Rosocyanine is a dark green solid with a glossy, metallic shine that forms red colored solutions. It is almost insoluble in water and some organic solvents, very slightly soluble (up to 0.01%) in ethanol, and somewhat soluble (approximately 1%) in pyridine, sulfuric acid, and acetic acid. An alcoholic solution of rosocyanine temporarily turns deeply blue on treatment with alkali.
In rubrocurcumin one molecule of curcumin is replaced with oxalic acid. Rubrocurcumin produces a similar red colored solution. Rosocyanine is an ionic compound, while rubrocurcumin is a neutral complex.