 In relative/partitioning terms, Alcian Blue 8G has a log octanol-water Partition coefficient (Log P) of −9.7, suggesting it is rather water-soluble (lipid-soluble if Log P > 0, and good lipid stains generally have a Log P > 7).Methanol is an acceptable substitute for ethanol as a potential vehicle for Alcian blue, but isopropanol is not, because, within a few hours all of suspended Alcian blue precipitates if isopropanol is tried as a vehicle.The sample compound with Merck index number 218 has a melting point of 148 °C.