Safranin



Safranin
IUPAC name Safranin
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for
materials in their standard state
(at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox disclaimer and references

Safranin (also Safranin O or basic red 2) is a biological stain used in histology and cytology. Safranin is used as a counterstain in some staining protocols, colouring all cell nuclei red. This is the classic counterstain in a Gram stain. It can also be used for the detection of cartilage, mucin and mast cell granules.

Safranin typically has the chemical structure shown at right (sometimes described as dimethyl safranin). There is also trimethyl safranin, which has an added methyl group in the ortho- position of the lower ring. Both compounds behave essentially identically in biological staining applications, and most manufacturers of safranin don't distinguish between the two. Commercial safranin preparations often contain a blend of both types.

Safranin also used as analytical chemistry.

Safranines

Safranines are the azonium reductive loss of the 7-N-para-tolyl group.[1]

References

This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.

  1. ^ W. H. Perkin F.R.S. (1879). "LXXIV.—On mauveine and allied colouring matters". J. Chem. Soc., Trans. 35: 717 - 732. doi:10.1039/CT8793500717.
International Chemical Identifier
InChI= 1/C20H18N4/c1-12-8-17-19(10-15(12)21)24(14-6-4-3-5-7-14)20-11-16(22)13(2)9-18(20)23-17/h3-11H,1-2H3,(H3,21,22)/p+1]]
 
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