What is the chemical compound in Woolite which causes it to fluoresce under a black light?

Answer 1

Woolite contains ingredients called optical brighteners, benzenesulfonateis is one that is present in Woolite. These ingredients absorb ultraviolet light and emit it as visible blue light. This effect masks the yellow appearance that white clothes often take on after time. They are not actually any whiter, but appear that way. A black light, often called a UV light will reveal the presence of optical brighteners in detergents, these types should never be used to wash military clothing as these ingredients will increase the visibility of the clothing.

ANSWER:

The manufacturers of woolite Reckitt Beckniser give the contents of the chemical coumpound mixtures in the company website as some ionic surfactants like alkylbenzene sulfonic acid,cocnut acid,inert filler,and benzisothiazolinone emulsifiers for paints that can absob light and glow in the dark. However the most important chemical that glows in the dark and used as embalming fluid is Butylated Hydroxtoluene ,also used in woolite.The manufacturers do not mention quinine as an ingredient in woollite nor does quinine glow under dark light but under UV light.

Additional information:

Fluorescent compounds absorb light in the UV region (not visible to humans), and emit the energy in the form of light of visible wavelength. The energy taken in has a smaller wavelength than the energy given out, corresponding to the equation:

E = hv, and subsequently E = h x c / lambda.

h = plancks constant, c is speed of light, E = energy, lambda is the wavelength of light. From this equation, it can be seen that E is proportional to 1/lambda. There is a loss of energy (mostly vibrational/non-radiative) that allows fluorescence to occur.

A similar phenomenon witnessed is phosphorescence, which lasts longer than fluorescence (for a more complicated reason)

Answer 2

The chemical compound in Woolite that causes it to fluoresce under a black light is Optical Brighteners. These compounds work by absorbing ultraviolet light and then emitting it as visible light, making the material appear brighter and whiter.