Melting point 210 °C | ||
![]() | ||
Brilliant Green is one of the triarylmethane dyes. It is closely related to malachite green.
Contents
Uses
Brilliant Green has been used to color silk and wool.

In Eastern Europe and Russia (and formerly the USSR) the dilute alcoholic solution of Brilliant Green is sold as a topical antiseptic, also known under a Latin name Viridis nitentis spirituosa and a Russian colloquial name зелёнка [zelyonka, lit. an informal colloqialism for "the green"].

Brilliant Green is effective against gram-positive bacteria. The main advantage of Brilliant Green over the more common antiseptics such as iodine is that it does not irritate mucous membranes as harshly on accidental contact (Soviet medical doctrine deemed it "not for use on mucosa" and cautions that it can cause eye damage and ophthalmic chemical burns, at least in the typical formulations produced for medical use).
Safety and toxicity

Brilliant green induces vomiting when swallowed and is toxic when ingested. The compound may lead to serious injuries if it comes to contact with the eye, even result in bilateral blindness due to corneal opacification
Other reading

