Shimadzu Chemistry & Diagnostics has been involved in the R&D of SIL compounds for over 20 years and offers expertise and know-how in the synthesis of stable isotope-labeled compounds such as SIL analogues, building blocks, metabolites, and reference standards.
Thanks to our wide catalog of products or our custom synthesis service, we provide the ideal compound you need to allow accurate results and improve your LC-MS/MS analytical method.
Our analytical department analyzes all our compounds using high-performance analytical instruments, such as NMR, HPLC, GC, and MS to ensure comprehensive quality for our customers and deliver a detailed certificate of analysis. To ensure the quality of our products, we ensure and control the whole process: from R&D and manufacturing to delivery.

Stable isotope-labeled standards

Stable isotope-labeled standards (SIL standards) are commonly used internal MS standards for quantitative analysis by mass spectrometry. They are chemically similar to their non-labeled counterparts, except for the incorporation of stable isotopes such as deuterium (²H), carbon-13 (¹³C), nitrogen-15 (¹⁵N), or oxygen-18 (¹⁸O). Because SIL standards generally share similar physicochemical properties with the target analyte, they may undergo comparable extraction, separation, and ionization processes, which can help reduce variability during sample preparation and analysis. As a result, they may contribute to improved quantification and help minimize deviations associated with sample loss or instrument fluctuations.

Use Cases of Our Products

Category Keywords
Stable Isotope Standards Stable isotope labeled analytical standards, Internal standard, Deuterium labeled standards, Carbon 13
Reference Standards Pesticides references, Pharmaceutical reference standard, Pharmaceutical analytical testing, Method validation
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) TDM products

What are Isotopes?

Isotopes: Atoms with the same atomic number (number of protons), but with different mass numbers (number of neutrons).

  Hydrogen (H) Deuterium (2H or D) Tritium (3H or T)
Structure

structure of hydrogen

structure of Deuterium

structure of Tritium

    proton
Mass Number 1 2 3
Radioactivity No No
(stable isotope)
Yes
(radioactive isotope)
Natural Abundance 99.985% 0.015% Trace

 

Water on Earth contains an average of about 150 ppm (150 µL per liter of water) deuterium (D2O).

Element Symbol H C N O
Mass / Natural Abundance (%) 1.0078
2.0141
99.9885
0.0115
12.0000
13.0034
98.93
1.07
14.0031
15.0001
99.632
0.368
15.9949
16.9991
17.9991
99.757
0.038
0.205
Element Symbol S Cl Br  
Mass / Natural Abundance (%) 31.9721
32.9715
33.9679
35.9671
94.93
0.76
4.29
0.02
34.9867
36.9659
75.78
24.22
78.9183
80.9163
50.69
49.31
 

Tip:

  • Isotope comes from Greek «Isos» which means "same", and «topos» meaning "location".

Stable Isotope Labeled (SIL) Compounds

Ex: Levetiracetam

Levetiracetam [2H6]-Levetiracetam (Levetiracetam-d6)

Characteristics of SIL Compounds:

  • Almost physicochemically identical to the original compound.
  • Pretreatment recovery rate is almost the same.
  • HPLC retention time is almost the same.
  • MS ionization efficiency (matrix effects) is almost the same.

Stable Isotope Labeling (SIL)

  • First Generation: Deuterium (2H or D) Labeling

    • Relatively easy to synthesize and inexpensive.
    • Deuterium desorption (replaced by hydrogen atoms).
    • Retention time shift due to the isotope effect.
    • But isotopic purity may be lower and can present lower stability.
  • Second Generation: 13C / 15N / 18O Labeling

    • Chemical stability can be improved by labeling in areas not prone to external effects.
    • High purity.
    • Complex synthesis results in high cost.

Characteristics of Good SIL Compounds:

  • High purity: Contains no unlabeled compounds.
  • Number of labels: A number that avoids overlap with unlabeled compounds.
  • Label position: Applied in stable locations. Applied to product ions.
  • Label type: 13C is used.

FAQ

Are Shimadzu Chemistry & Diagnostics compounds approved for human/animal use?

Our products are manufactured for research purposes only. Our products are not intended for human or animal use.

Which packaging are available for Shimadzu Chemistry & Diagnostics products?

In our online catalog, some pre-defined options are proposed. If needed, any quantity starting from 1 mg (which is the minimum that can be ordered) to 10s of grams can be requested. Please contact sales@schd-shimadzu.com for any specific packaging needs.

What is the expiration date?

An expiry date is specified on the certificate of analysis (COA) delivered along with our products. All of our products are delivered with a detailed certificate of analysis guaranteeing the purity and stability of our compounds for a minimum period of 1 year, as long as the storage and use conditions recommended by Shimadzu Chemistry & Diagnostics are respected. If your expiration date has been reached, please contact our team at : orders@schd-shimadzu.com for a reanalysis.

Where can I get the corresponding SDS?

The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) gives important information about the product (the use, the hazard identification, etc.). At Shimadzu Chemistry & Diagnostics, each product is delivered with its corresponding SDS. When needed, it can be requested at hse@schd-shimadzu.com

Where can I get the corresponding COA?

All our products are delivered with a detailed and complete Certificate of Analysis (COA) which is shipped with the product. If needed, please contact us at sales@schd-shimadzu.com.

Can Shimadzu Chemistry & Diagnostics perform custom synthesis?

For nearly 20 years, Shimadzu Chemistry & Diagnostics has supported its customers around the world by providing customized organic compound synthesis for labeled and unlabeled compounds, from 1 mg to 10´s of grams (only product for RUO). Please complete the online form to tell us your specifications or contact our sales team at sales@schd-shimadzu.com

Which stable isotope labels are available at Shimadzu Chemistry & Diagnostics?

We can label compounds with stable isotopes like deuterium (2H, D), carbon-13 (13C), nitrogen-15 (15N ), oxygen-18 (18O ), and sulfur-34 (34S). Radioactive labelling is not available at Shimadzu Chemistry & Diagnostics (e.g. 14C, 3H or 125I).