Safranine O for microscopy, Sigma-Aldrich®

Supplier: SIGMA-ALDRICH MICROSCOPY
Danger

Synonyms: CI 50240

M-Clarity™ quality level = MQ200

84120-100GEA 130 EUR
84120-100G 84120-25G
Safranine O for microscopy, Sigma-Aldrich®
Safranine O

Safranin O, also known as basic red 2, is a basic, cationic, and metachromatic azine dye used as a biological stain. The characteristic azine chromophore contains the phenazine, a planar, tricyclic dibenzopyrazine, which consists of two non-planar benzene rings linked by two nitrogen atoms. A delocalised positive charge, an alternation of aromatic and quinonoid structures, and diazotisable amine groups constitute the chromophoric system. c-Methylation makes this dye of moderate overall size. The trimethyl cationic form of safranine is lipophilic, whereas the dimethyl forms are weakly hydrophilic. The dye is commercially available as a chloride.


  • Safranin O is widely employed as a microbiological stain, especially as a counterstain in gram staining to distinguish gram-positive from gram-negative micro-organisms, and for staining bacterial spores
  • It is used to demonstrate glycosaminoglycans in human and animal histological specimens and nuclei
  • It is a component of Benda's polychrome stain
  • It is a component of various polychromes and lignin stains for botanical staining applications
  • It has also been applied for the demonstration of mast cells in cytospin preparations and staining surgical frozen sections
  • It is a diagnostic assay manufacturing, hematology, histology, microbiology

Formula: C₂₀H₁₉ClN₄
MW: 350,85 g/mol
Density: 1,447 g/cm³ (22 °C)
Storage Temperature: Room Temperature
MDL Number: MFCD00011759
ADR: 1,
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Specification Test Results

Appearance (Colour) Green to very dark green
Appearance (Form) Powder or crystals
Thin layer chromatography Corresponds to standard
Solubility (Colour) Red to very dark red
Solubility (turbidity) Clear to turbid
Solubility (method) 0.01 g in 10 ml methanol
pH-transition 0.3
Colour Violet
pH-transition 1
Colour Red to pink
Wavelength (1) (UV) 525.0 - 535.0 nm
Extinction (1%/1 cm) (1) (uv) ≥ 1000
Solvent (UV) ETOH 50 %

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