Methyl Yellow is a chemical compound commonly used as a pH indicator in laboratories. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /ˈmɛθəl ˈjɛloʊ/. The spelling of Methyl Yellow is based on its chemical structure, which contains a methyl group (-CH3) and a yellow color. The "ethyl" part of the name is replaced with "methyl" since it only has one carbon atom in its chain. The "yellow" part refers to the color that this compound exhibits in solutions with a pH range between 2.9 to 4.0.
Methyl Yellow is a synthetic organic compound that falls under the category of azo dye. It is commonly used as an indicator in analytical chemistry to determine the pH level of a solution. Methyl Yellow is also known by its chemical name, N,N-Dimethyl-4-aminoazobenzene, or by its molecular formula, C14H15N3.
Visually, Methyl Yellow appears as a bright yellow crystalline powder that is sparingly soluble in water. It has a molecular weight of approximately 225.3 grams per mole. When dissolved in a basic solution, Methyl Yellow turns orange-yellow, while in an acidic solution, it exhibits a distinct yellow color. This makes it a useful pH indicator in laboratory settings, facilitating the determination of whether a solution is acidic or basic.
Methyl Yellow is widely employed in various scientific fields, including biochemistry and molecular biology, to assess the presence or absence of acid or base characteristics. Due to its robust color change capabilities, it provides researchers with a quick and efficient method of confirming pH levels. Additionally, Methyl Yellow has applications in quality control processes, such as in the analysis of food and beverage products, where pH level monitoring is crucial.
It is important to handle Methyl Yellow with caution as it can be toxic and harmful if ingested, inhaled, or in contact with skin. Therefore, appropriate safety measures, such as wearing protective gloves and eyewear, should be taken when working with this compound.
The word "methyl" in "Methyl Yellow" refers to the methyl group (-CH3), which is a chemical functional group consisting of three hydrogen atoms bonded to a carbon atom. It is derived from the Greek word "methy" meaning "wine" and the Latin word "methylum" meaning "wood spirit" because in early alchemy, the process of distilling wine or wood gave rise to this methyl group.
The term "yellow" refers to the color of the compound.