1,4-Cyclohexanedione Belousov-Zhabotinsky Reaction

The Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction is known to produce striking oxidation waves. The solution is mixed beforehand and then poured into a Petri dish. A glass plate is gently placed on top of two glass spacers to cover the reaction solution. Over time self-organization creates spiral-like scroll waves and target patterns. This specific reaction solution does not use the classic organic substrate malonic acid, but rather cyclohexanedione which does not result in gaseous reaction products that could nucleate bubbles.