Crystal violet
Crystal violet or gentian violet, also known as methyl violet 10B or hexamethyl pararosaniline chloride, is a triarylmethane dye used as a histological stain and in Gram's method of classifying bacteria. Crystal violet has antibacterial, antifungal, and anthelmintic (vermicide) properties and was formerly important as a topical antiseptic. The medical use of the dye has been largely superseded by more modern drugs, although it is still listed by the World Health Organization.
Names | |
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Preferred IUPAC name
4-{Bis[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]methylidene}-N,N-dimethylcyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-iminium chloride | |
Other names
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Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) |
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3580948 | |
ChEBI | |
ChEMBL | |
ChemSpider | |
DrugBank | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.008.140 |
EC Number |
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KEGG | |
MeSH | Gentian+violet |
PubChem CID |
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RTECS number |
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UNII |
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UN number | 3077 |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) |
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Properties | |
C25H30ClN3 | |
Molar mass | 407.99 g·mol−1 |
Melting point | 205 °C (401 °F; 478 K) |
4 g/L at 25 °C | |
Pharmacology | |
D01AE02 (WHO) G01AX09 (WHO) | |
Hazards | |
GHS labelling: | |
Danger | |
H302, H318, H351, H410 | |
P273, P280, P305+P351+P338, P501 | |
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |
LD50 (median dose) |
1.2 g/kg (oral, mice) 1.0 g/kg (oral, rats) |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references |
The name gentian violet was originally used for a mixture of methyl pararosaniline dyes (methyl violet), but is now often considered a synonym for crystal violet. The name refers to its colour, being like that of the petals of certain gentian flowers; it is not made from gentians or violets.