Bis {3,4,6-tricloro-2- ((alkyl-or phenyl-oxy)carbonyl))phenyl}oxalate and a chemical light system comprising an activator solution and the oxalate

摘要

Chemical light producing systems and the chemiluminescent formulations contained therein are taught which exhibit reduced hydrolysis and thereby are characterized by an inherently long shelf-life and commercial viability. By replacing the typical oxalate ester, e.g. (bis{3,4,6-trichloro-2-[(pentoxy)carbonyl]phenyl}oxalate) with a branched chain oxalic acid ester represented by the general formula: wherein the group designated as R contains from 4-15 carbons, wherein the carbon of attachment of R to the oxygen is via a primary carbon, and wherein substructure A is composed of substituents selected from the group including alkyl chains, alkyl rings, aromatic rings and combinations thereof such that R is nonlinear, water hydrolysis of the oxalate ester is retarded. This retardation of the hydrolysis changes the storage constraints of the oxalate ester.