I know a couple of answers, which I'll write after your questions.
(IN CAPS at the beginning of each paragraph, so you can see the 
difference between your question and my answer.. No, I'm not 
shouting at you.)

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Doug Wade" 
To: 
Sent: Friday, October 19, 2001 5:41 PM
Subject: Hematoxylin recipes


> Hopefully these aren't too stupid questions:
> 
> Why are some oxidizers chosen for various hematoxylin forulas.
> I'll see sodium iodate or mercuric oxide used but never oxidizers like
> hydrogen peroxide or chromium trioxide (chromic oxide) etc.

ACTUALLY, THEY CAN BE MADE WITH OTHER OXIDIZERS.
I've found formulations with potassium permanganate, hydrogen
peroxide, and potassium periodate.

IN ADDITION, the iron hematoxylins use ferric salts that act as both
mordants and oxidizers, so ferric chloride, etc. can be added to the
list of possible oxidizers.

SO WHY SOME AND NOT OTHERS? I think it might have to
do with shelf life. The oxidizer is used to convert hematoxylin to
hematein, which is the dye. Natural oxidation is via air and sunlight.
This takes months to oxidize hematoxylin to hematein, but the
staining solution is good for year. The stronger the oxidizer, the
sooner the solution can be used, but also the sooner the solution
becomes over-oxidized to oxy-hematein, which is colorless.
Hematoxylin solutions made with sodium iodate can be used
within a few over (overnight), and continue to be good to use
for a few months to about a year. Stronger oxidizers, ferric chloride,
for example, are ready for immediate use, but become over-oxidized
within a few hours to days.

SO, I'M GUESSING that chromium trioxide, which is a strong
oxidizer, would convert hematoxylin to hematein to oxy-hematein
within too short of a time interval to be of any use.
> 
> Why do some recipes (IE Delafields Alum Hematoxylin) ask for absolute
> alcohol yet other ingredients in the forumla are aqueous solutions?
> 
SOME FORMULAE are part water, part alcohol. But I don't know
the answer to this part. Sorry.

> Doug Wade (wade@ucs.ubc.ca) work: (604)-822-2074
> Network & Computer Operations fax:  (604)-822-3803
> ITServices home: (604)-985-1675
> University of British Columbia
> 
> 
Peggy A. Wenk, HTL(ASCP)SLS
William Beaumont Hospital
Royal Oak, MI 48073