It functions as a chromogenic reagent in spectrophotometric assays for aldehydes ketones phenols and metal ions (e.g. Pd ascorbic acid) forming colored adducts measurable at 635 nm after oxidation.

Its primary purpose is selective condensation with carbonyls or oxidative coupling to produce intensely colored stable complexes for sensitive quantitative UV-Vis detection at trace levels.

Tricosane (n-tricosane CH) is a white waxy solid alkane at room temperature a straight-chain saturated hydrocarbon with molecular weight 324.63 gmol.