Luminol

Luminol
Luminol[1]
Identifiers
CAS number 521-31-3 YesY
PubChem 10638
ChemSpider 10192 YesY
EC number 208-309-4
ChEMBL CHEMBL442329 YesY
Jmol-3D images Image 1
Properties
Molecular formula C8H7N3O2
Molar mass 177.16 g/mol
Melting point

319 °C, 592 K, 606 °F

Hazards
MSDS MSDS for luminol
NFPA 704
NFPA 704.svg
1
2
0
 YesY (verify) (what is: YesY/N?)
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Luminol (C8H7N3O2) is a versatile chemical that exhibits chemiluminescence, with a striking blue glow, when mixed with an appropriate oxidizing agent. It is a white to slightly yellow crystalline solid that is soluble in most polar organic solvents, but insoluble in water.

Luminol is used by forensic investigators to detect trace amounts of blood left at crime scenes as it reacts with iron found in hemoglobin. It is used by biologists in cellular assays for the detection of copper, iron, and cyanides, in addition to the detection of specific proteins by Western Blot.

For analysis of an area, luminol can be sprayed evenly across the area, and trace amounts of an activating oxidant will cause the luminol to emit a blue glow that can be seen in a darkened room. The glow lasts for about 30 seconds, but the effect can be documented by a long-exposure photograph. It is important that the spraying be evenly applied to avoid creating a slanted, or biased impression, such as blood traces appearing to be more concentrated in areas which received more spray. The intensity of the glow does not indicate the original amount present, but only the distribution of trace amounts of substances left in the area.

Contents

Synthesis

Luminol may be synthesized by a reverse phosphorescence 2-step process. It begins from 3-nitrophthalic acid.[2][3] First, hydrazine (N2H4) is heated with the 3-nitrophthalic acid in a high-boiling solvent such as triethylene glycol. A condensation reaction occurs, with loss of water, forming 3-nitrophthalhydrazide. Reduction of the nitro group to an amino group with sodium dithionite (Na2S2O4) produces luminol.

Luminol synthesis.png

The product luminol is obtained the after addition of electrons from the dithionite, protonation, and a loss of water from the intermediate hydroxylamine. Luminol was first synthesized in Germany in 1902, but the compound was not named luminol until the late 1920s.

Chemiluminescence

Chemiluminescence of luminol

To exhibit its luminescence, the luminol must first be activated with an oxidant. Usually, a solution of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and a hydroxide salt in water is used as the activator. In the presence of a catalyst such as an iron compound, the hydrogen peroxide is decomposed to form oxygen and water:

2 H2O2 → O2 + 2 H2O

In a laboratory setting, the catalyst used is often potassium ferricyanide. In the forensic detection of blood, the catalyst is the iron present in hemoglobin. Enzymes in a variety of biological systems may also catalyze the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.

When luminol reacts with the hydroxide salt, a dianion is formed. The oxygen produced from the hydrogen peroxide then reacts with the luminol dianion. The product of this reaction, an organic peroxide, is very unstable and is made by losing a nitrogen, electrons going from excited state to ground state, and energy emitting as a photon. This emitting of the photon is what ultimately gives off the blue light.

Reactions leading to the chemiluminescence of luminol.


Use by crime scene investigators

Theory

Luminol is used by crime scene investigators to locate traces of blood, even if it has been cleaned or removed. The investigator prepares a solution of luminol and the activator and sprays it throughout the area under investigation. The iron present in any blood in the area catalyzes the chemical reaction that leads to the luminescence revealing the location of the blood. The amount of catalyst necessary for the reaction to occur is very small relative to the amount of luminol, allowing the detection of even trace amounts of blood. The glow lasts for about 30 seconds and is blue. Detecting the glow requires a fairly dark room. Any glow detected may be documented by a long exposure photograph.

