Specialty dye and laboratory raw material
Methylene Blue, also known as Methylthioninium Chloride, is a well-established dye and specialty chemical used in pharmaceutical, laboratory, analytical, and technical applications. In pharmacopeial use, methylthioninium chloride is defined as 3,7-bis(dimethylamino)phenothiazin-5-ylium chloride (methylene blue) and is described as a dark blue crystalline powder or green crystals with a bronze-coloured sheen. It is soluble in water and slightly soluble in ethanol.
Methylene Blue, also known as Methylthioninium Chloride, is a well-established dye and specialty chemical used in pharmaceutical, laboratory, analytical, and technical applications. In pharmacopeial use, methylthioninium chloride is defined as 3,7-bis(dimethylamino)phenothiazin-5-ylium chloride (methylene blue) and is described as a dark blue crystalline powder or green crystals with a bronze-coloured sheen. It is soluble in water and slightly soluble in ethanol.
In regulated product use, methylene blue is best known for its use in the management of acquired methemoglobinemia. It is also used as a diagnostic and visualization agent in selected specialist procedures, including colonoscopy and other specialist applications where tissue staining or contrast is required.
In laboratory and analytical practice, methylene blue is widely used as a biological stain, bacteriological dye, and redox indicator. It is also used in microscopy, hematology, and selected analytical methods. Commercial reagent sources describe Ph. Eur. methylene blue as suitable for redox indicator use and for SM 4500-NH3 analytical applications.
Available grades include Ph. Eur., USP and other grades depending on the end application.
Supply context
BHM Chemicals supplies a broad portfolio of regulated chemical ingredients, including pharmacopeial grades with supporting documentation, and Methylene Blue is part of that portfolio.
Minimum order quantity: 10 kg
Methylene Blue is a versatile compound with a long history of use across science, regulated product use, and industry. It is valued for its intense blue colour, reliable staining performance, and redox activity. These properties make it useful in pharmaceutical products, laboratory reagents, diagnostic procedures, and technical dye applications. Its continued relevance across multiple sectors reflects both its functional versatility and its established place in regulated and professional use.
Methylene Blue is known under several established names, including Methylthioninium Chloride, Tetramethylthionine Chloride, and Basic Blue 9 / C.I. 52015. Depending on grade and water content, it is marketed in hydrated forms, including trihydrate and hydrate specifications.
Pharmacopeial methylthioninium chloride is described as a dark blue crystalline powder or green crystals with a bronze-coloured sheen. It is soluble in water and only slightly soluble in ethanol, which supports its use in aqueous staining, analytical, and regulated formulation systems.
One of the key functional properties of methylene blue is its oxidation-reduction activity. This is central to its use in analytical chemistry as a redox indicator and also explains its regulated formulation relevance in specialist contexts.
Methylene Blue is used in regulated product use as an oxidation-reduction agent for the management of acquired methemoglobinemia in adult and pediatric users. In Europe, methylthioninium chloride is also authorised as a diagnostic agent to enhance visualization of colorectal lesions during colonoscopy. These applications confirm its relevance as a regulated and diagnostic raw material in controlled product contexts.
Methylene Blue is widely used as a biological stain and bacteriological dye in laboratory practice. It is used in microscopy, histology, hematology, and general biological staining, and commercial sources list it as suitable for staining cells, bacteria, and other biological specimens.
In analytical applications, methylene blue is used as a redox indicator and reagent in selected standard methods. Ph. Eur. reagent-grade listings identify it as suitable for SM 4500-NH3 and other analytical uses where stable colour and redox response are required.
Methylene Blue is also used as a technical dye in non-pharmaceutical applications where a reliable blue colourant or functional dye is required. Under the designation Basic Blue 9 / C.I. 52015, it remains relevant for specialist industrial and laboratory supply.
Methylene Blue should be used in accordance with the intended application, applicable specification, and local regulatory requirements. In regulated use, it is administered under professional supervision and carries important precautions, including contraindication in specialist cases involving G6PD deficiency and risk of serotonin syndrome when combined with serotonergic regulated products. Product handling and storage should follow the relevant specification and Safety Data Sheet.
Methylene Blue is a versatile multi-purpose chemical with established use in pharmaceutical specialist product use, diagnostic procedures, laboratory staining, analytical chemistry, and technical dye applications. Its strong colour properties, redox activity, and long history of practical use make it an important raw material for manufacturers, laboratories, and regulated industries requiring reliable performance and clearly defined quality standards.
BHM Chemicals
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| CAS No. | [7220-79-3] |
| Synonyms | Methylthioninium Chloride; Basic Blue 9; |
| Characteristics | Dark blue crystalline powder with a copper-coloured sheen. |
| Identification | Conforms to USP37 tests |
| Loss on drying | 8.0 to 18.0% (75oC, pressure Max. 5mm Hg for 4h) |
| Residue on ignition | Not more than 1.2% |
| Arsenic | Conforms to USP37 test |
| Copper or Zinc | Conforms to USP37 test |
| Chromatographic Purity | As per USP37 test: Test solution, consist of a secondary spot that does not exceed in size or intensity, the principle spot obtained from the standard solution (10%) and not more than two additional spots, neither of which exceeds in size or intensity the principal spot from the diluted standard solution (1%). |
| Assay | 98.0% to 103.0% (75oC, pressure Max. 5mm Hg for 4h) |
Full documentation is available on request. Product suitability should be assessed by the customer for the intended application.
Documentation and enquiry
info@bhm-chemicals.com - +48 (0) 519 702 757
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