The product Hematoxylin according to HARRIS (Q) is used in in vitro diagnostics, histology and in scientific laboratories as a dye for staining acidic structures such as cell nuclei and DNA contained therein as well as the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Chemically, hematoxylin is a naturally occurring dye with the formula C16H14O6.

In solution, hematoxylin reacts with potassium alum and mercury(II) oxide to form a complex compound that causes the bluish staining on acidic structures. The complex compound formed by the reaction of hematoxylin and potassialaun is unstable and is stabilized by the oxidation of hematoxylin to hematein. The addition of mercury(II) oxide facilitates the oxidation of hematoxylin to hematein.

The oxidation occurs by electrophilic substitution and leads to the formation of the stable, dark purple hematein molecule. Hematein has a higher affinity for acidic structures and can therefore be used as a dye to specifically stain these structures.

Possible results from the use of hematoxylin according to HARRIS (Q) may vary depending on the intended use. In in vitro diagnostics, it can help detect disease and abnormalities in cell samples. In histology, it can be used to examine tissue samples, and in scientific laboratories, it can be used to study cell structure and function.

In summary, hematoxylin according to HARRIS (Q) is used as a dye in various fields to stain acidic structures such as cell nuclei and DNA contained within them, as well as the rough endoplasmic reticulum in blue color. Oxidation of hematoxylin to hematein helps stabilize the dye and enables targeted staining of acidic structures in samples.