Phenolphthalein /finlfelin/[1] is a chemical compound with the formulaC20H14O4 and is often written

as "HIn" or "phph" in shorthand notation. Often used in titrations, it turns colorless in acidic solutions and
pink in basic solutions. If the concentration of indicator is particularly strong, it can appear purple. In
strongly basic solutions, phenolphthalein's pink color undergoes a rather slow fading reaction and
becomes colorless again. The molecule has four forms:
H3In+

H2In

In2

In(OH)3

pH

<0

08.2

8.212.0

>12.0

Conditions

strongly acidic

acidic or near-neutral

basic

strongly basic

Color

orange

colorless

pink to fuchsia

colorless

Species

Structure

Model

Image

The rather slow fading reaction that produces the colorless InOH 3 ion is sometimes used in classes for
the study of reaction kinetics.
Phenolphthalein is insoluble in water and usually is dissolved in alcohols for use in experiments. It is a
weak acid, which can lose H+ ions in solution. The phenolphthalein molecule is colorless, however, the
phenolphthalein ion is pink. When a base is added to the phenolphthalein, the molecule ions'

equilibrium shifts to the right, leading to more ionization as H + ions are removed. This is predicted by Le
Chatelier's principle.
Contents

1 Synthesis

2 Uses

3 Physiology

4 See also

5 References

6 External links

Synthesis[edit]
Phenolphthalein is synthesized by condensation of phthalic anhydride with two equivalents
of phenol under acidic conditions (hence the name). It was discovered in 1871 by Adolf von Baeyer.[2][3][4]

Uses[edit]
Phenolphthalein (pH indicator)
below pH 8.2
colorless

between pH 10.0 and 13.0

fuchsia

Phenolphthalein has been used for over a century as a laxative, but is now being removed from over-thecounter laxatives[5] because of concerns over carcinogenicity.[6][7]
Phenolphthalein is used in a test to identify substances that are thought to be, or to contain, blood. This
test is commonly known as the Kastle-Meyer test. A dry sample is collected with a swab or filter paper.

First a few drops of alcohol, then a few drops of phenolphthalein and finally a few drops of hydrogen
peroxide are dripped onto the sample. If the sample contains hemoglobin, it will turn pink. This is
considered a positive test and indicates that the sample contains hemoglobin and, therefore, is likely
blood. This test is nondestructive to the sample; it can be kept and used in further tests at the lab. This
test has the same reaction with blood from any animal, so further testing would be required to determine
whether it originates from a human.
Phenolphthalein is used in toys, for example as a component of disappearing inks, or disappearing dye
on the Hollywood HairBarbie hair. In the ink it is mixed with sodium hydroxide, which reacts with carbon
dioxide in the air. This reaction leads to the pH falling below the color change threshold as hydrogen ions
are released via the reaction:
OH (aq) + CO2 (g) CO32 (aq) + H+ (aq)
To develop the hair and "magic" graphical patterns, the ink is sprayed with a solution of hydroxide,
which leads to the appearance of the hidden graphics by the same mechanism described above for
color change in alkaline solution. The pattern will eventually disappear by the same reaction
with carbon dioxide detailed above. Thymolphthalein is used for the same purpose and in the same
way, when blue color is desired.[8]
Phenolphthalein is used as an acid or base indicator where in contact or presence of acid it will turn
colorless and with base, it will turn into a pinkish violet color. It is also a component in universal
indicator, a solution consisting of a mixture of pH indicators(usually phenolphthalein, methyl
red, bromothymol blue, and thymol blue).[9]
The acid-base indication abilities of phenolphthalein also make it useful for testing for signs of
carbonation reactions in concrete. Concrete has naturally high pH due to the calcium
hydroxide formed when Portland cement reacts with water. The pH of the ionic water solution present
in the pores of fresh concrete may be over 14. Normal carbonation of concrete occurs as the cement
hydration products in concrete react with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and can reduce the pH to
8 to 9, although that reaction usually is restricted to a thin layer at the surface. When a 1%
phenolphthalein solution is applied to normal concrete it will turn bright pink. If the concrete has
undergone carbonation, no color change will be observed