Preparation of malachite green leucocyanide and a study of the effects of dye impurities

Using a modification of a preparation method published by Tobin, Katzakian, and Chisholm, the photochromic leucocyanide of malachite green dye was prepared in a pure form. This leucocyanide was doped with various amounts of the dye as an impurity and the effect of the dye on the photolysis and fade reactions tested. It was determined that the dye has the effect of merely masking the leucocyanide during photolysis exposure but does chemically increase the completeness of the fade reaction