Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence. 37. Aqueous Ecl Systems Based on Ru(2,2'-bipyridine)32+ and Oxalate or Organic Acids

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/ja00393a006

An aqueous system for electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ecl) based on the reaction of electrogenerated Ru(bpy)₃³⁺ with strong reductants produced as intermediates in the oxidation of oxalate ion is described.The bright orange chemiluminescence , which could also be generated by reaction of chemically produced Ru(III) species with oxalate, corresponded to emission by Ru(bpy)₃^2+*, ecl efficiency (photons emitted/Ru(bpy)₃³⁺ generated) was ca.2percent in deaerated solution.Ecl by reaction of the 1+ and 3+ Ru species could also be obtained in partially aqueous solutions containing at least 20percent acetonitrile.Chemiluminescence was also observed with other organic acids (pyruvic, malonic, lactic), when the intermediates produced on their oxidation by Ce⁴⁺ reacted with Ru(bpy)₃³⁺.