L-Histidine Methyl Ester Dihydrochloride is a derivative of the amino acid histidine in which the carboxylic acid group has been esterified to form a methyl ester, and which is supplied as the dihydrochloride salt to improve stability and ease of handling. This protected form at the carboxyl terminus is a fundamental requirement in peptide chemistry, because it allows directed coupling at the amino terminus without unwanted cross-reactions occurring. In the laboratory, this compound serves as a starting material for the synthesis of peptides, peptidomimetics, and a range of histidine derivatives used in biochemical and medicinal chemistry research.
The characteristics that make this product a preferred choice are the stability of its salt form and its preserved L stereochemical purity. As a dihydrochloride salt, the compound is a solid that is considerably easier to weigh out and store than the free base, which tends to be unstable. The imidazole ring on the histidine side chain gives the molecule its distinctive ability to coordinate with metal ions and to participate in acid-base catalysis, a property that is highly valued in the design of functional peptides and artificial enzymes. The methyl ester group itself can subsequently be hydrolysed back under mild conditions, so the protection introduced at this stage does not restrict later steps in a synthetic route.
In Indonesian laboratories, this reagent is typically used in university and institutional research groups working on peptide synthesis, medicinal chemistry, and bioinorganic chemistry. It is commonly weighed out on an analytical balance in small quantities for multi-step synthetic work, and its stable solid salt form suits local conditions where ambient humidity and temperature can be demanding on less robust reagents. Supplied under the TCI brand, it is usually ordered as a research-scale reagent for bench work rather than for production use.
- Peptide synthesis as a carboxyl-protected building block, since the methyl ester blocks the C-terminus and permits controlled, directed coupling at the free amino terminus without unwanted side reactions.
- Preparation of peptidomimetics, where the protected histidine unit can be incorporated into non-natural backbones while the imidazole side chain retains its characteristic recognition and catalytic behaviour.
- Synthesis of histidine derivatives for medicinal chemistry programmes, as the esterified carboxyl group provides a convenient handle for further chemical modification and downstream functionalisation.
- Bioinorganic and metal coordination studies, because the imidazole ring on the side chain coordinates readily with metal ions, making the compound useful in modelling metal-binding sites.
- Artificial enzyme and functional peptide design, where the acid-base catalytic character of the imidazole group is exploited to construct catalytically active peptide sequences in research settings.
| Brand | TCI |
|---|---|
| CAS number | 7389-87-9 |
| Molecular formula | — |
| Purity | — |
| Category | Chemistry > Chemical Biology > Peptide Chemistry |
| Pack sizes | available in standard TCI research-scale pack sizes; please confirm the packaging option when ordering |
| Physical form | solid, supplied as the dihydrochloride salt |
| Storage | keep in a tightly closed container in a cool, dry place |
Store the container tightly closed in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and sources of heat or moisture, since the salt form is best preserved under low-humidity conditions. Keep the material in its original tightly sealed bottle or transfer it to a clean, dry, chemically compatible container with a secure closure; desiccated storage is advisable in humid environments. Handle the compound in a well-ventilated area or fume hood, wearing a laboratory coat, safety glasses, and suitable gloves, and avoid generating or inhaling dust while weighing. Use clean, dry spatulas and return the container promptly to storage after use to limit exposure to atmospheric moisture. Consult the manufacturer's safety data sheet before use and follow institutional procedures for chemical waste disposal.
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