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Addition of Oxygen to Tetrakis(N,N-dimethylamino) Ethylene

Tetrakis(N,N-dimethylamino)ethylene is shaken with oxygen

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Narrative
A test tube of tetrakis(N,N-dimethylamino)ethylene (TMEA) is shaken with oxygen in the dark. A greenish-glow is observed.

Discussion
Tetrakis(N,N-dimethylamino)ethylene (TMEA) forms a complex with oxygen which breaks down in the presence of water or other hydroxylic solvents to produce oxidation products and an excited state of TMEA. The excited state emits light energy and returns to the ground state.