Ninhydrin

• CAT Number: R024351
• CAS Number: 485-47-2
• Molecular Formula: C9H6O4
• Molecular Weight: 178.14
• Purity: ≥95%
• Synonyms: 2,2-Dihydroxy-1,3-indandione; 1H-Indene-1,2,3-trione 2-Hydrate; 2,2-Dihydroxy-1,3-dioxoindan; 2,2-Dihydroxy-1,3-indandione; 2,2-Dihydroxy-1H-indene-1,3(2H)-dione; 2,2-Dihydroxy-indene-1,3-dione; 2,2-Dihydroxyindane-1,3-dione; 2,3-Dihydro-2,2-dihyd
• Storage: -20°C
• IUPAC Name: 2,2-dihydroxyindene-1,3-dione
• InChI: InChI=1S/C9H6O4/c10-7-5-3-1-2-4-6(5)8(11)9(7,12)13/h1-4,12-13H
• InChIKey: FEMOMIGRRWSMCU-UHFFFAOYSA-N
• SMILES: C1=CC=C2C(=C1)C(=O)C(C2=O)(O)O

Ninhydrin (CAT: R024351) is a well-known chemical reagent widely used for the qualitative and quantitative detection of amino acids, peptides, and amines. Upon reaction with free amino groups, Ninhydrin produces a deep purple or blue chromophore known as Ruhemann’s purple, enabling sensitive colorimetric analysis. It is a critical tool in protein analysis, chromatography, and forensic science, especially for developing latent fingerprints on porous surfaces such as paper. Ninhydrin’s high reactivity toward primary and secondary amines makes it essential in biochemical assays, amino acid sequencing, and educational laboratory settings.