Reducing agent, specific for disulfidesTris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine hydrochloride is widely used as a reducing agent to reduce disulfide bonds in proteins and trans-4,5-dihydroxy-1,2-dithiane. It is involved in the reduction of sulfoxides, sulfonyl chlorides, N-oxides, and azides. It plays an important role in the tissue homogenization process for RNA isolation. It acts as a chelating agent and forms complexes with various heavy metal ions such as Zn(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), and Ni(II). Furthermore, it is useful in the labeling of cysteine residues with maleimides.

This Thermo Scientific Chemicals brand product was originally part of the Alfa Aesar product portfolio. Some documentation and label information may refer to the legacy brand. The original Alfa Aesar product / item code or SKU reference has not changed as a part of the brand transition to Thermo Scientific Chemicals.