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Chemistry LibreTexts

Chemiluminescence--Luminol

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Chemical Concept Demonstrated

  • Chemiluminescence

Demonstration

Solution A

  • Dissolve Na2CO3 in distilled water
  • Add luminol, NaHCO3, (NH4)2CO3, and CuSO4 * 5H20
  • Dilute with water

Solution B

  • Dilute 3%H2O2 with distilled water

Pour solutions A and B simultaneously into the funnel.


Observations

The entire spiral gives off a singular glow.

Explanation

Luminol is converted to a dianion in basic solution. This dianion is then oxidized with H2O2/Cu2+ to form N2 and an aminophthalate ion in an electronically excited state. In order to achieve an electronically unexcited state, the ion emits a photon of wavelength 424 nm.

Contributors


Chemiluminescence--Luminol is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by George Bodner.

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