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Acridine (CAS 260-94-6) Supplier | Chelora Amines
AGlossary

Acridine

Dibenzo[b,e]pyridine · 10-Azaanthracene · 2,3-Benzoquinoline

CAS260-94-6 Pyridine / imidazole C13H9N · 179.22 g/mol

A tricyclic nitrogen heterocycle recovered from coal tar and also made synthetically. Acridine is the parent structure behind the acridine dyes and a long list of acridine-based pharmaceutical and fluorescent-stain intermediates. Supplied by Chelora Amines in research and bulk quantities with COA and SDS.

Identification
CAS number260-94-6
EC / EINECS number205-971-6
MDL numberMFCD00005025
Molecular formulaC13H9N
Molecular weight179.22 g/mol
FamilyPyridine / imidazole
HS code2933.99
Physical properties
AppearancePale yellow to light brown crystalline solid
OdourFaint, characteristic
Melting point110–111 °C (commercial grades from 107 °C)
Boiling point≈346 °C at 760 mmHg
Solubility in waterSlight; soluble in hot water
Solubility in solventsFreely soluble in alcohol, ether, benzene, carbon disulfide
CharacterWeak base; solutions fluoresce violet, salts green

What acridine is

Acridine is anthracene with the central CH replaced by nitrogen, which makes it a planar, weakly basic heterocycle that stacks readily between DNA base pairs — the property behind acridine stains and several classes of therapeutic agents. It was first isolated from coal tar by Gräbe and Caro in 1870 and is still recovered from high-boiling tar oils by dilute sulfuric acid extraction, alongside synthetic routes from N-phenylanthranilic acid and related precursors.

Industrially it matters less as a finished product than as a building block: ring substitution at the activated 9-position gives aminoacridines, acridones and acridinium salts used in dyes, antiseptics, chemiluminescent labels and OLED host materials.

Where it is used

Dye intermediates

Parent ring for acridine dyes such as acridine orange, acriflavine and proflavine.

Pharma intermediates

Starting point for aminoacridine antiseptics and acridine-based active intermediates.

Biological stains

Fluorescent nucleic-acid stains and mutagenesis research reagents in life-science labs.

Specialty synthesis

Acridinium salts and acridone chemistry for chemiluminescent labels and OLED materials.

PARAMETERTYPICAL VALUEMETHOD
AppearancePale yellow to light brown crystalline powderVisual
Assay (purity)min. 98.0 %HPLC
Melting range108.0 – 112.0 °CCapillary
Loss on dryingmax. 0.5 %Gravimetric
Residue on ignitionmax. 0.1 %Gravimetric
IdentityConforms to structureNMR / IR

Typical values only — batch figures are stated on the certificate of analysis. Custom specifications on request.

Handling, packing and shipping

  • Toxic if swallowed or inhaled; causes skin, eye and respiratory irritation and may cause sensitisation.
  • Handle in a fume hood with gloves, goggles and a lab coat; avoid dust formation.
  • Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, dark, dry, well-ventilated place away from oxidising agents and acids.
  • Sublimes before melting on heating; keep away from heat sources.
  • Harmful to aquatic life — do not release to drains or waterways.

Packing

25 kg fibre drums with inner liner, 1 kg and 5 kg HDPE jars, or customer-specified packing. Smaller glass-bottle quantities available for R&D.

Transport: UN 2713, Acridine, Class 6.1, PG III. Always ship against the current SDS and check local classification before despatch.

Common questions

What is the CAS number of acridine?

Acridine is registered under CAS number 260-94-6, EC number 205-971-6, with the molecular formula C13H9N and a molecular weight of 179.22 g/mol.

What is acridine mainly used for?

It is used as an intermediate rather than an end product — principally for acridine dyes and biological stains such as acridine orange, for aminoacridine antiseptics and other pharmaceutical intermediates, and for acridinium and acridone derivatives used in chemiluminescent labels and OLED materials.

Is acridine soluble in water?

Only slightly at room temperature. It dissolves in hot water and is freely soluble in alcohol, ether, benzene and carbon disulfide, so most processes use an organic solvent system.

How should acridine be stored?

In tightly closed containers in a cool, dark and dry place with good ventilation, away from acids and oxidising agents. Sublimation starts below the melting point, so avoid warm storage.

What quantities does Chelora Amines supply?

From 1 kg research quantities up to multi-drum commercial lots, packed in 25 kg fibre drums or to customer specification. Each despatch ships with a certificate of analysis and the current safety data sheet.

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3-Aminopropene
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156-87-6
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See all 36 chemicals under A · 333 chemicals in the full glossary

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