Phenolphthalein is a mild acid used in medicine and science, including as an ingredient in laxatives and for testing acidity. It is colorless in solutions and dissolves in alcohols. It can cause coughing if inhaled. It can turn red or pink in solutions with an acidity rating of 8 to 10 and purple if the acidity rating exceeds pH 10. It has been used as a laxative but may cause cancer in humans. It can also be used in blood tests and toy manufacturing.
Phenolphthalein is a mild acid that can be used for medical and scientific purposes. When used medicinally, this compound is most commonly recognized as an ingredient in over-the-counter laxatives. In laboratory settings, it is typically used to test the acidity of other substances.
Phenolphthalein is a crystalline powder that is usually white, but can sometimes have a yellow tinge. It typically does not have a smell or taste. However, it can cause coughing or sneezing if inhaled.
This compound is often used for titration. This is a process in chemistry where a known amount of a chemical is used to cause a reaction that will reveal information about another chemical. When added to a solution for this type of chemical test, phenolphthalein is colorless. Phenolphthalein generally does not dissolve in water but can be dissolved by alcohols such as ethanol and ether.
Solutions containing phenolphthalein for chemical tests are therefore generally alcohol-based. When the experiment begins, the liquid should be clear. If that solution is combined with a chemical that has a pH, or acidity rate, of about 8 or less, it usually runs out of color.
If the solution is mixed with a substance that has an acidity rating of 8 to 10, it may turn red or pink. If the acid levels of a substance exceed pH 10, the phenolphthalein solution can turn purple. As acid levels move into the higher double digits, the solution typically becomes clear again. The color indication involved in this type of test is typically described as a slow fading process.
Phenolphthalein has been used as a laxative for generations. There are growing concerns, however, that phenolphthalein can cause cancer in humans. These beliefs are typically driven by studies involving mice that developed tumors from exposure to the substance. These fears have led many drug manufacturers to replace the substance with others that have laxative effects. The United States, for example, has seen a significant decline in its use.
This substance also has other uses that are not commonly recognized. It can be used for blood tests in a process that typically also involves hydrogen peroxide. The substance can also be used in the manufacture of some toys.
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