The Probert Encyclopaedia of Science & Technology

ALIZARINE

Alizarine is a substance contained in the madder root, and largely used in dyeing reds of various shades, as Turkey red, etc. Formerly madder root was largely employed as a dye-stuff, its capability of dyeing being chiefly due to the presence in it of alizarine; but the use of the root has been almost superseded by the employment of alizarine itself, prepared artificially from one of the constituents of coal-tar. It forms yellowish-red prismatic crystals, nearly insoluble in cold, but dissolved to a small extent by boiling water, and readily soluble in alcohol and ether. It possesses exceedingly strong tinctorial powers.
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