Murexide

Description

A synthetic purple dyestuff discovered by Proust in 1818. Murexide was the first synthetic mordant dye. Proust prepared murexide as an ammonium derivative from purpuric acid, which had been derived earlier by Scheele. Murexide is a red to purple colorant that was used as a textile dye from about 1853 to 1865 when it was replaced by aniline dyes.

Synonyms and Related Terms

CI 56085; carmine de poupre (Fr.); murexida (Esp.); purpurate of ammonia

Resources and Citations

• Judith H. Hofenk de Graaff, The Colourful Past: Origins, Chemistry, and Identification of Natural Dyestuffs, Archetype, London, 2004

• F. Crace-Calvert, Dyeing and Calico Printing, Palmer & Howe, London, 1876

• A.Scharff, 'Synthetic dyestuffs for textiles and their fastness to washing', ICOM-CC Preprints Lyon, Getty Conservation Institute, Los Angeles, 1999