Quirks of dye nomenclature. 10. Eosin Y and its close relatives

Abstract

The long history of eosin Y, eosin B and the methyl and ethyl eosins is recounted as well as their synthesis, the variety of their molecular species and some of the myriad applications of these dyes. Chromatographic techniques are described that reveal the purity or lack of it in commercial samples. Toxicological studies are discussed that suggest that the eosins are virtually non toxic, but efforts to remove them from the environment imply that there may be some risk.

Key words:

• analysis
• eosin
• history
• molecular species
• synthesis
• toxicity