Derivitaztion Reagents: Silylation Reagents Print

Derivatization Reagents: Silylation Reagents


  • Replaces active hydrogen, reducing polarity and making the compounds more volatile.
  • Increases stability of derivatives.


Silylation is the most widely used derivatization procedure for sample analysis by GC. In silylation, an active hydrogen is replaced by an alkylsilyl group such as trimethylsilyl (TMS) or tert-butyldimethylsilyl (tert-BDMS). Silyl derivatives are more volatile, less polar, and more thermally stable. As a result, GC separation is improved and detection is enhanced.
Both TMS and tert-BDMS reagents are suitable for a wide variety of compounds and can be used for many GC applications. Note that silylation reagents are generally moisture sensitive and must be sealed to prevent deactivation.

Description CAS # qty. Cat.#
MSTFA (N-methyl-N-trimethylsilytrifluoroacetamide) 24589-78-4 10-pk. (10x1g) 35600
MSTFA (N-methyl-N-trimethylsilytrifluoroacetamide) 24589-78-4 25g vial 35601
MSTFA w/1% TMCS (N-methyl-N-trimethylsilytrifluoroacetamide w/1% trimethylchlorosilane) 24589-78-4 10-pk. (10x1g) 35602
MSTFA w/1% TMCS (N-methyl-N-trimethylsilytrifluoroacetamide w/1% trimethylchlorosilane) 24589-78-4 25g vial 35603
BSTFA (N,O-bis[trimethylsilyl]trifluoroacetamide) 25561-30-2 10-pk. (10x1g) 35604
BSTFA (N,O-bis[trimethylsilyl]trifluoroacetamide) 25561-30-2 25g vial 35605
BSTFA w/1% TMCS (N,O-bis[trimethylsilyltrifluoroacetamide] w/1% trimethylchlorosilane) 25561-30-2 10-pk. (10x1g) 35606
BSTFA w/1% TMCS (N,O-bis[trimethylsilyltrifluoroacetamide] w/1% trimethylchlorosilane) 25561-30-2 25g vial 35607
MTBSTFA w/1% TBDMCS (N-methyl-N[tert-butyldimethylsilyl trifluoroacetamide] w/1% tert-butyldimethylchlorosilane) 77377-52-7 10-pk. (10x1g) 35608
MTBSTFA w/1% TBDMCS (N-methyl-N[tert-butyldimethylsilyl trifluoroacetamide] w/1% tert-butyldimethylchlorosilane) 77377-52-7 25g vial 35610
TMCS (trimethylchlorosilane) 75-77-4 10-pk. (10x1g) 35611
TMCS (trimethylchlorosilane) 75-77-4 25g vial 35612