Names | |
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Pronunciation | /flʊəˈrɛsi.ɪn, flʊəˈrɛsiːn/ |
IUPAC name
3′,6′-dihydroxyspiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),9′-[9H]xanthen]-3-one
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Other names
Resorcinolphthalein, C.I. 45350, solvent yellow 94, D&C yellow no. 7, angiofluor, Japan yellow 201, soap yellow
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Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol)
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ChEBI | |
ChEMBL | |
ChemSpider | |
DrugBank | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.017.302 |
EC Number |
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KEGG | |
MeSH | Fluorescein |
PubChem CID
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UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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Properties | |
C20H12O5 | |
Molar mass | 332.311 g·mol−1 |
Melting point | 314 to 316 °C (597 to 601 °F; 587 to 589 K) |
Slightly | |
Pharmacology | |
S01JA01 (WHO) | |
Hazards | |
GHS labelling: | |
Warning | |
H319 | |
P305, P338, P351 | |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Fluorescein is an organic compound and dye based on the xanthene tricyclic structural motif, formally belonging to triarylmethine dyes family. It is available as a dark orange/red powder slightly soluble in water and alcohol. It is widely used as a fluorescent tracer for many applications.[1]
The color of its aqueous solutions is green by reflection and orange by transmission (its spectral properties are dependent on pH of the solution),[2] as can be noticed in bubble levels, for example, in which fluorescein is added as a colorant to the alcohol filling the tube in order to increase the visibility of the air bubble contained within. More concentrated solutions of fluorescein can even appear red (because under these conditions nearly all incident emission is re-absorbed by the solution).
It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[3]