CLEAPSS Recipe Book
23
Chemiluminesence reactions
Luminol (3-aminobenzene-1,2-dicarboxylic hydrazide or 3-aminophthalhydrazide) in alkaline solution is
oxidised to the 4-aminobenzene-1,2-dicarboxylate ion with the evolution of oxygen.
Goggles should be worn when preparing the solutions if using solid sodium hydroxide but spectacles are
suitable for the demonstrations using the solutions.
Recipe D is ideal for a chemiluminescent fountain demonstration using ammonia (see picture below).
Four recipes illustrating chemiluminesence reactions
A
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B
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C
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D
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Solution A: Dissolve 0.4 g of luminol and 4 g of potassium hydroxide or sodium
hydroxide in 1000 ml of water. Label the container IRRITANT.
Solution B: Dilute 50 ml of fresh (10-14% available chlorine) sodium chlorate(I)
solution to 1000 ml. Label the container IRRITANT.
In a darkened room, mix equal volumes of solutions A & B together. The addition
of a pellet of potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide may produce more light.
Dissolve 0.2 g of luminol and 1 g of potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide in
1000 ml of water. To a known volume of this solution add an equal volume of
20 vol hydrogen peroxide solution.
In a darkened room, sprinkle a few crystals of potassium hexacyanoferrate(III)
onto the surface of the solution and observe the trails of light.
The addition of a pellet of potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide may
produce more light.
Solution A: Dissolve 0.2 g luminol, 4 g of anhydrous sodium carbonate, 24 g of
sodium hydrogencarbonate, 0.5 g of ammonium carbonate and 0.4 g of hydrated
copper(II) sulfate(VI) in 1000 ml water.
Solution B: Prepare 1000 ml of 5 vol hydrogen peroxide solution.
Mix equal volumes of A and B in a dark room or in a box with spy holes.
Solution A: Mix together 0.2 g luminol, 11 g of anhydrous sodium carbonate,
8 g of sodium hydrogencarbonate, 0.5 g of ammonium carbonate and 0.4 g of
copper(II) sulfate(VI) in 1000 ml water. Add 25 ml of 10 vol hydrogen peroxide.
Solution B: Dissolve 0.1 g of cobalt(II) chloride and 0.1 g of sodium nitrate(III)
(ie, sodium nitrite) in 1000 ml of water.
Mix equal volumes of A and B in a dark room or in a box with spy holes.
See Hazcards
4B, 89, 91.
Wear goggles
to prepare the
solution.
See Hazcards
4B, 50, 79, 91.
Wear goggles
to prepare the
solution.
See Hazcards
4B, 27C, 50,
95A.
See Hazcards
4B, 9A, 25,
27C, 50, 89, 93,
95A.
The chemiluminescent fountain demonstration
The flask is originally filled with ammonia. Two containers labelled A and B which contain 1 litre each of
solution A & B in Recipe D are used to supply the solution in the fountain. The solutions are connected via a
T-piece into a single tube which is inserted into the flask.
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© CLEAPSS 2011