Anodic oxidation of the dye materials methylene blue, acid blue 25, reactive blue 2 and reactive blue 15 and the characterisation of novel intermediate compounds in the anodic oxidation of methylene blue

Anodic oxidation of the dye molecules, methylene blue, acid blue 25, reactive blue 2 and reactive blue 15 in chloride solution leads to colour destruction but UV and TOC data show that the oxidation reactions do not lead to complete destruction of the organic molecules. Analysis of the anodic oxidation products of [3,7‐bis (dimethylamino) phenothiazinium] chloride (methylene blue) in a chloride solution provides evidence for formation of seven neutral and two charged intermediates. The main intermediate is identified by its X‐ray diffraction crystal structure and accurate mass spectrometry as the novel leuco dye 4,6‐dichloro‐7‐dimethylamino‐3H‐phenothiazin‐3‐one, C14H10Cl2N2OS (I) formed by replacement of one of the dimethylamino groups of methylene blue with oxygen accompanied by regiospecific chlorination of the carbocyclic systems. The mass spectra of other intermediates formed are interpreted in terms of the structure of I.