Names | |
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IUPAC name
4-[(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-phenyl-methyl]-N,N-dimethyl-aniline
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Other names
C.I. Basic Violet 3, C.I. 42555
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Identifiers | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.008.140 |
PubChem CID
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CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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Properties | |
C25H30ClN3 (chloride) | |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Crystal violet is an organic compound that is used as a dyestuff. It is a member of the triphenylcarbenium salts, classified in the dyestuff industry as triarylmethane dyes.
Production
It is prepared by the condensation of formaldehyde and dimethylaniline to give leuco dye:
- CH2O + 3 C6H5N(CH3)2 → CH(C6H4N(CH3)2)3 + H2O
Second, this colourless leuco compound, a relative of triphenylmethane, is oxidized to the cation: (A typical oxidizing agent is manganese dioxide)).
- CH(C6H4N(CH3)2)3 + HCl + 1/2 O2 → [C(C6H4N(CH3)2)3]Cl + H2O
Reactions
Hydrolysis of crystal violet gives the carbinol:
- [C(C6H4N(CH3)2)3]Cl + H2O → HOC(C6H4N(CH3)2)3 + HCl
Applications
Millions of kilograms of crystal violet and related triarylmethane dyes are produced annually as dyes.[1]
References
- ^ Thomas Gessner and Udo Mayer "Triarylmethane and Diarylmethane Dyes" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry 2002, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim.doi:10.1002/14356007.a27_179