Chemistry of the Belousov-Zhabotinskii Reaction

Abstract

Oscillations in the Belousov-Zhabotinskii reaction are easily produced. A convenient recipe is given by Field (1972). Ingredients:

		initial concentrations
150ml	1M H2SO4	1M
0.175 g	Ce(NO3)6(NH4)2	0.002 M
4.292 g	CH2(COOH)2	0.28 M
1.415 g	NaBrO3	0.063 M

In a beaker equipped with stirring apparatus, dissolve malonic acid and cerium ammonium nitrate in sulphuric acid. Solution will first be yellow, then, after a few minutes, turn clear. When clear, add sodium bromate. Solution will turn yellow, then clear...then yellow, then clear..., oscillating with a period on the order of one minute, depending on the rate of stirring among other things. A more dramatic color change, between red and blue, can be produced by adding a few mls of 0.025M Ferroin (1,10 phenanthroline iron). All of these chemicals are readily available.