what is the purpose of acetic acid in the luminol synthesis reaction?
The acetic acid is added to quench the dithionite reaction. The
acid's purpose is to decompose any dithionite remaining. Also,
treatment with an aqueous acid would take longer for the dithionite
to decompose because of the complex equilibria present from the
reaction of dithionite with water.
In glacial acetic acid (more or less anhydrous), because there are
no side reactions to compete with the decomposition reaction, the
decomposition reaction would go to completion rapidly.
Get Answers For Free
Most questions answered within 1 hours.