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Chemical product profile

HONGKUN / PRODUCT DIRECTORY

6-Mercaptopurine | CAS 50-44-2

A sulfur-containing purine whose pharmaceutical and analytical qualification depends on the exact chemical form, water content and assay basis, especially when comparing the parent compound with mercaptopurine monohydrate.

CAS50-44-2
Molecular formulaC5H4N4S
Molecular weight152.18 g/mol

Product overview

Hydration is a central purchasing distinction for 6-mercaptopurine. The formula C5H4N4S associated with CAS 50-44-2 describes the parent compound without a stoichiometric water molecule; a monohydrate has a different formula weight. A batch still requires a measured water result and an explicit basis for its reported content. The fused purine ring and sulfur functionality also distinguish mercaptopurine from oxygen-containing purines and other thiopurines. Qualification should bring together chemical identity, related-substance separation and quantitative assay. Pharmaceutical-source assessment and reference-standard selection require different supporting documents, so the intended use belongs in the initial enquiry rather than being inferred from the product name.

Chemical identity

Chemical name
6-Mercaptopurine
CAS number
50-44-2
Molecular formula
C5H4N4S
Molecular weight
152.18 g/mol

Application context

Mercaptopurine is an active moiety in medicines used in combination maintenance treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Labelled dosage forms may contain mercaptopurine monohydrate while expressing strength as mercaptopurine, making the relationship between chemical form and content particularly relevant to raw-material assessment. Buyers should identify the intended substance form and applicable monograph before comparing candidate sources.

The compound is also an analytical target in HPLC methods for biological samples. A material used for quantitative calibration needs a suitable assigned value and characterization, alongside a method that distinguishes the parent analyte from relevant purines. Where results are converted to a dry or anhydrous basis, the water method and calculation must be documented. These requirements support consistent comparison of reference solutions, working standards and proposed material batches.

Chemistry and synthetic role

The fused imidazole–pyrimidine system carries sulfur at the purine 6-position. Thiol and thione descriptions concern the same tautomeric system; hydrate content is a separate question of chemical form and mass accounting.

Quality review

Resolve parent versus hydrate

Specify the required formula and water state, then verify both against the proposed batch description.

Define assay correction

Agree whether content is reported as received or on an anhydrous basis, with the corresponding water result.

Review purine separation

Request the chromatographic selectivity and impurity assignments needed for the intended analytical or pharmaceutical method.

Preparing a specification

State CAS 50-44-2, chemical form, assay basis, water method and required related-purine limits. Reference-material enquiries should also state the calibration method and required assigned-value documentation.

Packaging and storage

Confirm container compatibility, closure, net weight and storage instructions against the selected supplier’s SDS and batch label.

Documentation

Request identity data, COA, SDS and assay calculation details. Confirm availability of water results, related-substance chromatograms and reference-value or manufacturing-source documents as applicable.

Procurement questions

Does this CAS specify the monohydrate?

The displayed C5H4N4S identity is the parent compound. Specify a monohydrate separately and compare results on an agreed content basis.

Can HPLC area replace a water result?

No. Chromatographic area and water measure different aspects of the sample.

What is needed for quantitative calibration?

A suitable assigned content, characterization and traceability for the analytical method, with the chemical form and water correction documented.

Technical sources
  1. PubChem CAS-resolved identity, CID 667490NCBI / National Library of Medicine
  2. 6-Mercaptopurine 38171 analytical standardSupelco / Sigma-Aldrich
  3. Mercaptopurine tablets: indications and substance descriptionDailyMed / National Library of Medicine
  4. Mercaptopurine monohydrate: chemical descriptionDailyMed / National Library of Medicine