Dithiothreitol (DTT), also known by its IUPAC name (2S,3S)-1,4-bis(sulfanyl)butane-2,3-diol, is a small, highly effective dithiol compound that has become a cornerstone reagent in biochemistry and molecular biology. Its remarkable utility stems from its potent reducing capabilities, primarily targeting disulfide bonds.

The magic of DTT lies in its molecular structure. It possesses two thiol (-SH) functional groups separated by a flexible four-carbon chain with hydroxyl groups. In aqueous solutions, particularly at physiological pH (above 7), these thiol groups can readily deprotonate to form thiolate anions (-S⁻). These thiolate anions are highly nucleophilic and readily donate electrons. When DTT encounters a disulfide bond (-S-S-), it initiates a redox reaction:

The DTT molecule donates a pair of electrons to the disulfide bond, causing it to cleave and form two free thiol groups. In this process, DTT itself becomes oxidized, typically forming a six-membered ring structure called a thioxane, which contains an internal disulfide bond. This oxidized form of DTT is relatively stable, driving the forward reaction effectively. The reaction can be summarized as:

R-S-S-R' + 2 DTT-SH → R-SH + R'-SH + DTT-S-S-DTT

This mechanism makes DTT exceptionally useful for reducing disulfide bonds in proteins, preventing the oxidation of free thiols, and preparing nucleic acids for certain reactions. As a manufacturer, understanding this core chemistry allows us to produce DTT with the highest efficacy. We offer this critical reagent to researchers and industries worldwide, ensuring reliable access to high-purity DTT (CAS 3483-12-3) for diverse scientific applications. Whether you need to buy DTT for protein unfolding, enzyme stabilization, or DNA manipulation, our commitment is to provide a superior product from our facilities in China.