Methyl violet
Encyclopedia
Methyl violet is a family of organic compound
s that are mainly used as dye
s. Depending on the amount of attached methyl groups, the color of the dye can be altered. Its main use is as a purple dye for textiles and to give deep violet colors in paint and ink. Methyl violet 10B
is also known as crystal violet
(and many other names) and has medical uses.
functional group
. They are all soluble in water
, ethanol
, diethylene glycol
and dipropylene glycol
.
, with a range between 0 and 1.6. The protonated form (found in acid
ic conditions) is yellow, turning blue-violet above pH levels of 1.6. Gentian violet destroys cells and can be used as a disinfectant. Compounds related to methyl violet are potential carcinogens.
Methyl violet 10B also inhibits the growth of many Gram positive bacteria, except streptococci. When used in conjunction with nalidixic acid
(which destroys gram-negative bacteria), it can be used to isolate the streptococci bacteria for the diagnosis of an infection.
Methyl violet 10B also binds to DNA
. This means it can be used in cell viability assays in biochemistry
. However, this binding to DNA will cause replication errors in living tissue, possibly leading to mutation
s and cancer
.
. Oxidation can destroy the dye completely, e.g. through the use of sodium hypochlorite (NaClO, common bleach) or hydrogen peroxide
. Reduction of methyl violet occurs in microorganisms but can be attained chemically using sodium dithionite
.
or ZnO.
Organic compound
An organic compound is any member of a large class of gaseous, liquid, or solid chemical compounds whose molecules contain carbon. For historical reasons discussed below, a few types of carbon-containing compounds such as carbides, carbonates, simple oxides of carbon, and cyanides, as well as the...
s that are mainly used as dye
Dye
A dye is a colored substance that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is being applied. The dye is generally applied in an aqueous solution, and requires a mordant to improve the fastness of the dye on the fiber....
s. Depending on the amount of attached methyl groups, the color of the dye can be altered. Its main use is as a purple dye for textiles and to give deep violet colors in paint and ink. Methyl violet 10B
Crystal violet
Crystal violet or Gentian violet is a triarylmethane dye. The dye is used as a histological stain and in Gram’s method of classifying bacteria. Crystal violet has antibacterial, antifungal, and anthelmintic properties and was formerly important as a topical antiseptic...
is also known as crystal violet
Crystal violet
Crystal violet or Gentian violet is a triarylmethane dye. The dye is used as a histological stain and in Gram’s method of classifying bacteria. Crystal violet has antibacterial, antifungal, and anthelmintic properties and was formerly important as a topical antiseptic...
(and many other names) and has medical uses.
Structure
The term methyl violet encompasses three compounds that differ in the number of methyl groups attached to the amineAmine
Amines are organic compounds and functional groups that contain a basic nitrogen atom with a lone pair. Amines are derivatives of ammonia, wherein one or more hydrogen atoms have been replaced by a substituent such as an alkyl or aryl group. Important amines include amino acids, biogenic amines,...
functional group
Functional group
In organic chemistry, functional groups are specific groups of atoms within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules. The same functional group will undergo the same or similar chemical reaction regardless of the size of the molecule it is a part of...
. They are all soluble in water
Water
Water is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H2O. A water molecule contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms connected by covalent bonds. Water is a liquid at ambient conditions, but it often co-exists on Earth with its solid state, ice, and gaseous state . Water also exists in a...
, ethanol
Ethanol
Ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, or drinking alcohol, is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid. It is a psychoactive drug and one of the oldest recreational drugs. Best known as the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, it is also used in thermometers, as a...
, diethylene glycol
Diethylene glycol
Diethylene glycol is an organic compound with the formula 2O. It is a colorless, practically odorless, poisonous, and hygroscopic liquid with a sweetish taste. It is miscible in water, alcohol, ether, acetone, and ethylene glycol. DEG is a widely used solvent...
and dipropylene glycol
Dipropylene glycol
Dipropylene glycol is a mixture of three isomeric chemical compounds, 4-oxa-2,6-heptandiol, 2--propan-1-ol, and 2--propan-1-ol...
.
| Name | Methyl violet 2B | Methyl violet 10B (Crystal violet Crystal violet Crystal violet or Gentian violet is a triarylmethane dye. The dye is used as a histological stain and in Gram’s method of classifying bacteria. Crystal violet has antibacterial, antifungal, and anthelmintic properties and was formerly important as a topical antiseptic... ) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure |  |
||
| Formula | C23H26N3Cl | C24H28N3Cl |
C25H30N3Cl |
| CAS no CAS registry number CAS Registry Numbersare unique numerical identifiers assigned by the "Chemical Abstracts Service" toevery chemical described in the... |
8004-87-3 | 548-62-9 | |
| ChemSpider ChemSpider ChemsSpider is a free chemical database, owned by the Royal Society of Chemistry.-Database:The database contains more than 26 million unique molecules from over 400 data sources including those listed below.* A-L: EPA DSSTox, U.S... ID |
21164086 | 170606 | 10588 |
| PubChem PubChem PubChem is a database of chemical molecules and their activities against biological assays. The system is maintained by the National Center for Biotechnology Information , a component of the National Library of Medicine, which is part of the United States National Institutes of Health . PubChem can... ID |
196986 | 11057 | |
| Formula | C23H26N3 | C24H28N3 |
C25H30N3 |
| ChemSpider ChemSpider ChemsSpider is a free chemical database, owned by the Royal Society of Chemistry.-Database:The database contains more than 26 million unique molecules from over 400 data sources including those listed below.* A-L: EPA DSSTox, U.S... ID |
2006225 | 3349, 9080056, 10354393 | |
| PubChem PubChem PubChem is a database of chemical molecules and their activities against biological assays. The system is maintained by the National Center for Biotechnology Information , a component of the National Library of Medicine, which is part of the United States National Institutes of Health . PubChem can... ID |
2724053 | 3468 |
Methyl violet 2B
Methyl violet 2B (IUPAC name:N-(4-(bis(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)methylene)cyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ylidene)methanaminium chloride) is a green powder which is soluble in water in ethanol and water, but not in xylene. It appears yellow in solution of low pH (~0.15) and changes to violet with pH increasing toward 3.2.Methyl violet 10B
Methyl violet 10B has six methyl groups. It is known in medicine as Gentian violet (or crystal violet or pyoctanin(e)) and is the active ingredient in a Gram stain, used to classify bacteria. It is used as a pH indicatorPH indicator
A pH indicator is a halochromic chemical compound that is added in small amounts to a solution so that the pH of the solution can be determined visually. Hence a pH indicator is a chemical detector for hydronium ions or hydrogen ions in the Arrhenius model. Normally, the indicator causes the...
