N,N,N’,N’-Tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine dihydrochloride, commonly referred to as TMPD, is a chemical compound that is widely used in various applications, including analytical chemistry, biochemistry, and materials science. TMPD is a solid crystalline powder that is soluble in water and commonly appears as a white to off-white color.
One of the primary uses of TMPD is as an electron donor in redox reactions. Due to its ability to donate electrons, it is commonly employed as a co-reductant in redox enzyme assays and as an electrochemical mediator in dye-sensitized solar cells. It aids in the conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy.
TMPD is also used as a substrate in the determination of oxidative enzymes such as peroxidases and laccases. It undergoes oxidation in the presence of these enzymes, resulting in the development of a colored product. This color change can be quantitatively measured spectrophotometrically to determine the activity and concentration of the respective enzyme.
Moreover, TMPD has applications in materials science, particularly in the field of conductive polymers and organic electronics. It has been utilized as a dopant in the synthesis of conductive polymers, enhancing their electrical conductivity. It can also act as a charge transport material in organic electronic devices like organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) and organic photovoltaics (OPVs).