Single-crystal X-ray studies of five alkali metal salts of luminol

Abstract

Luminol salts of five alkali metals, Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs, have been prepared and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Luminol is deprotonated at the same site whereas each ionic salt has a unique composition and a different number of water molecules. The cation/luminol ion pair to water molecule ratio in the lattices varies as follows: 1 : 0 for K, 1 : 1 for Li, 1 : 2 for Rb, 1 : 3 for Cs, and 1 : 6 for Na. The differences in composition among the five compounds lead to different metal coordination environments in the solid state and distinct 3-D molecular arrangements in the lattice.

Keywords:

• Luminol
• Lithium
• Sodium

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Prof. Hee-Gweon Woo and Dr Kerim Samedov for useful suggestions and assistance.