What is Bromothymol blue?

Bromothymol Blue is an indicator in the pH range from 6.0 to 7.6. Bromothymol blue is
the most commonly used pH indicator and is in low concentration and size container and
low toxicity. It contains a pH indicator, bromothymol blue, which causes the medium to
change from yellow to blue-green; it contains antimicrobial agents, chloramphenicol and
chlortetracycline, and an antimycotic agent, cycloheximide.
Other name – Dibromothymolsulfophthalein, 3,3′-Dibromothymolsulfonphthalein

C27H28Br2O5S Bromothymol Blue

Density 1.25 g/cm³

Molecular Weight/ Molar Mass 624.384 g/mol
Boiling Point 614.26° C at 760 mmHg
Melting Point 202 °C
Chemical Formula C27H28Br2O5S

Bromothymol blue Structure – C27H28Br2O5S

Physical Properties of Bromothymol blue – C27H28Br2O5S

Odour Odourless

Appearance Blue in basic solutions, yellow in acidic

solutions and green in neutral solution

Covalently-Bonded Unit 1

Complexity 818
 pH 7.6

Solubility Sparingly soluble in water

Uses of Bromothymol blue – C27H28Br2O5S

 In conjunction with phenol red, bromothymol blue was used to monitor the activity of the
fungal asparaginase enzyme with phenol turns to pink and bromothymol blue turns blue
indicating an increase in pH and thus enzyme activity.
 In obstetrics, bromothymol is used to detect premature membrane rupture. Typically,
amniotic fluid has a pH > 7.2, so bromothymol turns blue when it comes into contact with
amnion – leaking fluid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What colour is Bromothymol blue when in a base?
Blue bromthymol is a mild acid. Based on the solution’s pH it can be in acid or base form. For
acidic solutions, this reagent is purple, blue for simple solutions and green in neutral solutions.
Q2. What does Bromothymol blue indicate the presence of?
Bromothymol blue (BMB) is an indicator dye which turns yellow when an acid is present. When
carbon dioxide is added to the solution, carbonic acid is produced which lowers the solution’s pH.
Q3. What happens when you drink Bromothymol blue?
Bromothymol blue powder can cause irritation of the skin and eyes, and acute toxicity if
swallowed. Tiny, spontaneous digestion has not seen any problems, but high levels can cause
nausea and vomiting, even death. Drinking water will treat incidental swallowing.
Q4. Why is Bromothymol blue-green in neutral solutions?
Bromothymol blue serves in the solution as a heavy acid. In neutral water, this is bluish-green. The
deprotonation of the neutral form results in a highly conjugated structure which accounts for the
color difference. The greenish colour of the neutral solution is responsible for an intermediate of
the deprotonation process.
Q5. Is Bromothymol Blue toxic?
Chronic effects on humans: causes the following organs to suffer damage: lungs, mucous
membranes. Many Adverse Effects on Humans: Very dangerous for ingestion. Dangerous for skin
touch (irritant), and inhalation.