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Bis(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl-6-carbopentoxyphenyl)oxalate

Bis-(2,4,5-trichloro-6-(pentyloxycarbonyl)phenyl)oxalate
Skeletal formula
Space-filling model of the CPPO molecule
Names
Other names
CPPO
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.045.618
PubChem CID
Properties
C26H24Cl6O8
Molar mass 677.17 g·mol−1
Melting point 188 to 192 °C (370 to 378 °F; 461 to 465 K)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
YesY  (what is YesYN ?)
Infobox references

Bis-[2,4,5-trichloro-6-(pentyloxycarbonyl)phenyl]oxalate (also known as bis(2,4,5-trichloro-6-carbopentoxyphenyl) oxalate or CPPO) is a solid ester whose oxidation products are responsible for the chemiluminescence in a glowstick. It can be synthesized by reacting 2-carbopentoxy-3,5,6-trichlorophenol with oxalyl chloride. (Note: This article originally was called Bis(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl-6-carbopentoxyphenyl)oxalate, but the subsequently added picture and formula have only two phenyl groups. Since no references are given, it is unclear what compound is actually used in glowsticks.)

When mixed with hydrogen peroxide in an organic solvent (diethyl phthalate, ethyl acetate, etc...) in the presence of a fluorescent dye CPPO causes the emission of light, as per the following scheme involving 1,2-dioxetanedione (note that many side-groups of the aromatic rings are not shown.):

The reaction rate is pH dependent, and slightly alkaline conditions achieved by adding a weak base, e.g. sodium salicylate, will produce brighter light. Developed by American Cyanamid in the 1960s, the formulation containing CPPO, a fluorescor, and a glass capsule containing hydrogen peroxide and a base catalyst, all in dialkyl phthalate solvents, was marketed as Cyalume.

The following colors can be produced by using different dyes:


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