Chemiluminescence

Theory

Base is added to a solution of luminol in order to deprotonate the NH (secondary amine) groups so that the dianion of the compound may be formed. The addition of bleach to the solution causes the oxidation of luminol, which results in the production of the excited state of the 3-aminophthalate molecule. The decay of this excited state molecule to the ground state causes the release of a photon. This release is the observed "chemiluminescence"

.

Reaction

You may send comments to Dr. Long at long@vt.edu