Safranin

Safranin
Safranin
Safranin
Solid safranin
Safranin in aqueous solution
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
3,7-Diamino-2,8-dimethyl-5-phenylphenazin-5-ium chloride
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.006.836 Edit this at Wikidata
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C20H18N4.ClH/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);1H checkY
    Key: OARRHUQTFTUEOS-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/C20H18N4.ClH/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);1H
    Key: OARRHUQTFTUEOS-UHFFFAOYAR
  • 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
  • [Cl-].n1c4c([n+](c2c1cc(c(N)c2)C)c3ccccc3)cc(c(c4)C)N
Properties
C20H19ClN4
Molar mass 350.85 g·mol−1
Soluble
Hazards
GHS labelling:
GHS05: Corrosive GHS07: Exclamation mark[1]
Danger[1]
H315, H318[1]
P264, P280, P302+P352, P305+P351+P338, P310, P332+P313, P362[1]
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 2: Intense or continued but not chronic exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury. E.g. chloroformFlammability 0: Will not burn. E.g. waterInstability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogenSpecial hazards (white): no code
2
0
0
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
☒N verify (what is checkY☒N ?)

Safranin (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 cell nuclei red. This is the classic counterstain in both Gram stains and endospore staining. It can also be used for the detection of cartilage,[2] 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 (see Arene substitution pattern) of the lower ring. Both compounds behave essentially identically in biological staining applications, and most manufacturers of safranin do not distinguish between the two. Commercial safranin preparations often contain a blend of both types.

Safranin is also used as redox indicator in analytical chemistry.

  1. ^ a b c d "Safety Data Sheet: Safranin O" (PDF). LabChem. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
  2. ^ Rosenberg L (1971). "Chemical Basis for the Histological Use of Safranin O in the Study of Articular Cartilage". J Bone Joint Surg Am. 53 (1): 69–82. doi:10.2106/00004623-197153010-00007. PMID 4250366. Archived from the original (abstract) on 2008-04-17.