How Luminol Works: Chemiluminescence

Watch a light-producing chemical reaction while learning about what's happening. Chemiluminescence is when a chemical reaction generates light with little or no heat. When luminol and the other chemiluminescent compounds are produced, they contain excited electrons. When the compounds are reacted with an appropriate oxidizing agent, the electrons relax to a lower energy state, releasing energy in the form of light. Forensic investigators use luminol to detect trace amounts of blood at crime scenes because it reacts with the iron in hemoglobin to produce light. It’s a very powerful forensic tool because it’s capable of detecting bloodstains that were diluted up to 10,000,000 times and it does this without interfering with subsequent DNA testing.
#Luminol #Chemiluminescence #chemistryeducation

[@aykan4972]

This really helped with my cheistry project. Thanks!

[@ChemistryinaNutshell]

That's great to hear!

[@mikegarner1602]

great explanation

[@ChemistryinaNutshell]

Thank you!

[@WilliamFord972]

Electron transitions go brrrr

[@ChemistryinaNutshell]

Because they're cool.😎

[@ChemistryinaNutshell]

This reaction never gets old no matter how many times I see it.🧪 Do you have a favorite chemical reaction? What is it?

[@ChemistryinaNutshell]

Agreed. That one is cool to watch.

[@anillama110]

How long does it last? Can we contain in some kind of thing as glass for show like in our gardens or room?

[@ChemistryinaNutshell]

It only lasts a few seconds. The videos are in real time.

[@floridaboy7075]

Can other substances be used in glow sticks, or is cyalume the only substance that can be used?

[@ChemistryinaNutshell]

Great question! Commercial glow sticks need to be more concerned with safety, as people aren't handling them with proper lab safety techniques. This article talks about the reaction that occurs in commercial glow sticks: cen.acs.org/business/consumer-products/glow-sticks-s-chemical-reaction/99/i39
"In the nearly 60 years since glow stick chemistry was first discovered, there have been several chemical innovations, says Linda Jacob, Cyalume’s director of chemical services.
Several of those changes relate to safety. For example, the oxalate esters that were used in glow sticks decades ago produced trichlorophenols-chemicals that could go on to form toxic halogenated dioxins. To eliminate trichlorophenols, Jacob says, Cyalume turned to trichlorsalicylate oxylate esters, which are safer. The firm also now uses butyl benzoate and triethyl citrate as solvents instead of phthalates, some of which have been identified as endocrine disruptors. Most novelty glow sticks still use phthalates, however, she says."

[@omsingharjit]

And for red ?

[@ChemistryinaNutshell]

The addition of eosin y disodium salt (which I was calling orange) does indeed appear to be red in some of those clips. The specific red-orange shade is dependent on concentrations.

[@mayukhlodh8796]

Name the liquid compounds

[@huntinggandaki1577]

what is the time duration in light?

[@ChemistryinaNutshell]

The video clips are in real time.

[@huntinggandaki1577]

@@ChemistryinaNutshell light durations time ?

[@Unknown76950]

​@@huntinggandaki1577It's of 2-4 minutes of Glow duration commonly..if wanted for last long it should be kept in cold storage.

[@kennethriddick5907]

Can I make this at home and is it safe to touch

[@ChemistryinaNutshell]

Unfortunately no. This was recorded in a college-level organic chemistry course where students were synthesizing luminol from scratch. This experiment requires a few years of chemistry education and a plethora of lab safety equipment to carry out safely.
You could always break open some glow sticks if you want to perform a similar experiment at home.

[@nadaadd7093]

@@ChemistryinaNutshell can you tell me exactly the materials you used?

[@Lifetime_experience_30]

Bro i didn't get a link

[@ChemistryinaNutshell]

What link?