Exploring Triboluminescence and Paramagnetism: A Rapid Mn Complex Synthesis for High School and Undergraduate Chemistry Laboratories

0574111 - ÚOCHB 2024 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Matoušek, V. - Matuška, R. - Vranka, T. - Adamec, M. - Herentin, T. - Kaláček, J. - Havlík, Jan
Exploring Triboluminescence and Paramagnetism: A Rapid Mn Complex Synthesis for High School and Undergraduate Chemistry Laboratories.
Journal of Chemical Education. Roč. 100, č. 8 (2023), s. 3061-3069. ISSN 0021-9584. E-ISSN 1938-1328
Institutional support: RVO:61388963
Keywords : coordination compounds * ligand field theory * equilibrium * fluorescence spectroscopy * luminescence * triboluminescence * undergraduate research
OECD category: Education, general; including training, pedagogy, didactics [and education systems]
Impact factor: 3, year: 2022
Method of publishing: Open access
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.3c00372

Triboluminescence is a fascinating phenomenon that can engage students’ interest in chemistry. However, safe, cost-effective, and accessible laboratory experiments featuring highly triboluminescent substances are limited. To bridge this gap, we present a simple, rapid, semimicro test tube preparation of the visually engaging manganese complex [MnBr2(Ph3PO)2], conducted by high school students. During the laboratory session, students practice various laboratory skills, including handling semimicro quantities of substances, ascertaining the melting point, and recrystallizing the synthesized complex. They also investigate the complex’s triboluminescent, fluorescent, and magnetic properties through straightforward and illustrative experiments. Furthermore, this laboratory activity has been successfully implemented in an undergraduate chemistry didactics course for chemistry educators. The experiment’s simplicity, combined with the safety of starting materials and use of nontoxic solvents, makes it an optimal choice for a variety of educational environments, such as high school and university laboratory sessions, science clubs, and public science outreach activities.
Permanent Link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0344464