Drawbacks

Luminol has some drawbacks that may limit its use in a crime scene investigation:

  • Luminol chemiluminescence can also be triggered by a number of substances such as copper or copper-containing alloys, and certain bleaches; and, as a result, if a crime scene is thoroughly cleaned with a bleach solution or horseradish, residual cleaner will cause the entire crime scene to produce the typical blue glow, effectively camouflaging any organic evidence, such as blood.
  • Luminol will also detect the small amounts of blood present in urine, and it can be distorted if animal blood is present in the room that is being tested.
  • Luminol reacts with fecal matter, causing the same glow as if it were blood.
  • Luminol's presence may prevent other tests from being performed on a piece of evidence. However, it has been shown that DNA can be successfully extracted from samples treated with luminol reagent.[4]

Related molecules

Luminol: 5-Amino-2,3-dihydro-1,4-phthalazinedione ; 3-Amino-phthalhydrazide ; 1,4-phthalazinedione, 5-amino-2,3-dihydro ; CAS: [521-31-3] C8H7N3O2 - MW: 177.16 λabs.(in 0.1 N NaOH) λmax 1 : 347 nm & λmax 2 : 300 nm; EC(at λmax 1): 7650 L/mol x cm λabs./λem.(MetOH): 355/413 nm

Luminol, hemihydrate 3-Amino-phthalhydrazide Na salt; CAS: [206658-90-4] C8H6N3O2Na.1/2H2O - MW: 217.16

Luminol, Na salt: 3-Amino-phthalhydrazide Na salt; CAS: [20666-12-0] C8H6N3O2Na - MW: 199.12

Luminol, HCl: 3-Amino-phthalhydrazide HydroChloride; CAS: [74165-64-3] C8H7N3O2.HCl - MW: 213.62

isoluminol: 4-Aminophthalhydrazide; CAS: [3682-14-1] C8H7N3O2 – MW: 117.16 (Xi)

isoluminol, monohydrate: 4-Aminophthalhydrazide monohydrate C8H7N3O2.H2O - MW: 195.15

isoluminol ABEI: 4-Aminophthalhydrazide monohydrate; CAS: [66612-29-1]

See also

References

  1. ^ Merck Index, 11th Edition, 5470.
  2. ^ Ernest Huntress, Lester Stanley, Almon Parker (1934). "The Preparation of 3-Aminophthalhydrazide for Use in the Demonstration of Chemiluminescence". J. Am. Chem. Soc. 56 (1): 241–242. doi:10.1021/ja01316a077. 
  3. ^ Synthesis of luminol
  4. ^ Technical note about Hemaglow

External links


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Luminol — Général Nom IUPAC 5 Amino 2,3 dihydro 1,4 phthalazinedione …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Luminol — Luminol. Luminol es un derivado del ácido ftálico. Se trata de un sólido verdoso poco soluble. Su mayor importancia reside en la reacción de quimioluminiscencia que da con peróxidos en presencia de complejos de hierro como catalizadores.… …   Wikipedia Español

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  • luminol — ● luminol nom masculin Composé cyclique C8H7N3O2, doué d une chimioluminescence verte, qui est utilisée dans certains dispositifs d éclairage de secours non électriques …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Luminol — Strukturformel Allgemeines Name Luminol Andere Namen 3 Aminopht …   Deutsch Wikipedia

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  • luminol — liuminolas statusas T sritis chemija formulė H₂NC₆H₃:(CO)₂(NH)₂ atitikmenys: angl. luminol rus. люминол ryšiai: sinonimas – 5 amino 1,2,3,4 tetrahidro 1,4 ftalazindionas …   Chemijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

  • luminol — Compound used as a bystander substrate in assaying the metabolic burst of leucocytes by chemiluminescence. When oxidized by the myeloperoxidase/hydrogen peroxide system, it emits light …   Dictionary of molecular biology

  • luminol — noun A chemical that exhibits blue chemiluminescence when mixed with an appropriate oxidizing agent, molecular formula CHNO …   Wiktionary

  • luminol — lu·mi·nol lü mə .nȯl, .nōl n an almost white to yellow crystalline compound C8H7N3O2 that gives a brilliant bluish luminescence when it is treated in alkaline solution with an oxidizing agent (as hydrogen peroxide) and that is used in chemical… …   Medical dictionary

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