Tetrazolium blue chloride

3,3'-(3,3'-Dimethoxy[1,1'-biphenyl]-4,4'-diyl)-bis(2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium) dichloride; 3,3'-Dianisole-4,4'-bis(3,5-diphenyltetrazolium chloride); Blue tetrazolium chloride; BTC

Tetrazolium blue chloride is a chemical compound that is used in the diagnosis of leukemia. It is a tetrazolium salt that reacts with reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and produces an insoluble blue product. Tetrazolium blue chloride has been shown to be effective in treating human leukemic cells by causing DNA damage, which leads to cell death. Tetrazolium blue chloride has also been found to be an anti-inflammatory agent due to its ability to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis and production of reactive oxygen species.

Tetrazolium blue is an organic chloride salt having tetrazolium blue(1+) as the counterion. It has a role as a dye. It contains a tetrazolium blue(2+).

Title: Tetrazolium Blue

CAS Registry Number: 1871-22-3

CAS Name: 3,3¢-(3,3¢-Dimethoxy[1,1¢-biphenyl]-4,4¢-diyl)bis[2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium] dichloride

Additional Names: 3,3¢-dianisolebis[4,4¢-(3,5-diphenyl)tetrazolium chloride]; blue tetrazolium; dimethoxy neotetrazolium; ditetrazolium chloride; BT

Molecular Formula: C40H32Cl2N8O2

Molecular Weight: 727.64

Percent Composition: C 66.03%, H 4.43%, Cl 9.74%, N 15.40%, O 4.40%

Literature References: Prepn: A. M. Rutenburg et al., Cancer Res. 10, 113 (1950); L. J. Pannone, J. B. Rust, US 2713581 (1955 to Montclair Res. Corp. and Ellis-Foster Co.).

Properties: Lemon-yellow crystals, dec 242-245°. Freely sol in methanol, ethanol, chloroform. Slightly sol in water. Insol in ethyl acetate, acetone, ether. Reduction potential about -0.08 volt. Yields a dark blue diformazan pigment in the presence of a reducing agent.

Use: For research in seed germination, as stain for bacteria and molds, in histochemical studies, to demonstrate oxidation-reduction enzymes in normal and cancerous tissues. See also Triphenyltetrazolium Chloride.