Exploring Triboluminescence and Paramagnetism: A Rapid Mn Complex Synthesis for High School and Undergraduate Chemistry Laboratories

Triboluminescence is a fascinatingphenomenon that can engage students'interest in chemistry. However, safe, cost-effective, and accessiblelaboratory experiments featuring highly triboluminescent substancesare limited. To bridge this gap, we present a simple, rapid, semimicrotest tube preparation of the visually engaging manganese complex [MnBr2(Ph3PO)(2)], conducted by high schoolstudents. During the laboratory session, students practice variouslaboratory skills, including handling semimicro quantities of substances,ascertaining the melting point, and recrystallizing the synthesizedcomplex. They also investigate the complex's triboluminescent,fluorescent, and magnetic properties through straightforward and illustrativeexperiments. Furthermore, this laboratory activity has been successfullyimplemented in an undergraduate chemistry didactics course for chemistryeducators. The experiment's simplicity, combined with the safetyof starting materials and use of nontoxic solvents, makes it an optimalchoice for a variety of educational environments, such as high schooland university laboratory sessions, science clubs, and public scienceoutreach activities.