title: Luminol chemiluminescence: chemistry, excitation, emitter.
abstract: The mechanism of luminol chemiluminescence is a special case of nucleophilic addition to carbonyl compounds. The breakdown of the key intermediate, an alpha hydroxy hydroperoxide, produces a peracid ortho to an acyl diazene group. After intramolecular addition of the peracid, the energy from nitrogen expulsion is utilized in the formation of an anti-aromatic endoperoxide. Rupture along the O,O bond leaves a substantial part of the ensuing phthalate in its excited state. The emitter is shown to be a mono-protonated phthalate unaccessible by photoexcitation. The dark reaction is a concerted decomposition of the alpha hydroxy hydroperoxidixe to yield ground-state phthalate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Chemistry, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Merényi
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lind
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Eriksen
mesh_terms: D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D004583:Electrons; D006878:Hydroxides; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008165:Luminol; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011724:Pyridazines; D013481:Superoxides
chemical_list: D006878:Hydroxides; D011724:Pyridazines; D013481:Superoxides; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical; D008165:Luminol