1,4-Diaminobutane Dihydrochloride: FAQs & Lab Guide

1,4-Diaminobutane dihydrochloride is the stable, water-soluble dihydrochloride salt form of putrescine, a naturally occurring diamine and key precursor in polyamine biosynthesis widely used across biochemistry, cell biology, and chemical biology research.

Chemical Name

1,4-Diaminobutane dihydrochloride (Putrescine dihydrochloride)

SKU / Catalog Number

D106194

Molecular Formula

C₄H₁₂N₂ · 2HCl

Molecular Weight

161.07 g/mol

Physical Form

White to off-white crystalline solid

Solubility

Freely soluble in water; sparingly soluble in ethanol

Storage Condition

Store at room temperature in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture

What Is 1,4-Diaminobutane Dihydrochloride?

1,4-Diaminobutane dihydrochloride, commonly known as putrescine dihydrochloride, is the bis-hydrochloride salt of putrescine (1,4-butanediamine). Putrescine is a naturally occurring aliphatic diamine produced during the decarboxylation of ornithine and arginine in living organisms. It serves as a foundational building block in the biosynthesis of higher polyamines such as spermidine and spermine, which are essential regulators of cell growth, differentiation, and DNA stabilization.

The dihydrochloride salt form offers significant practical advantages over the free base: it is a solid at room temperature, highly stable under standard laboratory conditions, and exhibits excellent water solubility, making it straightforward to prepare aqueous stock solutions of defined concentration. Researchers across biochemistry, cell biology, microbiology, and chemical synthesis rely on this compound as a reliable polyamine source and synthetic intermediate.

Storage, Handling, and Safety

Storage: Store 1,4-Diaminobutane dihydrochloride at room temperature in a tightly sealed container, in a cool and dry location away from moisture and incompatible materials. The hygroscopic nature of amine salts means that exposure to humidity can cause caking; desiccants are recommended for long-term storage.

Handling: Use standard personal protective equipment (PPE) including nitrile gloves, safety glasses, and a laboratory coat when handling this compound. Work in a well-ventilated area or a fume hood when weighing or dissolving the material. Although the dihydrochloride salt is less volatile than the free base, it is still an irritant and should be kept away from skin and mucous membranes.

Safety: This compound is classified as an irritant. In case of skin or eye contact, rinse immediately with copious amounts of water and seek medical advice if irritation persists. Consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for complete hazard information before use. Dispose of waste in accordance with local institutional and regulatory requirements.

Preparation of Solutions and Common Applications

Aqueous stock solutions: 1,4-Diaminobutane dihydrochloride dissolves readily in water. To prepare a stock solution, weigh the required mass of solid, dissolve in ultrapure water with gentle stirring, and adjust the volume to achieve the target molarity. For biological applications, filter-sterilize through a 0.22 µm membrane and store aliquots at 4 °C for short-term use or at −20 °C for longer periods. Note that dissolved polyamine solutions may absorb CO₂ from air; prepare fresh solutions when precise pH is critical.

Research applications include:

• Polyamine biology: Supplementing cell culture media to study the effects of exogenous putrescine on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation.
• Enzyme assays: Serving as a substrate or cofactor surrogate in assays involving diamine oxidase (DAO), polyamine oxidases, or ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) pathway studies.
• Chemical synthesis: Acting as a bifunctional linker or building block in the synthesis of polyamine-conjugated drug carriers, crosslinkers, and dendrimers.
• Microbiology: Investigating the role of polyamines in bacterial stress responses and biofilm formation.

Purity, Quality, and Specification Guidance

For most biochemical and cell biology experiments, reagent-grade 1,4-Diaminobutane dihydrochloride with a purity of ≥98% (as determined by titration or HPLC) is adequate. Researchers performing sensitive enzymatic assays or NMR studies may require higher purity material; consult the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) supplied with each lot of SKU D106194 for lot-specific purity data, appearance, and water content.

Key quality parameters to verify upon receipt include: appearance (white crystalline powder), purity by titration or HPLC, water content by Karl Fischer titration, and heavy metals content where relevant to downstream biological assays. If your application demands endotoxin-free or cell-culture-tested material, contact Aladdin Scientific's technical support team to discuss available grades and testing options.

Ordering, Packaging, and Lead Times

1,4-Diaminobutane dihydrochloride (SKU D106194) is available from Aladdin Scientific. When placing an order, confirm the pack size that best suits your projected usage; ordering an appropriate quantity minimizes freeze–thaw cycles for solutions and reduces waste.

Packaging is designed to protect the reagent from moisture and light during transit. Upon receipt, inspect the container for integrity and verify that the lot number matches the CoA provided. Store immediately under the recommended conditions described above.

For bulk quantities, custom pack sizes, or expedited delivery enquiries, contact Aladdin Scientific's sales or customer service team. Standard lead times vary by region and stock availability; registered account holders can track order status and access invoices directly through the online portal.

Frequently asked questions

What is 1,4-Diaminobutane dihydrochloride used for in research?

1,4-Diaminobutane dihydrochloride (putrescine dihydrochloride) is used as a polyamine source in cell biology studies of proliferation and apoptosis, as a substrate in enzyme assays involving diamine oxidase and polyamine oxidase pathways, and as a bifunctional building block in chemical synthesis of drug conjugates, crosslinkers, and dendrimers. It is also employed in microbiology to investigate polyamine roles in bacterial physiology and biofilm formation.

How should I store 1,4-Diaminobutane dihydrochloride to maintain its stability?

Store the solid reagent at room temperature in a tightly sealed, moisture-resistant container in a cool and dry place. Because amine hydrochloride salts can be hygroscopic, the inclusion of a desiccant is recommended for long-term storage. Avoid repeated opening of the container in humid environments to prevent caking and degradation.

What is the difference between putrescine free base and putrescine dihydrochloride?

Putrescine free base is a liquid at room temperature with a pungent odor and is volatile, making it harder to weigh accurately and handle safely. Putrescine dihydrochloride (1,4-Diaminobutane dihydrochloride) is a solid crystalline salt that is stable, easier to weigh, and less malodorous, making it the preferred form for most laboratory applications. When preparing biological buffers, note that the dihydrochloride salt will lower pH upon dissolution, so pH adjustment may be required.

Is 1,4-Diaminobutane dihydrochloride soluble in common laboratory solvents?

Yes. 1,4-Diaminobutane dihydrochloride is freely soluble in water, making aqueous stock solution preparation straightforward. It has limited solubility in ethanol and is poorly soluble or insoluble in most non-polar organic solvents such as acetone, chloroform, and diethyl ether. For biological experiments, water or physiological saline is the recommended solvent.

What purity grade should I select for cell culture or enzyme assay applications?

For standard cell culture supplementation and most enzyme assays, reagent-grade material with ≥98% purity is typically sufficient. Always verify the lot-specific purity on the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for SKU D106194. For highly sensitive assays where trace metal or endotoxin contamination could confound results, contact Aladdin Scientific technical support to discuss higher-purity or specially tested options.

References

1. Tabor, C.W. & Tabor, H. (1984). Polyamines. Annual Review of Biochemistry, 53, 749–790.
2. Igarashi, K. & Kashiwagi, K. (2000). Polyamines: mysterious modulators of cellular functions. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 271(3), 559–564.
3. Aladdin Scientific. Certificate of Analysis: 1,4-Diaminobutane dihydrochloride, SKU D106194. Retrieved from https://www.aladdinscientific.com

Products are supplied for research and development use only. Not for use in humans, animals, diagnosis, or therapy.