Commonly used Hematoxylins: Their Oxidizers and Mordants

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Commonly used Hematoxylins: Their Oxidizers and Mordants

Alum Hematoxylins:
HematoxylinOxidizerMordant
Gill'sSodium iodateAluminum sulfate
Delafield's NaturallyAmmonium alum
Mayer'sSodium iodatePotassium or ammonium alum
Harris'sSodium or potassium iodate (mercuric chloride no longer used due to its' toxicity) Potassium alum
Ehrlich'sNaturallyPotassium alum
Iron Hematoxylins:
Iron salts are used as both the oxidizing agent and the mordant in the following examples:
HematoxylinOxidizerMordant
Heidenhain'sFerric ammonium sulfateFerric ammonium sulfate
Weigert's Ferric chlorideFerric chloride