metüleensinist

Methylene blue is a chemical compound with the formula C16H18ClN3S. It is an aromatic heterocyclic compound and a redox indicator. It is a salt of a chloride of methylene blue. It is a dark green crystalline powder that is soluble in water and alcohol.

Methylene blue has a variety of uses. It is used as a dye in histology and for the staining of biological tissues. It is also used as an antiseptic and disinfectant. In medicine, methylene blue has been used to treat methemoglobinemia, a condition in which the blood cannot carry oxygen effectively. It has also been investigated for its potential in the treatment of malaria and other parasitic infections.

The chemical structure of methylene blue consists of a phenothiazine core with two methyl groups and a dimethylamino group. Its color is due to its ability to absorb light in the red and yellow regions of the visible spectrum, reflecting blue light. This property makes it useful as a dye.

Methylene blue can be synthesized through the oxidation of N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine in the presence of sodium thiosulfate and subsequent chlorination. It is a relatively stable compound, though it can be degraded by strong oxidizing agents.

In laboratory settings, methylene blue is frequently used as an electron acceptor in redox titrations and as a staining agent in microscopy. Its redox properties allow it to change color depending on the oxidation state of the solution it is in, making it a useful indicator.