GB1067607A - Chemiluminescent compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

A chemiluminescent composition comprises (1) a dicarboxylic acid of formula COOH.(CO)m.(COHOH)m.COOH where m and n are less than 11, (2) an anhydrous hydroperoxide, (3) a specified dehydrating agent, and (4) a fluorescent compound; the fluorescent compound may be omitted if one of the other constituents is itself fluorescent. The dehydrating agent may be (a) a carbodiimide RN=C=NR1 where R and R1 are (normal or substituted) alkyl (C1-C16), aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclic, substituted alkyl, substituted aryl, substituted cycloalkyl or substituted heterocyclic, (b) an anhydride of carboxylic acid, (c) an isocyanate, (d) an anhydride of R-substituted carboxylic acid (R as above), or (e) an R-substituted isocyanate. The hydroperoxide may be H2O2 or a perhydrate. The materials may be present in a liquid diluent, or the blended solids may be stored, a diluent being added to initiate the reaction. The reaction may also be initiated by friction, or by the addition of any one component, other than the fluorescent component, to a mixture of the others. One or more components may be contained in, e.g. a dissolvable capsule before use. Light output may be improved by the addition of a small amount of an anhydrous acid catalyst; many examples of suitable organic and inorganic acids are given. Fluorescent materials mentioned, emitting between 330 and 700 millimicron, include anthracenes, anthrenes, naphthacenes, stilbenes etc.