Malachite green metabolized into LMG. Only the cation MG is deeply colored, whereas the leuco and alcohol derivatives are not. This difference arises because only the cationic form has extended pi-delocalization, which allows the molecule to absorb visible light. The leuco form of malachite green was first prepared by Hermann Fischer in 1877 by condensing benzaldehyde and dimethylaniline in the molecular ratio 1:2 in the presence of sulfuric acid. Malachite green is traditionally used as a dye. Kilotonnes of MG and related triarylmethane dyes are produced annually for this purpose. MG is active against the oomycete "Saprolegnia", which infects fish eggs in
The Malachite Box Stone" () inspired by "Yermak's Swans". In 2006 "Sinyushka's Well" was adapted into the musical for Russian folk instruments orchestra by Svetlana Nesterova. A docufiction feature film "Tales of the Ural Mountains" (), released by Sverdlovsk Film Studio in 1968, combined information about Bazhov's works with acted scenes from "The Mistress of the Copper Mountain", "The Stone Flower", "The Master Craftsman", "The Fire-Fairy", "The Twisted Roll", "That Spark of Life". The animated film series based on the stories from "The Malachite Box" was made at Sverdlovsk Film Studio from the early 1970s to early 1980s, on time for the 100th