Extraction of dyes contained in glow sticks using liquid CO2

Abstract

Separation of glow stick dyes adhered to a cotton swab using liquid CO2 provides an engaging demonstration of several chemical concepts including polarity, kinetics, chemiluminescence, and the importance of CO2 a green solvent. The simple protocol allows access to a broad range of students. Differential polarities of the glow stick dyes allow certain dyes to be preferentially dissolved in liquid CO2, leaving other dyes adhered onto cotton. Both TCPO (bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)oxalate) and H2O2, which together provide the necessary reaction for chemiluminescence, are present in both the extracted liquid and cotton upon dissipation of CO2. Thus, it is possible to compare the emission spectrum of the extracted fluid to that of the original glow stick and the residue left on the cotton swab. Emission peaks resulting from the presence of polar dyes in the original glow stick and on the cotton are routinely observed to be missing in the extracts.

Keywords

• Separation science
• organic chemistry
• curriculum
• hands-on learning