Guanidine hydrochloride

Guanidine hydrochloride (CAS 50-01-1), also known as GuCl, guanidine HCl, guanidinium chloride, and aminoformamidine HCl, is an inorganic salt with the molecular formula CH5N3·ClH. It carries no E-code designation and is classified within the salts and minerals category.

In biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturing, guanidine hydrochloride functions as a powerful chaotropic agent, disrupting hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions to denature proteins and solubilise inclusion bodies during downstream processing. It also serves as an antimicrobial agent in formulation chemistry, where its guanidinium ion interferes with microbial membrane integrity.

This material is sourced to pharmaceutical and reagent grades, with compliance traceable to Ph.Eur. and REACH requirements. It is available as a white crystalline powder suitable for bulk procurement. Buyers should confirm grade specification against intended application, particularly where pharmaceutical or food-contact use is involved.