Demonstration: Luminol Reaction with Hemin
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
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: Reduction and Oxidation Reactions, Properties of Solutions, Types of Chemical Reactions
Division: General, Organic Chemistry
Home| General Chemistry Demonstrations| Organic Chemistry Demonstrations