What is chaotropes?

Chaotropes are molecules or ions that can disrupt the structure of water and other polar solvents, leading to a decrease in the solubility of hydrophobic molecules and an increase in the solubility of hydrophilic molecules. They are also known as kosmotropes as they can promote the formation of structured water around hydrophilic solutes.

Chaotropes can have a variety of effects on biological systems. They can denature proteins and nucleic acids by disrupting hydrogen bonds and other non-covalent interactions that maintain their structures. They can also destabilize cell membranes and alter the activity of enzymes and other biomolecules.

Examples of chaotropes include urea, guanidinium chloride, sodium perchlorate, and sodium thiocyanate. These molecules have been widely used in biochemical and biophysical studies to study the stability and function of proteins and nucleic acids. They can also be used in purification procedures to dissociate protein complexes and facilitate their separation.

Overall, chaotropes are powerful tools in molecular biology and biochemistry that can be used to manipulate the behavior of biomolecules and study their properties in solution.