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Hemin

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Identification
Molecular formula
C34H32ClFeN4O4
CAS number
16009-13-5
IUPAC name
3-[8,13,18-tris(2-carboxyethyl)-3,7,12,17-tetrakis(carboxymethyl)-7,12-dimethyl-2,8,13,19,20,22-hexahydroporphyrin-2-yl]propanoic acid
State
State

At room temperature, hemin generally exists in a solid state. It is not volatile and retains a stable form unless exposed to high temperatures where it begins to decompose rather than boil. Its solid form at ambient conditions makes it amenable to handling in laboratory environments.

Melting point (Celsius)
265.00
Melting point (Kelvin)
538.00
Boiling point (Celsius)
300.00
Boiling point (Kelvin)
573.00
General information
Molecular weight
651.94g/mol
Molar mass
651.9400g/mol
Density
1.4400g/cm3
Appearence

Hemin typically appears as a dark brown to black crystalline powder. It can also be found as shiny black crystals. When observed under a microscope, its crystal form appears needle-like, especially when recrystallized from hot glacial acetic acid. The compound is only sparingly soluble in water but dissolves more readily in alkaline solutions.

Comment on solubility

Solubility of 3-[8,13,18-tris(2-carboxyethyl)-3,7,12,17-tetrakis(carboxymethyl)-7,12-dimethyl-2,8,13,19,20,22-hexahydroporphyrin-2-yl]propanoic acid

The solubility of the complex compound 3-[8,13,18-tris(2-carboxyethyl)-3,7,12,17-tetrakis(carboxymethyl)-7,12-dimethyl-2,8,13,19,20,22-hexahydroporphyrin-2-yl]propanoic acid, with the chemical formula C34H32ClFeN4O4, can be summarized as follows:

  • Polar Nature: Due to the presence of multiple carboxylic acid groups, this compound exhibits high polarity, which significantly influences its solubility profile.
  • Solvent Compatibility: It is likely to be soluble in polar solvents such as water and ethanol, but may have limited solubility in nonpolar solvents due to the bulky and charged nature of the carboxyethyl and carboxymethyl groups.
  • pH Dependence: The solubility can also be affected by pH; at higher pH levels, the carboxylic acid groups become deprotonated, potentially enhancing solubility in aqueous solutions.
  • Complexation: The iron center in the compound may participate in coordination reactions with other molecules, further influencing its solubility characteristics in various media.

In conclusion, the solubility of this complex porphyrin derivative is influenced by its unique functional groups and the choice of solvent, highlighting the importance of molecular structure in determining solubility behavior.

Interesting facts

Exploring 3-[8,13,18-tris(2-carboxyethyl)-3,7,12,17-tetrakis(carboxymethyl)-7,12-dimethyl-2,8,13,19,20,22-hexahydroporphyrin-2-yl]propanoic acid

This compound is a fascinating example of complex porphyrin chemistry. Porphyrins are characterized by their unique cyclic structure and their ability to coordinate with metal ions, which opens up a myriad of applications in various fields.

Key Features:

  • Metal Coordination: This compound can bind to metals, specifically iron, which is vital for its functionality in biological systems, particularly in oxygen transport and electron transfer.
  • Biological Relevance: Derivatives of porphyrins play crucial roles in biological processes, including photosynthesis and respiration. They are involved in the formation of hemoglobin and myoglobin, essential proteins for oxygen transport in living organisms.
  • Potential Applications: Due to their structure, porphyrins have applications in drug delivery systems, photodynamic therapy, and as catalysts in chemical reactions.
  • Synthetic Complexity: The synthesis of such complex compounds involves intricate synthetic pathways that are of great interest to synthetic chemists.

As stated by chemists, “The beauty of porphyrins lies in their adaptability; they can be tailored for specific functions through synthetic modifications.” This adaptability makes compounds like 3-[8,13,18-tris(2-carboxyethyl)-3,7,12,17-tetrakis(carboxymethyl)-7,12-dimethyl-2,8,13,19,20,22-hexahydroporphyrin-2-yl]propanoic acid not only captivating in terms of structure but also invaluable for innovative applications in medicine and materials science.

In summary, this compound exemplifies the intersection of chemistry and biology, making it a subject of ongoing research and interest within the scientific community.