ELECTROGENERATED CHEMILUMINESCENCE OF CYCLIC HYDRAZIDES IN AN ALKALINE BRIJ35 MICELLAR SYSTEM

The micellar effect of Brij35 (polyoxyethylene(23)dodecanol) on the chemiluminescent reaction of 6-[N-(4-aminobutyl)]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-phthalazinedione (ABI) with dissolved molecular oxygen (O2), initiated by electrolytic oxidation in an alkaline solution, was studied. Two chemiluminescent steps are observed: (i) reaction of one-electron-oxidized ABI with superoxide anion (O2-{radical dot}) and (ii) reaction of two-electron-oxidized ABI, i.e. the corresponding azaquinone, with the dehydrated hydrogen peroxide species (HO2- and O22-). The light emission caused by the latter reaction is strongly enhanced by the micellar effect when ABI is surrounded by the hydrophilic portion of the Brij35 micelle. The fluorescent ability of the resulting emitter is hardly affected by the micelle. The enhanced light emission is considered to be closely related to the electron-donating properties of oxygen which donates electrons to the poly(ethylene oxide) moiety of Brij35. © 1990.