Pittacal

Pittacal was the first synthetic dyestuff to be produced commercially. It was accidentally discovered by German chemist Carl Ludwig Reichenbach in 1832, who was also the discoverer of kerosene, phenol, eupion, paraffin and creosote.

Additional recommended knowledge

Weighing the right way

Safe Weighing Range Ensures Accurate Results

What is the Sensitivity of my Balance?

As the history goes, Reichenbach applied creosote to the wooden posts of his home, in order to drive away dogs who urinated on them. The strategy was ineffectual, however, and he noted that the dog's urine reacted with creosote to form an intense dark blue deposit. He named the new substance píttacal (from Greek words tar and beautiful. He later was able to produce pure pittacal by treating beechwood tar with barium oxide and using alumina as a mordant to dye fabrics. Although sold commercially as a dyestuff, it did not fare well.

Eupittone (derived from eu- + pittacal + -one) is a yellow crystalline substance resembling aurin, and obtained by the oxidation of pittacal. It is also called also eupittonic acid or eupitton.

References

Kaufmann, GB - Pittacal -- the first synthetic dyestuff. J. Chem. Edu. , 753, 1977.