Nitroblue tetrazolium
Agent Name
Nitroblue tetrazolium
CAS Number
298-83-9
Formula
C40-H30-N10-O6.2Cl
Major Category
Dyes
Synonyms
NBT; NBT (dye); Nitro BT; Nitro Blue tetrazolium; Nitro Blue tetrazolium chloride; Nitro Blue tetrazolium salt; Nitro tetrazolium BT; Nitroblue tetrazolium salt; Nitrotetrazolium Blue; Nitrotetrazolium Chloride Blue; Tetrazolium Nitro Blue; Tetrazolium nitro BT; p-Nitro Blue tetrazolium; p-Nitro Blue tetrazolium chloride; p-Nitrotetrazolium Blue; 2H-Tetrazolium, 2,2'-(3,3'-dimethoxy(1,1'-biphenyl)-4,4'-diyl)bis(3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyl-, chloride (1:2); 2H-Tetrazolium, 3,3'-(3,3'-dimethoxy(1,1'-biphenyl)-4,4'-diyl)bis(2-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyl-, dichloride; 5,5'-Diphenyl-3,3'-bis(4-nitrophenyl)-2,2'-(3,3'-dimethoxybiphenyl-4,4'-ylene)ditetrazolium dichloride; [ChemIDplus]
Category
Other Dyes
Description
Solid; Color varies (colorless, yellow, blue or black); [ChemIDplus]
Sources/Uses
"Formerly used to distinguish between nonbacterial and bacterial diseases, the latter causing neutrophils to reduce the dye; used to confirm diagnosis of chronic granulomatous disease." [ChemIDplus] A microscopic stain used to detect dehydrogenases and alkaline phosphatase; [Ullmann]
Comments
May be harmful after ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact; A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; Target organs are liver, heart, kidneys, and eyes. May cause convulsions; LD50 (mouse) = 2000 mg/kg; [MSDSonline] "Moderately toxic by ingestion." [Hawley]
Biomedical References
Adverse Effects
Neurotoxin
Other CNS neurotoxin
Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Other Information
No other related information on this agent was found.