays. Its solubility profile in organic solvents differs from the free acid or other salt forms (e.g., monopotassium or monocyclohexylamine salts), which can be advantageous for specific synthetic or formulation purposes. · Stability: The primary advantage of this salt form is its markedly improved stability at room temperature and under refrigeration compared to the free acid. This allows for long-term storage and convenient handling. Synthesis and Production: The synthesis involves the neutralization of phosphoenolpyruvic acid, often generated in situ from a precursor like its potassium salt, with an exact molar equivalent (3:1) of cyclohexylamine. The reaction is typically carried out in a suitable solvent system, followed by careful precipitation, filtration, and lyophilization (freeze-drying) to obtain the pure, dry tris(cyclohexylamine) salt. Rigorous quality control is essential to ensure the correct stoichiometry, high purity, and absence of impurities like pyruvate or phosphate, which could interfere with sensitive enzymatic reactions. Primary Applications in Biochemistry and Research: PEP tris(cyclohexylamine) salt serves as a fundamental substrate and energy donor in a vast array of biochemical studies: 1. Enzyme Kinetics and Assays: It is the essential high-energy phosphate donor in assays for pyruvate kinase (PK) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK). In the ubiquitous PK assay, the enzymatic transfer of phosphate from PEP to ADP, generating pyruvate and ATP, is coupled to NADH oxidation and monitored spectrophotometrically. 2. ATP Regeneration Systems: In cell-free synthesis systems, such as in vitro transcription/translation or enzymatic synthesis of complex molecules, PEP (provided as this stable salt) is used in coupled enzyme systems to continuously regenerate ATP from ADP, driving energy-intensive biosynthesis. 3. Metabolic Studies: It is used to study glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and the citric acid cycle (via anaplerotic reactions). Researchers use it to probe metabolic flux in cell extracts, purified enzyme complexes, or permeabilized cells. 4. Synthesis of Sugar Phosphates: As a phosphorylating agent, it can be used in enzymatic syntheses of various sugar phosphates, which are important intermediates in carbohydrate chemistry. Conclusion: Phosphoenolpyruvate tris(cyclohexylamine) salt is an indispensable stabilized form of a crucial metabolic intermediate. Its enhanced stability and solubility make it the reagent of choice for numerous applications where a reliable source of PEP is required. From foundational enzyme kinetics to advanced cell-free biotechnology platforms, this compound plays a silent but critical role in powering biochemical reactions and advancing our understanding of cellular energetics and metabolism. Its consistent performance underpins the reliability of countless diagnostic and research protocols in life sciences. Product Manager: Joy Wu Email: Joy@coreychem.com