Sodium diatrizoate (CAS 737-31-5)

Sodium diatrizoate is a water-soluble compound belonging to the group of iodinated contrast media, primarily utilized in research applications that demand radiopaque substances. This chemical is characterized by its ability to absorb X-rays, thereby enhancing the contrast in images of structures that are otherwise difficult to differentiate using standard imaging techniques. In research environments, sodium diatrizoate is particularly valuable for its high atomic number due to the presence of iodine atoms, which effectively block X-rays. This property is exploited in studies requiring the visualization of physiological fluids and soft tissues in various experimental models. For example, it is used in non-invasive imaging studies to track the flow and distribution of fluids within biological tissues or to observe the vascular system in small animals. Additionally, sodium diatrizoate has been employed in density gradient centrifugation, where it assists in the separation and purification of cells, viruses, and subcellular organelles, based on their density differences. The compound′s ability to create sharp demarcations between different tissue types and cellular components under X-ray imaging offers researchers a tool to observe biological processes and structures with enhanced clarity, contributing significantly to advancements in fields such as developmental biology and pathology research.