Tromethamine
Other names: 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)methanamine, 2-Amino-2(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol, aminotris(hydroxymethyl)methane, THAM, Tris, Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, Tromethamol
Harm score: 4 (Slightly harmful chemistry)
Tromethamine, also known by names such as 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)methanamine, 2-Amino-2(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol, aminotris(hydroxymethyl)methane, THAM, Tris, Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, or Trometamol, is a white crystalline substance that is used primarily in medicine and cosmetics. It is a weak organic base that reacts with acid to form salts, typically tromethamine chloride.
In medicine, tromethamine is used as a drug to regulate acidity in the blood when metabolic acidosis is present - a condition where the acid level in the body increases significantly and needs to be reduced quickly. In addition to pharmaceuticals, it also enters as a pH buffer in some infusion solutions. In cosmetic products, tromethamine appears as an emulsifying and buffering ingredient, i.e. a substance that helps maintain the pH stability of cosmetic products. In cosmetics, it is added mainly to creams, masks or shampoos. Tromethamine is also a component of some eye drops.