Biochemistry- Halting the Briggs-Rauscher Reaction

Halting the Briggs-Rauscher Reaction

Description: When wheat sprout, liver, or potato extract is added to an actively oscillating Briggs-Rauscher reaction, the reaction ceases immediately, accompanied by effervescence of oxygen gas. The catalase in the extract decomposes the hydrogen peroxide in the Briggs-Rauscher reaction, causing it to stop oscillating.

Source: Journal of Chemical Education, Vol. 68

Year: 1991    Vol: 68   Page: 57

Keywords: Briggs-Rauscher Reaction, Catalase, Hydrogen peroxide, Inhibitor, Wheat sprouts, Liver

Rating:

Hazard: Medium

• Acute toxicity hazard
• Skin corrosion hazard
• Aquatic toxicity hazard
• Serious eye damage
• Electric shock hazard
• Gas-producing reaction
• Inhalation hazard
• Corrosive to metals
• Carcinogenicity
• Specific toxicity – thyroid

Effectiveness: Good

• Results are clearly observable without guidance
• Clear contrast between system behavior
• High reliability
• Time to results is low
• Counterintuitive demo\experiment

Difficulty: Medium

• Use of reactive substances
• Procedures with some intermediate steps to results
• Volume-dependent addition for proper results
• Use of toxic substances
• Some careful manipulations required

Safety Precautions:

• Eye protection required
• Gloves required
• Use of UL approved three-prong plug and outlet
• Perform in a well-ventilated area
• Absorbent material on hand
• Prevent release of reagents to the environment
• Sodium bicarbonate on hand
• Sodium thiosulfate on hand
• Avoid exposure to dusts, mists, or vapors

Class: Biochemistry, Catalysis

Division: General, Biological Chemistry

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