Uses
10-Benzoylleucomethylene Blue was used as a color-forming agent in colorless copying paper. It is also recommended for documents to make them safe against forgery.
Preparation
10-Benzoylleucomethylene Blue[1249-97-4] is obtained by reduction of Methylene Blue with hydrosulfite in aqueous alkaline medium, followed by benzoylation and then extraction of the crude product with toluene.
Mechanism of action
The mechanism of color-forming decomposition of N-benzoylleucomethylene blue during the copying process has been studied; the reaction is induced by photons and proceeds via free radicals.
