Analytical Chemistry and Biochemistry
Precious Metal Compounds for Staining and Fixing Cellular Tissue
Some precious metals are used for analytical methods in biochemistry and medicine.
Our Chemical Products business unit manufactures precious metal compounds and their solutions suitable for staining, or used as fixatives in analytival chemistry.
“Ruthenium Red” is a selective histological stain for electron as well as light microscopy (e.g. for pectins). Gold can be used in a similar way:
• Tetradecaammine-di-µ-oxo-triruthenium(III,IV) hexachloride hydrate, („Ruthenium Red“) :
[(NH3)5RuIII(µ-O)RuIV(NH3)4(µ-O)RuIII(NH3)5]Cl6.nH2O
• Hydrogen tetrachloroaurate (III) hydrate, H[AuCl4] . nH2O
Osmium is mainly used for electron microscopy. It serves as a fixative for thin tissue sections and also to enhance the contrast by diffraction. This metal is applied in the form of:
• Osmium (VIII) oxide, OsO4
and its solutions. Heraeus is qualified for the safe handling and processing of this volatile and extremely toxic substance.
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