The leucos 11a-d are claimed to give blue gray images in electrolytic recording instead of the purple color of Methylene Violet from which they are derived.7
As in the case of the leucos Azure A and B, the exocyclic acyl group is not eliminated on oxidation, resulting in a Methylene Blue-type cationic
dye. The color obtained is rather muddy but this can be seen as desirable since a black leuco dye is much sought after.
Compound 12 can be described as a true leuco Methylene Violet since a purple image is obtained on oxidation with a metal nitrate.8a