The physical and chemical properties of formazans have been reviewed in detail.1,2 In this discussion only those properties that directly or indirectly affect the choice of a tetrazolium salt as a leuco dye will be discussed. Spectral, acid-baser, edox, and metal complexing properties will be stressed.
Formazans are solids with relatively low melting points. They have intense colors ranging through most of the visible region. They have negligible water solubility and are generally soluble in common organic solvents. However, when sulfonic, carboxylic, phosphonic acid, or quaternary groups are present, they can become quite water soluble.1,299,300