Solvent Variations of the Briggs-Rauscher Reaction

The Briggs-Rauscher (BR) oscillatory reaction is one of the more interesting and colorful oscillatory reactions. It has surpassed the demonstration realm, as it has found use as a method to assess antioxidant capacity. However, this application as an antioxidant assay is limited to water-soluble samples. In the constant search for different, novel applications, we report the effects of various sample solvents on the behavior of the BR reaction. Our investigation looked at how changes in the solvent used to dissolve samples altered the time intervals of BR reaction’s oscillations. The solvents used were ethanol, isopropanol, 1-propanol, acetone, and acetonitrile. Addition of ethanol had no effect on the BR oscillations. Isopropanol, 1-propanol, and acetone shorten the oscillation time. A test using acetonitrile discarded solvent polarity effects. Our results suggest that solvents that accelerate the enol pathway rate affect the oscillations of the BR reaction. Finally, samples can be safely dissolved in ethanol and used in the BR reaction.