Extracting Fluorescein for Glow-in-the-Dark Fun
Overview
Extract fluorescein from highlighters to use in a variety of beautiful ways.
Chemicals
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250 mL
Rubbing alcohol
Affiliate links to chemicals.
*Note: These chemicals can be purchased locally at stores such as Walmart/Target.
Materials
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Test tube holder
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Pliers
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Large test tube
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Stirring rod
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Eye dropper
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Dropping bottle (filled with rubbing alcohol)
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Alcohol burner + stand + lighter
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UV light (optional but really makes the fluorescein bright)
Procedure
The Science Behind the Reaction
Fluorescein is repelled by the alcohol so as the alcohol enters, the fluorescein leaks out. We then burned off the alcohol and were left with just the Fluorescein.
This chemical looks cool but it also has a lot of important uses, like tracing blood samples, leaving a trail in the body when digested, and helping to locate missing planes. Wow!
Keep Experimenting!
Try some at-home Crime Scene Investigation.
Chemicals
-Fluorescein
-3% hydrogen peroxide
Materials
-Dark room
-UV light source
-Piece of paper
-Steak (or some slab of meat)
-Another red substance (like strawberry jelly)
Procedure
1. Purchase a steak from the store and rub a streak of blood on a piece of paper.
2. Rub a smear of another red substance on the other side of the paper, like strawberry jelly.
3. Spray Fluorescein on the two smears followed by a spray of 3% hydrogen peroxide.
4. Go into a dark room and turn on the UV light.