PONCEAU 3R

Chemical Properties

Dark-red powder. Soluble in water and acids to form a cherry-red solution; slightly soluble in alcohol; insoluble in alkalies.

Uses

Dyeing wool. Colorant in food, drugs and cosmetics.

Definition

A water-soluble red dye.

General Description

Dark red crystals or red powder.

Air & Water Reactions

Azo dyes can be explosive when suspended in air at specific concentrations. Water soluble.

Reactivity Profile

PONCEAU 3R is an azo compound. Azo, diazo, azido compounds can detonate. This applies in particular to organic azides that have been sensitized by the addition of metal salts or strong acids. Toxic gases are formed by mixing materials of this class with acids, aldehydes, amides, carbamates, cyanides, inorganic fluorides, halogenated organics, isocyanates, ketones, metals, nitrides, peroxides, phenols, epoxides, acyl halides, and strong oxidizing or reducing agents. Flammable gases are formed by mixing materials in this group with alkali metals. Explosive combination can occur with strong oxidizing agents, metal salts, peroxides, and sulfides.

Hazard

Prohibited by FDA for use in foods, drugs, cosmetics. Possible carcinogen.

Fire Hazard

Flash point data for PONCEAU 3R are not available; however, PONCEAU 3R is probably combustible.

Safety Profile

Confirmed carcinogen with experimental carcinogenic and tumorigenic data. Mutation data reported. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NOx and SOx.