10Simple protocols have been devised for peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence demonstrations that use urea-hydrogen peroxide or sodium percarbonate as oxidants in place of aqueous solutions of hydrogen peroxide. The procedures described are compatible with well-known peroxyoxalates and fluorescers and have been found to be convenient for use for outreach activities in venues with limited laboratory facilities. 15ABSTRACT GRAPHIC

A range of twelve stabilised phosphonium ylides containing tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydropyran or 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane rings have been prepared and fully characterised, including one X-ray structure determination of each type. The X-ray structures confirm the PvC and CvO functions to be syn and all the compounds undergo thermal extrusion of Ph 3 PO to give the corresponding alkynes. In some cases there is also competing loss of Ph 3 P to give different carbene-derived products and evidence has been obtained for the generation of 2-phenyloxete in this way. Raising the pyrolysis temperature leads in several cases to new secondary reactions of the alkyne products involving a sequence of alkyne to vinylidene isomerisation, intramolecular CH insertion, and retro Diels Alder reaction.