Methyl red

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Methyl red
Skeletal formula of methyl red
Ball-and-stick model of methyl red
Crystals of Methyl red sodium salt.jpg
Preferred IUPAC name
2-{[4-(Dimethylamino)phenyl]diazenyl}benzoic acid
3D model (JSmol)
ECHA InfoCard 100.007.070
Molar mass 269.304 g·mol−1
Density 0.791 g/cm3
Melting point 179–182 °C (354–360 °F; 452–455 K) [1]
Solubility soluble in ethanol[1]
UV-vismax) 410 nm[1]
Harmful Xn
R-phrases (outdated) R20, R21, R22, R36/37/38, R40
S-phrases (outdated) S24/25
NFPA 704
☒N verify (what is ☑Y☒N ?)
Infobox references
Methyl Red (pH indicator)
below pH 4.4 above pH 6.2
4.4 6.2

Methyl red (2-(N,N-dimethyl-4-aminophenyl) azobenzenecarboxylic acid), also called C.I. Acid Red 2, is an indicator dye that turns red in acidic solutions. It is an azo dye, and is a dark red crystalline powder. Methyl red is a pH indicator; it is red in pH under 4.4, yellow in pH over 6.2, and orange in between, with a pKa of 5.1.[2] Murexide and methyl red are investigated as promising enhancers of sonochemical destruction of chlorinated hydrocarbon pollutants. Methyl red is classed by the IARC in group 3 - unclassified as to carcinogenic potential in humans.

Color transition of methyl red solution under different acid–base conditions. Left: acidic, middle: about pH 5.1 (the pKa), right: alkaline


As an azo dye, methyl red may be prepared by diazotization of anthranilic acid, followed by reaction with dimethylaniline:[3]

Preparation of Methyl Red.png


Methyl red displays pH dependent photochromism, with protonation causing it to adopt a hydrazone/quinone structure.

Methyl red indicator.svg

Methyl Red has a special use in Histopathology for showing acidic nature of tissue and presence of organisms with acidic natured cell walls.

Methyl red test[edit]

Methyl red test: Escherichia coli (left side) showing a 'positive' result, and Enterobacter cloacae (right side) showing a 'negative' result

In microbiology, methyl red is used in the methyl red test (MR test), used to identify bacteria producing stable acids by mechanisms of mixed acid fermentation of glucose (cf. Voges–Proskauer test).

The MR test, the "M" portion of the four IMViC tests, is used to identify enteric bacteria based on their pattern of glucose metabolism. All enterics initially produce pyruvic acid from glucose metabolism. Some enterics subsequently use the mixed acid pathway to metabolize pyruvic acid to other acids, such as lactic, acetic, and formic acids. These bacteria are called methyl-red positive and include Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris. Other enterics subsequently use the butylene glycol pathway to metabolize pyruvic acid to neutral end products. These bacteria are called methyl-red-negative and include Serratia marcescens and Enterobacter aerogenes.


An isolate is inoculated into a tube with a sterile transfer loop. The tube is incubated at 35 °C (95 °F) for 2–5 days. After incubation, 2.5 ml of the medium are transferred to another tube. Five drops of the pH indicator methyl red is added to this tube. The tube is gently rolled between the palms to disperse the methyl red.

Expected results[edit]

Enterics that subsequently metabolize pyruvic acid to other acids lower the pH of the medium to 4.2. At this pH, methyl red turns red, a positive test. Enterics that subsequently metabolize pyruvic acid to neutral end products lower the pH of the medium to only 6.0. At this pH, methyl red is yellow, a negative test.

See also[edit]


  1. ^ a b c Sigma-Aldrich Co., Methyl red. Retrieved on 2014-06-02.
  2. ^ IB chemistry Higher Level: "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-09-22. Retrieved 2009-11-29.CS1 maint: Archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ H. T. Clarke; W. R. Kirner (1941). "Methyl Red". Organic Syntheses.; Collective Volume, 1, p. 374
  • "Microbiology, A Photographic Atlas for the Laboratory", Alexander, Street, Pearson Education, 2001.

External links[edit]