Methyl red

Methyl red
Identifiers
493-52-7 Yes
63451-28-5 (HCl salt) 
845-10-3 (sodium salt) 
ChEBI CHEBI:49770 
ChemSpider 9881 
Jmol-3D images Image
KEGG C19459 Yes
PubChem 10303
Properties
Molecular formula
 C15H15N3O2
Molar mass 269.30 g·mol−1
Density 0.791 g/cm3
Melting point 179–182 °C (354–360 °F; 452–455 K) [1]
Solubility soluble in ethanol[1]
UV-vis (λmax) 410 nm[1]
Hazards
EU classification Xn
R-phrases R20, R21, R22, R36/37/38, R40
S-phrases S24/25
NFPA 704
Flammability code 1: Must be pre-heated before ignition can occur. Flash point over 93 °C (200 °F). E.g., canola oil Health code 2: Intense or continued but not chronic exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury. E.g., chloroform Reactivity code 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g., liquid nitrogen Special hazards (white): no codeNFPA 704 four-colored diamond
1
2
0
Except where noted otherwise, data is given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C (77 °F), 100 kPa)
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Infobox references
Methyl Red (pH indicator)
below pH 4.4 above pH 6.2
4.4 ⇌ 6.2

Methyl red (2-(N,N-Dimethyl-4-aminophenyl)azobenzenecarboxylic acid), also called C.I. Acid Red 2, is an indicator dye that turns red in acidic solutions. It is an azo dye, and is a dark red crystalline powder. Methyl red is a pH indicator; it is red in pH under 4.4, yellow in pH over 6.2, and orange in between, with a pKa of 5.1.[2] Murexide and methyl red are investigated as promising enhancers of sonochemical destruction of chlorinated hydrocarbon pollutants.Methyl red is classed by the IARC in group 3 - unclassified as to carcinogenic potential in humans.

Color transition of methyl red solution under different acid-base conditions. Left: acidic, middle: neutral, right: alkaline

Preparation

As an azo dye, methyl red may be prepared by diazotization of anthranilic acid, followed by reaction with dimethylaniline:[3]

Methyl red test

Methyl red test: Escherichia coli (left side) showing a 'positive' result, and Enterobacter cloacae (right side) showing a 'negative' result

In microbiology, methyl red is used in the methyl red test (MR test), used to identify bacteria producing stable acids by mechanisms of mixed acid fermentation of glucose (cf. Voges–Proskauer test).

The MR test, the "M" portion of the four IMViC tests, is used to identify enteric bacteria based on their pattern of glucose metabolism. All enterics initially produce pyruvic acid from glucose metabolism. Some enterics subsequently use the mixed acid pathway to metabolize pyruvic acid to other acids, such as lactic, acetic, and formic acids. These bacteria are called methyl-red positive and include Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris. Other enterics subsequently use the butylene glycol pathway to metabolize pyruvic acid to neutral end products. These bacteria are called methyl-red-negative and include Serratia marcescens and Enterobacter aerogenes.

Process

An isolate is inoculated into a tube with a sterile transfer loop. The tube is incubated at 35 °C (95 °F) for 2–5 days. After incubation, 2.5 ml of the medium are transferred to another tube. Five drops of the pH indicator methyl red is added to this tube. The tube is gently rolled between the palms to disperse the methyl red.

Expected results

Enterics that subsequently metabolize pyruvic acid to other acids lower the pH of the medium to 4.2. At this pH, methyl red turns red, a positive test. Enterics that subsequently metabolize pyruvic acid to neutral end products lower the pH of the medium to only 6.0. At this pH, methyl red is yellow, a negative test.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sigma-Aldrich Co., Methyl red. Retrieved on 2014-06-02.
  2. ↑ IB chemistry Higher Level: http://ibchem.com/IB/ibnotes/full/aab_htm/18.6.htm
  3. ↑ H. T. Clarke; W. R. Kirner (1941). "Methyl Red". Org. Synth.; Coll. Vol. 1, p. 374

External links

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