Lighting up copper

Post-16 courses tend to require that students recall a number of key properties associated with transition metals. These can include the formation of complex ions and coloured compounds, catalytic properties, variable oxidation states and magnetic properties.

The ‘pink catalyst’ or ‘traffic lights’ demonstration that’s been covered here previously is a common choice for displaying a number of these, but due to its popularity, there is a good chance students have already seen it.

An alternative demonstration of luminol chemiluminescence can be catalysed by a range of transition metal compounds, including those of copper, cobalt and iron. A couple of years ago, I saw a great variation on the luminol demonstration that shows the catalytic properties of copper, formation of a range of complex ions, chelation, and implies the importance of variable oxidation states.

With an accompanying video, powerpoint slides and technicians' notes, Declan Fleming shows how to set up and teach the 'lighting up copper' practical.