Stainsfile - Methylene blue

Methylene Blue

Structural formula Common name Methylene blue

Suggested name Methylene blue

Other names Swiss blue

C.I. number 52015

C.I. name Basic blue 9
Solvent blue 8

Class Thiazin

Ionisation Basic

Solubility in water 3.55%

Solubility in ethanol 1.48

Absorption maximum 668,609

Colour Blue

Empirical formula C₁₆H₁₈ClN₃S

Formula weight 319.86

This is a very commonly used dye, usually following "ripening", a process involving atmospheric oxidation and the production of the three strongly metachromatic dyes Azure A, B and C. A comparison of these dyes shows the relationship clearly.

Reference

Conn's Biological Stains
R. D. Lillie.
Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, MD., U.S.A.

The Merck Index, 12 ed.
Susan Budavari, Ed.
Merck & Co., NJ, USA.

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Last updated March 1998


*Structural formula*	*Common name*	Methylene blue
	*Suggested name*	Methylene blue
	*Other names*	Swiss blue
	*C.I. number*	52015
	*C.I. name*	Basic blue 9 Solvent blue 8
	*Class*	Thiazin
	*Ionisation*	Basic
	*Solubility in water*	3.55%
	*Solubility in ethanol*	1.48
	*Absorption maximum*	668,609
	*Colour*	Blue
	*Empirical formula*	C₁₆H₁₈ClN₃S
	*Formula weight*	319.86

This is a very commonly used dye, usually following "ripening", a process involving atmospheric oxidation and the production of the three strongly metachromatic dyes Azure A, B and C. A comparison of these dyes shows the relationship clearly.