TCPO, or bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl) oxalate, is the main chemical in glow sticks.

Uses

TCPO is one of the major ingredients in glow sticks. When combined with a fluorescent dye like 9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene, a solvent (such as diethyl phthalate), and a weak base (usually sodium acetate or sodium salicylate), and hydrogen peroxide, the mixture will start a chemiluminescent reaction to glow a fluorescent green color.^[1]

Red, yellow and blue colors can be made by replacing the 9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene with Rhodamine B, Rubrene and 9,10-diphenylanthracene respectively.

In a glowstick a fluorescent dye converts much of the light energy produced into the visible spectrum producing a brighter glow.

Preparation

TCPO can be prepared from a solution of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol in a solution of dry toluene by reaction with oxalyl chloride in the presence of a base such as triethylamine. This method produces crude TCPO with a by-product of triethylamine hydrochloride. Also, TCPO can be used in many different ways such as: touchscreen products, reflective coating, fridges, tanks and many other ways like pranks...Just what I'm doing now. :)

References

fa: fr:Oxalate de di(2,4,6-trichloroph nyle)