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Cosmetic ingredients

Ninhydrin

Also known as Ninhydrin hydrate, 1,2,3-Indantrione monohydrate, 2,2-Dihydroxy-1H-indene-1,3(2H)-dione

CAS 485-47-2Formula C9H6O4Molar mass 178.14 g/molEC 207-618-1
51 suppliers listed
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Ninhydrin chemical structure, C9H6O4, CAS 485-47-2
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Physical form
Crystals
Melting point
241.1 to 242.8 °C
Density
0.862 @25 °C
Solubility
Solubility in water: soluble
HS code
291440
Category
Cosmetic ingredients
Illustrative photo, 25 kg white woven sacks of powder on a pallet in a warehouse
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is Ninhydrin?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

Ninhydrin is a member of the class of indanones that is indane-1,3-dione bearing two additional hydroxy substituents at position 2. It has a role as a colour indicator and a human metabolite. It is a member of indanones, a ketone hydrate, a beta-diketone and an aromatic ketone.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
2,2-dihydroxyindene-1,3-dione
CAS number
485-47-2 CAS number cross-checked
EC number
207-618-1
Molecular formula
C9H6O4
UNII
HCL6S9K23A
MDL number
MFCD00003791
INCI name
NINHYDRIN
InChIKey
FEMOMIGRRWSMCU-UHFFFAOYSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C9H6O4/c10-7-5-3-1-2-4-6(5)8(11)9(7,12)13/h1-4,12-13H
SMILES (canonical and isomeric)
C1=CC=C2C(=C1)C(=O)C(C2=O)(O)O

Synonyms

  • Ninhydrin hydrate
  • 1,2,3-Indantrione monohydrate
  • 2,2-Dihydroxy-1H-indene-1,3(2H)-dione
  • 1H-Indene-1,3(2H)-dione, 2,2-dihydroxy-
  • Triketohydrindene hydrate
  • 2,2-Dihydroxy-1,3-indandione
  • 2,2-Dihydroxy-1,3-indanedione
  • 1,2,3-Indantrione, 2-hydrate
  • 1,3-Indandione, 2,2-dihydroxy-
  • Indantrione Monohydrate
  • Monohydrate, Indantrione
  • Ninhydrine
  • 2,2-Dihydroxyindane-1,3-dione
  • 2,2-dihydroxyindene-1,3-dione
  • Ninhydrin Spray
  • 2,2-dihydroxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-indene-1,3-dione
  • Trioxohydrindene monohydrate
  • 2,2-Dihydroxy-1,3-dioxoindan
  • 2,2-dihydroxy-2-hydrocyclopenta[1,2-a]benzene-1,3-dione
  • Ningidrin
  • nin-hydrin
  • Ninhydrin, solution
  • Ninhydrin ACS grade
  • Ninhydrin solution R1
  • Ninhydrin solution R2
Show all 34 synonyms
  • triketohydrinden hydrate
  • Ninhydrin, acs
  • Ninhydrin, ACS reagent
  • Ninhydrin, AR, >=99%
  • 4-07-00-02786 (Beilstein Handbook Reference)
  • 3-Indandione, 2,2-dihydroxy-
  • Ninhydrin, >=95.0% (UV)
  • 1,2,3-Triketohydrindene Monohydrate
  • Ninhydrin, puriss. p.a., >=99%

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade

Physical form
Crystalsexp.
Melting point
241.1 to 242.8 °Cexp.
Density
0.862 @25 °Cexp.
Solubility
Solubility in water: solubleexp.
Vapour pressure
0.000000236 [mm Hg] @25 °Cexp.

Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.

Computed descriptors

Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation

Molecular weight
178.14 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
178.0266 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
-0.25calc.
Topological polar surface area
74.6 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
2calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
4calc.
Rotatable bonds
0calc.
Heavy atoms
13calc.
Rings
2calc.
Aromatic rings
1calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
0.11calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
0calc.
Lipinski rule of five
Passes (0 violations)calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Murcko scaffold

The ring system that remains when every side chain is removed

Murcko scaffold of this chemical, O=C1CC(=O)c2ccccc21

O=C1CC(=O)c2ccccc21

2 rings, 11 atoms, the 1,3-Indandione ring system.

137 other chemicals share this scaffold

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

No GHS hazard classification is recorded for this substance yet. That does not mean it is harmless.

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.

Ninhydrin suppliers

Sponsored listings first, then the documented ranking: membership, verification, replies, completeness, freshness and ratings

All 51 suppliers
30 of 30 offers

Suppliers marked Unclaimed profile have not claimed their profile yet. They are not verified by CompoundList, their offers are price on request and details may have changed, so please confirm them with the supplier. Company representatives can claim a profile with a business email on the company's own website domain. Our team verifies each claim and sends the result by email.

Where suppliers are based

51 suppliers in 12 countries

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Ninhydrin price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

No published prices right now

Suppliers quote this chemical on request. Send one free request and compare quotes side by side.

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Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

Cosmetic ingredient, INCI name NINHYDRIN(reducing)

Pharmacological actions

  • Indicators and Reagents
  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents

Roles

  • animal metabolite
  • colour indicator
  • eukaryotic metabolite
  • human metabolite
  • indicator
  • mammalian metabolite
  • metabolite
  • visual indicator

Functional uses

  • Reducing agent

Cosmetic functions

  • Reducing

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

Health and food

  • EU cosmetic ingredient inventory

United States

  • TSCA inventory (USA)
    Status: Active in US commerce

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

World import and export statistics for the HS code Ninhydrin is traded under.

HS 2914.40Indicative HS code

Ketone-alcohols and ketone-aldehydes

World exports in 2024
$199M
+2.5% vs 2023, imports $247M
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. China29.5%
  2. Germany14.4%
  3. Netherlands12.7%
Top importers
  1. United States37.2%
  2. Netherlands8.5%
  3. Germany6.4%
Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for Ninhydrin is indicative (it was assigned by structure rules). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Ninhydrin, based on the data on this page

What is Ninhydrin?

Ninhydrin is a member of the class of indanones that is indane-1,3-dione bearing two additional hydroxy substituents at position 2. It has a role as a colour indicator and a human metabolite. It is a member of indanones, a ketone hydrate, a beta-diketone and an aromatic ketone.

What is the CAS number of Ninhydrin?

The CAS registry number of Ninhydrin is 485-47-2.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Ninhydrin?

The molecular formula of Ninhydrin is C9H6O4 and its molar mass is 178.14 g/mol.

What is Ninhydrin used for?

Known uses and roles of Ninhydrin include animal metabolite, colour indicator, eukaryotic metabolite, human metabolite, indicator and 7 more.

Is Ninhydrin hazardous?

No GHS hazard classification for Ninhydrin is recorded on CompoundList yet. That does not prove it is safe. Always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Ninhydrin?

Ninhydrin is usually classified under HS code 291440 (Ketone-alcohols and ketone-aldehydes). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy Ninhydrin?

CompoundList lists 51 suppliers of Ninhydrin in India, United States, China, United Kingdom and 8 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

Where can I buy Ninhydrin in India?

12 suppliers in India list Ninhydrin on CompoundList. Filter the suppliers list by country and send a request to compare prices, grades and delivery times.

What is the price of Ninhydrin?

Suppliers quote Ninhydrin on request because prices depend on grade, purity, quantity and destination. A free request on CompoundList gets you several quotes to compare.

Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Ninhydrin

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Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page
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