Cresyl violet

Cresyl violet

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Names
IUPAC name (9-dimethylamino-10-methyl-benzo[a]phenoxazin-5-ylidene)ammonium chloride
Other names 9-(Dimethylamino)-5-imino-10-methyl-5H-benzo(a)phenoxazine hydrochloride; Cresole Violet
Identifiers
ChemSpider	27064 Y
Jmol 3D model	Interactive image
InChI InChI=1S/C19H17N3O.ClH/c1-11-8-15-17(10-16(11)22(2)3)23-18-9-14(20)12-6-4-5-7-13(12)19(18)21-15;/h4-10,20H,1-3H3;1H Y Key: ZHAFUINZIZIXFC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1/C19H17N3O.ClH/c1-11-8-15-17(10-16(11)22(2)3)23-18-9-14(20)12-6-4-5-7-13(12)19(18)21-15;/h4-10,20H,1-3H3;1H Key: ZHAFUINZIZIXFC-UHFFFAOYAN
SMILES [Cl-].N=1c4c(OC=3C=1c2ccccc2\C(=[NH2+])\C=3)cc(c(c4)C)N(C)C
Properties
Chemical formula	C19H18ClN3O
Molar mass	339.8187
Vapor pressure	{{{value}}}
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Infobox references

Cresyl violet is an organic compound with the chemical formula C₁₉H₁₈ClN₃O. It is a basic dye and is used as a common stain in histology.

Cresyl violet stain

File:Laser capture microdissection and four staining methods.jpg

c. 0.1% Cresyl violet in H2O. d. 1% Cresyl violet in H2O.

It is used in biology and medicine as a histological stain. Cresyl violet is an effective and reliable stain used for light microscopy sections. Initially, tissue sections are "defatted" by passing through graded dilutions of ethanol. Then, rehydrated by passing back through decreasing concentrations of ethanol. Lastly, back into water. The ethanol solutions act to differentiate the stain, causing myelin and other components to lose color whereas perikarya retain the color. It is also used to find Helicobacter pylori.

Intestinal mucins also take up the stain although not as strongly as campylobacter-like organisms.

Cresyl violet is used to stain Heinz bodies in red blood corpuscles or for staining of the neurons in the brain and spinal cord. It is used to demonstrate the nissl substance in the neurons and cell nuclei. In this role it is also often used as a counterstain to Luxol fast blue, which stains the myelin.

Exemple of cresyl violet staining in mouse brain

External links

• About stains - University of Western Australia.