In Crystal form: RuO4 F.W. 165.70 CAS #20427-56-9
m.p. 25.4°C b.p. 100°C (212°F)
Ruthenium tetroxide is very similar to Osmium tetroxide, and is used as a fixation/staining agent for electron microscopy. Ruthenium tetroxide offers excellent staining of saturated and unsaturated polymer materials as well as stabilizing thin sections under the bombardment of the electron beam.
NOTE: Penetration of ruthenium tetroxide into the tissue is poor. Occasionally, black rings may be seen at the tip of the ampoules and are due to oxidation of the vapors during sealing process of ampoules. The black ring present on tip of glass ampoule has no effect on the actual material or end use as confirmed by our 96 hour in-house material testing performed.
- Caughey, R.C. and Miller, M.A., Proceed. of 44th Ann. Mtg. EMSA (1986), page 256
- Hayat, M.A., Basic Technique for Electron Microscopy, Academic Press, NY, 1986, p 22
- Trent, J.S., Macromolecules, 17, 2930 (1984); 16, 539 (1983)