BROMPHENOL BLUE
4,4'- (3H-2,1-Benzoxathiol-3-ylidene)Bis[2,6-Dibromophenol]-S,S-Dioxide
BROMPHENOL BLUE is listed in the EU CosIng inventory, but no direct annex records are linked on this page yet.
Regulatory evidence by market
No rule for this ingredient has been imported for any of the 13 markets tracked here.
That describes this inventory, not the law. No imported rule is not evidence that an ingredient is permitted: a rule may exist under another name or identifier, or in a dataset not yet imported here.
Chemical identity and properties
Bromophenol Blue
Bromophenol blue is 3H-2,1-Benzoxathiole 1,1-dioxide in which both of the hydrogens at position 3 have been substituted by 3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxyphenyl groups. It is used as a laboratory indicator, changing from yellow below pH 3 to purple at pH 4.6, and as a size marker for monitoring the progress of agarose gel and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. It has also been used as an industrial dye. It has a role as a dye, an acid-base indicator and a two-colour indicator. It is a member of phenols, an organobromine compound, a 2,1-benzoxathiole, a sultone and an arenesulfonate ester. — ChEBI
- IUPAC name
- 2,6-dibromo-4-[3-(3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1-dioxo-2,1lambda6-benzoxathiol-3-yl]phenol
- Molecular formula
- C19H10Br4O5S
- Molecular weight
- 670.0 g/mol
- Exact mass
- 669.69415 Da
- XLogP3
- 5.8
- Topological polar surface area
- 92.2 Ų
- Hydrogen-bond donors
- 2
- Hydrogen-bond acceptors
- 5
- Covalent units
- 1
- Defined stereocentres
- 0
Also known as
16 more reported names
External database identifiers
- ChEBI:CHEBI:59424
- ChEMBL:CHEMBL2103765
- EPA DTXSID:DTXSID6041682
- PubMed:19520855
- PubMed:18562314
Evidence from additional scientific databases
NIH PubChem PUG-View
Attributed physical-property, hazard, environmental and use annotations.
- Color/Form: Hexagonal prisms from acetic acid and acetone Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Color/Form: Elongated hexagonal prisms from acetic acid and acetone Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Dissociation Constants: pKa = 4.0 Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Melting Point: Decomposes at 279 °C (An orange discoloration with formation of a green sublimate sets in at 210 °C) Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Physical Description: Odorless solid; Color varies (tan, orange, light pink, purple, or red) [CHEMINFO] Slightly soluble in water; [MSDSonline] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Solubility: Soluble in acetic acid Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Solubility: Soluble in water (about 0.4 g/100 mL); more soluble in methyl and ethyl alcohol, and in benzene. Freely soluble in NaOH solutions with the formation of a water-soluble sodium salt. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Solubility: In water, 3 mg/mL Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Environmental Bioconcentration: An estimated BCF of 1.4X10+4 was calculated in fish for bromophenol blue(SRC), using an estimated log Kow of 6.77(1) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this BCF suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is very high, provided the compound is not metabolized by the organism(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Environmental Fate: TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 1.5X10+6(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that bromophenol blue is expected to be immobile in soil(SRC). The pKa of bromophenol blue is 4.0(3), indicating that this compound will almost entirely exist in anion form in the environment and anions generally do not adsorb more strongly to soils containing organic carbon and clay than their neutral counterparts(4). Volatilization from moist soil surfaces is not expected because the acid exists as an anion and anions do not volatilize. Bromophenol is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 2.7X10-17 mm Hg(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(5). Bromophenol blue has been found to be biodegraded by select fungi(6). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Environmental Fate: AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 1.5X10+6(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that bromophenol blue is expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). A pKa of 4.0(3) indicates bromophenol blue will exist almost entirely in the anion form at pH values of 5 to 9 and therefore volatilization from water surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(4). According to a classification scheme(5), an estimated BCF of 1.4X10+4(SRC), from an estimated log Kow of 6.77(6) and a regression-derived equation(7), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is very high, provided the compound is not metabolized by the organism(SRC). Bromophenol blue is not expected to undergo hydrolysis in the environment due to the lack of functional groups that hydrolyze under environmental conditions(8). Bromophenol blue has been found to be biodegraded by select fungi(9). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Environmental Fate: ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), bromophenol blue, which has an estimated vapor pressure of 2.7X10-17 mm Hg at 25 °C(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(2), is expected to exist solely in the particulate phase in the ambient atmosphere. Particulate-phase bromophenol blue may be removed from the air by wet or dry deposition(SRC). Bromophenol blue has a maximum absorbance wavelength of 598 nm(3) and therefore may be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Sources/Uses: Used as a dye, laboratory indicator, and biological stain; [ChemIDplus] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing) [Category: Industry] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Uses: As indicator, pH 3.0 yellow; pH 4.6 purple. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Uses: Vital dye for vitreoretinal surgery Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Uses: Adsorption Indicators. Indicator: bromophenol blue; Titratable ions: Cl, I; Titrant (Reagent): Ag; Color change: yellow - green - greenish blue. /from table/ Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Uses: Vital dye for vitreoretinal surgery. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Mapped by: Existing checksum-valid CAS to unique PubChem CID match. Retrieved: 2026-08-31. Open source record
Scientific classifications and hazard annotations provide context and do not replace the market-specific regulatory decision shown above.
Additional source coverage and match status
| Source | Result | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| NIH PubChem PUG-View | Exact match | 2026-08-31 |
A recorded no-match is useful evidence that the source was checked; it is not a claim that the substance does not exist elsewhere.
Retrieved from NIH PubChem on 2026-08-31 by checksum-valid CAS matching. Chemical properties do not replace the regulatory decision on this page.
Inventory details for BROMPHENOL BLUE
INCI name
BROMPHENOL BLUE
Description
4,4'- (3H-2,1-Benzoxathiol-3-ylidene)Bis[2,6-Dibromophenol]-S,S-Dioxide
Record provenance
- Inventory reference
- 54969
- Imported identity
- BROMPHENOL BLUE
- Source update
- 15/10/2010
Annex records for BROMPHENOL BLUE
Key data
- ANTIMICROBIAL
- Preventing and/or slowing down microbial growth.
- ANTIOXIDANT
- Inhibiting reactions promoted by oxygen, thus avoiding oxidation and rancidity.
Official EU ingredient-name evidence
The ingredient name exactly matches the official 2025 EU glossary of common ingredient names.
Related inventory evidence
Ingredients with overlapping formulation functions
Additional official and scientific sources
11 external databases to check this identity in
Each link searches that source for this identity. What each source is, and its legal weight
How BROMPHENOL BLUE appears in the CosIng inventory
The CosIng inventory lists BROMPHENOL BLUE as a cosmetic ingredient and this page links it to 0 annex records. The inventory entry captures names and identifiers, while the annex records show where the substance is prohibited, restricted or positively listed in EU cosmetics law.
BROMPHENOL BLUE is also tagged with 2 cosmetic functions in the official data. Function labels describe intended use, but they do not replace regulatory review of linked annex records before formulation or labelling work.
Frequently asked questions
Source note for BROMPHENOL BLUE
This page reproduces the CosIng inventory entry for BROMPHENOL BLUE from public European Commission cosmetic ingredient materials and shows linked identifiers even when no direct annex match is currently attached.
Use this inventory page to research BROMPHENOL BLUE and compare linked records, but verify restrictions and legal status against the current official source text and law before making regulatory decisions.
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