Ethyl Green

The dye Ethyl Green (Brilliant Green, C.I. 42590; C27H35N3ClBr), due to its powerful bacteriostatic properties, is commonly used along with iodine tincture as a topical antiseptic in Eastern Europe and Russia (common name, Russian tr.:Zelyonka), though not in the west due to its irritant properties and toxicity if ingested. It is soluble in water.

Ethyl green is made of crystal violet by adding an ethyl group; crystal violet is therefore a possible contaminant.

Methyl green is a closely related dye used as a stain in histology. Methyl green and ethyl green are very similar and probably interchangeable.