What does acridine mean?
Acridine is a colourless, crystalline organic compound with the formula C₁₃H₉N, consisting of three fused six-membered rings with one nitrogen atom at the central ring position. First isolated from coal tar in the nineteenth century, it serves as the parent structure for a large family of derivatives with important practical uses. Acridine dyes were among the earliest synthetic colourants, and compounds built on the acridine skeleton — such as acriflavine and proflavine — became valuable antiseptics, while others, like quinacrine, were used as antimalarial drugs. In modern laboratories, fluorescent acridine derivatives such as acridine orange are standard tools for staining DNA and RNA. The name derives from the Latin "acer", meaning sharp, reflecting the compound's pungent character. Though rarely encountered outside technical contexts, acridine occupies a notable place in the history of synthetic chemistry and medicine.
nounA colourless, crystalline, tricyclic organic compound containing nitrogen, with the formula C₁₃H₉N; it is the parent compound of a family of derivatives used in dyes, antiseptics, and pharmaceuticals.
- The parent tricyclic aromatic compound C₁₃H₉N, first isolated from coal tar.
- Any of the derivatives of this compound, especially those used as dyes, antiseptics, or drugs.
"The chemist synthesised an acridine derivative that showed strong antibacterial activity."
"Acridine was first isolated from coal tar in the nineteenth century."
"Acridine orange is widely used as a fluorescent stain for nucleic acids in cell biology."
Used when referring to multiple distinct acridine compounds or derivatives.
"Several acridines exhibit potent antimicrobial activity."
Named for its sharp, irritating properties — from the same Latin root as "acrid" — this humble coal-tar molecule became the backbone of life-saving antiseptics and antimalarial drugs.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of acridine
Acridine was named in the nineteenth century by German chemists who isolated it from coal tar, drawing on the Latin root "acer" (sharp) via "acrid-", a reference to its sharp, irritating properties. The same Latin root gives English words such as "acrid", "acrimony", and "acid". The compound's systematic study grew alongside the development of the German synthetic dye industry.
How acridine is actually used
A technical term used almost exclusively in chemistry, pharmacology, and molecular biology. In scientific writing, "acridine" often refers to substituted derivatives rather than the bare parent compound.
Easily confused with acridine
"Acrid" is an adjective meaning sharply unpleasant in taste or smell, while "acridine" is the noun naming a specific chemical compound.