pyrogallol chemoluminescence

hi group

I found an older article : it is a " recipe" to give a orange coloured
chemoluminescence.
(Ref. " Organische chemie in een proefbuis" by Apr. Hermann Rompp.)

It goes as follows: solution of 1 g pyrogallol in 10 ml Aq. dest + 10 ml
Formaldehyde sol. 40pct + solution of 5 g KOH in 10 ml Aq to be mixed in
this order, darken the room and then add 15 ml H2O2 30pct. .......
the mixture starts "boiling" and one can smell the formaldehyde vapours +
orange coloured chemoluminescence. All this acoording to the "recipe".

I knew of the oxidation of pyrogallol, especially favourised in alkaline
environment, by peroxydes like H2O2, but what is the function of the
formaldehyde? does it react with pyrogallol in these conditions? (aldol?)

Thanks

Frank Van Parijs Apotheker Leegstraat 11 9060 Zelzate Belgium
vanparijs.frank@xxxxxxxxx tel: +3293455122


.