Thymol blue (thymolsulfonephthalein) is a brownish-green or reddish-brown crystalline powder that is used as a

pH indicator A pH indicator is a halochromic chemical compound added in small amounts to a solution so the pH (acidity or basicity) of the solution can be determined visually or spectroscopically by changes in absorption and/or emission properties. Hen ...

. It is insoluble in

water Water (chemical formula ) is an inorganic, transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless chemical substance, which is the main constituent of Earth's hydrosphere and the fluids of all known living organisms (in which it acts as ...

but soluble in

alcohol Alcohol most commonly refers to: * Alcohol (chemistry), an organic compound in which a hydroxyl group is bound to a carbon atom * Alcohol (drug), an intoxicant found in alcoholic drinks Alcohol may also refer to: Chemicals * Ethanol, one of sev ...

and dilute

alkali In chemistry, an alkali (; from ar, القلوي, al-qaly, lit=ashes of the saltwort) is a basic, ionic salt of an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal. An alkali can also be defined as a base that dissolves in water. A solution of ...

solutions. It transitions from red to yellow at pH 1.2–2.8 and from yellow to blue at pH 8.0–9.6. It is usually a component of Universal indicator. At wavelength (378 - 382) nm, extinction coefficient > 8000 and at wavelength (298 - 302) nm , the extinction coefficient > 12000.

Structures

Thymol blue has different structures at different pH. : Thymolblau

thymol blue. Color change of thymol blue at different pH

Safety

It may cause irritation. Its toxicological properties have not been fully investigated. Harmful if swallowed, Acute Toxicity. Only Hazardous when percent values are above 10%.

Bibliography

* Merck. "Thymol Blue." ''The Merck Index''. 14th ed. 2006. Accessed via web on 2007-02-25.

References

External links

{{Commons category, Thymol blue
PubChem entry
PH indicators Triarylmethane dyes Benzenesulfonates Phenol dyes Isopropyl compounds