Diphenyl oxalate

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Diphenyl oxalate
IUPAC name Diphenyl oxalate
Other names Diphenylethandioate, oxalic acid diphenyl ester, Cyalume, DPO
Identifiers
CAS number [3155-16-6]
PubChem 18475
SMILES O=C(Oc1ccccc1)C(=O)Oc2ccccc2
Properties
Molecular formula C14H10O4
Molar mass 242.227 g/mol
Appearance Solid
Melting point

136°C

Except where noted otherwise, data are given for
materials in their standard state
(at 25 °C, 100 kPa)

Infobox disclaimer and references

Diphenyl oxalate (trademark name Cyalume) is a solid ester whose oxidation products are responsible for the chemiluminescence in a glowstick. It can be synthesized by fully esterifying phenol with oxalic acid. The reaction with hydrogen peroxide that diphenyl oxalate undergoes to produce a photon of light is shown below:

The reaction rate is pH dependent, and slightly alkaline conditions achieved by adding a weak base, e.g. sodium salicylate, will produce brighter light. The 2,4,6-trichlorophenole ester of oxalic acid is a solid and thus easier to handle. Furthermore, since trichlorophenolate is the better leaving group, the reaction will proceed faster, again producing brighter light, as compared to the phenole ester.

The following colors can be produced by using different dyes:

Color Compound
Blue 9,10-Diphenylanthracene
Green 9,10-Bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene
Yellow-green Tetracene
Yellow 1-Chloro-9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene
Orange 5,12-Bis(phenylethynyl)-naphthacene, Rubrene, Rhodamine 6G
Red Rhodamine B

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