DiO
DiO, also called DiOC18(3), is a green fluorescent probe that is widely used as a lipophilic tracker in living and fixed tissues and cells. DiO can insert into the membrane, and diffuse rapidly, staining the entire membrane surface green. DiO usually does not affect cell viability and development, so it is commonly used in cell tracking, such as anterograde and retrograde neuronal tracking. DiO staining is usually less intense than DiI staining, and occasionally fails completely in fixed tissues.
DiO staining can be used in conjunction with immunofluorescence. It is recommended to use formaldehyde (PFA) for fixation after DiO staining. Meanwhile, if permeabilization is required, it is suggested to use Triton X-100 or digitonin. But permeabilization may affect the localization of DiO in the cell membrane. In addition, DiO has many other applications including detecting cell-cell fusion and adhesion, tracking cell migration, and labeling lipoproteins.
Storage | Store at -20°C, away from light |
M.Wt | 881.72 |
Cas No. | 34215-57-1 |
Formula | C53H85ClN2O6 |
Synonyms | DiOC18(3); 3,3'-Dioctadecyloxacarbocyanine perchlorate |
Solubility | ≥4.16 mg/mL in DMSO with ultrasonic; ≥2.95 mg/mL in EtOH with gentle warming and ultrasonic; insoluble in H2O |
Chemical Name | 3-octadecyl-2-((1E,3E)-3-(3-octadecylbenzo[d]oxazol-2(3H)-ylidene)prop-1-en-1-yl)benzo[d]oxazol-3-ium perchlorate |
SDF | Download SDF |
Canonical SMILES | CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC[N+]1=C(/C=C/C=C(O2)\N(C3=C2C=CC=C3)CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC)OC4=C1C=CC=C4.O=Cl(=O)([O-])=O |
Shipping Condition | Small Molecules with Blue Ice, Modified Nucleotides with Dry Ice. |
General tips | We do not recommend long-term storage for the solution, please use it up soon. |
Quality Control & MSDS
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Chemical structure

Components | B8803-10 mg | B8803-25 mg |
DiO | 10 mg | 25 mg |
The product should be stored at -20°C away from light and moisture. Stable for 1 year. The stock solution should be stored at -20°C away from light. Stable for 6 months. |