Acridine

Acridine, C₁₃H₉N, a constituent of coal tar, extracted from the anthracene oil fraction. Colorless or yellowish needle-shaped crystals, melting at 107-111°, soluble in water, alcohol, ether, carbon disulfide, and hydrocarbons. Acridine and its compounds are used in the production of various organic nitrogen-containing dyes used for dyeing yarn, fabrics, and leather (acridine-orange, benzol-flavine, yellow A., chrysaniline, etc.). A. in all its physical states and its salts cause irritation and inflammatory phenomena of the skin and visible mucous membranes. - Symptoms of exposure to A.: salivation, lacrimation, itching, sneezing, hyperesthesia, in particularly serious cases - increased blood pressure, disorders of respiration and circulation. In some cases, effects on the central nervous system have been noted. - Preventive measures: removal of dust and vapors, sealing of equipment, proper protective clothing. Acridine dyes, basic dyes whose molecule is constructed on the anthracene type, with a pyridine ring as the chromophore group. In microtechnique, water-soluble acridine red (Acridinrot) is used, which gives excellent staining of nuclei and colloids by the Train method (see, Train staining).