4775. Hydrindantin

Nomenclature

CAS number: 5103-42-4
2,2′-Dihydroxy-[2,2′-bi-1H-indene]-1,1′,3,3′-(2H,2′H)-tetrone; 2,2′-dihydroxy-[2,2′-biindan]-1,1′,3,3′-tetrone; reduced ninhydrin.
C18H10O6; mol wt 322.27.
C 67.08%, H 3.13%, O 29.79%.

Description and references

Formed by the action of potassium cyanide on ninhydrin: Bruice, Richards, J. Org. Chem. 23, 145 (1958). Convenient prepn by reduction of ninhydrin with ascorbic acid: Moore, Stein, J. Biol. Chem. 211, 907 (1954).

Chemical structure

Derivative

Dihydrate.

Properties

Prisms from acetone, anhydr at 100°, turns reddish-brown at 200°, dec 249-254°. Very sparingly sol in hot water; sol in Methyl Cellosolve. Sol with decompn in aq Na2CO3 solns (deep red color), and in NaOH solns (deep blue color). Can be precipitated from carbonate solns by the addn of acid. Deep purple color with ammonia and blue color with amino acids.

Use

Reagent for the photometric determination of amino acids and similar compds.