Osmium Tetroxide

Osmium tetroxide is a highly reactive, silver-blue chemical compound used mainly in scientific laboratories. It is primarily valued for its ability to stain and preserve biological tissues and samples, helping scientists see detailed structures under microscopes. Osmium tetroxide reacts strongly with fats and lipids, making it useful for fixing cell membranes and other lipid-rich areas. Due to its volatility and toxicity, it must be handled with extreme care using proper safety precautions. Despite its dangers, it is an essential tool in biomedical research and electron microscopy for producing clear, detailed images of microscopic structures.