Color Reactions: Definition, History, and References
Color reactions are chemical reactions that involve the production of colored molecules. This type of reaction is used in a variety of fields, including analytical chemistry, biology, environmental science, and medicine. The goal of color reactions is to enable the detection and identification of particular substances in a sample.
Definition
A color reaction is a chemical reaction that produces a colored molecule or compound. The color of the compound is a result of energy transitions between different energy levels of the molecule, and is usually visible to the naked eye. As the reaction proceeds, the color produced can be used to detect and identify the substances involved in the reaction.
History
The use of color reactions dates back to the 18th century, when natural dyes were used to detect the presence of specific substances. In the 19th century, several colorimetric methods were developed to detect different types of substances, such as proteins, carbohydrates, and other biomolecules.
Since then, color reactions have become an integral part of analytical chemistry. They are used to detect and quantify a wide range of substances, including metal ions, organic compounds, and enzymes. Color reactions are also used in medical diagnostics, such as the determination of blood glucose levels.
References
Briggs, J. C., & Haldar, J. P. (2018). Colorimetric methods in biochemical research. Methods in enzymology, 591, 1-42.
Raj, R., & Sharma, M. (2014). Colorimetric techniques in clinical chemistry: A review. Analytical chemistry insights, 9, ACI.S22584.
Shu, X., & Duan, Y. (2016). Colorimetric assays in biochemistry. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 85, 707-719.