, with a range between 0 and 1.6. The protonated form (found in acid
Acid
An acid is a substance which reacts with a base. Commonly, acids can be identified as tasting sour, reacting with metals such as calcium, and bases like sodium carbonate. Aqueous acids have a pH of less than 7, where an acid of lower pH is typically stronger, and turn blue litmus paper red...
ic conditions) is yellow, turning blue-violet above pH levels of 1.6. Gentian violet destroys cells and can be used as a disinfectant. Compounds related to methyl violet are potential carcinogens.
Methyl violet 10B also inhibits the growth of many Gram positive bacteria, except streptococci. When used in conjunction with nalidixic acid
Nalidixic acid
Nalidixic acid is the first of the synthetic quinolone antibiotics...
(which destroys gram-negative bacteria), it can be used to isolate the streptococci bacteria for the diagnosis of an infection.
Methyl violet 10B also binds to DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
. This means it can be used in cell viability assays in biochemistry
Biochemistry
Biochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to, living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes...
. However, this binding to DNA will cause replication errors in living tissue, possibly leading to mutation
Mutation
In molecular biology and genetics, mutations are changes in a genomic sequence: the DNA sequence of a cell's genome or the DNA or RNA sequence of a virus. They can be defined as sudden and spontaneous changes in the cell. Mutations are caused by radiation, viruses, transposons and mutagenic...
s and cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
.
Degradation
Methyl violet is a mutagen and mitotic poison, therefore concerns exist regarding the ecological impact of the release of methyl violet into the environment. Methyl violet has been used in vast quantities for textile and paper dyeing, and 15% of such dyes produced worldwide are released to environment in wastewater. Numerous methods have been developed to treat methyl violet pollution. The three most prominent are chemical bleaching, biodegradation, and photodegradation.Chemical bleaching
Chemical bleaching is achieved by oxidation or reductionRedox
Redox reactions describe all chemical reactions in which atoms have their oxidation state changed....
. Oxidation can destroy the dye completely, e.g. through the use of sodium hypochlorite (NaClO, common bleach) or hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is the simplest peroxide and an oxidizer. Hydrogen peroxide is a clear liquid, slightly more viscous than water. In dilute solution, it appears colorless. With its oxidizing properties, hydrogen peroxide is often used as a bleach or cleaning agent...
. Reduction of methyl violet occurs in microorganisms but can be attained chemically using sodium dithionite
Sodium dithionite
Sodium dithionite is a white crystalline powder with a weak sulfurous odor. It is a sodium salt of dithionous acid. Although it is stable under most conditions, it will decompose in hot water and in acid solutions...
.
Biodegradation
Biodegradation has been well investigated because of its relevance to sewage plants with specialized microorganisms. Two microorganisms that have been studied in depth are the White Rot Fungus and the bacterium Nocardia Corallina.Photodegradation
Light alone does not rapidly degrade methyl violet, but the process is accelerated upon the addition of large band-gap semiconductors, TiO2Titanium dioxide
Titanium dioxide, also known as titanium oxide or titania, is the naturally occurring oxide of titanium, chemical formula . When used as a pigment, it is called titanium white, Pigment White 6, or CI 77891. Generally it comes in two different forms, rutile and anatase. It has a wide range of...
or ZnO.
Other methods
Many others methods have been developed to treat the contamination of dyes in a solution, including electrochemical degradation, ion exchange, laser degradation, and absorption onto various solids such as activated charcoal.See also
- FuchsineFuchsineFuchsine or rosaniline hydrochloride is a magenta dye with chemical formula C20H19N3·HCl. There are other similar chemical formulations of products sold as fuchsine, and several dozen other synonyms of this molecule....
- Methylene blueMethylene blueMethylene blue is a heterocyclic aromatic chemical compound with the molecular formula C16H18N3SCl. It has many uses in a range of different fields, such as biology and chemistry. At room temperature it appears as a solid, odorless, dark green powder, that yields a blue solution when dissolved in...
- Methyl blueMethyl blueMethyl blue, also known as Cotton blue, Helvetia blue, Acid blue 93, or C.I. 42780, is a chemical compound with the molecular formula C37H27N3Na2O9S3. It is used as a stain in histology. Methyl blue stains collagen blue in tissue sections. It is soluble in water and slightly soluble in ethanol...
- Egyptian BlueEgyptian BlueEgyptian blue is chemically known as calcium copper silicate . It is a pigment used by Egyptians for thousands of years. It is considered to be the first synthetic pigment. The pigment was known to the Romans by the name caeruleum...
- Han PurpleHan PurpleHan purple and Han blue are synthetic barium copper silicate pigments that were developed in China at least 2,000 years ago....
- FluoresceinFluoresceinFluorescein is a synthetic organic compound available as a dark orange/red powder soluble in water and alcohol. It is widely used as a fluorescent tracer for many applications....