1. Product Overview
Azure II, CAS 37247-10-2, also known as Azur II or Methylene Azure II, is a thiazine-class basic dye consisting of an equimolar mixture of Methylene Blue and Azure I (Azur I). It appears as a dark green to deep green crystalline powder which is readily soluble in water to give a deep blue solution with absorption maximum lambda max 652 to 658 nm. This product is supplied in Biological Stain (BS) and Analytical Reagent (AR) grades, and is a key staining reagent for hematology and histology laboratories. It is widely used in Wright Giemsa and Richardson staining protocols to provide high-contrast differentiation of cellular components under light microscopy. Each batch is tested for dye content, solubility, and metachromatic performance to ensure reproducible staining results.
2. Key Features & Advantages
• Balanced equimolar mixture of Methylene Blue and Azure I delivers optimal nuclear chromatin staining in deep purple blue and cytoplasmic granule metachromasia in pink to violet.
• High water solubility of 10 to 40 mg per mL forming a clear deep blue solution suitable for aqueous and mixed aqueous alcoholic stains.
• Excellent metachromatic property showing blue to violet or pink color shift when binding to acidic tissue components such as mucopolysaccharides, cartilage matrix, and mast cell granules.
• Fully compatible with standard Wright Giemsa, Giemsa, and Richardson staining methods for blood smears, bone marrow films, and semi thin resin sections.
• Low background and high contrast formulation minimizes precipitate and non specific staining, improving readability of cellular morphology.
• Stable when stored sealed in cool dry dark conditions; working solutions can be prepared fresh or kept refrigerated in amber bottles.
3. Main Applications
• Hematology: primary reagent for Wright Giemsa staining of peripheral blood smears and bone marrow aspirates to differentiate leukocytes erythrocytes platelets and parasitic infections such as malaria and microfilaria.
• Histology and cytology: staining of formalin fixed paraffin sections for nuclei blue purple elastic fibers collagen pink metachromasia goblet cells mucus violet red and glycogen in PAS Azure II combination.
• Microscopy techniques: Richardson stain for 0.5 to 2 micron semi thin epoxy resin sections in electron microscopy sample preparation; also used with Toluidine Blue Azure II.
• Biochemical assays: employed as a colorimetric indicator in redox reactions and as a cationic dye for spectrophotometric measurement of heparin or nucleic acid concentrations.
• For research use only in laboratory staining microscopy and educational demonstrations; not for human or animal therapeutic use or in vivo diagnostics.
4. Technical Specifications
5. Storage & Handling
• Packaging: laboratory scale 1 g 5 g 10 g 25 g in amber glass vials with PTFE lined screw caps to block light and moisture; bulk 100 g 500 g 1 kg in double sealed polyethylene bags within moisture barrier foil pouches or desiccated containers; working solutions prepared fresh or stored refrigerated 2 to 8 degree C in amber bottles and discarded if precipitate or fading appears.
• Storage Conditions: store solid dye in a cool place 5 to 25 degree C dry and strictly dark preferably inside a desiccator away from direct sunlight heat sources strong acids and oxidizers; hygroscopic so keep container tightly sealed after each use.
• Shelf Life: 24 months for unopened original packaging; opened vials should be used within 3 to 6 months and resealed immediately.
• Handling: use in well ventilated area or fume hood; avoid generating dust; wear nitrile gloves safety goggles and lab coat; prepare working solutions with deionized water and filter through 0.45 micron if precipitate forms.
6. Safety Overview
• GHS Classification: Warning GHS07; Acute Tox 4 Oral; Skin Irrit 2; Eye Irrit 2A; STOT SE 3 Respiratory irritation.
• Hazard Statements: H302 Harmful if swallowed; H315 Causes skin irritation; H319 Causes serious eye irritation; H335 May cause respiratory irritation.
• Protective Measures: wear nitrile gloves safety glasses or face shield and particulate respirator N95 or P2; use local exhaust ventilation when weighing powder.
• First Aid: Inhalation move to fresh air seek medical attention if persistent irritation or breathing difficulty; Eye Contact rinse immediately with plenty running water min 15 minutes remove contact lenses if easy get medical advice if irritation continues; Skin Contact wash thoroughly with soap and water remove contaminated clothing launder before reuse; Ingestion rinse mouth do NOT induce vomiting drink small amount water seek immediate medical advice harmful if swallowed.
• Environmental Precautions: may be harmful to aquatic organisms at high concentration; do not discharge powder or concentrated solution into drains or natural waterways; collect waste in designated container for disposal as hazardous laboratory chemical waste per local regulations; not classified as dangerous goods for transport typically general lab waste or UN 3077.
