A DFT investigation of the blue bottle experiment: E(∘)(half-cell) analysis of autoxidation catalysed by redox indicators

The blue bottle experiment is a collective term for autoxidation reactions catalysed by redox indicators. The reactions are characterized by their repeatable cycle of colour changes when shaken/left to stand and intricate chemical pattern formation. The blue bottle experiment is studied based on calculated solution-phase half-cell reduction potential of related reactions. Our investigation confirms that the reaction in various versions of the blue bottle experiment published to date is mainly the oxidation of an acyloin to a 1,2-dicarbonyl structure. In the light of the calculations, we also propose new non-acyloin reducing agents for the experiment. These results can help guide future experimental studies on the blue bottle experiment.