Just Add Luminol to Turn the Spotlight on Radziszewski Amidation

Radziszewski amidation, namely the peroxide-mediated conversion of nitriles into amides, is a chemiluminescent reaction involving singlet oxygen. Its increasing relevance in green chemistry and analytical chemistry makes it an important subject to be discussed in advanced chemistry courses. To turn the attention of lecturers, teachers, and students toward this reaction, the history of its discovery as well as its practical applications is discussed. Moreover, a simple and effective experiment to demonstrate the chemiluminescent properties of Radziszewski amidation is provided.