Indigo

C₁₆H₁₀N₂O₂

IUPAC: (2E)-2-(3-Oxo-1H-indol-2-ylidene)-1H-indol-3-one

CAS: 482-89-3

Overview

Indigo is the oldest known vat dye, used to color blue jeans since 1873. Natural indigo was one of the most valuable commodities for millennia before synthetic production began.

Composition

Element Symbol Atoms Atomic Mass
Hydrogen H 10 1.0080
Carbon C 16 12.0110
Nitrogen N 2 14.0070
Oxygen O 2 15.9990

Elemental Composition

H
Hydrogen ×10
3.8%
C
Carbon ×16
73.3%
N
Nitrogen ×2
10.7%
O
Oxygen ×2
12.2%

Uses

  • • Blue dye for denim
  • • Textile dyeing
  • • Biological stain

Fun Facts

  • ✦ Over 80,000 tonnes of synthetic indigo are produced annually, mostly for blue jeans

Structure

SMILES

C1=CC=C2C(=C1)C(=C(N2)C3=NC4=CC=CC=C4C3=O)O

Properties

Type
organic
State
solid
Molar Mass
262.27 g/mol
Melting Point
390.0 °C
Solubility
insoluble

Molecular Descriptors

Exact Mass
262.0742
XLogP
2.7
TPSA
65.5 Ų
H-Bond Donors
2
H-Bond Acceptors
3
Rotatable Bonds
1
Heavy Atoms
20
Complexity
448.0

Related Compounds

1,2-Dichloroethane

C₂H₄Cl₂

1,3-Butadiene

C₄H₆

1,4-Dioxane

C₄H₈O₂

1-Butanol

C₄H₁₀O

2-Propanol

C₃H₈O

Acetaldehyde

CH₃CHO

Acetamide

C₂H₅NO

Acetic Anhydride

C₄H₆O₃

Acetone

(CH₃)₂CO

Acetonitrile

C₂H₃N

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Indigo?
Indigo (C₁₆H₁₀N₂O₂) is a organic compound with the IUPAC name (2E)-2-(3-Oxo-1H-indol-2-ylidene)-1H-indol-3-one.
What is the molecular weight of Indigo?
Indigo has a molar mass of 262.27 g/mol.
What state is Indigo at room temperature?
Indigo is a solid at room temperature.
Is Indigo organic or inorganic?
Indigo is classified as an organic compound.
What elements make up Indigo?
Indigo (C₁₆H₁₀N₂O₂) is composed of Hydrogen (H), Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N), Oxygen (O).