Biochemistry- Luminol Reaction with Hemin

Acid-Base Properties of Amino Acids

Curdling of  Milk

Denaturing and Precipitating Proteins

Enzymatic Activity of Glucose Oxidase

Gel Filtration Chromatography

HIV-1 Protease: An Enzyme at Work

Precipitating Genomic DNA

Studying Enzyme Kinetics Using Catalase

What Color is Egg White

Binding of Coomassie Brilliant Blue to Egg Albumin

Blood Glucose Meter

Breaking Down Sucrose Using Invertase

Color Reactions of Amino Acids

Dialysis of a Mixture

Effect of pH on Protein Solubility

Enzyme Catalyzed Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide

Enzyme Kinetics: Experiments With Catalase   Extract

Halting the Briggs-Rauscher Reaction

Hydrolysis of Wool in Strong Base

Dyeing of Wool With Martius Yellow

Protein Synthesis

Luminol Reaction with Hemin

Luminol Reaction with Hemin

A photo shows blue liquid flowing through a tube into a beaker. In the second photo, a set up of a tube with blue liquid above a beaker
A photo shows blue liquid flowing through a tube into a beaker. In the second photo, a set up of a tube with blue liquid above a beaker
A photo shows blue liquid flowing through a tube into a beaker. In the second photo, a set up of a tube with blue liquid above a beaker
 

Description: An aqueous solution of sodium carbonate, luminol, and hydrogen peroxide is combined with Hemin suspended in 0.01M NaOH or as a solid on a sucrose granule. The reaction glows very brightly blue for between one and two minutes. Other variations involving sensitizers may be added in the future.

[OH−]

Luminol C8H7O2N3(aq) + H2O2(aq) ↔ C8H5O2N2−(aq) + 2H2O + N2(g) + hv  ~ 465 nm

A structural drawing of a "luminol" molecule
A structural drawing of a "hemin" molecule

                           

Luminol                                                                  Hemin

Source: Maynard, J.H., Vinokur, J.V.

Year:   2022    Vol:  N/A    Page: N/A

Keywords: Luminol, Chemiluminescence, Diels-Alder, Oxidation, Spin state

Rating:

Hazard: Some

  • Eye irritation
  • Skin irritation
  • Serious eye damage
  • Short-term (acute) aquatic hazard
  • Long-term (chronic) aquatic hazard

Effectiveness: Good

  • Results are clearly observable without guidance
  • Contrast between behavior of systems is clear
  • Time to results is low
  • Strong effects are observed by audience

Difficulty: Medium

  • Adding reagents in concert or timed
  • Some concerted or sequential manipulations
  • Procedures with some intermediate steps to results

Safety Precautions:

  • Eye protection required
  • Gloves required
  • Avoid exposure to mists, droplets, and vapors
  • Use UL approved three-prong plug and outlet
  • Avoid release of reagents to the environment

Class: Biochemistry, Chemiluminescence, Catalysis

Division: General, Biological Chemistry

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