Glowing teacup demonstration: Trautz-schorigin reaction of natural polyphenols

A safe, versatile demonstration of singlet oxygen chemiluminescence by means of Trautz-Schorigin reaction is described. Instead of toxic pyrogallol, green tea is used as a source of polyphenols. The effect of an antioxidant (ascorbic acid) and of boric acid on chemiluminescence is studied. This demonstration is suitable either for organic chemistry and general chemistry courses and can also be performed as an experiment by students.