mauveines

Mauveines are a family of synthetic purple dyes that originated in the mid-19th century. They are not a single compound but a group of closely related dyes, with mauveine A and mauveine B serving as typical components, collectively producing purple to mauve shades. The dyes are generally categorized as phenazinium dyes, formed from coal tar derivatives such as aniline and related substituted anilines.

The discovery of mauveines is linked to William Henry Perkin, who in 1856 accidentally produced a vivid purple dye while attempting to synthesize quinine. The breakthrough demonstrated the potential of industrial chemistry to create, extract, and commercialize synthetic colors. Mauveines quickly became commercially important and helped launch the first large-scale dye industry, influencing textile production and prompting further research into synthetic dyes and related chemical processes.

Chemically, mauveines were originally obtained as mixtures containing several closely related compounds. Over time, researchers identified and studied individual components (for example, mauveine A and other members), which allowed for a better understanding of color properties and production methods. The dyes were used to color a range of textiles, including wool and silk, and they contributed to the broader adoption of coal tar–based chemistry in industry.

In the 20th century, mauveines were largely supplanted by newer dyes with improved colorfastness and stability. Today, they are mainly of historical interest and are discussed in the context of the early development of the synthetic dye industry and the chemistry of phenazinium dyes.