Propidium iodide Chemical Properties

Melting point:

220-225 °C (dec.) (lit.)

Density 

1.5072 (estimate)

storage temp. 

2-8°C

solubility 

Difficult to mix.

form 

Flaky Powder

color 

Dark red

Appearance

Red solid or powder

Water Solubility 

Soluble in water at 1mg/ml

λmax

493 nm, 535 nm

Sensitive 

Light Sensitive & Hygroscopic

ex/em

535/617 nm (and DNA)

ε(extinction coefficient)

5400 cm−1M−1 (water/DNA)

BRN 

3843838

Major Application

Electroluminescent displays; photoresists

Biological Applications

Detecting nucleic acids,cancer cells,spores,activity of hydrolase,microorganisms; apoptosis assay; measuring beta-amyloid in Alzheimer’s disease (AD); treating diseases associated with androgens,cancer

InChIKey

ISKCJFFZOPXOFC-UHFFFAOYSA-N

SMILES

C([N+]1=C2C=C(N)C=CC2=C2C=CC(N)=CC2=C1C1C=CC=CC=1)CC[N+](C)(CC)CC.[I-]

CAS DataBase Reference

25535-16-4(CAS DataBase Reference)

Safety Information

Hazard Codes 

Xi,Xn

Risk Statements 

36/37/38-68-67-48/20/22-40-36/38-22-20-63

Safety Statements 

26-36-22-36/37

WGK Germany 

3

RTECS 

SF7949600

F 

3-8-10-23

HS Code 

29339900

MSDS

• Language:English Provider:SigmaAldrich

Propidium iodide Usage And Synthesis

Description

Propidium iodide (PI) is membrane impermeant and generally excluded from viable cells. However, it can easily penetrate dead or damaged cells and as such is commonly used for identifying cell viability in a population or as a counterstain in multicolor fluorescent techniques. It binds to DNA and RNA by intercalating between the bases. PI is excited at 488-535 nm with an emission maximum of 617 nm. This probe is suitable for fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry.

Chemical Properties

Dark Red Solid

Uses

1 mg/mL in water

Uses

Propidium iodide is the most common red-fluorescent nuclear stain. It can also be excited using excitation filters appropriate for green-fluorescent dyes.

Uses

Antibacterial;Detergent

Uses

Used as fluorescent stain for nucleic acids,and used in flow cytometry to evaluate cell viability

Uses

Propidium Iodide is a phenanthridine compound, a class of compounds with reported activity against several species of trypanosomes. Propidium iodide may be used in flow cytometry to evaluate cell viab ility when used with other dyes that stain viable cells or cells that are early in the apoptosis process.

Definition

ChEBI: Propidium iodide is an organic iodide salt. It contains a propidium.

General Description

Extinction coefficient(493 nm): 5900 M ^-1cm^-1;(287 nm): 55,700 M ^-1cm^-1;

Biochem/physiol Actions

Primary TargetMembrane impermeable DNA intercalator

storage

+4°C

Purification Methods

It crystallises as red crystals from H2O containing a little KI. It fluoresces strongly with nucleic acids. [Watkins J Chem Soc 3064 1952, Beilstein 22 III/IV 5519.] TOXIC.

References

[1] SIMON JOHNSON  David C  Vy Nguyen. Assessment of Cell Viability[J]. Current Protocols in Cytometry, 2013, 64 1. DOI: 10.1002/0471142956.cy0902s64

Abs/Em Maxima

537 (complex)/616 (complex) nm

Propidium iodide(25535-16-4)Related Product Information

• Lithium iodide
• Potassium iodide
• BISMUTH POTASSIUM IODIDE
• Propyl butyrate
• Cuprous iodide
• Iodine
• Propyl gallate
• NESSLER'S REAGENT
• Lead(II) iodide
• SAMARIUM(II) IODIDE
• Sodium iodide
• Cesium iodide
• Ethyleneimine
• 1-METHYLISOQUINOLINE
• Phenanthridine
• Isoquinoline
• 7-Aminoisoquinoline
• 2-Phenylpyridine
• Pi Staining Solution
• Propidium Iodide Solution