Trimethylamine N-oxide Trimethylamine N-oxide Trimethylamine "N"-oxide (TMAO) is an organic compound with the formula (CH)NO. It is in the class of amine oxides. Although the anhydrous compound is known, trimethylamine "N"-oxide is usually encountered as the dihydrate. It is a product of the oxidation of trimethylamine, a common metabolite in animals. Both the anhydrous and hydrated materials are white, water-soluble solids. Trimethylamine "N"-oxide is an osmolyte found in saltwater fishes, sharks, rays, molluscs, and crustaceans. It is considered as a protein stabilizer that may serve to counteract urea, the major osmolyte of sharks, skates and rays. It is also higher in deep-sea
Propylene oxide Propylene oxide Propylene oxide is an organic compound with the molecular formula CHCHCHO. This colourless volatile liquid with an odour resembling ether, is produced on a large scale industrially. Its major application is its use for the production of polyether polyols for use in making polyurethane plastics. It is a chiral epoxide, although it is commonly used as a racemic mixture. This compound is sometimes called 1,2-propylene oxide to distinguish it from its isomer 1,3-propylene oxide, better known as oxetane. Industrial production of propylene oxide starts from propylene. Two general approaches are employed, one involving hydrochlorination and the other involving