Salbutamol 20 mg

Salbutamol is a synthetic small molecule belonging to the phenylethanolamine group, chemically a saligenin derivative with a tert-butylamine group. In scientific research, it is studied as a model compound for receptor activation, stereochemistry, and the behavior of polar small molecules in separation techniques, and as a reference standard in analytical work. This compound is offered as 20 mg tablets, exclusively for laboratory and research purposes.

What is Salbutamol?

Salbutamol (4-[2-(tert-butylamino)-1-hydroxyethyl]-2-(hydroxymethyl)phenol) carries the ethanolamine side chain characteristic of adrenergic receptor ligands, but the aromatic ring features a hydroxymethyl group instead of the second hydroxyl ring. This saligenin motif renders the molecule no longer a catechol and thus no longer a substrate for catechol-O-methyltransferase, making the compound more stable in model systems than the endogenous ligands. Furthermore, with three polar features, a small molecular weight of 239 Da, and one stereocenter, salbutamol is hydrophilic: it exhibits low retention on reverse-phase material, making it a standard example for separations of polar small molecules.

In research models, salbutamol behaves as a short-acting, selective agonist of β₂-adrenergic receptor. Activation of this G-protein-coupled receptor leads to a measurable cAMP response in cell culture systems, which declines relatively rapidly after removal of the compound. Furthermore, because virtually all receptor activity is located at the R enantiomer, the compound is a classic example in research into enantioselectivity. Consequently, Salbutamol is used as a model compound and reference substance in scientific research.

Research areas

In a laboratory context, Salbutamol occurs in the following research areas, among others:

• Receptor binding research into selectivity for β₂-adrenergic receptor relative to the β₁subtype in membrane preparations in vitro.
• Research into signal transduction: the cAMP response after receptor activation in cell culture systems and its progression over time.
• Research into enantioselectivity: the difference in activity between the R- and S-enantiomers within the racemate.
• Structure-activity study into the effect of the saligenin motif on the metabolic stability of phenylethanolamines.
• Comparative kinetic study in which short- and long-acting ligands of the same receptor class are characterized side by side.
• Analytical method development and validation (HPLC, LC-MS, chiral separation) with salbutamol as the reference standard for polar, poorly retendering compounds.

Each of these applications involves controlled laboratory or preclinical model research.

Salbutamol in our research range

Salbutamol falls under the category of oral investigational compounds in solid tablet form within our range. While salbutamol activates a G-protein-coupled receptor and serves as a model for a short-duration, rapidly reversible response, other components within the same product line have been specifically chosen to cover enzymatic transformations, transport proteins, or nuclear receptors. These compounds share the oral tablet form but differ fundamentally in molecular class and investigated mechanism.

Specifications

Shape, handling and storage

Salbutamol is supplied as solid tablets containing a standardized amount of 20 mg of active substance per tablet, packaged in quantities of 100. The tablets can be weighed directly in a laboratory setup or placed in a suitable medium for further analysis. Due to its polar nature, the compound readily dissolves in aqueous media but exhibits poor retention on reverse-phase columns; this is compensated for by a modified mobile phase.

Store the tablets dry at room temperature, protected from direct light and moisture, in the original packaging. The phenolic hydroxyl group is susceptible to oxidation; limit exposure to air and daylight. Handle the compound with standard laboratory precautions: work in a clean environment, use appropriate personal protective equipment, and prevent cross-contamination with other research materials. Keep the packaging out of reach of unauthorized persons.

Composition and lab results

For this compound, the content is expressed as the amount of active substance per tablet (20 mg per tablet) instead of as a purity percentage, as is customary for tablet formulations.

You can find an overview of the available analytical documentation on our lab results pageThe reports are centrally collected there for your own research records.

Frequently Asked Questions

To which class of substances does Salbutamol belong?
Salbutamol is a synthetic small molecule from the group of phenylethanolamines, with a saligenin motif on the aromatic ring. It is not a peptide and therefore contains no amino acid sequence.

Why is the saligenin motif of structural importance?
Because the ring carries a hydroxymethyl group instead of a second ring hydroxyl, the molecule is not a catechol and therefore not a substrate for catechol-O-methyltransferase. As a result, the compound remains intact longer in model systems.

In what form is the compound supplied?
As tablets with 20 mg of active substance, packed per 100 pieces.

How do I store the tablets?
Dry, at room temperature and protected from light and moisture, preferably in the original packaging.