TAPS (buffer)

TAPS is commonly used to make buffer solutions. This common name is an acronym from Tris(hydroxymethyl)methylAminoPropaneSulfonic. It binds Co(II), Ni(II).

TAPS is effective to make buffer solutions in the pH range 7.7–9.1, since it has a pK_a value of 8.44 (ionic strength I=0, 25 °C).

The pH (and pK_a at I≠0) of the buffer solution changes with concentration and temperature, and this effect may be predicted e.g. using online calculators.