Acridine orange
Agent Name
Acridine orange
CAS Number
65-61-2
Formula
C17-H19-N3.Cl-H
Major Category
Dyes
Synonyms
3,6-Acridinediamine, N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-, monohydrochloride; 3,6-Bis(dimethylamino)acridine hydrochloride; Acridine Orange; Acridine Orange N; Acridine Orange NO; Acridine Orange NS; Acridine Orange R; Basic Orange 14; Basic Orange 3RN; C.I. 46005; C.I. Basic Orange 14; Rhoduline Orange; Rhoduline Orange NO; [ChemIDplus]
Category
Acridine Dyes
Sources/Uses
"N,N,N',N'-Tetramethyl-3,6-acridinediamine, monohydrochloride. Cationic cytochemical stain specific for cell nuclei, especially DNA. It is used as a supravital stain and in fluorescence cytochemistry. It may cause mutations in microorganisms." [ChemIDplus]
Comments
Has mutagenic potential that is enhanced by light; Acridine dyes are derived from 3,6-diaminoacridine, 9-(4'-aminophenyl)-3-aminoacridine, and 9-(4'-aminophenyl)-3,6-diaminoacridine. One of the oldest acridine dyes is chrysaniline. Acridine dyes have low light fastness. In the past they were used for printing on cotton. Currently, they are not commercially important. [Ullmann] See "Acridine."
Biomedical References
Adverse Effects
IARC Carcinogen
Not classifiable
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Other Information
No other related information on this agent was found.