Phloroglucinol
Description
White to yellowish crystals that are used to detect the presence of mechanical wood pulp in paper. Phloroglucinol test solution contains hydrochloric acid and ethanol. A drop placed on the paper will turn red when lignin is present (detection limit is about 5%). Iron will react with phloroglucinol giving a purple product. Once the two-part solution is mixed, it has a shelf life of 2-3 months (TAPPI T401).
Synonyms and Related Terms
phloroglucinol dihydrate; 1,3,5-benzenetriol; 1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene; phloroglucine; phloroglucin stain
Other Properties
Soluble in ethanol, pyridine, ether. Slightly soluble in water.
Detection limit is about 5% when used as a stain to detect mechanical wood pulp.
| Composition | C6H3(OH)3 |
|---|---|
| CAS | 108-73-6 |
| Melting Point | 212-218 |
| Molecular Weight | mol. wt.=126.11 |
Hazards and Safety
Decomposes in light; store in dark container.
Inhalation and skin contact may cause irritation.
Mallinckrodt Baker: MSDS
Additional Information
AIC Book and Paper Catalog, 10. Spot Tests, page 12.
Sources Checked for Data in Record
- Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993
- Matt Roberts, Don Etherington, Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books: a Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 1982
- Book and Paper Group, Paper Conservation Catalog, AIC, 1984, 1989
- The Merck Index, Martha Windholz (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Rahway NJ, 10th edition, 1983 Comment: entry 7482